[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 58 (Thursday, April 10, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RENEWABLE ENERGY IN AMERICA

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                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 9, 2003

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the importance of 
renewable energy in America. America's energy consumption is at an all 
time high and rising. In order to address the imbalance between 
consumption and domestic production, one part of the solution is to 
continue the advances in research and development of renewable energy 
resources.
  In my home state of Nevada, the sun shines more than 300 days out of 
the year. We are also blessed with an abundant amount of other 
renewable energy sources such as geothermal, wind and biomass. Nevada 
is a perfect laboratory for renewable energy research.
  We also can boast that we have one of the top research centers in the 
country for renewable energy. Since the 1970's, The Desert Research 
Institute or DRI has been actively researching ways to put renewable 
resources to better use, especially for commercial use. In the past, 
DRI has conducted solar energy research by developing a facility where 
it was completely cooled and heated by solar energy.
  At the present time, DRI scientists and engineers are developing a 
solar and wind powered system that produces hydrogen for a fuel cell 
with excess renewable energy so that continuous power can be provided 
for off-grid sites. These fuel cells also potentially would power 
hydrogen fuel cell cars. This technology is a cornerstone in President 
Bush's national energy plan.
  Because the research being conducted in Nevada, it will not only have 
an impact in my home state, but will also impact all Americans in the 
long term from having a more secure and environmentally sustainable mix 
of energy sources.

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