[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 8, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1859-S1860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            RENEWABLE ENERGY

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I would like to take a few minutes to 
comment on the trip that President Bush recently made to my home State 
of Colorado. The President visited several sites that are involved with 
furthering renewable energy. One of those sites included the National 
Renewable Energy Laboratory, or NREL as it is often called, in Golden, 
CO. Due to previous commitments, I was unable to join the President 
during his trip, but I want to thank him for visiting there, and thank 
him for the commitments he has made to the lab and to renewable energy.
  NREL is on the cutting edge in bringing renewable energy technologies 
out of the laboratory and into the mainstream of American business and 
society. Although America has rivals in many Asian and European nations 
in investing in the development of these technologies, NREL deserves 
credit for many wonderful accomplishments.
  In recognition of these accomplishments, I have, during my tenure in 
Congress, led a coalition to push for sufficient funding for both the 
Department of Energy's renewables budget and NREL. Earmarks have 
created problems for our national laboratories throughout the United 
States. The President has addressed the problem, and I am working to 
prevent this in the future.
  The environmental benefits of renewable energy are well noted and 
widely praised. Not only are renewable sources of energy beneficial to 
our national security, but they reduce greenhouse gas emissions and 
decrease demands for other energy resources.
  Wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, photovoltaic and other renewable 
energies have few if any harmful byproducts. It is simply good policy 
to do all we can to effectively harness and utilize the natural, clean, 
reusable sources of energy that are abundant all around us.
  However we should also be looking at energy efficient technologies. 
There is a saying that energy saved is like extra

[[Page S1860]]

energy made. I think it is important that we continue investing in 
research and development of renewable energy and energy efficient 
technologies. Further developing these technologies is a win-win 
solution in every sense. Jobs are created, taxpayer money is saved, our 
national security is enhanced, and the environment is protected.
  For example, a hog farm near Lamar, CO, is seeing both economic and 
environmental benefits from converting to a renewable energy source 
that they have in abundance. The farm was built with an anaerobic 
digester, which is fueled by hog waste, and uses its methane as a fuel 
to supply power to the farm operations. An example of how increased 
efficiency saves money comes from Harmony Library in Fort Collins, CO. 
The library is considered to be a showcase for state-of-the-art, 
energy-efficient technologies and building design. They are projected 
to use about 40 percent less energy than a comparable new building in 
Fort Collins. They estimate that this will save nearly $12,000 in 
annual operation costs. The library will be able to use these savings 
to increase stock and provide additional library services.
  Renewable and efficient technologies are an important part of a 
balanced domestic energy portfolio, and our energy future and national 
security will be enriched by the technologies being developed and 
perfected today. We must maintain our commitment to funding the 
research and development that will bring those technologies to the 
market. The future of our security and prosperity depends on the 
commitments we make today.
  I would also like to remind my colleagues of the Renewable Energy and 
Energy Efficiency Caucus within the Senate. The caucus works to keep 
Members informed about issues important to the renewables and 
efficiency communities. We currently have 36 members, but we would like 
to have more.
  I also want to thank the President again for his sincere interest in 
solar and biofuels. The visit to NREL by President Bush and his staff 
is appreciated by those of us who have been advocating a role in our 
energy policy for renewable energy. I will continue to work with the 
administration and my colleagues on the issues facing renewable energy 
resources.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Nevada is recognized.

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