Pass this on. Got to me from Phil Scott and IRENEW, Jack Eastman From: "Teresa Sieckert" <[log in to unmask]> Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2001 09:04:04 -0700 To: "Egroup" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: [irenew] DOE solar research budget Michael D. Paranzino Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) 1616 H St., NW, 8th Floor Washington, DC 20006 202-628-7769 w 240-447-6146 m 703-997-6528 fax http://www.seia.org ----------------------------- The Bush Administration has proposed slashing next year's budget for solar energy research programs 50% - 85% from this year's budget. These are devastating cuts! You can do two things right now to help save these important solar research programs. First, send an email TODAY to the Department of Energy telling them you want solar research increased, not cut. A sample letter and the email address are below. Second, forward this email to everyone in your address book who cares about the environment, or who wants safe, reliable, renewable energy so they don't face rolling blackouts this summer. That means everyone in California, for example! ****Send your emails to: [log in to unmask] Here is a sample email (feel free to change it as you wish, but by all means send it right now!): Dear President Bush and Secretary of Energy Abraham: Two recent national polls showed 90% of Americans want MORE federal research and development of SOLAR energy, not less. I am part of that 90%. Solar energy is clean, reliable, and renewable energy that can help us solve our nation's energy crisis, and it can do this pollution-free. Government research has led to dramatic improvements in solar technologies in recent years. For example, the Solar Energy Industries Association reports that the cost of solar electricity has dropped by more than 40% in just the last five years, thanks in large part to government and industry research programs. Let's not kill this progress; let's accelerate it. Solar power is not just an important part of the solution to our energy challenges; it is a gift to our children and grandchildren, because it is abundant, safe, and CLEAN. Please restore, and increase, research, development, and deployment programs for solar energy, including photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, and solar buildings. I'll be watching, and I vote. Thank you for your consideration. [add as much name and address information about yourself as you like; letters with a name and address are usually taken more seriously] Some of you may be interested in attending a public hearing to support solar energy. Here is a list of public meetings coming up across the country, along with additional information that you may find interesting. If you work in the solar industry or are so inclined, please tailor your comments as described below. (The letter above is designed more for friends of solar power. Those directly involved in the solar industry should write specifically about the successes they have seen grow out of the solar research programs.) DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ANNOUNCEMENT OF PUBLIC MEETINGS The recently-released National Energy Policy (NEP) recommended a review of current funding and historic performance of the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs. To facilitate this review, Department of Energy senior officials will receive public comments on the programs in seven regional meetings during the month of June. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) funds research, development, demonstration and deployment (RDD&D) of affordable, advanced energy technologies and practices. This effort is organized around five energy sectors-(1) buildings, (2) industry, (3) transportation, (4) power generation and delivery, and (5) Federal government facilities and are incorporated into 31 programs. Comments should address: (1) the objectives of the current energy efficiency and renewable energy research, development, demonstration and deployment programs, (2) suggested potential objectives for future programs, (3) implementation of current and future programs, and (4) whether these Federal programs are achieving intended objectives. The following public meetings will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. From 9:00 - 10:00, the Department will receive comments from public officials only. June 12 Atlanta, Georgia - Location: Main Auditorium (Lower Level), Richard B. Russell Federal Building and Courthouse, 75 Spring Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303 June 12 Chicago, Illinois - Location: James Benton Parson Memorial Court Room Dirksen Federal Building, Room 2525, 219 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60604 June 19 Boston, Massachusetts - Location: John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, 55 Broadway, Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02142-1093 June 19 Seattle, Washington - Location: Bell Harbor International Conference Center International Promenade Room, Pier 66, 2211 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98121-1604 June 21 Denver, Colorado - Location: Adam's Mark Hotel Denver, 1550 Court Place Denver, Colorado 80202 June 21 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Location: Myerson Auditorium, 210 South 34th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 June 26 Washington, D. C. - Location: Washington Hilton and Towers, 1919 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D. C. To accommodate as many individuals as possible, each speaker will be limited to five minutes. In the event that time does not permit all individuals who would like to comment, several other options are available to receive public input. Forms will be available at each location to provide hand-written comments. Written comments will be accepted and must be submitted to the Department of Energy no later than 5:00 p.m. EDT, June 29, 2001. Written comments should be no more than four single spaced pages, using 12 pitch font and 1 inch margins. All written comments will be included in the proceedings of the seven public meetings. The Department of Energy also invites their federal partners to submit written comments. Comments may be sent to: Ms. Bonny Overton, U. S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, EE 3.1, 1000 Independence Avenue, S. W., Washington, D. C. 20585, or email to [log in to unmask] Copies of the National Energy Plan can be found on the web at www.energy.gov <http://www.energy.gov> . For further information about EERE programs, please visit www.EREN.doe.gov <http://www.EREN.doe.gov> . Solar Technologies: The Office of Solar Energy Technologies sponsors research and development (R&D) that improves the performance and reliability while reducing the cost of solar technologies that can harness the sun's energy. To receive future updates on solar power, email: [log in to unmask] About the polls: a June Washington Post-ABC News poll found 90% of respondents nationwide support the federal government developing "more solar and wind power." When asked what should be the "federal government's highest [energy] priority," the #1 choice across America was "develop more solar and wind power." 23% of Americans ranked it #1, the highest score for that question. In May, a USA Today/CNN/Gallup poll found that 91% of Americans support "investments in new sources of energy such as solar, wind and fuel cells." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]