Rep. Peters Driving To Bring Solar Energy Manufacturing To Michigan

Rep. Peters’ Measure Would Require Administration to Give Special Consideration to High Unemployment States in Directing Solar Funding

10/07/09 -- Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gary Peters is pushing to bring new solar energy manufacturing jobs to Michigan and other states hit hardest by the current recession.

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Congressman Peters today successfully amended the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, a bill designed to provide comprehensive planning to and authorize funding for solar research and development. Rep. Peters’ amendment would require the Department of Energy to give stronger consideration to projects utilizing solar technologies manufactured in the United States, and to give preference to high unemployment states like Michigan.

"Making America more energy independent is clearly important, but we need to focus our efforts on American-made materials and should direct projects to high unemployment states,"
said Rep. Peters. "There is a great potential to revitalize the American manufacturing base by investing in solar technologies. Michigan has the existing infrastructure and workforce to be a leader in solar manufacturing. Meanwhile, the United States continues to lag behind China, Japan, and Europe in the production of solar energy materials. If we act now, we can ensure that our nation becomes more energy independent and simultaneously stimulate the economy in hard hit states."

H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, a bill to improve solar technology research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) programs, passed the Science and Technology Committee today overwhelmingly after Peters’ amendment was added. The legislation would require the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Secretary to create a comprehensive roadmapping process for solar RD&D activities. The roadmap will cover a broad range of important research areas, including solar power, solar manufacturing, solar heating and cooling, and integration of solar technologies into buildings. This roadmap will give thorough recommendations on short-term, mid-term, and long-term RD&D needs and provide public and private guidance on how to effectively use RD&D funding. $350 million in 2011, $550 million by 2015.

Source: Congressman Gary Peters