“I’m for expanding domestic energy production now and investing in renewables like wind and solar.”
That’s what Peter Roskam had to say in his first campaign ad of 2008. And Roskam had this to say in July 2008:
“Soaring energy prices place an enormous financial weight on our family’s budget today, far greater than any time in this nation’s history,” said Roskam. “Energy costs now consume nearly one-fifth of the after-tax incomes of low and middle-class families – double that of just 10 years ago. It has come time for a national energy policy that places us on a path to independence. This is a common goal to all Americans – Republican and Democrat. For our economic security, our national security and environmental security we must be energy independent within the next 15 years.”
And this:
Your friends and neighbors, constituents of our 6th Congressional District, are common sense folks that understand the dire situation we face, and our great need to transform into a new energy economy. They also recognize that we can’t completely drill ourselves out of our energy woes, and instead move toward our energy future with an “all of the above” approach, leaving nothing on the table.
And this:
I understand that advancing America’s energy security, and working to bring down gas prices, will require a comprehensive approach that promotes responsible domestic energy production, increased conservation and efficiency standards, and robust research and development to expand the use and application of alternative energy sources.
Roskam was given a chance to stand behind his statements and keep his promise last Thursday when the House voted on H.R.3585 – Solar Technology Roadmap Act. Roskam voted no. He broke his promise.
H.R. 3585 seeks to develop a coherent solar energy development strategy through public private partnership and to provide focused public investments that are guided by that strategy or roadmap – the goal being to develop the U.S. solar energy industry and make it more competitive globally producing green jobs here at home and ultimately increasing our energy independence while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Speaker Pelosi supplies more detail on the bill:
- Roadmap for Solar Research and Development: H.R. 3585 establishes a comprehensive roadmapping process for solar technology research, development, and demonstration activities conducted by the federal government in partnership with the private sector. The Secretary of Energy is also directed to award grants to carry out these programs on a merit-reviewed basis, and specifically to provide awards to industry-led consortia for RD&D in solar manufacturing. The roadmap provision is modeled on the successful National (now International) Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors, which has been instrumental in helping semiconductor technology advance rapidly over the past two decades.
- Roadmap Committee Make Up: The Secretary must appoint a Solar Technology Roadmap Committee, comprised of at least 11 members, within four months of enactment of the Act. At least one-third but not more than half of the members of the Committee must come from the solar industry. The Secretary must also appoint a Committee chair, who shall not be a federal employee.
- Timeline and Mandate of Committee: H.R. 3585 requires that the Committee create a Solar Technology Roadmap within eighteen months of enactment of the Act. The Roadmap will present the best current estimate of the near-term (up to two years), mid-term (up to seven years), and long-term (up to 15 years) RD&D needs in solar technology. It must also provide direct guidance for solar technology RD&D activities supported by the federal government. The bill requires that 30% of DOE solar RD&D funding in 2012 is pursuant to the recommendations of the Roadmap, ramping up to 75% in 2015. The Committee must update the Roadmap annually as needed, and comprehensively review and revise it every three years.
- Photovoltaic Provisions: The Solar Technology Roadmap Act authorizes DOE to conduct at least 10 photovoltaic demonstration projects ranging from one-to-three megawatts in size and three-to-five solar projects greater than 30 megawatts in size. DOE is also required to study the performance of photovoltaic installations and identify opportunities to improve the energy productivity of these systems. In addition, DOE must establish a program of RD&D related to the reuse, recycling, and safe disposal of photovoltaic devices.
- Dedicated Funding for Solar Research and Development: The bill authorizes $350 million for DOE to carry out these activities in FY 2011, rising to $550 million in FY 2015.
H.R. 3585 passed by a a vote of 310-106 with 63 Republican members joining 247 Democrats to make it a truly bipartisan bill. Republican Representative Michael McCaul of Texas had this to say in celebrating the bill’s passage:
The Solar Technology Roadmap Act has potential to be landmark legislation. It doubles the available research and development funding currently available. Further, it provides the collaboration that the professors at Stanford, the University of Texas and other leading institutions need to further their research so they can effectively harness the sun’s energy. The challenges they must overcome include storage, transportation and transmission of solar energy. I am hopeful this is the step that allows us to vastly expand America’s investment in research and development and commercialization of our solar industry.
Long-term, it will give us the ability to more efficiently heat and cool our homes and offices and operate equipment. Energy will cost less and the air we breathe will be cleaner.
Companies in high-tech centers such as Austin and Silicon Valley are in position to compete globally to produce this technology, creating jobs in the United States rather than export them.
Sadly, our own Republican Representative, Peter Roskam, thought it was more important to continue his political game of obstructing the Democratic legislative agenda than it was to support his promise to invest in alternative energy sources and help put our nation on the path to energy independence.
Related posts:
- Roskam Votes to Obstruct Progress on Energy Efficiency, Global Warming
- Roskam Vote on DRILL Act Proves His Energy Posture a Farce
- Roskam Again Supports Big Oil Interests Over Those of Constituents
- Roskam Sides with Big Oil, Chamber of Commerce to Block Price Gouging Prevention Act
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Gives Peter Roskam Award for Voting Against Constituents Interests
