The House Committee on Science and Technology has passed legislation to improve energy efficiency and advance energy technologies through research, development and demonstration (RD&D) programs. The bills would improve vehicle technologies, improve wind energy research and development, establish a gas turbines efficiency program, and establish a social and behavioral sciences research program.
One of the bills passed, H.R.3165, the Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2009, would establish a wind energy RD&D program aimed to reduce the cost of construction, generation and maintenance of wind systems. This bill was introduced by Energy and Environment Subcommittee Vice Chairman Paul Tonko, D-N.Y.
‘The Wind Energy Research and Development Act is about perfecting wind energy so it can play a more prominent role in the nation's energy mix,’ says Tonko. ‘This bill will leverage our investment to bring those technological advances to market, which will help lessen our dependence on foreign oil imports and help increase our energy independence.’
The committee approved amendments to the wind energy bill from Rep. Randy Neugebauer, R-Texas; Technology and Innovation Subcommittee Ranking Member Adrian Smith, R-Neb.; Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas; Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md.; and Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas.
SOURCE: The House Committee on Science and Technology
