{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-announces-100000-federal-grant-research-use-composite-lumber", "Pingree announces $100,000 federal grant to research use of composite lumber in aquaculture pens", "2016-09-07", "2016", "2016-09", "Democrat", "House", "ME", "Chellie Pingree", "P000597", "pingree.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congresswoman Chellie Pingree announced today that InnovaSea Systems in Augusta will receive a $99,771 Small Business Innovation Research grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to research the feasibility of using wood fiber composite materials for the aquaculture pens it manufactures.\u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\t\u201cThese types of grants have been key in helping Maine small businesses test new technologies and take innovative ideas to market,\u201d said Pingree. \u00a0\u201cThis project is very exciting in connecting two areas where Maine has a lot of expertise\u2014marine construction and wood-based composites. I applaud InnovaSea Systems for its leadership in bringing these technologies together in a way that holdsgreat potential for Maine\u2019s economy.\u201d\u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tSince 2006, InnovaSea Systems in Augusta has manufactured and marketed its Aquapod spehericalgeodesic fish pens, which are used year-round in demanding marine environments. \u00a0The cages are currently built with High Density Polyethelene (HDPE) plastic, but the company is looking for a stronger and stiffer alternative.\u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tThe company will work with researchers at the University of Maine who have developed a process to produce a thermoplastic composite combining engineering plastic with wood fiber. \u00a0The effectiveness of the composite will be tested in the lab and open ocean. \u00a0If successful, the material holds great potential for many marine uses. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0  \n\t\u00a0  A full description of the project is available here.\u00a0Pingree is a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, which oversees funding for the Small Business Innovation Research Program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://pingree.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pingree-announces-100000-federal-grant-research-use-composite-lumber"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9000541176646948, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}