NEWS RELEASE
From Senator Steve Peace
And Assemblyman Howard Wayne

CONTACT:
Shere Mann at (619) 463-0243 		RELEASE DATE:
January 8, 1998
For Immediate Release

GRANT ACCELERATES DEVELOPMENT
OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL GAS TURBINES



Sacramento -- Senator Steve Peace (D - El Cajon) and Assemblyman Howard Wayne (D - San Diego) announced today that the California Energy Commission has approved a grant of $305,733 to Solar Turbines, Inc, of San Diego, to develop and demonstrate an advanced industrial gas turbine.

"Development of an advanced turbine system will utilize natural gas more efficiently, save resources and result in less pollution to the environment," said Senator Peace.

The Advanced Turbine Systems (ATS) program is a joint effort between the Energy Commission, U.S. Department of Energy, industrial partners, universities and research laboratories, utility and industrial power producers, and other governmental and private sector sponsors.

"The ATS program will lead to field demonstrations of advanced turbine systems designed for both industry and, on a larger scale, for electric utilities," said Assemblyman Wayne.

The Energy Commission grant will enable the more accelerated development of catalytic combustion for Solar's larger ATS product. Interrelated projects focus on innovative turbine cycle development and on technological advancements in the use of high temperature materials such as ceramics.

Senate Bill 268 established the Defense Conversion Matching Grant Program and appropriated S4 million from the Petroleum Violation Escrow Account (PVEA) to the Energy Commission to provide matching grants to California entities qualifying for federal funds under programs providing incentives for economic conversion.



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