Washington, DC -- Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma), the top Democrat on the House Science Subcommittee on Energy, was appointed a conferee on the Energy Bill.

Also known as H.R. 4, Securing America’s Future Energy Act of 2001, the bill includes provisions to enhance energy conservation, research and development, and to provide for security and diversity in the American energy supply. Last Spring, Congresswoman Woolsey held a Science Committee Hearing on Renewable Energy in Sonoma County and the overwhelming response was that additional federal research and development funds were needed. She fought for these funds to be included in the House version of the bill, and now she will fight for them to stay in the final Energy Bill.

“Research and development is the backbone of scientific innovation,” said Rep. Woolsey. “Investing in renewable energy research could help Marin and Sonoma County reduce air pollution in the future. It will also benefit projects such as Solar Sebastopol and Sonoma County Transit that will utilize the research and development provided for in the bill.”

Representing the House Science Committee, Rep. Woolsey will be part of a distinct group of congressional members who will negotiate between the House and Senate versions of the energy bill. The final version will then be sent to both chambers for approval, before submission to the President for signature.

“The United States must be more energy independent,” says Rep. Woolsey. “We cannot continue to rely on fossil fuels, nuclear power and environmentally hazardous energy sources. I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to make sure that the U.S. invests in clean, renewable sources of energy for the future of our environment and the health of our children.”

Rep. Woolsey will fight to ensure that the energy bill retains the provisions regarding renewable energy, energy conservation and expansion of alternative energy to meet the energy needs of Americans now and far into the future. Her efforts, during the Science Committee consideration of the Energy Bill, resulted in an increase of $177 million to support research and development for hydrogen geothermal, wind, solar, biomass and small hydro-power. Rep. Woolsey also successfully fought for a Next Generation Lighting Initiative to support research and development on advanced lighting technologies that will be longer lasting, more energy-efficient and cost-competitive.

###