Energy Appropriator Asks Argonne to Help Boeing Resolve Dreamliner

WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Congressman Chaka Fattah (D-PA), a Senior Democratic Appropriator on the Energy and Water Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, is calling on the Argonne National Laboratory to provide its expertise to the Federal Aviation Administration and Boeing to help resolve mechanical problems that have forced FAA officials to ground Boeing's 787 Dreamliner fleet.

In a letter to Argonne Director, Eric Isaacs, Fattah asks the Illinois based national laboratory - a leader in lithium battery technology - to lend its expert knowledge to Boeing as the company works with the FAA to address the technical problems related to the Dreamliner's lithium battery leakage.

"Given Argonne National Laboratory's focus on battery research and development, I am asking that Argonne personnel lend their expertise to Boeing as the company works with the FAA," Fattah said in his letter.

On Thursday, in a letter to Administrator Charles Bolden, Fattah who is the lead Democratic Appropriator for NASA, has also called on the space agency to provide the expertise of its scientists and engineers to help Boeing get to the bottom of the Dreamliner's battery problem.

Below is the full text of Congressman Fattah's letter to Argonne:

January 18, 2013

Eric D. Isaacs
Director
Argonne National Laboratory
9700 S. Cass Avenue
Argonne, IL 60439 

Dear Director Isaacs,

The United States has always led the world in energy related innovation.  Argonne has been a key force behind many of the nation's energy based engineering achievements.  As you know, Boeing has recently faced challenges with its much anticipated Dreamliner.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) along with authorities in Japan and Europe have grounded the plane because of technical problems related to its lithium battery.  The FAA is currently working with Boeing to develop a plan to address these problems. 

I have visited Argonne and witnessed the leading model for battery research and design taking place there. This is exactly the type of cutting edge research that I have seen in many of the National Laboratories I have visited over the past year.  As a co-chair of the House Science and National Labs Caucus it is this type of innovative technology that I will highlight to my colleagues as we focus our attention on strengthening support for federal investment in research and national laboratories.

Given Argonne National Laboratory's focus on battery research and development, I am asking that Argonne personnel lend their expertise to Boeing as the company works with the FAA.  I have visited the Boeing plant in Washington and witnessed first-hand the skill and dedication that the Boeing Team brings to every project.  I am confident that with your leadership we can help maintain the longstanding reputation of our aviation industry and maintain the growth and sustainability of the associated industries.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this request.  Please let me know about follow-up and any additional questions you may have.

Very truly yours,

Chaka Fattah
Member of Congress

SOURCE Office of Congressman Chaka Fattah