Conference Report on H.R. 6, Energy Policy Act of 2005

CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 6, ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 2005 -- (House of Representatives - July 28, 2005)

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Mr. WALSH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 conference report. In particular, I want to thank the conferees for including a provision that will establish the National Priority Project Designation. This national award program, modeled after the Malcolm Baldridge Quality Award Act, would promote and recognize large sustainable design building and renewable energy projects. In April, I sponsored the National Priority Project proposal as an amendment to the Energy Policy Act, which the House adopted by voice vote. The Senate adopted a similar amendment, also by voice vote, to its version of energy legislation in June. The Solar Energy Industries Association and the American Wind Energy Association have both endorsed this legislation.

This proposal establishes four categories of designations: wind and biomass energy generation projects; solar photovoltaic and fuel cell energy generation projects; energy efficient building and renewable energy projects; and "first-in-class" projects. The legislation sets minimum renewable energy generation thresholds for wind, biomass, solar, fuel cell and building projects. Energy efficient and renewable energy building projects must meet additional criteria to be considered for designation, including: compliance with third-party certification standards; comprehensive integration of renewable energy and energy efficient features; and the use of at least 50 percent renewable energy overall.

The DestiNY USA project, located in my congressional district, will likely apply for consideration for designation under this program. DestiNY USA is designed as the largest fossil fuel free building project in the world, with plans to deploy up to 600 megawatts of renewable energy generation capacity. It will employ the entire spectrum of renewable energy generation sources, including solar, wind, biomass, geothermal and micro-hydroelectric. DestiNY is just one example of the type of innovative, high technology projects that could qualify for designation. By providing an additional incentive for creativity and a commitment to renewable energy, the National Priority Project designation will help meet the goal of assuring "secure, affordable and reliable energy."

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