[House Report 111-304]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


111th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    111-304

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   PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE BILL (H.R. 3585) TO GUIDE AND 
 PROVIDE FOR UNITED STATES RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION OF 
           SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

                                _______
                                

  October 20, 2009.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be 
                                printed

                                _______
                                

                Mr. Polis, from the Committee on Rules,
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                      [To accompany H. Res. 846 ]

    The Committee on Rules, having had under consideration 
House Resolution 846, by a nonrecord vote, report the same to 
the House with the recommendation that the resolution be 
adopted.

                SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS OF THE RESOLUTION

    The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3585, the 
``Solar Technology Roadmap Act,'' under a structured rule. The 
resolution provides one hour of general debate equally divided 
and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the 
Committee on Science and Technology. The resolution waives all 
points of order against consideration of the bill except those 
arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.
    The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of 
a substitute recommended by the Committee on Science and 
Technology shall be considered as an original bill for the 
purpose of amendment and shall be considered as read. The 
resolution waives all points of order against the amendment in 
the nature of a substitute except those arising under clause 10 
of rule XXI. This waiver does not affect the point of order 
available under clause 9 of rule XXI (regarding earmark 
disclosure).
    The resolution further makes in order only those amendments 
printed in this report. The amendments made in order may be 
offered only in the order printed in this report, may be 
offered only by a Member designated in this report, shall be 
considered as read, shall be debatable for the time specified 
in this report equally divided and controlled by the proponent 
and an opponent, shall not be subject to amendment, and shall 
not be subject to a demand for division of the question. All 
points of order against the amendments are waived except those 
arising under clause 9 or 10 of rule XXI.
    The resolution provides one motion to recommit with or 
without instructions. The resolution provides that the Chair 
may entertain a motion that the Committee rise only if offered 
by the chair of the Committee on Science and Technology or his 
designee. Finally, the resolution provides that the Chair may 
not entertain a motion to strike out the enacting words of the 
bill.

                         EXPLANATION OF WAIVERS

    Although the rule waives all points of order against 
consideration of the bill (except those arising under clause 9 
or 10 of rule XXI), the Committee is not aware of any points of 
order against consideration of the bill. The waiver is 
prophylactic.
    Although the rule waives all points of order against the 
amendment in the nature of a substitute (except those arising 
under clause 10 of rule XXI), the Committee is not aware of any 
points of order. The waiver is prophylactic.

                  SUMMARY OF AMENDMENTS MADE IN ORDER

    1. Gordon (TN): Would make conforming and technical 
changes; require that at least one demonstration project be 
awarded in fiscal year 2011 for the demonstration of organic 
photovoltaic cell technologies; require the Secretary to study 
potential applications of micropower stations using solar power 
technology in underserved communities lacking in basic electric 
or traditional power infrastructure and make recommendations to 
Congress for increasing access to and implementation of solar 
technology in such communities; ensure that demonstration 
project grants authorized under the Act emphasize initiatives 
that promote accessibility and community implementation of the 
technology; require the Roadmap Committee to establish 
demonstration goals with recommended timeframes for improving 
the cost effectiveness and quality control of domestic 
manufacturing of implements and devices used in the production 
of solar energy; permit research and development into 
photovoltaics and related electronic components, including 
inverters, charge controllers, and energy monitors; include 
within the Roadmap the development of best practices for 
Department of Energy National Labs in their collaborations with 
institutions of higher education and private industry to bring 
new solar technologies to the marketplace more efficiently and 
effectively; add, within the Photovoltaic Performance Study, an 
assessment of current consumer solar financing models used to 
address high upfront costs for the long term economic benefits 
of solar energy; require the Roadmap Committee to consider 
technologies used to condition solar energy, including 
inverters, DC/DC converters, and battery chargers, when 
determining how and when to integrate solar energy into the 
electricity grid; include federally-funded research and 
development centers on the list of entities eligible to receive 
research, development and demonstration awards; establish a 
pilot program within the Department of Energy to create grants 
for projects to protect against solar technology equipment 
theft, including projects for mapping large-scale solar 
projects and equipment serial number registries; provide that 
grant awards could be used for the operation of the project for 
3 years using a monitoring methodology approved by the 
Secretary; require the Roadmap Committee to consider ways to 
reduce regional disparity in the use of solar technologies; 
require the Energy Secretary, when appointing members to the 
Committee, to consider individuals that represent diverse 
geographic regions of the United States; require that 
demonstration project awards are located in geographically-
dispersed regions of the country and not concentrated in any 
single geographic region of the country; require the Roadmap 
Committee to consult with the Interior Department, National 
Park Service, Defense Department, and the General Services 
Administration on the potential for solar demonstration 
projects on Federal lands. (30 minutes)
    2. Broun (GA): Would change the number of years for which 
the Committee is authorized in the bill from five to three. It 
also would reduce to $250,000,000 the amount authorized in each 
of the three years, from 2011 to 2013. (10 minutes)
    3. Hastings, Alcee (FL): Would ensure that a representative 
from a minority-serving institution is a member of the Solar 
Technology Roadmap Committee. (10 minutes)
    4. Cardoza (CA): Would expand the types of technology the 
Energy Secretary can consider from ``solar thermal electric 
technology'' to ``solar thermal power technology.'' It also 
would require the Secretary, in carrying out demonstration 
projects, to include at least 2 solar thermal technology 
projects, with thermal storage, that generate between 1 and 3 
megawatts continuously for a 24-hour period from energy 
provided entirely by the sun. (10 minutes)
    5. Kaptur (OH): Would require the Roadmap Committee to 
provide recommendations to strengthen the use of research and 
development strategies in making domestic industry more 
competitive and to assist the commercialization of solar 
technologies. (10 minutes)
    6. Marshall (GA): Would require the Secretary, when 
carrying out solar technology demonstration projects, to 
evaluate the potential to establish large photovoltaic 
facilities that produce at least 100 gigawatts, including an 
evaluation of the electrical grid, current, voltage, and energy 
storage requirements associated with large photovoltaic 
facilities. (10 minutes)
    7. Klein, Ron (FL): Would include research on solar energy 
storage technology as eligible for funding under the Secretary 
of Energy's research and development program. (10 minutes)
    8. Titus (NV), Teague (NM), Cohen (TN): Would include the 
development of solar technology products that are water 
efficient as a focus of the bill. (10 minutes)
    9. Heinrich (NM): Would require the Solar Technology 
Roadmap Committee to release a draft Roadmap to the public at 
least one month prior to publication in order to receive public 
input. (10 minutes)
    10. Himes (CT): Would clarify that solar thermal 
technologies and concentrating solar photovoltaic technologies 
will be included within the scope of the research and 
development program authorized by the bill. (10 minutes)
    11. Murphy, Scott (NY): Would require the Solar Technology 
Roadmap Committee to submit an annual report to the Secretary 
of Energy and the Congress on its activities over the prior 12-
month period. (10 minutes)

                 TEXT OF AMENDMENTS TO BE MADE IN ORDER

    1. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Gordon, Bart of 
          Tennessee or His Designee, Debatable for 30 Minutes

  Page 4, line 21, amend paragraph (1) to read as follows:
          (1) photovoltaics and related electronic components, 
        including inverters, charge controllers, and energy 
        monitors;
  Page 5, line 16, insert ``Federally-Funded Research and 
Development Centers,'' after ``national laboratories,''.
  Page 6, lines 9 through 12, amend subsection (e) to read as 
follows:
  (e) Limitation.--The Department of Energy shall provide 
awards to projects for research, development, and demonstration 
of solar technologies and solar manufacturing in the United 
States.
  Page 8, line 9, strike ``and''.
  Page 8, line 11, insert ``and'' after the semicolon.
  Page 8, after line 11, insert the following new clause:
                          (v) the technologies used to 
                        condition solar energy, including 
                        inverters, DC/DC converters, and 
                        battery chargers;
  Page 8, line 21, strike ``; and'' and insert a semicolon.
  Page 8, line 22, redesignate subparagraph (H) as subparagraph 
(I).
  Page 8, after line 21, insert the following new subparagraph:
                  (H) ways to reduce regional disparity in the 
                use of solar technologies; and
  Page 9, line 8, strike ``and''.
  Page 9, line 11, strike the semicolon and insert ``; and''.
  Page 9, after line 11, insert the following new subparagraph:
                  (E) improving the cost effectiveness and 
                quality control of domestic manufacturing of 
                implements and devices used in the production 
                of solar energy;
  Page 9, lines 12 and 15, redesignate paragraphs (4) and (5) 
as paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively.
  Page 9, after line 11, insert the following new paragraph:
          (4) identify best practices for Department of Energy 
        national laboratories in their collaborations with 
        institutions of higher education and private industry 
        to more efficiently and effectively bring new solar 
        technologies to the marketplace;
  Page 10, after line 3, insert the following new subsection:
  (d) Consultation.--The Solar Roadmap Committee shall consult 
with the Department of the Interior, the National Park Service, 
the Department of Defense, and the General Services 
Administration on the potential for solar demonstration 
projects on Federal lands.
  Page 10, line 15, insert ``, solar applications developers,'' 
after ``including manufacturers''.
  Page 12, after line 21, insert the following new paragraph:
          (7) Geographic distribution.--The Secretary shall 
        consider individuals that represent diverse geographic 
        regions of the United States for membership of the 
        Committee.
  Page 13, line 3, insert ``, applications,'' after ``solar 
technologies''.
  Page 13, line 16, redesignate subsection (e) as subsection 
(f).
  Page 13, after line 15, insert the following new subsection:
  (e) Limitation.--The Committee shall provide guidance on 
technological goals and activities but, consistent with 
requirements for the selection of recipients of funding on a 
merit-reviewed, competitive basis under section 101(b), shall 
not recommend or select specific recipients of funds.
  Page 14, lines 17 and 18, amend subparagraph (A) to read as 
follows:
                  (A) are located in geographically dispersed 
                regions of the country and are not concentrated 
                in any single geographical region of country;
  Page 15, line 10, insert ``, as well as promote accessibility 
and community implementation of demonstrated technologies,'' 
after ``energy costs''.
  Page 16, lines 3 and 4, amend paragraph (5) to read as 
follows:
          (5) operation for a minimum of 3 years, using a 
        monitoring methodology approved by Secretary; and
  Page 16, after line 19, insert the following new subsection:
  (f) Organic Photovoltaic Cell Technologies.--At least 1 
demonstration project awarded under this section during fiscal 
year 2011 shall be for the demonstration of organic 
photovoltaic cell technologies.
  Page 17, line 17, strike ``; and'' and insert a semicolon.
  Page 17, line 21, strike the period and insert ``; and''.
  Page 17, after line 21, insert the following new paragraph:
          (6) assessment of current financing models available 
        to consumers used to offset high upfront costs by 
        accounting for the long term economic benefits of solar 
        energy.
  Page 18, line 5, and page 19, lines 18 and 22, redesignate 
sections 107 through 109 as sections 108 through 110, 
respectively.
  Page 18, after line 4, insert the following new section:

SEC. 107. REPORT.

  Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall commence a study evaluating potential 
applications of micro power stations using solar power 
technology in underserved communities lacking in basic electric 
or traditional power infrastructure, and make recommendations 
to Congress for increasing access to and implementation of 
solar energy technology in such underserved communities.
  Page 20, after line 9, insert the following new section:

SEC. 111. SOLAR TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT THEFT.

  (a) Pilot Program.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Energy shall establish 
a pilot program to make grants for projects to protect against 
solar technology equipment theft, including projects for 
mapping of large-scale solar projects and equipment serial 
number registries.
  (b) Report to Congress.--Not later than 1 year after the 
establishment of the pilot program under subsection (a), the 
Secretary of Energy shall transmit to the Congress a report on 
the effectiveness of projects supported under this section, 
which shall include recommendations for the continuation or 
alteration of the program under this section or any other 
appropriate Federal legislation.
                              ----------                              


2. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Broun, Paul of Georgia 
               or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 18, lines 7 through 12, strike ``section 101(a)'' and 
all that follows through ``2015'' and insert ``section 101(a) 
$250,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2011 through 2013''.
                              ----------                              


  3. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Hastings, Alcee of 
           Florida or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 10, line 22, strike ``and''.
  Page 10, line 23, redesignate subparagraph (G) as 
subparagraph (H).
  Page 10, after line 22, insert the following new 
subparagraph:
                  (G) minority-serving institutions; and
                              ----------                              


  4. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Cardoza, Dennis of 
          California or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 4, lines 1 through 3, amend subparagraph (B) to read as 
follows:
                  (B) solar thermal power technology, including 
                linear concentrator systems, dish/engine 
                systems, power tower systems, and other means;
  Page 14, line 15, strike ``and''.
  Page 14, line 16, redesignate paragraph (3) as paragraph (4).
  Page 14, after line 15, insert the following new paragraph:
          (3) include at least 2 solar thermal technology 
        projects, with thermal storage, that generate between 1 
        and 3 megawatts continuously for a 24-hour period from 
        energy provided entirely by the sun; and
                              ----------                              


 5. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Kaptur, Marcy of Ohio 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 9, line 14, strike ``and''.
  Page 9, line 15, redesignate paragraph (5) as paragraph (7).
  Page 9, after line 14, insert the following new paragraphs:
          (5) provide recommendations on the necessary steps 
        required to strengthen the link between solar 
        technology research and the commercialization of those 
        technologies into full scale manufacturing, including 
        the retooling and reworking of the Nation's existing 
        technological and manufacturing base, as well as 
        coordinating the national strategy in regions where 
        solar technology clusters currently exist;
          (6) provide recommendations to Federal agencies on 
        corresponding strategies to accelerate domestic 
        commercialization of newly developed solar 
        technologies; and
                              ----------                              


   6. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Marshall, Jim of 
           Georgia or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 14, line 15, strike ``and''.
  Page 15, line 15, strike the period and insert ``; and''.
  Page 15, after line 15, insert the following new paragraph:
          (4) evaluate the potential to establish large 
        photovoltaic facilities that produce at least 100 
        gigawatts, including an evaluation of the electrical 
        grid, current, voltage, and energy storage requirements 
        associated with large photovoltaic facilities.
                              ----------                              


 7. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Klein, Ron of Florida 
               or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 5, line 9, strike ``and''.
  Page 5, line 10, redesignate paragraph (7) as paragraph (8).
  Page 5, after line 9, insert the following new paragraph:
          (7) development of storage technologies that can be 
        used to increase the usefulness and value of solar 
        technologies; and
                              ----------                              


 8. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Titus, Dina of Nevada 
               or Her Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 5, line 9, strike ``and''.
  Page 5, line 10, redesignate paragraph (7) as paragraph (8).
  Page 5, after line 9, insert the following new paragraph:
          (7) development of solar technology products that are 
        water efficient; and
  Page 8, line 21, strike ``and''.
  Page 8, line 22, redesignate subparagraph (H) as subparagraph 
(I).
  Page 8, after line 21, insert the following new subparagraph:
                  (H) the development of solar technology 
                products that are water efficient; and
                              ----------                              


9. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Heinrich, Martin of New 
            Mexico or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 9, line 18, redesignate subsection (c) as subsection 
(d).
  Page 9, after line 17, insert the following new subsection:
  (c) Public Input.--The Committee shall release a draft 
Roadmap to the public at least one month prior to publication 
in order to receive input from the public.
                              ----------                              


   10. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Himes, James of 
         Connecticut or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 4, line 24, insert ``, including both solar thermal and 
concentrating solar photovoltaic technologies'' after ``solar 
power''.
                              ----------                              


 11. An Amendment To Be Offered by Representative Murphy, Scott of New 
             York or His Designee, Debatable for 10 Minutes

  Page 13, lines 10 and 16, redesignate subsections (d) and (e) 
as subsections (e) and (f), respectively.
  Page 13, after line 9, insert the following new subsection:
  (d) Reporting.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Committee 
shall submit a report to the Secretary and the Congress on its 
activities over the prior 12-month period.

                                  
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