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Once Innovations Files FOIA Request with the U.S. Department of Energy

PLYMOUTH, Minn., Feb. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Once Innovations (ONCE) has filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the U.S. Department of Energy for all records and communications relevant to the "Advanced Lighting Technology for Poultry Houses" project grant received by the Arkansas Resource Conservation and Development Councils.

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"This action follows a similar request we made last week under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act," stated Craige Thompson, Chief Legal Officer for ONCE. "It's our contention that the information we received under that request fell far short of what is, or should be, readily available and quickly accessible under the provisions of the law."

In question are the procedures, specifications, administration, and awarding of Federal Stimulus Funds by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (EDC). Timing is critical, according to Mr. Thompson, "since there is an imminent expectation of the release of Federal Stimulus Funds despite serious procedural breaches."

"If this project was handled fairly, there should be no resistance to providing all of the records regarding procedures, specifications, and communications," stated Zdenko Grajcar, CEO of ONCE. "Limited information received from our initial FOIA request leads us to believe the project was mismanaged, very narrowly publicized, and favorably directed toward predetermined suppliers."

In addition to the two FOIA requests, ONCE is considering filing a Waste, Fraud, and Abuse Report within the provisions of the American Re-investment and Recovery Act. According to Mr. Grajcar, "the Arkansas Economic Development Commission has been unresponsive to our repeated attempts to talk about this issue. We've been clear with them from the start as to what actions we intend to take. We've been consistent with our actions and we are not going to deviate from those plans."

Once Innovations (ONCE) is a privately held LED technology development company that makes part of its IP portfolio accessible to companies under licensing agreements while manufacturing highly differentiated LED lighting using a visionary approach to research and product development - from design through final production and distribution. ONCE was founded in 2008 by current CEO, Zdenko Grajcar, who is considered a pioneering rebel in LED technology for his remarkably unconventional thinking and relentless challenge to the industry status quo. The ONCE technology research, marketing, and product development campus is located in Plymouth, MN United States of America.

SOURCE Once Innovations