Local News
Congress votes: Solar energy
Allocates $2.18 billion to help develop solar technolgies
SOLAR ENERGY: Voting 310 for and 106 against, the House on Oct. 22 authorized $2.18 billion between fiscal 2011-2015 for Department of Energy programs to develop solar-energy technologies.
The bill (HR 3585) establishes a long-term partnership among the federal government, the private sector and universities to develop and market solar technologies, in the same way that federal funds and policies have been used to nurture the U.S. semi-conductor industry in recent decades.
Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., said the bill "will strengthen the ability of U.S. companies to regain America's world leadership in solar technology and exports."
Tom McClintock, R-Calif., said solar energy "is roughly 17 times more expensive than nuclear power, and it consumes 32 times the land area of a comparable nuclear facility....This is an industry that exists solely of the dole, by the dole and for the dole, and it is now clamoring for billions of dollars more."
A yes vote was to pass the bill.
Minnesota members of Congress
Voting yes: Tim Walz, D, Mankato, (1st. District), Paulsen, McCollum,
Ellison, Collin Peterson, D, Detroit Lakes, (7th District, including Sibley County), Oberstar
Voting no: John Kline, R, Lakeville, (2nd District, including Le Sueur County), Bachmann
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