In his testimony on March 24th before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy & Water Development (PDF here), Secretary Chu highlighted the need for advanced energy education in the form of the RE-ENERGYSE proposal:

We have many technologies in hand today to begin the transition to a low-carbon economy, but we will need breakthroughs and better technologies to meet our long-term goals. The budget request invests in basic and applied research and puts us on the path to doubling funding for science, a key presidential priority. We are also requesting $55 million to start the RE-ENERGYSE initiative to help educate the next generation of scientists and engineers…

As President Obama made clear in his remarks to the National Academy of Sciences in April 2009, the public sector must invest in research and innovation not only because the private sectoris sometimes reluctant to take large risks, but because the rewards will be broadly shared across the economy. Leading requires assembling a critical mass of the best scientists and engineers to engage in mission-oriented, cross-disciplinary approaches to addressing current and futureenergy challenges. To develop clean energy solutions and maintain nuclear security, the Department must cultivate the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics workforce of the next generation. The FY 2011 budget request of $55 million for RE-ENERGYSE (Regaining our ENERGY Science and Engineering Edge) supports K-20+ science and engineering education.