[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 77 (Monday, May 16, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S2826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 465--SUPPORTING THE UNITED STATES SOLAR ENERGY 
  INDUSTRY IN ITS EFFORT TO BRING LOW-COST, CLEAN, 21ST-CENTURY SOLAR 
      TECHNOLOGY INTO HOMES AND BUSINESS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. HEINRICH (for himself and Mr. Gardner) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources:

                              S. Res. 465

       Whereas the solar energy industry has reached 1,000,000 
     solar installations nationwide, a milestone that marks just 
     the beginning of the role of solar energy as a mainstream 
     power source;
       Whereas although decades elapsed before the solar energy 
     industry reached the 1,000,000 installation milestone, the 
     solar energy industry projects that the solar energy industry 
     will reach 2,000,000 installations in just 2 more years;
       Whereas, as of December 2015, there are over 27 gigawatts 
     of cumulative solar electric capacity operating in the United 
     States, which is enough energy to power more than 5,400,000 
     average homes in the United States;
       Whereas, as of December 2015, the United States solar 
     energy industry provides employment opportunities for more 
     than 208,000 solar workers in all 50 States and the solar 
     energy industry is creating jobs at a rate 12 times higher 
     than the rate of employment growth in the overall economy;
       Whereas the United States solar energy industry is a 
     leading employer of minorities, women, and veterans;
       Whereas there are nearly 4,000 primary and secondary 
     schools in the United States with active solar energy 
     systems, which means that more than 2,700,000 students in the 
     United States attend solar schools;
       Whereas the cost of solar energy has dropped by 70 percent 
     in the last 7 years and solar energy has brought billions of 
     dollars in new investments to communities across the United 
     States;
       Whereas continued decreases in cost, new financing models, 
     and innovative programs, such as community solar, have made 
     solar power accessible to millions of homeowners of many 
     incomes and backgrounds;
       Whereas grid-connected solar energy reduces carbon 
     emissions by more than 31,000,000 metric tons annually;
       Whereas, by 2020, solar electric capacity will quadruple in 
     size to nearly 100 gigawatts and employment in the solar 
     energy industry will more than double to 420,000 workers in 
     the United States; and
       Whereas, having reached the milestone of 1,000,000 solar 
     installations in the United States, solar energy should be 
     supported by sound policies and continued private sector 
     innovation and ingenuity that will propel the United States 
     forward to a stronger economy and well-paying jobs: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate supports the United States solar 
     energy industry in its effort to bring low-cost, clean, 21st-
     century solar technology into homes and business across the 
     United States.

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