New transportation committee chairman wins passage of solar energy legislation (PV 4 DOE)

[jpak]

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/12/america/NA-GEN-US-Solar-Energy.php

WASHINGTON: The House of Representatives approved a bill Monday to create a solar energy system for the Department of Energy building, hoping that the project could serve as a model for all federal buildings.

Passage of Democratic Rep. Jim Oberstar's bill came 30 years after he first proposed legislation to install solar panels at federal buildings. As chairman of the House Transportation Committee since the Democratic takeover of Congress, he finally had the influence to make it happen.

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Oberstar's 1977 bill called for the creation of a "Solar Energy Government Building Program" to install such systems in federal buildings.

"For 30 years, I've been trying to get this thing done. Now I'm the chairman; I can make it happen," he said with a laugh. "I know it's the right thing to do. It's going to happen."

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U.S. DOE Headquarters to Get $30 M Solar PV System

http://www.renewableenergyaccess.com/rea/news/story?id=47438

In many scenarios by leading renewable energy experts and advocates, placing solar systems on all Federal buildings has long been on the list of breakthrough strategies to boost the U.S. solar power industry through government procurement. That scenario is now one step closer to becoming a reality with the Solar Net project.

On Monday, the House of Representatives passed new legislation for the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) building -- with hopes that the project will serve as a model for other government buildings.

"This system is an important milestone for the U.S. DOE. It's important that they not only showcase technology, but that they demonstrate market leadership. There is an enormous solar opportunity on government buildings at local, state and federal levels, and this highly visible project should further spur other agencies to pursue the solar option," said Mark Farber, vice president of Strategic Planning at Evergreen Solar, a Massachusetts- based company that develops and manufactures PV modules and solar cells.

While one building does not a movement make, with the decision emanating from the government itself people are taking notice -- especially considering the attached price tag. The new bill, H.R. 798, directs the General Service Administration to spend $30 million for a 300 foot long, 130 foot high solar array on the south wall of the DOE headquarters (also known as the James Forrestal Building) located on Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C.

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[kestrel91316]

1. Wow! DOE conserving energy and using alternatives!

That's positively revolutionary.

[jpak]

2. I wish the revolution started in 1977...

:(