OBAMA TRANSMITS TO VLADIMIR ILLINOIS' ARGONNE NATIONAL LAB & U.S. TAXPAYERS' STIMULUS DOLLARS - DOE STIMULUS DOLLARS AND U.S. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY

OBAMA TRANSMITS TO VLADIMIR ILLINOIS' ARGONNE NATIONAL LAB& U.S. TAXPAYERS' STIMULUS DOLLARS - DOE STIMULUS DOLLARS AND U.S. MILITARY TECHNOLOGY

This weekend, the Chicago Tribune reported that American tax dollars and possibly technology have been transmitted to Russia. Battery maker Ener1, which received over $100 million in federal stimulus funds to develop cutting-edge technology in part for the U.S. military, has been bought by a Russian businessman with ties to the Russian president.

$118 Million In Federal Stimulus Funds Went To Ener1 To Produce Cutting-Edge Battery Technology, In Part For The U.S. Military. “The company tapped the country's top scientists at Argonne National Lab in Illinois, and U.S. taxpayers pledged up to $118 million in federal stimulus funds and $80 million in state and local incentives to help Ener1 produce cutting-edge battery technology for electric cars and the U.S. military.” (Julie Wernau, “U.S.-Backed Battery Company’s Sale To Russian Tycoon Sparks Anxiety,” Chicago Tribune, 4/8/12)

A Year After Vice President Joe Biden Praised Ener1, The Company Was Bought Outright By A Russian Businessman With Ties To Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. “A little more than a year after Biden’s visit to Ener1's Indiana manufacturing plant, the company's technology is owned outright by Boris Zingarevich, a Russian businessman with ties to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, a fact that concerns some technology experts in the U.S.” (Julie Wernau, “U.S.-Backed Battery Company’s Sale To Russian Tycoon Sparks Anxiety,” Chicago Tribune, 4/8/12)

“Zingarevich Acquired Ener1 Out Of Bankruptcy March 30 With An Agreement To Infuse $81 Million In Financing, Giving Him A Sophisticated Line Of Batteries That Can Power Electric Cars, Store Electricity For Power Grids And Supply Portable Power For Soldiers.” (Julie Wernau, “U.S.-Backed Battery Company’s Sale To Russian Tycoon Sparks Anxiety,” Chicago Tribune , 4/8/12)

Russia Has Been Aggressive In Acquiring U.S. Intelligence And Technology, Second Only To China. “Under Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Blank said, Russia has expanded efforts to obtain high-tech energy-related technology from the U.S. through both illicit and legal means as Russia tries to reduce its reliance on hydrocarbons. Russia is second only to China in trying to gain high-tech information related to military uses, energy generation and manufacturing, according to the U.S. Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive.” (Julie Wernau, “U.S.-Backed Battery Company’s Sale To Russian Tycoon Sparks Anxiety,” Chicago Tribune, 4/8/12)