Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, made the following statement on the formation of Breakthrough Energy Ventures, an investor-led fund that will invest more than $1 billion in early stage and growth companies for clean technologies:

“The direct investment Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and other business leaders are making in companies developing innovative and carbon-free technologies will deliver reliable, affordable, clean energy to consumers. This isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do, given the global energy market is $6 trillion and growing. I applaud their continued leadership, in partnership with the Department of Energy, to invest in innovative solutions to today’s climate challenges.”