[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[House]
[Pages 21221-21223]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            WIND ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2009

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 3165) to provide for a program of

[[Page 21222]]

wind energy research, development, and demonstration, and for other 
purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3165

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Wind Energy Research and 
     Development Act of 2009''.

     SEC. 2. WIND ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall carry out a 
     program of research and development to--
       (1) improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and 
     capacity of wind turbines;
       (2) optimize the design and adaptability of wind energy 
     systems to the broadest practical range of atmospheric 
     conditions; and
       (3) reduce the cost of construction, generation, and 
     maintenance of wind energy systems.
       (b) Program.--The program under this section shall focus on 
     research and development of--
       (1) new materials and designs to make larger, lighter, less 
     expensive, and more reliable rotor blades;
       (2) technologies to improve gearbox performance and 
     reliability;
       (3) automation, materials, and assembly of large-scale 
     components to reduce manufacturing costs;
       (4) low-cost transportable towers greater than 100 meters 
     in height to capitalize on improved wind conditions at higher 
     elevations;
       (5) advanced computational modeling tools to improve--
       (A) the reliability of aeroelastic simulations of wind 
     energy systems;
       (B) understanding of the interaction between each wind 
     turbine component;
       (C) siting of wind energy systems to maximize efficiency 
     and minimize variable generation;
       (D) integration of wind energy systems into the existing 
     electric grid to ensure reliability; and
       (E) understanding of the wake effect between upwind and 
     downwind turbine operations;
       (6) advanced control systems and blade sensors to improve 
     performance and reliability under a wide variety of wind 
     conditions;
       (7) advanced generators, including--
       (A) medium-speed and low-speed generators;
       (B) direct-drive technology; and
       (C) the use of advanced magnets in generator rotors;
       (8) wind technology for offshore applications;
       (9) methods to assess and mitigate the effects of wind 
     energy systems on radar and electromagnetic fields;
       (10) wind turbines with a maximum electric power production 
     capacity of 100 kilowatts or less;
       (11) technical processes to enable--
       (A) scalability of transmission from remotely located 
     renewable resource rich areas; and
       (B) optimization of advanced infrastructure design, 
     including high voltage transmission; and
       (12) other research areas as determined by the Secretary.

     SEC. 3. WIND ENERGY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Energy shall conduct a 
     wind energy demonstration program. In carrying out this 
     section, the Secretary shall ensure that--
       (1) the program is of sufficient size and geographic 
     diversity to measure wind energy system performance under the 
     full productive range of wind conditions in the United 
     States;
       (2) demonstration projects carried out under this program 
     are--
       (A) conducted in collaboration with industry and, as 
     appropriate, with academic institutions; and
       (B) located in various geographic areas representing 
     various wind class regimes; and
       (3) data collected from demonstration projects carried out 
     under this program is useful for carrying out section 2(b).
       (b) Cost-Sharing.--The Secretary shall carry out the 
     program under this section in compliance with section 988(a) 
     through (d) and section 989 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 
     (42 U.S.C. 16352(a) through (d) and 16353).

     SEC. 4. EQUAL OPPORTUNITY.

       In carrying out this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall--
       (1) coordinate with the Office of Minority Economic Impact 
     and with the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business 
     Utilization; and
       (2) provide special consideration to applications submitted 
     by institutions, businesses, or entities containing majority 
     representation by individuals identified in section 33 or 34 
     of the Science and Engineering Equal Opportunities Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1885a or 1885b).

     SEC. 5. COMPETITIVE AWARDS.

       Awards under section 2 and section 3 shall be made on a 
     competitive basis with an emphasis on technical merit.

     SEC. 6. COORDINATION AND NONDUPLICATION.

       To the maximum extent practicable the Secretary of Energy 
     shall coordinate activities under this Act with other 
     programs of the Department of Energy and other Federal 
     research programs.

     SEC. 7. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
     Energy to carry out this Act $200,000,000 for each of the 
     fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Tonko) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to 
include extraneous material on H.R. 3165, the bill now under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I am pleased that today we are considering H.R. 3165, the Wind Energy 
Research and Development Act of 2009.
  The United States has enough wind energy resources to meet all of our 
electricity needs several times over, but experience over the last 
several years has shown that many significant technical issues remain 
before wind can serve as a major provider of base-load electricity. 
This bipartisan bill will establish a far more comprehensive research, 
development and demonstration program for wind technologies at the 
Department of Energy than currently exists. It is based on several 
recent assessments of the challenges that need to be overcome for wind 
power to reach its full potential in the United States and has been 
fully endorsed by the American Wind Energy Association.
  If enacted, H.R. 3165 would become the first law to set an 
authorization level for wind research and development since DOE's 
immediate predecessor, the Energy Research and Development 
Administration, was established in 1975. As we continue to develop a 
national energy strategy, this will provide crucial guidance for the 
Department in the years ahead.
  I would like to thank my colleagues on the Science and Technology 
Committee on both sides of the aisle for working with me to make this 
bill as strong as possible. In particular, I have great thanks for our 
chairman of the committee, who has made a stalwart effort in advancing 
our legislation.
  In addition to the two Democratic amendments offered, we approved all 
five Republican amendments offered by voice vote. Thus, the bill 
ensures geographic diversity, coordination across the Federal 
Government, and a merit-reviewed award process, among other important 
provisions.
  I ask my colleagues in the House to support H.R. 3165, and look 
forward to working with our counterparts in the Senate to get this to 
the President's desk as soon as possible.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 3165, the Wind Energy Research and 
Development Act of 2009.
  Wind energy has been and continues to be a very important part of the 
electricity-generating portfolio in this country, and in particular in 
my State of Texas, which I understand is the largest producer of wind 
energy in our country. However, the technology can be improved upon to 
make the wind turbines, systems and farms more efficient and more 
effective at producing energy.
  Renewable energy from wind currently makes up almost 2 percent of the 
energy generated in this country, but industry experts believe that 
number can be as high as 20 percent. H.R. 3165 can help this country 
reach that goal.
  The bill addresses the key research areas needed to expand our 
country's production of wind energy, and I thank Mr. Tonko for his work 
on this important renewable energy source and for working with both 
sides of the aisle to move this bill unanimously out of the Science 
Committee and before the House today.
  With that, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page 21223]]



                              {time}  1045

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Nebraska (Mr. Smith).
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
3165, the Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2009.
  My home State of Nebraska is sixth in the Nation in wind energy 
potential, yet lacks in transmission capacity and development for 
additional generation. As this legislation made its way through the 
Science and Technology Committee, we adopted my amendment, which will 
allow for research and development into ways to efficiently and cost 
effectively create high-voltage transmission for renewable energy.
  America needs a comprehensive national energy plan. An all-of-the-
above approach to our energy policy, one which includes offshore oil 
and gas production, as well as the advancement of technologies to 
develop alternative sources of energy such as wind power, needs to be 
on the table.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, as we continue to grow our dependency on wind 
power to meet this Nation's energy needs, it is important, critically 
important that we move forward aggressively with all efforts towards 
energy efficiency. This measure will do that. I strongly encourage our 
colleagues to support H.R. 3165.
  Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3165, the 
Wind Energy Research and Development Act and would like to commend Rep. 
Tonko for his work on this issue.
   Wind power is one of our nation's fastest growing sources of energy. 
By 2030, the Department of Energy estimates that this industry will 
support 500,000 jobs in the U.S. and produce at least 20 percent of our 
Nation's electricity.
   And we must focus our investments, leveraging private dollars, to R 
& D areas that need to be improved. We must focus R & D to improve 
gearbox reliability and performance. We must focus R & D to make 
materials more reliable and more affordable. And we must focus R & D to 
utilize wind technology offshore.
   In Ohio, we are on the verge of the first fresh water wind energy 
project in the United States. Our project could serve as a prototype 
for harnessing wind energy on similar bodies of water across the 
nation. By utilizing the wind over Lake Erie, we will find another use 
for our great natural resource.
   We must pass the Wind Energy Research and Development Act today to 
harness wind energy's potential, both on shore and off, and move away 
from foreign sources of energy.
  Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3165, 
the Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2009. I commend my 
colleague from New York, Representative Tonko for authoring this 
important legislation which moves our Nation further down the path 
toward energy independence.
  As a representative of west central Illinois, I have the privilege of 
personally witnessing the development of our nation's energy future. 
Various companies, community colleges, counties, cities, and others in 
my congressional district are actively pursuing initiatives to develop 
and produce alternative sources of energy, and educate the new work 
force for this emerging field. In addition to the great work being done 
with biofuels, my district is also home to several wind energy 
projects, which is why I am happy we are considering H.R. 3165 on the 
House floor today.
  As its name implies, the Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 
2009 would provide much-needed funding for the research and development 
of technologies to advance wind turbine design, create better control 
systems and increase production capacity of energy output. The bill 
would also authorize $200 million annually for a new program aimed at 
developing technologies to improve the efficiency of wind turbines 
while reducing production costs.
  Not only does this legislation have the potential to establish a 
vibrant wind energy industry in the United States, but it could also 
lead to the creation of thousands of jobs in the manufacturing and 
engineering of wind turbines, turbine components, and turbine 
maintenance.
  Additionally, this investment in wind energy would address the 
looming energy crisis by capturing and harnessing a naturally produced 
and renewable alternative to fossil fuels. A recent report published by 
the Department of Energy confirmed the technical feasibility of 
producing an estimated 20 percent of America's energy from wind 
turbines by the year 2030. This important legislation would provide the 
funding we need for the development of the technologies to reach this 
goal.
  We have known for decades that the United States must turn to 
renewables and other forms of clean energy to combat climate change, 
achieve energy independence from unstable foreign nations, gain greater 
control over the cost of energy sources, and ensure energy security. 
Representative Tonko's bill would provide our country the tools needed 
to help facilitate this transition.
  The United States is poised to become the worldwide leader in clean 
energy development and production--we have the ingenuity, the will, the 
workers, and the resources. H.R. 3165 would ensure that we lead the 
next breakthrough in clean energy technology.
  Again, I thank my friend from New York and urge my colleagues to join 
me in voting for the Wind Energy Research and Development Act.
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________