Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28) today voted for a sweeping solar energy technology bill which would direct the Energy Secretary to create a solar energy roadmap by conducting studies nationwide, including a study on how the sun could power undeveloped areas known as Colonias.

“These studies will give us a roadmap for how to tap the most abundant natural resource we have,” said Congressman Cuellar. “And with my amendment the Energy Secretary would study communities like the Colonias who lack a traditional power structure.”

Today, the House passed by a vote of 310-106, H.R. 3585, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act, that requires the U.S. Department of Energy to create a long-term plan to guide solar energy research and its potential for widespread commercial use. The legislation also authorizes $2.25 billion for solar research over the next five years.

Congressman Cuellar successfully added an amendment to the bill that requires the Energy Department to conduct these solar studies in underpowered and underserved communities like the Colonias. Over the past several years, he’s repeatedly secured federal funding to bring electricity to the underdeveloped dwellings along the Rio Grande River.

“A little power goes a long way in the Colonias,” said Congressman Cuellar. “And as the federal government makes these dramatic new investments, they should look at our underdeveloped communities who have little if no power at all.”

This July, Congressman Cuellar secured $550,000 for the Colonias in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act 2010, to power approximately 100 dwellings in the Colonias through a micro-grid system in coordination with Texas A&M University. A prototype currently powers twelve dwellings in La Presa Colonia in Webb County.

If passed by the Senate and signed by the President, the Solar Technology Roadmap Act would become law. For more information, please visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:HR3585:/ 

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Congressman Henry Cuellar is a member of the U.S. House Homeland Security, Agriculture, and Government Oversight & Reform Committees in the 111th Congress. Accessibility to constituents, education, health care, economic development, and national security are his priorities. Congressman Cuellar is also a Senior Whip and member of the Blue Dog Coalition.