Congresswoman Chellie Pingree Votes To Boost Job Creation, Innovation In Solar Technology

Press Release

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree today voted to boost job creation and provide real solutions to our energy needs by developing a concrete plan for the research and development of American-made solar technology. The Solar Technology Roadmap Act passed the House today and now goes on to the Senate.

"By laying out a strategic plan for the research and development of solar technology, we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil and spur economic growth at the same time," said Congresswoman Pingree. "This is just one of many steps we have taken to boost our economy by implementing short-term fixes and making smart, targeted long-term investments in our future."

The Solar Technology Roadmap Act establishes a comprehensive process to facilitate the research, development and demonstration of American solar technology in partnership with the private sector. It requires the Secretary of Energy to appoint an 11-member Solar Technology Roadmap Committee to write, review and update a Solar Technology Roadmap.

The Roadmap will lay out short-term and long-term objectives for solar technology research and development while accounting for, and mitigating, any negative environmental impacts. It will provide a path forward to make solar technology more dependable and widely available to American consumers. The Roadmap will also authorize the Department of Energy to award grants to entrepreneurs, research agencies and academic laboratories that are leading the field in solar tech development and solar manufacturing.

"This legislation ensures that we have a strategic plan to work with the private sector to spur American innovation and unleash the full economic potential of our solar tech industry," Pingree said. "It will help us create American jobs and lower energy costs for consumers while at the same time addressing one of our nation's greatest challenges."

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