“This is the first step in the solar energy agenda for the 110th Congress” — Gabrielle Giffords
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords' first solar energy bill cleared a significant hurdle this afternoon, earning strong bipartisan support from the U.S. House Committee on Science and Technology.
Giffords' Solar Energy Research and Advancement Act of 2007 is aimed at reducing global warming and increasing America's use of renewable energy by harnessing the power of the sun. Backing from the committee allows the legislation to be considered next month by the full U.S. House of Representatives.
“A bold new era awaits us - an era of clean energy independence,” said Giffords, a member of the committee and vice chairwoman of the subcommittee. “I firmly believe this is the Apollo mission of our generation.”
While preparing the legislation, Giffords consulted with her Solar Energy Advisory Council, a group of scientists, engineers, business leaders and environmentalists from Southern Arizona. The congresswoman worked with Democrats and Republicans on the committee in drafting the final version of the bill.
As amended, the act calls for:
- A program to create and strengthen solar industry workforce training and internship programs in order to ensure that current and future employees obtain the necessary skills to install, operate and maintain solar energy products;
- A nationwide initiative for private industry and public agencies to demonstrate advanced solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. All states, such as Arizona, that submit qualifying proposals can receive this funding, which will advance the commercial application of solar technology;
- The creation of a research and development program into thermal energy storage technologies for concentrating solar power (CSP). CSP uses mirrors to convert the sun's energy into heat, which is then used to produce electricity. The focus of the program will be on how to improve storage technology so that solar energy consumers can obtain electricity at night and on cloudy days;
- A report regarding the integration of concentrating solar power plants and regional electricity transmission systems, including how to send electricity from high solar resource areas (such as Arizona) to areas with less solar power;
- An analysis of how to reduce the amount of water consumed by concentrating solar power systems;
- Research and development for solar lighting technology, such as solar light pipes, which is a highly efficient method to create electricity; and
- Research and development for solar air conditioning technology.
Two Arizona experts were among those who offered comments on Giffords' bill when it was formally unveiled last week at a hearing of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee. Herbert Hayden, the solar technology coordinator for Arizona Public Service, traveled from Arizona to Washington D.C. to testify. He told the subcommittee that the research and development program Giffords seeks “could significantly accelerate the use of this promising technology.”
Written testimony was provided by Roger Angel, a professor of astronomy and optical sciences at the University of Arizona and a member of the National Academy of Sciences. In his testimony, Angel wrote that his support of the bill is rooted in “the need to mitigate global warming” by reducing fossil fuel consumption. “If the research supported by this bill takes us down this road, it will have been of great importance,” he wrote.
A recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change found that global warming likely will have a dramatic impact on the American West by permanently reducing the flow of the Colorado River, a vital source of water and power for more than 25 million people in Arizona and six other states. The dire consequences of such an eventuality include more severe and prolonged droughts, water shortages, forest fires and a proliferation of environmentally devastating invasive species.
To curb the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming, Giffords believes solar energy can and must play a crucial role.
“The potential of solar energy is nothing short of astounding,” the Tucson lawmaker said. “In Arizona we have more than 300 days of brilliant sunshine every year. Not to tap this unlimited natural resource would be short-sighted and foolish. Solar energy stimulates business development, creates new jobs, helps protect our environment and promotes energy independence. My legislation will move solar energy forward by targeting some of the gaps that several experts have identified in our national solar energy strategy.”
Giffords noted that her bill is only the beginning. “This is the first step in the overall solar energy agenda for the 110th Congress. I am considering additional pieces of legislation, and I know that other House committees are considering bills that could have a positive impact on solar energy,” the Tucson lawmaker said. “All solar energy technologies - photovoltaic, concentrating solar power, and solar heating and lighting - should be promoted if we are to realize the full potential of solar energy.”
To get more information on the bill, H.R. 2774, go to htttp://science.house.gov/publications/hearings_markups.aspx#markups.