Legislation calls for a panel of experts to create a solar roadmap
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords today introduced legislation that would require the federal Department of Energy to appoint a group of experts to create a long-term plan to guide solar energy research and its transition into commercial uses.
The 11-member Solar Roadmap Committee would be formed as part of Giffords’ Solar Technology Roadmap Act, a bill that authorizes $2.25 billion for solar research over the next five years.
The centerpiece of the bill is the establishment of a committee to create a much-needed roadmap for solar technology research.
“The Solar Technology Roadmap would help guide the solar industry and research community in their efforts to advance emerging solar technologies quickly and effectively,” said Giffords, a member of the House Science and Technology Committee. “It also would help the federal government to allocate research and development funds wisely.”
Under Giffords’ bill, the roadmap would identify research and development that needs to occur to help improve the performance and reliability of solar technologies, decrease cost, reduce water use and mitigate any negative environmental impacts. It would be subject to a comprehensive revision every three years to keep it current.
The bill also would require the Department of Energy to award grants for solar demonstration projects and research on photovoltaic waste and recycling.
The bill will be heard next week by the Energy and Environment Subcommittee of the Science and Technology Committee. A copy of the bill is attached.
Giffords has championed solar energy since entering the House in 2007, calling it one of her top priorities in Washington.
“Harnessing the power of the sun offers a tremendous opportunity for Arizona, and all of America,” she said. “It will help us address some of the largest challenges we face, like improving our economy by creating green jobs, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and cutting green house gas emissions.”
Since 2007, Giffords’ office has been conducting the popular Solar 101 community education series to help individuals, businesses and governments learn about the benefits of solar energy. The series has become so popular that it recently was offered in Phoenix.
Giffords recently was invited to address the National Academy of Sciences on solar issues and earlier this month addressed the Solar Economic Forum meeting in Washington, D.C.