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Congresswoman Chellie Pingree votesto boost job creation, innovation in solar technology

October 22, 2009
For immediate release
Contact: Willy Ritch 207-841-8400
 
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today voted to boost job creation and providereal solutions to our energy needs by developing a concrete plan for theresearch and development of American-made solar technology. The SolarTechnology Roadmap Act passed the House today and now goes on to the Senate. 
"By laying out a strategic plan for the research and development of solartechnology, we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and spur economicgrowth at the same time," said Congresswoman Pingree.   "This is justone of many steps we have taken to boost our economy by implementing short-termfixes and making smart, targeted long-term investments in our future."
 
The Solar Technology Roadmap Act establishes a comprehensive process tofacilitate the research, development and demonstration of American solartechnology in partnership with the private sector. It requires the Secretary ofEnergy to appoint an 11-member Solar Technology Roadmap Committee to write,review and update a Solar Technology Roadmap.
 
The Roadmap will lay out short-term and long-term objectives for solartechnology research and development while accounting for, and mitigating, anynegative environmental impacts. It will provide a path forward to make solartechnology more dependable and widely available to American consumers. TheRoadmap will also authorize the Department of Energy to award grants toentrepreneurs, research agencies and academic laboratories that are leading thefield in solar tech development and solar manufacturing.
 
"This legislation ensures that we have a strategic plan to work with theprivate sector to spur American innovation and unleash the full economicpotential of our solar tech industry," Pingree said. "It will help us createAmerican jobs and lower energy costs for consumers while at the same timeaddressing one of our nation's greatest challenges."

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