[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 21 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E261-E262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   H.R. 798, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HEADQUARTERS SUN WALL PHOTOVOLTAIC 
                                 SYSTEM

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES L. OBERSTAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 5, 2007

  Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, today I introduce a bill to direct the 
Administrator of General Services to install a sun wall photovoltaic 
system, known as the ``Solar Net'' on the headquarters building of the 
Department of Energy. There is no more appropriate or symbolic federal 
building with which to demonstrate the power and promise of 
photovoltaics than the Department of Energy headquarters building, 
known as the Forrestal Building, located in Washington, DC.
  Our energy needs continue to increase, but as a nation we have not 
done enough to try to meet these needs with new technologies and 
alternative fuels. As a result, our dependence on fossil fuels--and 
foreign oil in particular--continues unabated.
  As the nation's largest single energy consumer, the Federal 
Government is in a unique position to promote energy conservation and 
efficiency, particularly in the operation of Federal buildings. By 
applying the principles of sustainable, green design, agencies have the 
ability to reduce energy usage, reduce life-cycle costs, and reduce 
environmental impacts in the construction and operation of federal 
facilities.
  A photovoltaic system turns light energy into electricity. 
Photovoltaics reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and offer distinct 
advantages over diesel generators and primary batteries. These systems 
are highly efficient panels and have no moving parts, so the need for 
maintenance is virtually non-existent. Photovoltaics have tremendous 
potential. As an example, estimates have shown that the electricity 
needs of the entire U.S. could be met by installing photovoltaic panels 
in a 100-mile by 100-mile area in the Southwest.
  The Federal Government owns or leases approximately 500,000 
buildings. According to U.S. Department of Energy estimates, in FY 
2005, the cost of energy consumption by Federal agencies totaled $14.5 
billion--more than $5.5 billion of which was spent on buildings and 
facilities. The General Services Administration, through its Public 
Building Service, manages 218.9 million square feet of owned office 
space and 168.8 million square feet of leased space. Imagine the 
benefits if this space utilized photovoltaics and solar power.
  More than 25 Federal buildings nationwide already utilize 
photovoltaics in some capacity. These projects have demonstrated that 
we have the technology and ability to provide electricity for the 
Federal Government office buildings with photovoltaic rays. We have the 
ability to keep our public buildings running on clean and quiet sources 
of energy, and still produce extra electricity to put back into the 
power grid.
  The bill I introduce today addresses only one project, but it is a 
necessary and important step in the overall effort to increase energy 
efficiency in public buildings. Located in our Nation's capital, the 
Solar Net project will serve as a model for the entire country, as the 
largest building-integrated solar energy system on any federal building 
in the country. The design for the sun wall project was selected in 
2000 after an open competition. It is an attractive and energy-
efficient design that can generate a maximum of 200 kW of electricity 
and includes a solar thermal installation for hot water and hot air.
  A similar provision to this bill was enacted as part of the Energy 
Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-58). While the Energy Policy Act 
authorized funding for fiscal year 2006, no funding was appropriated 
for that year. Today, this bill specifically sets aside federal 
building repair and alteration funding for construction of the sun wall 
project in fiscal year 2007.

[[Page E262]]

  The time is long overdue for the Federal Government to lead in the 
development and promotion of energy-efficient technologies and 
alternative and renewable fuels. The plans are ready to go. The needs 
and the potential impacts on our nation's energy use are great. All 
that is left is to do is to provide the funding needed to purchase and 
install the proper equipment. This bill does just that.
  I thank Mr. Mica, Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure, and Ms. Norton, Chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, for 
joining me on this critical, bipartisan initiative. I urge my 
colleagues to join us in supporting H.R. 798.

                          ____________________