The public is invited to attend a field hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives Science Committee/Energy Subcommittee at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 21 at the Environmental Technology Center at Sonoma State University. The theme of the hearing is "The Renewable Roadmap to Energy Independence."
A key "witness" at the hearing is the Environmental Technology Center (ETC) itself. The ETC is a "building that teaches," designed to maximize conservation and energy efficiency, powered by state-of-the-art photovoltaics and constructed with innovative green building materials. Prior to the hearing, Dr. Alexandra von Meier, Director of the ETC, will give a short presentation on the building.
Members of the Science Committee's Energy Subcommittee will hear testimony from an expert panel with national and international credentials. The hearing has been arranged by Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, a ranking member of the committee.
In a letter to constituents, Woolsey said "I am hopeful that this field hearing will influence members of the joint committee to craft a bill with strong energy efficiency, conservation and renewable energy provisions."
Woolsey also said in the letter that last year as the ranking member of the Energy Subcommittee, she was able to increase renewable energy research by $177 million over three years in the energy bill passed by the House. "The Senate, however, is still working on energy legislation, and when that bill is completed, a joint House-Senate committee will meet to reconcile both bills."
The witnesses and their topics include:
Admiral Richard Truly, Director of the National Renewable Energy Lab: "The Current State of Renewable Energy and Their Long Term Potential"
Richard Charter, Bluewater Network: "Offshore Oil: Putting our Environment at Risk for Short Term Gains"
Dr. Donald Aitken, Union of Concerned Scientists: "Transitioning into Energy Independence"
John Newcomb, Newcomb Anderson, Associates: "1st Steps Toward Energy Independence: Energy Efficiency and Conservation"
There will not be an opportunity for public comments during the hearing, but members of the public are encouraged to submit their concerns to Woolsey in writing. For further information, contact Tom Roth in the congresswoman's Santa Rosa office at 707 (542-7182).
