James Oberstar: “I am here to address the contribution of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to H.R. 6, the Energy…”

“I am here to address the contribution of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to H.R. 6, the Energy Independence and Security Act. We begin with the Department of Energy, itself, by providing funding to build a photovoltaic solar wall on the south wall of the Department of Energy. It was built without windows or doors to accommodate a solar application, but the funding was never provided over the last 12 years. The project will pay for itself in less than 18 years and then begin sending excess energy into the local power grid. We continue with the U.S. Capitol. We require the Architect of the Capitol to undertake feasibility studies on installing photovoltaic roofs on two buildings, Rayburn and Hart, and also a feasibility study to capture, store and use carbon dioxide from the Capitol power plant. We spread these efforts further across the Nation by requiring the General Services Administration to install energy-efficient and renewable energy systems, including compact fluorescent bulbs and photovoltaic systems on Federal office buildings and U.S. courthouses across the country. We also prohibit the Coast Guard from using incandescent light bulbs unless they determine they are necessary for their mission. The bill also establishes critical targets for GSA and other Federal civilian agencies to cut energy use by 30 percent and fossil fuel use 65 percent within a decade.”