[House Report 111-304]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
111th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 111-304
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PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL (H.R. 3585) TO GUIDE AND
PROVIDE FOR UNITED STATES RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION OF
SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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October 20, 2009.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be
printed
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Mr. Polis, from the Committee on Rules,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H. Res. 846 ]
The Committee on Rules, having had under consideration
House Resolution 846, by a nonrecord vote, report the same to
the House with the recommendation that the resolution be
adopted.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS OF THE RESOLUTION
The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3585, the
``Solar Technology Roadmap Act,'' under a structured rule. The
resolution provides one hour of general debate equally divided
and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the
Committee on Science and Technology. The resolution waives all
points of order against consideration of the bill except those
arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.
The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of
a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science and
Technology shall be considered as an original bill for the
purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. The
resolution waives all points of order against the amendment in
the nature of a substitute except those arising under clause 10
of rule XXI. This waiver does not affect the point of order
available under clause 9 of rule XXI (regarding earmark
disclosure).
The resolution further makes in order only those amendments
printed in this report. The amendments made in order may be
offered only in the order printed in this report, may be
offered only by a Member designated in this report, shall be
considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified
in this report equally divided and controlled by the proponent
and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall
not be subject to a demand for division of the question. All
points of order against the amendments are waived except those
arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.
The resolution provides one motion to recommit with or
without instructions. The resolution provides that the Chair
may entertain a motion that the Committee rise only if offered
by the chair of the Committee on Science and Technology or his
designee. Finally, the resolution provides that the Chair may
not entertain a motion to strike out the enacting words of the
bill.
EXPLANATION OF WAIVERS
Although the rule waives all points of order against
consideration of the bill (except those arising under clause 9
or 10 of rule XXI), the Committee is not aware of any points of
order against consideration of the bill. The waiver is
prophylactic.
Although the rule waives all points of order against the
amendment in the nature of a substitute (except those arising
under clause 10 of rule XXI), the Committee is not aware of any
points of order. The waiver is prophylactic.
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS MADE IN ORDER
1. Gordon (TN): Would make conforming and technical
changes; require that at least one demonstration project be
awarded in fiscal year 2011 for the demonstration of organic
photovoltaic cell technologies; require the Secretary to study
potential applications of micropower stations using solar power
technology in underserved communities lacking in basic electric
or traditional power infrastructure and make recommendations to
Congress for increasing access to and implementation of solar
technology in such communities; ensure that demonstration
project grants authorized under the Act emphasize initiatives
that promote accessibility and community implementation of the
technology; require the Roadmap Committee to establish
demonstration goals with recommended timeframes for improving
the cost effectiveness and quality control of domestic
manufacturing of implements and devices used in the production
of solar energy; permit research and development into
photovoltaics and related electronic components, including
inverters, charge controllers, and energy monitors; include
within the Roadmap the development of best practices for
Department of Energy National Labs in their collaborations with
institutions of higher education and private industry to bring
new solar technologies to the marketplace more efficiently and
effectively; add, within the Photovoltaic Performance Study, an
assessment of current consumer solar financing models used to
address high upfront costs for the long term economic benefits
of solar energy; require the Roadmap Committee to consider
technologies used to condition solar energy, including
inverters, DC/DC converters, and battery chargers, when
determining how and when to integrate solar energy into the
electricity grid; include federally-funded research and
development centers on the list of entities eligible to receive
research, development and demonstration awards; establish a
pilot program within the Department of Energy to create grants
for projects to protect against solar technology equipment
theft, including projects for mapping large-scale solar
projects and equipment serial number registries; provide that
grant awards could be used for the operation of the project for
3 years using a monitoring methodology approved by the
Secretary; require the Roadmap Committee to consider ways to
reduce regional disparity in the use of solar technologies;
require the Energy Secretary, when appointing members to the
Committee, to consider individuals that represent diverse
geographic regions of the United States; require that
demonstration project awards are located in geographically-
dispersed regions of the country and not concentrated in any
single geographic region of the country; require the Roadmap
Committee to consult with the Interior Department, National
Park Service, Defense Department, and the General Services
Administration on the potential for solar demonstration
projects on Federal lands. (30 minutes)
2. Broun (GA): Would change the number of years for which
the Committee is authorized in the bill from five to three. It
also would reduce to $250,000,000 the amount authorized in each
of the three years, from 2011 to 2013. (10 minutes)
3. Hastings, Alcee (FL): Would ensure that a representative
from a minority-serving institution is a member of the Solar
Technology Roadmap Committee. (10 minutes)
4. Cardoza (CA): Would expand the types of technology the
Energy Secretary can consider from ``solar thermal electric
technology'' to ``solar thermal power technology.'' It also
would require the Secretary, in carrying out demonstration
projects, to include at least 2 solar thermal technology
projects, with thermal storage, that generate between 1 and 3
megawatts continuously for a 24-hour period from energy
provided entirely by the sun. (10 minutes)
5. Kaptur (OH): Would require the Roadmap Committee to
provide recommendations to strengthen the use of research and
development strategies in making domestic industry more
competitive and to assist the commercialization of solar
technologies. (10 minutes)
6. Marshall (GA): Would require the Secretary, when
carrying out solar technology demonstration projects, to
evaluate the potential to establish large photovoltaic
facilities that produce at least 100 gigawatts, including an
evaluation of the electrical grid, current, voltage, and energy
storage requirements associated with large photovoltaic
facilities. (10 minutes)
7. Klein, Ron (FL): Would include research on solar energy
storage technology as eligible for funding under the Secretary
of Energy's research and development program. (10 minutes)
8. Titus (NV), Teague (NM), Cohen (TN): Would include the
development of solar technology products that are water
efficient as a focus of the bill. (10 minutes)
9. Heinrich (NM): Would require the Solar Technology
Roadmap Committee to release a draft Roadmap to the public at
least one month prior to publication in order to receive public
input. (10 minutes)
10. Himes (CT): Would clarify that solar thermal
technologies and concentrating solar photovoltaic technologies
will be included within the scope of the research and
development program authorized by the bill. (10 minutes)
11. Murphy, Scott (NY): Would require the Solar Technology
Roadmap Committee to submit an annual report to the Secretary
of Energy and the Congress on its activities over the prior 12-
month period. (10 minutes)
TEXT OF AMENDMENTS TO BE MADE IN ORDER
1. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Gordon, Bart of
Tennessee or His Designee, Debatable for 30 Minutes
Page 4, line 21, amend paragraph (1) to read as follows:
(1) photovoltaics and related electronic components,
including inverters, charge controllers, and energy
monitors;
Page 5, line 16, insert ``Federally-Funded Research and
Development Centers,'' after ``national laboratories,''.
Page 6, lines 9 through 12, amend subsection (e) to read as
follows:
(e) Limitation.--The Department of Energy shall provide
awards to projects for research, development, and demonstration
of solar technologies and solar manufacturing in the United
States.
Page 8, line 9, strike ``and''.
Page 8, line 11, insert ``and'' after the semicolon.
Page 8, after line 11, insert the following new clause:
(v) the technologies used to
condition solar energy, including
inverters, DC/DC converters, and
battery chargers;
Page 8, line 21, strike ``; and'' and insert a semicolon.
Page 8, line 22, redesignate subparagraph (H) as subparagraph
(I).
Page 8, after line 21, insert the following new subparagraph:
(H) ways to reduce regional disparity in the
use of solar technologies; and
Page 9, line 8, strike ``and''.
Page 9, line 11, strike the semicolon and insert ``; and''.
Page 9, after line 11, insert the following new subparagraph:
(E) improving the cost effectiveness and
quality control of domestic manufacturing of
implements and devices used in the production
of solar energy;
Page 9, lines 12 and 15, redesignate paragraphs (4) and (5)
as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively.
Page 9, after line 11, insert the following new paragraph:
(4) identify best practices for Department of Energy
national laboratories in their collaborations with
institutions of higher education and private industry
to more efficiently and effectively bring new solar
technologies to the marketplace;
Page 10, after line 3, insert the following new subsection:
(d) Consultation.--The Solar Roadmap Committee shall consult
with the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service,
the Department of Defense, and the General Services
Administration on the potential for solar demonstration
projects on Federal lands.
Page 10, line 15, insert ``, solar applications developers,''
after ``including manufacturers''.
Page 12, after line 21, insert the following new paragraph:
(7) Geographic distribution.--The Secretary shall
consider individuals that represent diverse geographic
regions of the United States for membership of the
Committee.
Page 13, line 3, insert ``, applications,'' after ``solar
technologies''.
Page 13, line 16, redesignate subsection (e) as subsection
(f).
Page 13, after line 15, insert the following new subsection:
(e) Limitation.--The Committee shall provide guidance on
technological goals and activities but, consistent with
requirements for the selection of recipients of funding on a
merit-reviewed, competitive basis under section 101(b), shall
not recommend or select specific recipients of funds.
Page 14, lines 17 and 18, amend subparagraph (A) to read as
follows:
(A) are located in geographically dispersed
regions of the country and are not concentrated
in any single geographical region of country;
Page 15, line 10, insert ``, as well as promote accessibility
and community implementation of demonstrated technologies,''
after ``energy costs''.
Page 16, lines 3 and 4, amend paragraph (5) to read as
follows:
(5) operation for a minimum of 3 years, using a
monitoring methodology approved by Secretary; and
Page 16, after line 19, insert the following new subsection:
(f) Organic Photovoltaic Cell Technologies.--At least 1
demonstration project awarded under this section during fiscal
year 2011 shall be for the demonstration of organic
photovoltaic cell technologies.
Page 17, line 17, strike ``; and'' and insert a semicolon.
Page 17, line 21, strike the period and insert ``; and''.
Page 17, after line 21, insert the following new paragraph:
(6) assessment of current financing models available
to consumers used to offset high upfront costs by
accounting for the long term economic benefits of solar
energy.
Page 18, line 5, and page 19, lines 18 and 22, redesignate
sections 107 through 109 as sections 108 through 110,
respectively.
Page 18, after line 4, insert the following new section:
SEC. 107. REPORT.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary shall commence a study evaluating potential
applications of micro power stations using solar power
technology in underserved communities lacking in basic electric
or traditional power infrastructure, and make recommendations
to Congress for increasing access to and implementation of
solar energy technology in such underserved communities.
Page 20, after line 9, insert the following new section:
SEC. 111. SOLAR TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT THEFT.
(a) Pilot Program.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall establish
a pilot program to make grants for projects to protect against
solar technology equipment theft, including projects for
mapping of large-scale solar projects and equipment serial
number registries.
(b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the
establishment of the pilot program under subsection (a), the
Secretary of Energy shall transmit to the Congress a report on
the effectiveness of projects supported under this section,
which shall include recommendations for the continuation or
alteration of the program under this section or any other
appropriate Federal legislation.
----------
2. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Broun, Paul of Georgia
or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes
Page 18, lines 7 through 12, strike ``section 101(a)'' and
all that follows through ``2015'' and insert ``section 101(a)
$250,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2013''.
----------
3. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Hastings, Alcee of
Florida or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes
Page 10, line 22, strike ``and''.
Page 10, line 23, redesignate subparagraph (G) as
subparagraph (H).
Page 10, after line 22, insert the following new
subparagraph:
(G) minority-serving institutions; and
----------
4. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Cardoza, Dennis of
California or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes
Page 4, lines 1 through 3, amend subparagraph (B) to read as
follows:
(B) solar thermal power technology, including
linear concentrator systems, dish/engine
systems, power tower systems, and other means;
Page 14, line 15, strike ``and''.
Page 14, line 16, redesignate paragraph (3) as paragraph (4).
Page 14, after line 15, insert the following new paragraph:
(3) include at least 2 solar thermal technology
projects, with thermal storage, that generate between 1
and 3 megawatts continuously for a 24-hour period from
energy provided entirely by the sun; and
----------
5. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Kaptur, Marcy of Ohio
or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes
Page 9, line 14, strike ``and''.
Page 9, line 15, redesignate paragraph (5) as paragraph (7).
Page 9, after line 14, insert the following new paragraphs:
(5) provide recommendations on the necessary steps
required to strengthen the link between solar
technology research and the commercialization of those
technologies into full scale manufacturing, including
the retooling and reworking of the Nation's existing
technological and manufacturing base, as well as
coordinating the national strategy in regions where
solar technology clusters currently exist;
(6) provide recommendations to Federal agencies on
corresponding strategies to accelerate domestic
commercialization of newly developed solar
technologies; and
----------
6. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Marshall, Jim of
Georgia or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes
Page 14, line 15, strike ``and''.
Page 15, line 15, strike the period and insert ``; and''.
Page 15, after line 15, insert the following new paragraph:
(4) evaluate the potential to establish large
photovoltaic facilities that produce at least 100
gigawatts, including an evaluation of the electrical
grid, current, voltage, and energy storage requirements
associated with large photovoltaic facilities.
----------
7. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Klein, Ron of Florida
or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes
Page 5, line 9, strike ``and''.
Page 5, line 10, redesignate paragraph (7) as paragraph (8).
Page 5, after line 9, insert the following new paragraph:
(7) development of storage technologies that can be
used to increase the usefulness and value of solar
technologies; and
----------
8. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Titus, Dina of Nevada
or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes
Page 5, line 9, strike ``and''.
Page 5, line 10, redesignate paragraph (7) as paragraph (8).
Page 5, after line 9, insert the following new paragraph:
(7) development of solar technology products that are
water efficient; and
Page 8, line 21, strike ``and''.
Page 8, line 22, redesignate subparagraph (H) as subparagraph
(I).
Page 8, after line 21, insert the following new subparagraph:
(H) the development of solar technology
products that are water efficient; and
----------
9. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Heinrich, Martin of New
Mexico or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes
Page 9, line 18, redesignate subsection (c) as subsection
(d).
Page 9, after line 17, insert the following new subsection:
(c) Public Input.--The Committee shall release a draft
Roadmap to the public at least one month prior to publication
in order to receive input from the public.
----------
10. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Himes, James of
Connecticut or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes
Page 4, line 24, insert ``, including both solar thermal and
concentrating solar photovoltaic technologies'' after ``solar
power''.
----------
11. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Murphy, Scott of New
York or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes
Page 13, lines 10 and 16, redesignate subsections (d) and (e)
as subsections (e) and (f), respectively.
Page 13, after line 9, insert the following new subsection:
(d) Reporting.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Committee
shall submit a report to the Secretary and the Congress on its
activities over the prior 12-month period.