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NATURE

U.S. official plugs alternative energy

solar cell
Improved efficiency and reliability is expected to lead to a proliferation of photovoltaic panels early next century.   

July 28, 1999
Web posted at: 3:59 p.m. EDT (1959 GMT)

ENN



(ENN) -- Research and development of alternative energy technologies should be accelerated, Richard Truly, director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory told the National Press Club Tuesday.

Otherwise, he said, the United States could face supply shortages. Worldwide energy demand is expected to outstrip the supply of fossil fuels early in the next century. Alternative energy technologies must fill the void.

Investment in these technologies will ensure secure energy supplies and U.S. leadership in the future global energy economy, he said. "Now is not the time to pull back once again on our commitment to a strong energy efficiency and renewable energy program."

House and Senate appropriation committees have recently cut Department of Energy Programs for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs in the Fiscal Year 2000 budget.
Truly
Wind can now produce energy at a cost of four to six cents per kilowatt-hour, said Richard Truly, director of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.   

To help fill the void, other congressional leaders have introduced legislation in recent weeks that promotes research and development of renewable energy technologies.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, introduced legislation July 13 for a five-year extension of a tax credit for companies that generate wind energy. Sen. Jim Jeffords, R-Vt., introduced the Clean Energy Act of 1999 July 14 that, among other things, increase investments in renewable energy.

In his speech at the National Press Club, Truly pointed out a few successes in developing renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. For example, wind energy can now produce energy at a cost of four to six cents per kilowatt-hour.

As well, improved efficiency and reliability is expected to lead to a proliferation of photovoltaic panels early next century and progress has been made in bioenergy — the use of plants to produce fuels.

But this progress is at risk, said Truly. Without a commitment to continued research and development of energy from the sun, wind and plant life, the potential of clean, never-ending supplies of energy won't be realized. And without a commitment to bring those technologies to market, the science will go wasted.

"Unused technology," he said, "is useless."

Copyright 1999, Environmental News Network, All Rights Reserved



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