Congressman Bartlett Applauds House Approval of Nonpartisan Solar Technology Roadmap Act
Washington,
Oct 22 -
Congressman Bartlett applauded the approval by the House of Representative of the “Solar Technology Roadmap Act,” H.R. 3585. Congressman Bartlett said, “This bill ensures that solar energy technologies will contribute to strengthening our country’s economy, environment and national security.” The bill was approved by a bipartisan vote of to . A copy of Rep. Bartlett’s prepared remarks for the House debate is attached.
Congressman Bartlett was involved in strengthening the bill throughout its creation in his capacity as a senior member of the Committee on Science and Technology and its Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. Congressman Bartlett also contributed a key provision in the manager’s amendment during floor consideration by the full House of Representatives.
Congressman Bartlett said that, “One of the great improvements this bill would make to the current Department of Energy solar energy research and development programs is the creation of a requirement for merit-based competitive allocation of federal funds. The bill also establishes a formal advisory committee to the Department of Energy. The Solar Technology Roadmap Committee will include experts drawn from our national labs, universities, industry and entrepreneurs on technological paths to accelerate cost-effective implementation of solar power in the United States. One of the changes that I insisted upon is that members of the Solar Roadmap Committee will neither recommend nor select recipients of federal grant awards.
Rep. Bartlett’s contributions during every stage of the legislative process include:
► Continuation of the Direct Solar Pipe Day lighting research and development program, Sec. 605 that was created under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). Direct Solar Pipe Day lighting utilizes the power of sunlight to illuminate the interiors of buildings without electricity. It promises to provide an important alternative to traditional power generation for lighting that promotes greater energy conservation and improved efficiency year-round.
► Continuation of the Solar Air Conditioning research and development program, Sec. 606 that was created under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007(EISA). The program supports the development of more reliable, decentralized, distributed, and more cost-effective solar-powered air conditioning for individuals and businesses. Solar powered AC will reduce peak load electricity demands and contribute to greater resilience of our electrical grid.
► An increase in the number of large, technology neutral, solar energy demonstration projects (those over 30 megawatts) to at least three and no more than five, increasing the opportunities for energy technology innovation.
► The addition of a requirement that demonstration projects “promote overall electric infrastructure, reliability, and sustainability should grid functions be disrupted or damaged.”
► The addition of guidance in the Report accompanying the bill to maximize benefits to society and taxpayers from these demonstration projects. The Department of Energy is encouraged to consult with the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense and other agencies to locate demonstration projects at facilities that ensure sustainable energy for continuous operations of vital government missions and functions. thereby reducing our vulnerability to electricity disruptions to critical sites and vital missions in the event of natural disaster or deliberate attack.
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett
Floor Statement
General Debate on H. R. 3585
U.S. House of Representatives
October 21, 2009
“Thank you, Madam/Mr. Speaker. I recommend a yes vote for this good, nonpartisan Solar Technology Roadmap Act.
“I want to thank my Democratic and Republican colleagues for their collaboration that improved H. R. 3585 with amendments in subcommittee, full committee as well as the manager’s amendment. This bill ensures that solar energy technologies will contribute to strengthening our country’s economy, environment and national security.
“H. R. 3585 improves DOE policies by requiring merit-based competitive allocation of federal funds. The Solar Roadmap Committee will neither recommend nor select recipients of grant awards. The new Solar Technology Roadmap Committee will provide DOE with advice from our national labs, universities, industry and entrepreneurs on technological paths to accelerate cost-effective implementation of solar power.
“I am a fiscal conservative as well as a scientist and engineer. I have studied and used solar power for 40 years. This bill will not spend too much money. GAO has documented that the funding level in this bill only begins to reverse 20 years of underinvestment by the federal government in research and development of solar power, a domestic alternative and renewable source of energy.
“This bill will strengthen the ability of U.S. companies to regain America’s world leadership in solar technology and exports. The bill expands the number of large demonstration projects over 30 megawatts and makes them technology neutral. The bill will reduce known vulnerabilities of our grid to natural disasters or terrorist attacks by requiring demonstration projects to ‘promote overall electric infrastructure reliability and sustainability should grid functions be disrupted or damaged.’
“This bill will also maximize benefits to society and taxpayers from these demonstration projects by encouraging DOE to consult with DHS, DOD and other agencies to locate demonstration projects at facilities that ensure sustainable energy for continuous operations of vital government missions and functions.
“Vote yes for H. R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act. Using our sun to power American homes and businesses is a non-partisan issue.”
