On the recordMay 27, 2010
I have an amendment that will ensure that the Department of Defense supports the growing domestic solar energy industry. The Department of Defense, as we know, is the largest consumer of energy on this planet. Fortunately, the Pentagon is beginning to more fully understand just how important energy is to our national security. As the Department purchases solar panels to address very serious energy security concerns at defense installations around our country, we must ensure that those purchases support American renewable energy manufacturing jobs rather than those at other companies in other countries. The Buy American Act requires products purchased directly by the Federal Government to contain at least 50 percent American content. This amendment applies the Buy American Act to the procurement of solar panels purchased indirectly by the Department through subcontracts such as Energy Savings Performance Contracts, land leases, and utility service contracts. Establishing real energy security at our defense installations is critical to our national security. This amendment is a commonsense approach to ensuring that, as the Department makes key investments in renewable energy, American manufacturing jobs are supported and increased.
