Solar Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974

Summary

Solar Energy Research Act - Declares that it is the policy of the Federal Government to pursue a vigorous and viable program of research and development into the utilization of solar energy as a major source for our national energy needs. Provides that, within sixty days from the date of enactment of legislation creating any permanent Federal organization or agency having jurisdiction over the energy research and development functions of the United States Government, the Office of Solar Energy Research shall be established within that agency. Provides that if, within sixty days from the date of enactment of this Act, no agency with jurisdiction over Federal energy research and development has been established, the Office of Solar Energy Research authorized under this Act shall be established, on an interim basis, within the Atomic Energy Commission, until sixty days from the date of enactment of legislation authorizing the new Federal office of energy research and development. Authorizes the Chairman or Administrator to conduct appropriate research and technical development work: (1) to determine, by laboratory and pilot testing, the usable results of scientific research, (2) to develop and fabricate solar energy transformation processes, equipment designs, and components to the point where they can be demonstrated, certified, produced, and operated on a commercially practical scale; (3) to recommend to the Congress, as deemed appropriate, authorizations for the construction and operation or for participation in the construction and operation, of solar energy conversion facilities, and (4) to undertake, through research grants and contracts, studies of possible economic, social, and environmental effects which will result from the use of solar energy. Establishes a Solar Energy Research Council to be chaired by the Chairman or Administrator to coordinate policy and programs in solar energy research. Specifies the composition of the Council. Directs the development of a program to expedite the increased utilization of solar energy technology by the public and private sectors. Establishes a solar energy incentives task force to carry out the following functions: (1) report to the President and the Congress within one hundred and twenty days following enactment, and at least annually thereafter, recommendations for a viable program, of specified, time limited, incentives or modifications to existing and/or proposed incentives programs to accelerate the commercial application of solar energy technology; and (2) carry out a program of research and investigation into the barriers to innovation in the field of solar energy, the barriers to the acceleration of the commercial application of solar energy technology, and the programs needed to remove such barriers. Authorizes the compilation on a semi-annual basis of a listing of all solar energy conversion components, facilities, and equipment, commercially available in the Nation for private or public use. States that utilization of solar energy shall include such applications of solar energy as, but not limited to, the solar heating and cooling of buildings, solar crop drying and other agricultural applications of solar energy, solar thermal and photovoltaic power generation for terrestrial applications, whether situated on the ground or in space, wind energy conversion, ocean thermal gradient conversion, solar stimulated bioconversion, and solar production of synthetic gases and hydrogen. Authorizes to be appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act the following amounts: (1) for fiscal year 1975, $56,000,000; (2) for fiscal year 1976, $94,000,000; (3) for fiscal year 1977, $150,000,000; (4) for fiscal year 1978, $150,000,000; and (5) for fiscal year 1979, $150,000,000.

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3 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 27 October 1974

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• Public Law

  summary · EN · 26 October 1974

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 26 March 1974

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