Jim Baird: “Mr. Speaker, when we examine market barriers for advanced research energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies…”

“Mr. Speaker, when we examine market barriers for advanced research energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, we find that a simple lack of public knowledge often keeps those technologies on the laboratory shelf and out of the marketplace. Outreach and education of building and industry professionals and other key decisionmakers will undoubtedly accelerate the deployment of beneficial energy technologies and practices into the larger marketplace. Through the guidance of Congressman Brad Miller, we sought to address these challenges in the energy bill of 2005 by establishing in section 917 a network of Advanced Energy Technology Transfer Centers. These centers would be a partnership between local entities and DOE to showcase advanced energy technologies and simply teach the right people how to utilize them. This bill came through the Science Committee and passed the House last year as part of H.R. 6203. It was a good idea then, and Chairman Gordon saw that it should be treated the same in this Congress.”