IV 

113TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 765 

Recognizing the 40th anniversary of passage of the Solar Energy Research, 

Development, and Demonstration Act of 1974. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 20, 2014 

Mr. PERLMUTTER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 

the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 40th anniversary of passage of the Solar 

Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration Act 

of 1974. 

Whereas, on October 26, 1974, the Solar Energy Research, 

Development, and Demonstration Act was signed into law 

in response to the Nation’s growing need for additional 

sources of energy; 

Whereas the law sponsored by Senator Hubert Humphrey, 

Jr., from Minnesota authorized a Federal program of research, development, and demonstration to assure the 

utilization of solar energy as a viable source for our national needs; 

Whereas the Act established the Solar Energy Research Institute to perform research functions related to— 

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•HRES 765 IH 

(1) researching and developing a program for resolving the major technical problems inhibiting commercial 

utilization of solar energy in the United States; 

(2) implementing a research and development program to demonstrate the technological means for securing and utilizing the solar energy resource base; and 

(3) initiating a program to design and construct facilities to demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing the various forms of solar energy; 

Whereas in March 1977, after 2 years of highly competitive 

bidding, acting Administrator Robert Fri selected Golden, 

Colorado, as the site for the Solar Energy Research Institute; 

Whereas the Solar Energy Research Institute officially began 

operating in July 1977, just a few months before becoming part of the new Department of Energy; 

Whereas in 1978, President Jimmy Carter was the first 

United States President to visit the lab; 

Whereas in 1991, President George H.W. Bush elevated 

Solar Energy Research Institute to a National Laboratory; 

Whereas today the National Renewable Energy Laboratory a 

world-class research facility in Golden, Colorado, is home 

to prominent scientists, engineers, research technicians, 

across many fields and disciplines; 

Whereas the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has won 

57 Research & Development ‘‘100 Awards’’ and received 

various other scientific and technical society honors; and 

Whereas today, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory 

is a national and international leader in research to demstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with BILLS

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•HRES 765 IH 

velop efficient and economic solar, wind, biomass, and 

other clean energy technologies: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That— 

2 (1) the House of Representatives— 

3 (A) calls upon the people of the United 

4 States to recognize the 40th anniversary of the 

5 passage of the Solar Energy Research, Develop6 ment, and Demonstration Act of 1974; and 

7 (B) recognizes the vital research and work 

8 that has been and is currently being done at the 

9 National Renewable Energy Laboratory to im10 prove renewable energy and energy efficiency 

11 technologies across the United States; and 

12 (2) it is the sense of the House of Representa13 tives that the United States should make a commit14 ment to provide adequate funding to support the 

15 National Renewable Energy Laboratory as it con16 tinues to provide important research for new clean 

17 energy technologies to benefit the citizens of the 

18 United States. 

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