Solar Fuels Innovation Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5638, the Solar Fuels Innovation Act.

This legislation directs the Department of Energy to focus on basic research that provides the foundation for our technology breakthroughs. Our aim is to shed a little sunlight on this process. As for the solar fuel process, also known as artificial photosynthesis, new materials and catalysts will be needed to be developed through basic research before the private sector will ever be able to develop a commercial solar fuels system.

If this research yields the right materials, Mr. Speaker, scientists might create a system that could consolidate solar power and energy storage into a cohesive process. This would potentially remove the intermittency of solar energy and make it a reliable power source for chemical fuels production. Folks, this is a game changer.

Last month, we held a hearing in the Energy Subcommittee that I chair in order to examine this critical research. We heard from a panel of experts on America's basic research portfolio, which provides the foundation for development of solar fuels through the study of chemistry and advanced materials.

I want to thank my colleague, Mr. Knight, the vice chairman of the Energy Subcommittee, for introducing this important legislation.

I am also pleased that this legislation directs research within existing funds appropriated by Congress and does not authorize any new spending. Let me repeat: does not authorize any new spending.

Mr. Speaker, we have limited Federal resources for research and development, and it is our responsibility to ensure that those are spent wisely, on basic research that can provide benefits across the entire United States economy.

I urge my colleagues to support this innovative fiscally responsible legislation. You know I am right.

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