Austin American Statesman

Congress recently took a monumental step toward positioning the United States as the world's largest market for photovoltaics. That's science-speak for solar energy — the process by which sunlight is converted directly into electricity.

The House passed the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, and I was the lead Republican sponsor. The bill, which has potential to be landmark legislation, increases research and development funding to vastly expand the commercialization of America's solar industry. It provides the collaboration between academia, the Department of Energy and the private sector that researchers need so they can find ways to effectively harness the sun's energy.

The University of Texas School of Engineering is leading the way developing materials that are just as effective but less costly than silicon as a solar energy transmission compound.

The challenges they must overcome include storage, transportation and transmission of solar energy to make it widely available and affordable. Long-term, it will give us the ability to more efficiently heat and cool our homes and offices and operate equipment. Energy will cost less and the air we breathe will be cleaner.

At a time of wasteful spending and astounding debt, this is an investment in our children. The legislation carries vast economic potential. Companies such as Applied Materials in Austin are in position to expand their research, development and production, increasing their ability to compete globally to produce solar technology and create jobs in the United States rather than export them.

Gov. Rick Perry's Emerging Technology Fund sends a strong message that Texas is committed to investing in startup companies.

I applaud Mayor Lee Leffingwell's latest efforts offering homeowners low interest loans for residential solar projects.

However, alternative energy is just one key piece of a comprehensive "all of the above" energy strategy I believe our nation needs that embraces both alternative and conventional energy without imposing a national energy tax.

Imposing a national energy tax needlessly hinders economic growth, is detrimental to our long-term goal of energy independence and our short-term goal of creating jobs as well as loosening the tax burden on families and businesses.

The reality is that until alternative energy can meet large-scale demands our nation will remain dependent on fossil fuels. Development of solar, wind, nuclear and clean coal technologies, in addition to increased domestic production of oil and natural gas, is the best way to wean ourselves off foreign oil and achieve energy independence.

Dependence on overseas oil represents a dangerous foreign policy. Each year, the U.S. transfers roughly $700 billion to foreign countries, many of whom underwrite terrorist operations and threaten our national security.

Yet our unduly cumbersome permitting processes have effectively prohibited the construction of oil refineries for almost 30 years. We must encourage refinery construction and bring money and jobs back to our country.

We must also reverse our policy on nuclear energy. Nuclear is the most reliable zero-carbon-emissions source of energy. Eighty percent of France's electricity is generated by nuclear reactors. Yet we have not constructed a single nuclear power plant in the U.S. in 31 years.

My congressional district spans the spectrum of the energy debate. The largest concentration of petrochemical facilities in the world sits just outside Houston to the east. Austin is a globally recognized green technology center.

From my unique vantage point, I see that our nation must have the vision to invest in both sides of this philosophic tug-of-war to reduce dependence on foreign oil and achieve energy independence.

An important step in the right direction is the Solar Technology Roadmap Act. If it passes the Senate, it will enhance this comprehensive strategy to rejuvenate America's industrial and manufacturing base. As a nation, we can go green as we keep drilling. Call it the hybrid energy policy for the 21st century. But if we're serious about achieving true energy independence, we can't afford to wait another three decades to act.

McCaul serves on the House Science & Technology Committee. He, is founder of the House High Tech Caucus and authored the Green Energy Education Act.