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1974/09/03 HR11864 Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act (1)
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1974/09/03 HR11864 Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act (1)
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The original documents are located in Box 6, folder "9/3/74 HR11864 Solar Heating and
Cooling Demonstration Act (1)" of the White House Records Office: Legislation Case Files
at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald R. Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Exact duplicates within this folder were not digitized.
Digitized from the White House Records Office: Legislation Case Files at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ENROLLED BILL
SUBJECT: Enrolled Bill H.R. 11864 - Solar
Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974
Name
Approval
Date
Michael Duval
Yes
Tod Hullin
Yes
NSC/S
Yes
Phil Buchen
Yes
Bill Timmons
Yes
Ken Cole
C
Comments:
NSC feels that the Atomic Energy Commission
should submit their recommendation.
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.: 554
Date: August 29, 1974
Time:
3:30 p.m.
FOR ACTION: Michael Duval
cc (for information): Warren K. Hendriks
NSC/S - AEC'A
Tod Hullin
Jerry Jones
Pail Buchen
Bill Timmons
Dave Gergen
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date: Friday, August 30, 1974
Time:
2:00 p.m.
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Bill H.R. 11864 - Solar Heating and Cooling
Demonstration Act of 1974
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
XX For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing
FORD i LIBRARY 07V830
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
K. R. COLE, JR.
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
To- Andrido 29-74
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
AUG 2 9 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Enrolled Bill H.R. 11864 - Solar Heating and Cooling
Demonstration Act of 1974
Sponsors - Rep. McCormack (D) Washington and 20
others
Last Day for Action
September 3, 1974 - Tuesday
Purpose
Provides for the early development and demonstration of both
solar heating and combined solar heating and cooling systems.
Agency Recommendations
Office of Management and Budget
Approval
National Aeronautics and Space
Approval
Administration
Federal Energy Administration
Approval
Federal Home Loan Bank Board
Approval
National Science Foundation
No objection
(signing statement
attached)
Department of Commerce
No objection
General Services Administration
No objection
Department of the Treasury
No objection
Department of Defense
Defers to interested
agencies
Department of Housing and Urban
Would not recommend
Development
disapproval
2
Discussion
H.R. 11864 would establish a demonstration program to test and
demonstrate the feasibility of solar energy as a partial sub-
stitute for conventional heating and cooling systems. It
would respond to the need for development of alternatives to
increasingly limited fossil fuel supplies.
The bill would provide for an interagency program to demonstrate
within a three year period the practical use of solar heating
technology and to provide for the development and demonstration
within a five year period of the practical use of combined
solar heating and cooling technology.
H.R. 11864 provides in effect for a two-stage demonstration
program. First, NASA would be responsible for research,
development and procurement of solar heating and combined
solar heating and cooling equipment, meeting performance
criteria prescribed by HUD, utilizing the services of the
National Bureau of Standards. Second, HUD and Defense would
be responsible for arranging for the installation of equipment
in residential dwellings and NASA for installation in commercial
buildings through arrangements with other Federal agencies.
More, specifically, agency responsibilities would be as
follows:
NASA would
-- conduct a program of applied research
-- work with HUD to develop performance criteria for
projects
-- procure equipment
-- enter into arrangements with appropriate Federal
agencies to carry out research and development and
to install demonstration projects in commercial
types of buildings
HUD would
-- determine and publish interim suitability criteria
for residential dwellings and performance criteria
for solar heating and as soon as possible combined
solar heating and cooling systems
3
-- install equipment procured by NASA in a "sub-
stantial" number of residential dwellings
-- provide for the satisfactory operation of such
installations during the demonstration period
-- prescribe terms and conditions under which title
and ownership of any dwellings constructed or solar
heating systems installed may be conveyed to pur-
chasers or owners of such dwellings
-- monitor the performance and operation of solar
energy equipment
-- establish and operate a Solar Heating and Cooling
Information Data Bank for the purpose of collecting,
reviewing and disseminating solar heating and cooling
information to Federal, State and local authorities,
the building industry, the scientific and technical
community, and the public
-- from time to time conduct studies and make appro-
priate special reports to the Congress evaluating
the effectiveness of combined programs
Defense would be responsible to arrange for the installation
of solar heating and combined heating and cooling systems pro-
cured by NASA in a "substantial" number of residential dwell-
ings which are located on Federal or federally administered
property.
NSF would be responsible to conduct a program of applied
research relevant to the improvement and practical application
of combined solar heating and cooling systems.
NASA and HUD, in consultation with NSF, Defense, the National
Bureau of Standards, and other agencies, would be directed to
submit to the Congress within 120 days of enactment a com-
prehensive, program plan for carrying out the residential demon-
stration program.
Within 60 days after the effective date of legislation creating
an Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), or
similar organization, all energy research and development
functions vested in NASA and NSF under this Act could be
transferred to such Federal agency. Furthermore, any funds
4
appropriated under this Act could also be transferred -- to
the extent appropriate -- to ERDA. Legislation to establish
ERDA is now in conference.
The bill authorizes appropriations of $5 million each to
HUD and NASA for fiscal year 1975 and $50 million in the
aggregate for fiscal years 1976 through 1979. Because
activities authorized by this bill could be funded out of
existing agency appropriations for solar energy activities,
or through reprogramming actions, the bill would not require
an increase over the 1975 budget.
As in the case of another enrolled bill now pending before
you, H.R. 14920, the "Geothermal Energy Research, Development,
and Demonstration Act of 1974," we do not believe that this
bill is essential to the conduct of a Federal research and
development program in the solar energy area. However, we
are recommending approval of H.R. 11864 for reasons basically
similar to those set out in our enrolled bill memorandum
recommending approval of the geothermal energy bill. In
addition, we note the strong Congressional support for this
bill (passed the House 253-2 and the Senate by voice vote after
having been referred to five Senate committees).
H.R. 11864 provides an interim basis for demonstrating the
feasibility of solar energy and accelerating development of
practical application of solar energy technology with whatever
environmental, economic, and energy conserving implications
that would have and provides for a prototype demonstration
program as opposed to a large-scale, expensive operation. The
provision authorizing transfer of most functions and funding
to ERDA should make it possible to minimize a number of the
problems raised by the bill. Remedial legislation can be
proposed to deal with other problems if this is later deemed
appropriate.
In summary, while the organizational and funding provisions
of the bill are imprecise, most of the relationships can be
worked out' if NASA and HUD exercise effective leadership. The
overall purposes of accelerating development of solar energy
applications are commendable. Accordingly, we recommend
approval of the bill.
5
It is our understanding that White House staff is preparing a
draft of a signing statement for your consideration covering
both the present bill and the geothermal bill. Deleted per
Dr.H. Rommel, 8/29/74.
neifred H. Rommal
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Enclosures
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 30, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR: MR. WARREN HENDRIKS
FROM:
WILLIAM E. TIMMONS
fol
SUBJECT:
Action Memorandum - Log No. 554
Enrolled Bill H. R. 11864 - Solar Heating
and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974
The Office of Legislative Affairs concurs in the attached
proposal and has no additional recommendations.
Attachment
THE WHITE HOUSE
RUSH
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
554
Date:
August 29, 1974
Time:
3:30 p.m.
FOR ACTION: Michael Duval
CC (for information): Warren K. Hendriks
Tod Hullin
Jerry Jones
NSC/S
Phil Buchen
Bill Timmons
Dave Gergen
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date:
Friday, August 30, 1974
Time:
2:00 p. m.
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Bill H.R. 11864 - Solar Heating and Cooling
Demonstration Act of 1974
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
XX For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
Warren K. Hendriks
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
AUG 2 9 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
Subject: Enrolled Bill H.R. 11864 - Solar Heating and Cooling
Demonstration Act of 1974
Sponsors - Rep. McCormack (D) Washington and 20
others
Last Day for Action
September 3, 1974 - Tuesday
Purpose
Provides for the early development and demonstration of both
solar heating and combined solar heating and cooling systems.
Agency Recommendations
Office of Management and Budget
Approval
National Aeronautics and Space
Approval
Administration
Federal Energy Administration
Approval
Federal Home Loan Bank Board
Approval
National Science Foundation
No objection
(signing statement
attached)
Department of Commerce
No objection
General Services Administration
No objection
Department of the Treasury
No objection
Department of Defense
Defers to interested
agencies
Department of Housing and Urban
Would not recommend
Development
disapproval
2
Discussion
H.R. 11864 would establish a demonstration program to test and
demonstrate the feasibility of solar energy as a partial sub-
stitute for conventional heating and cooling systems. It
would respond to the need for development of alternatives to
increasingly limited fossil fuel supplies.
The bill would provide for an interagency program to demonstrate
within a three year period the practical use of solar heating
technology and to provide for the development and demonstration
within a five year period of the practical use of combined
solar heating and cooling technology.
H.R. 1.864 provides in effect for a two-stage demonstration
program. First, NASA would be responsible for research,
development and procurement of solar heating and combined
solar heating and cooling equipment, meeting performance
criteria prescribed by HUD, utilizing the services of the
National Bureau of Standards. Second, HUD and Defense would
be responsible for arranging for the installation of equipment
in residential dwellings and NASA for installation in commercial
buildings through arrangements with other Federal agencies.
More, specifically, agency responsibilities would be as
follows:
NASA would
-- conduct a program of applied research
-- work with HUD to develop performance criteria for
projects
-- procure equipment
-- enter into arrangements with appropriate Federal
agencies to carry out research and development and
to install demonstration projects in commercial
types of buildings
HUD would
-- determine and publish interim suitability criteria
for residential dwellings and performance criteria
for solar heating and as soon as possible combined
solar heating and cooling systems
3
install equipment procured by NASA in a "sub-
stantial" number of residential dwellings
-- provide for the satisfactory operation of such
installations during the demonstration period
I
prescribe terms and conditions under which title
and ownership of any dwellings constructed or solar
heating systems installed may be conveyed to pur-
chasers or owners of such dwellings
-- monitor the performance and operation of solar
energy equipment
-- establish and operate a Solar Heating and Cooling
Information Data Bank for the purpose of collecting,
reviewing and disseminating solar heating and cooling
information to Federal, State and local authorities,
the building industry, the scientific and technical
community, and the public
-- from time to time conduct studies and make appro-
priate special reports to the Congress evaluating
the effectiveness of combined programs
Defense would be responsible to arrange for the installation
of solar heating and combined heating and cooling systems pro-
cured by NASA in a "substantial" number of residential dwell-
ings which are located on Federal or federally administered
property.
NSF would be responsible to conduct a program of applied
research relevant to the improvement and practical application
of combined solar heating and cooling systems.
NASA and HUD, in consultation with NSF, Defense, the National
Bureau of Standards, and other agencies, would be directed to
submit to the Congress within 120 days of enactment a com-
prehensive program plan for carrying out the residential demon-
stration program.
Within 60 days after the effective date of legislation creating
an Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), or
similar organization, all energy research and development
functions vested in NASA and NSF under this Act could be
transferred to such Federal agency. Furthermore, any funds
4
appropriated under this Act could also be transferred --- to
the extent appropriate -- to ERDA. Legislation to establish
ERDA is now in conference.
The bill authorizes appropriations of $5 million each to
HUD and NASA for fiscal year 1975 and $50 million in the
aggregate for fiscal years 1976 through 1979. Because
activities authorized by this bill could be funded out of
existing agency appropriations for solar energy activities,
or through reprogramming actions, the bill would not require
an increase over the 1975 budget.
As in the case of another enrolled bill now pending before
you, H.R. 14920, the "Geothermal Energy Research, Development,
and Demonstration Act of 1974,' we do not believe that this
bill is essential to the conduct of a Federal research and
development program in the solar energy area. However, we
are recommending approval of H.R. 11864 for reasons basically
similar to those set out in our enrolled bill memorandum
recommending approval of the geothermal energy bill. In
addition, we note the strong Congressional support for this
bill (passed the House 253-2 and the Senate by voice vote after
having been referred to five Senate committees).
H.R. 11864 provides an interim basis for demonstrating the
feasibility of solar energy and accelerating development of
practical application of solar energy technology with whatever
environmental, economic, and energy conserving implications
that would have and provides for a prototype demonstration
program as opposed to a large-scale, expensive operation. The
provision authorizing transfer of most functions and funding
to ERDA should make it possible to minimize a number of the
problems raised by the bill. Remedial legislation can be
proposed to deal with other problems if this is later deemed
appropriate.
In summary, while the organizational and funding provisions
of the bill are imprecise, most of the relationships can be
worked out if NASA and HUD exercise effective leadership. The
overall purposes of accelerating development of solar energy
applications are commendable. Accordingly, we recommend
approval of the bill.
5
It is our understanding that White House staff is preparing a
draft of a signing statement for your consideration covering
both the present bill and the geothermal bill. Delited per
Dr. H. Rommel, 8/29/74.
nelfred H. Rommal
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Enclosures
AND SPACE
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546
U.S.A
OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR
AUG 23 1974
Director
Office of Management and Budget
Executive Office of the President
Washington, DC 20503
Attention: Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Subject: Enrolled Enactment Report on H.R. 11864
This is an Enrolled Enactment report on H.R. 11864, "An Act
to provide for the early development and commercial demon-
stration of the technology of solar heating and combined
solar heating and cooling systems." It is submitted
pursuant to Mr. Wilfred H. Rommel's request.
The Enrolled Bill declares that it is "the policy of the
United States and the purpose of this Act to provide for
the demonstration within a three-year period of the practical
use of solar heating technology, and to provide for the
development and demonstration within a five-year period of
the practical use of combined heating and cooling technology." "
To carry out this policy, the Bill would authorize and
direct an interagency program involving the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of
Defense (DOD), the General Services Administration (GSA),
the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department
of Commerce (DOC), with specific responsibilities given
to the National Bureau of Standards (NBS).
Summary of Agency Responsibilities
NASA would have the responsibility under the Bill for the
research, development and procurement of solar heating and
combined solar heating and cooling equipment, meeting
performance criteria prescribed by HUD, utilizing the
services of NBS and in consultation with NSF and NASA.
HUD would install in residential dwellings the equipment
procured by NASA, with authority to convey title thereto to
purchasers or owners of the dwellings, and DOD would install
the equipment in military residential dwellings. HUD would
2.
establish priorities for the program in accordance with
criteria set forth in the Bill, monitor performance of the
equipment, disseminate information on the projects, and
generally coordinate the demonstrations with the building
industry and professional societies.
The equipment would be installed "in a substantial number
of residential dwellings," defined in the conference report
on the Bill as "adequate to assure sufficient numbers of
demonstration units, but at the same time to avoid the risk
of mass failures which could cause a serious setback to the
acceptance of solar energy systems." There was an agreement
between the House and Senate conferees "that a massive
program is not required," but that the equipment used is not
to be "one of a kind."
NASA and HUD, in consultation with NSF, NBS, DOD and other
agencies, would be directed to prepare and submit to the
President and to Congress, within 120 days after enactment
of the Bill, a comprehensive program plan for carrying out
the residential demonstration program.
NASA would be charged with the primary responsibility,
concurrently with the conduct of the residential program,
to enter into arrangements with appropriate Federal agencies
to carry out solar heating and cooling demonstration projects
with respect to commercial buildings, i.e., office buildings,
factories, apartment buildings, public buildings, etc. In
these efforts NASA would act in consultation with HUD, GSA,
NSF and NBS.
The Bill would amend the National Aeronautics and Space Act
of 1958, as amended, specifically to authorize NASA to
carry out its functions under the Bill.
NSF would be directed to conduct a program of applied research
in support of the demonstration program and to apprise HUD
and NASA of the results of that research.
The Bill would authorize an appropriation of $5 million for
NASA for FY 1975 to remain available until expended. It
would authorize $5 million for HUD for FY 1975 to remain
available until expended to carry out its responsibilities
under the Bill and for transfer to DOD, NBS and GSA to
enable them to carry out their functions under the Bill.
The Bill further would authorize to be appropriated for
FY 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979, $50 million "in the aggregate
to carry out the programs established by this Act."
3.
The Bill would permit the transfer to the Energy Research
and Development Administration (ERDA), within 60 days after
its creation, of all "energy research and development"
functions vested in NASA and NSF by the Bill and any funds
appropriated pursuant to the authorization provided in the
Bill, in accordance with regulations prescribed by OMB. The
committee of conference emphasized the permissive nature
of this transfer authority.
NASA's Position on H.R. 11864
In my testimony on H.R. 11864, I stated my belief in the
two assumptions underlying the Bill: first, that the use of
solar energy for heating and cooling has great potential
in our era of fuel shortages and environmental concern,
and secondly, that this potential will be realized only
after practical solar heating and combined solar heating
and cooling systems have been demonstrated to be economically
competitive with conventional systems. I thus agreed with
the purposes of the Bill, and expressed my view that the
technology is either in hand or could be developed readily
to carry out successfully the demonstration programs envisaged
in the Bill.
At the same time, consistent with the Administration's
position on solar energy programs, I urged the establishment
of ERDA as the first priority on the energy R&D front and
noted that the programs envisaged in the Bill would come
within the scope of ERDA's broad responsibilities. I
pointed out that it was the Administration's position that
until ERDA is established, existing funding channels for
work in solar heating and cooling, principally through NSF,
should be maintained.
I stated, however, that if NASA were to be assigned the
responsibility for solar heating and cooling equipment
development and procurement, it would draw upon the extensive
experience NASA has developed in a number of relevant dis-
cipline areas including materials, thermal control coatings,
heating and cooling technology, and thermal analysis
techniques. I also identified in my testimony on the Bill
on-going NASA programs in solar heating and cooling, carried
out under existing authority. These include technology
work and standardized tests of promising solar collectors
at the Lewis Research Center; the use of a 50,000 square-
foot office building now under construction at the Langley
Research Center as a "test bed" in which solar energy will
4.
provide a significant part of the building's heating and
cooling load; and a solar heating and cooling test and
demonstration project at the Marshall Space Flight Center.
In that latter demonstration a solar collector, using a
thermal coating invented in the Skylab program, has been
installed as a "roof" over three trailers which simulate a
typical living area.
In the hearing on H.R. 11864, I was asked whether $50 million
was a realistic amount to support the demonstration. I
stated that although we had not studied the matter in detail,
that was a good "ball-park figure" for the development and
procurement of the solar heating and combined solar heating
and cooling equipment itself, that is, to carry out NASA's
responsibilities under the Bill. We have since done some
preliminary work, including discussions with HUD and GSA,
and we still believe that such an estimate for NASA's
portion of the work is realistic. I should emphasize,
however, that if the Bill is approved, detailed and reliable
cost estimates would constitute a key portion of the com-
prehensive program plan required to be submitted to the
President and the Congress within 120 days of the enactment
of the Bill.
Notwithstanding the Administration's position in opposition
to the Bill, it was, as you know, passed by the House of
Representatives by a vote of 253 to 2, and was passed by
the Senate after having been referred to five committees:
Aeronautical and Space Sciences; Labor and Public Welfare;
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Commerce; and Interior
and Insular Affairs.
Given this Congressional support for the Bill--and the
fact that our preliminary discussions with HUD and GSA lead
us to conclude that if sufficient resources were made avail-
able to NASA, we could effectively carry out our responsi-
bilities under the Bill--NASA recommends that the Bill be
approved. Assigning to NASA the hardware development and
procurement portion of the demonstration programs would,
in my view, be an appropriate utilization of NASA's
technical and management capability to achieve technical
program goals on time and within available resources.
No funds for the NASA functions under the Enrolled Bill
are provided either in the Special Energy Research and
Development Appropriations Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-322) or the
1975 HUD, Space, Science, Veterans appropriations bill
5.
which has just been enacted by the Congress. Thus, NASA
would require supplemental FY 1975 appropriations to provide
the first year funding increment. We believe that the amount
authorized for NASA for FY 1975, i.e., $5 million, would be
sufficient to permit initiation of a program which reasonably
would permit the achievement of the three-year target for
solar heating and the five-year goal for combined solar
heating and cooling.
As I have noted above, the first effort to be undertaken
following approval of the Bill would be the development of
a comprehensive program plan. Until that is formulated,
precise estimates on funding beyond FY 1975 are not possible.
If the targets specified in the Bill are to be achieved,
however, the peak funding requirements would undoubtedly
occur early in the program. Our current budget planning
for "Y 1976 and our projections for subsequent years do not
include resources which would be required to perform NASA's
functions under the Enrolled Bill.
In view of the foregoing, NASA recommends, if resources can
be made available to carry out the functions envisaged in
the Enrolled Bill, that the Bill be approved.
C-Pato
James C. Fletcher
Administrator
FEDERAL ENERGY ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20461
AUG 27 1974
MEMOANDUM FOR: Wilfred H. Rommel
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
ATTN:
James McCullough
FROM:
Robert E. Montgomery, Jr.
General Counsel
pem
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Bill, the "Solar Heating and
Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974."
This is in response to your request for the views of the
Federal Energy Administration on the subject enrolled bill.
The Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act would
establish demonstration programs for the practical uses of
solar heating and combined solar heating and cooling tech-
nologies. We believe the Act will provide an important
impetus for developing potential uses for solar energy.
In developing the comprehensive program definition required
by Section 7 of the Act, NASA and HUD should coordinate with
FEA.
The Federal Energy Administration therefore recommends that
the President sign the Act into law.
HOME LOAN
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK BOARD
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20552
POLICY
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK SYSTEM
101 INDIANA AVENUE, N. W.
FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN
INSURANCE CORPORATION
FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN SYSTEM
OFFICE OF THE
GENERAL COUNSEL
August 23, 1974
Mr. Wilfred H. Rommel
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D.C. 20503
Attention: Mrs. Louise Garziglia
BY MESSENGER
Dear Mr. Rommel:
This is in response to your request of August 22, 1974 for a
report of the Board's views on the enrolled bill H.R. 11864, the
"Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974". The purpose
of the act is to provide for the demonstration within a three year period
of the practical use of of solar heating technology and to provide for the
development and demonstration within five years of the practical use of
combined solar heating and cooling technology. Primary authority to
implement the act would be placed in a National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and
the National Science Foundation. Other agencies, such as this Board,
would be expected to cooperate with the lead agencies to implement the
act. Home lending institutions regulated by the Board would be author-
ized under section 13 of the bill to make loans on residential buildings
in amounts which exceeds statutory maxima by the amount by which the
price or cost of such a structure is increased by the installation of solar
heating or combined solar heating and cooling equipment as determined
by HUD to be appropriate.
The Board supports enactment of this bill and recommends that it
be signed by the President.
Sincerely,
Henry L. Judy
Deputy General Counsel
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20550
nsf
OFFICE OF THE
August 27, 1974
DIRECTOR
Mr. Wilfred H. Rommel
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D. C. 20503
Dear Mr. Rommel:
This is in reply to your request of August 22, 1974
for the views of the National Science Foundation on
Enrolled Bill H. R. 11864, the "Solar Heating and
Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974. 11
The National Science Foundation has no objection to
approval of this legislation by the President.
I am attaching for such use as you care to make of it
a draft statement concerning this bill which could be
used by the President at a signing ceremony or
adapted for use as a written comment when the signature
is announced.
Jourll Saige
Paige
Acting Director
Enc.
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
ON SIGNING
H.R. 11864 - SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING DEMONSTRATION ACT of 1974
H. R. 11864, the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974, is an
example of the kind of positive action the Federal Government -- the Congress
and the Executive -- can take to help the nation meet the goals of Project
Independence. The solutions to our nation's energy problems will ultimately
result from the continued partnership between the Government and private enter-
prise, and H. R. 11864 is the first of what I hope will be many_steps in that
direction. The aim of the bill is to move solar heating and cooling systems into
the market place where they can be seen, used, and accepted by the American
people. It builds on and extends work now being done by the Federal Government,
especially by the National Science Foundation.
The Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974 is the result of much
hard work and thoughtful action by many members of the Congress. In the House,
the Science and Astronautics Committee, and especially the Energy Subcommittee,
have spent long hours developing this innovative legislation. Chairman Olin Teague
and Subcommittee Chairman Mike McCormack, ably supported by the Ranking
Minority Members Charles Mosher and Barry Goldwater, Jr., have taken the
lead in perfecting this legislation. On the other side of the Capitol, five Senate
Committees have had a hand in shaping this bill. Whenever any piece of legis-
lation is scrutinized by so many committees -- and survives -- you know it has
to have great strength and substance.
-2-
H.R. 11864 is, in my opinion, a sound bill. A detailed analysis of its
strengths goes well beyond the scope of this statement, but let me outline a few
of the bill's major strong points:
First, it recognizes the potential of solar energy as a future energy
source. In Chairman Teague's words, solar energy is "clean, plentiful,
and renewable. " unlike fuels that come from the ground, solar energy
knows no national boundary or geographic constraints; it cannot be shut
off nor has it a price which can be manipulated. In short, it is available
to all who are willing to use it, and I assure you that the United States
will use it. As an energy source, solar energy has the potential of
supplying 30 percent of our nation's needs as we move into the next
century.
Second, the bill selects a single use of solar energy -- heating and cooling
of buildings. As the one element of the solar energy research programs
closest to commercial application, solar heating and cooling of buildings
is ready to move from the research stage to the development and
demonstration phase. The framers of H. R. 11864 were wise in their
assessment of the potential that solar heating and cooling presents.
-3-
Another strength of the bill is its utilization of the special expertise
present in a number of Federal Agencies. Adopting the concept that
mission agencies are best suited to handle those responsibilities that
fall within their jurisdiction, H.R. 11864 is designed to bring to bear
the special skills of the Department of Housing and Urban Development,
National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion, and the National Bureau of Standards on this aspect of solar energy
utilization.
At the same time, the bill recognizes the need for a central coordinating
agency and provides for the transfer of function to the Energy Research
and Development Administration at the appropriate time. The creation
of ERDA remains high on the list of the Administration's priorities, and
I am pleased to note that the Congress is moving forward in that direction.
H.R. 11864 provides Federal initiation to introduce solar heating and
cooling units to the American people throughout the country. Once the
building industry, manufacturing concerns, and the American people
realize the tremendous advantages that solar power offers, I am confident
that the private sector will do as it always has done: step in to provide the
American consumers with the quality systems they will soon demand.
-4-
Finally, the foresight of the framers of H.R. 11864 is evidenced by their emphasis
on both residential and commercial buildings. To have its greatest potential
impact, the versatility of solar energy must be demonstrated in many different
embodiments. H. R. 11864 encourages installation of solar equipment on single
and multi-family dwellings, and large commercial establishments such as
factories, enclosed shopping centers, and Government buildings.
H.R. 11864, however, does not freeze technology at today's state. It encourages
continued research by the NSF, ERDA, and the other Federal Agencies directed to
continued improvement of solar systems.
I am confident that the Executive and Legislative branches of the Government can
and will work together to insure that the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration
Act will succeed. This bill is just the beginning of a new era in America's
energy future.
Just as the heating and cooling of buildings program is one important element of
our total solar energy effort, so too is solar energy only one alternative energy
source for our'nation's future. By simultaneous vigorous development of solar,
geothermal, nuclear, fossile fuel, and perhaps presently unknown sources of
energy, the ingenuity and creativity of American science and industry will help
make Project Independence a reality. With encouragement from the Congress by
means of bills such as H.R. 11864, the time when alternative energy sources will
become a reality can be brought rapidly closer.
DEPARTMENT
OF
COMMERCE
GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Washington, D.C. 20230
AUG 28 1974
Honorable Roy L. Ash
Director, Office of Management
and Budget
Washington, D. C. 20503
Attention: Assistant Director for Legislative Reference
Dear Mr. Ash:
This is in reply to your request for the views of this Department
concerning the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of
1970, H.R. 11864, an enrolled enactment
"To provide for the early development and commercial
demonstration of the technology of solar heating and
combined heating and cooling systems. "
This bill declares it to be the policy of the United States to provide
for the demonstration within a three-year period of the practical
use of solar heating technology, and to provide for the development
and demonstration within a five-year period of the practical use of
combined heating and cooling technology.
Under this bill, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) and the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) are assigned the responsibility to initiate and
carry out the programs for the development and demonstration of
solar heating systems for use in the residential dwellings. The
Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, the Director of
the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), the Administrator of the
General Services Administration, and the Director of the National
Science Foundation (NSF) is assigned the responsibility for the early
development and demonstration of solar heating and combined solar
heating and cooling systems for use in commercial buildings.
The Act specifically requires that the Secretary of HUD, utilizing the
services of the Director of NBS, and in consultation with the Adminis-
trator of NASA and the Director of NSF, shall determine, prescribe,
2.
and publish, within 120 days of the date of enactment of this Act,
interim performance criteria for solar heating components and
systems to be used in residential dwellings and interim performance
criteria (relating to suitability for solar heating) for such dwellings
themselves.
Moreover, as soon as possible after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary, utilizing the services of the Director of NBS,
and in consultation with the Administrator of NASA and the Director
of NSF, shall determine, prescribe, and publish interim performance
criteria for combined solar heating and cooling components and
systems to be used in residential dwellings, and interim performance
criteria (relating to suitability for solar heating and cooling) for such
dwellings themselves.
We interpose no objection to the enactment of H.R. 11864. However,
if there is to be a Presidential signing statement, we request that it
be clearly indicated in that statement that all the functions vested in
NASA and the NSF under this Act, and as many of the functions as possible
vested in the Secretary of HUD under this act, be transferred to the
Energy Research and Development Administration or such other
permanent Federal organization or agency having jurisdiction over
the energy research development functions of the United States as
Congress may, by law, create. It should be noted that Section 18
does not mandate a transfer of the functions vested in NASA and NSF
but only provides that such transfer may occur. We believe it should
be clearly indicated that such transfer shall occur.
More critically, as noted above, the Act provides that the National
Bureau of Standards undertake various activities to support the
Demonstration Program and in certain cases mandates a time schedule
(such as 120 days subsequent to enactment of the legislation) for
completion of a task.
H.R. 11864 will not require an expenditure of NBS funds. The
legislation provides that NBS be reimbursed for its activities through
appropriations to be made available to HUD. However, in order for
3.
NBS to accomplish the legislated activities and to meet the established
schedules, it is imperative that funds be made available to HUD for
transfer to NBS as soon as possible.
A rough estimate of the amount of funds that will be required
from HUD to carry out the NBS tasks is as follows:
Fiscal Year 1975 - $750,000 to $1,000,000
Fiscal Year 1976 - $1,000,000
Furthermore, it will be necessary for NBS to acquire additional
staff for this project as soon as possible. In this connection,
we will also require 14 additional positions.
Sincerely,
Karl E. Bake
General Counsel
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
*
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
#
#
WASHINGTON, DC 20405
#
*
GENERAL SERVICES
* ADMINISTRATION
4
*
AUG 23 1974
Honorable Roy L. Ash
Director
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, DC 20503
Dear Mr. Ash:
By referral dated August 22, 1974, from the Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference, your office requested the views of the General
Services Administration on enrolled bill H.R. 11864, 93rd Congress,
an act "To provide for the early development and commercial demon-
stration of the technology of solar heating and combined solar heating
and cooling systems. "
The bill directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to
initiate, support, and carry out research, development, demonstrations,
and other related activities in solar heating and cooling technologies.
Under section 9 of the bill, the Administrator of the National Aeronau-
tics and Space Administration, in carrying out such projects and
activities with respect to commercial buildings, shall consult with the
Administrator of General Services, among others. The Administrator of
General Services also will be consulted with respect to the prescribing
of regulations to carry out the Act (section 16).
GSA has no objection to Presidential approval of the enrolled bill.
Sincerely
Arthur F. Sampson
Administrator
Keep Freedom in Your Future With U.S. Savings Bonds
OF
THE
THE TREASURY
THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE TREASURY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20220
1789
AUG 27 1974
Director, Office of Management and Budget
Executive Office of the President
Washington, D. C. 20503
Attention: Assistant Director for Legislative
Reference
Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the views of this
Department on the enrolled enactment of H.R. 11864, "To
provide for the early development and commercial demonstration
of the technology of solar heating and combined solar heating
and cooling systems. "
The enrolled enactment would authorize to be appropriated
for the fiscal years 1976-1979, $50,000,000 in the aggregate
to carry out programs for the development and demonstration of
solar heating and combined solar heating and cooling systems
for use in residential and commercial buildings.
The Department would have no objection to a recommendation
that the enrolled enactment be approved by the President.
This Department should be among the Federal agencies consulted
during the preparation of the comprehensive plan required by
section 7 of the enrolled enactment.
Sincerely yours,
General Counsel
OF
GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20301
AMERICA
STATES
OF
26 August 1974
Honorable Roy L. Ash
Director, Office of Management and Budget
Executive Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20503
Dear Mr. Ash:
Reference is made to your request for the views of the Department of
Defense with respect to the enrolled enactment of H.R. 11864, 93d
Congress, the "Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974. "
This Act is intended to stimulate research and development in the tech-
nology of solar heating and combined solar heating and cooling. It pro-
vides for sponsorship of research, development and demonstration pro-
grams by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the
Department of Housing and Urban Development in cooperation with the
National Science Foundation and other Federal Agencies. It establishes
residential and commercial demonstration projects. The Act provides
that the Department of Defense will cooperate with the named agencies in
furnishing, on a reimbursable basis, facilities that would be used to test
and demonstrate the techniques developed by solar energy research.
There is one provision of the Act that may cause some concern for this
Department, depending upon the interpretation which is given to it.
Section 13 (a) (1) provides for modification of dollar limitations on federally-
assisted or federally-constructed housing. Buildings constructed by this
Department are subject to strict limitations on cost, either by unit of
housing or per square foot of floor space. The Act recognizes that use
of solar technology will result in increased costs. However, the language
of this provision could be construed to require that the solar equipment
replace conventional equipment if the cost ceilings are to be increased.
It is the understanding of this Department, based upon the hearings and
Committee reports, that the Congress recognized that conventional equip-
ment will continue to be necessary and will be installed, notwithstanding
the fact that most of the heating (or combined heating and cooling) service
will be furnished by the solar equipment in the demonstration projects. If
this interpretation is not correct, it may not be possible for the Depart-
ment of Defense to support the demonstration projects without exceeding
statutory limitations.
The Department of Defense supports the purpose of the Act and is pre-
pared to cooperate with the appropriate agencies in the demonstration
projects. However, as to the merits of the Act, the Department of
Defense defers to the interested Federal agencies.
Sincerely,
Martin Hoffmann
2
DEPARTMENT
OF
U.P.
HOUSING
THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
C
AND
URBAN
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20410
AUG 26 1974
Mr. Wilfred H. Rommel
Assistant Director
Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D. C. 20503
Attention: Mrs. Garziglia
Dear Mr. Rommel:
Subject: H. R. 11864, 93d Congress
Enrolled Enactment
This is in response to your request for our views on the
enrolled enactment of the proposed "Solar Heating and Cooling
Demonstration Act of 1974. "
The enrolled bill would mandate the undertaking of coordinated
inter-agency solar energy research and development efforts
involving HUD, NASA, NSF, NBS, DoD, and other agencies. These
efforts would be designed primarily to (1) develop and test
extensively in residential and non-residential structures
solar heating and combined heating and cooling components
and systems, (2) determine, prescribe, and publish interim
performance criteria for such components and systems and for
the buildings in which they are installed, and (3) maintain
and disseminate widely data on development, testing and
related activities.
This Department would be given responsibility for installing
and monitoring the performance and suitability of components
and systems for residential use, for promulgating criteria for
such components and systems (and for the structures they service),
and for maintaining and disseminating program information.
Overall authorization for the contemplated five year effort
would be set at $60 million, with $5 million authorized to be
appropriated for FY 1975 for NASA and a similar amount authorized
2
for HUD for carrying out its own functions and for transfer to
other specified agencies for carrying out their respective
functions.
This Department strongly endorses the primary objective of this
enactment, which is to develop and demonstrate the feasibility
and practicality of heating and combined heating/cooling systems
utilizing solar energy. Solar heating systems technology
already offers sufficient promise of a non-polluting, convenient
and economical alternate heat source to warrant measured con-
fidence as to the success of a concerted research and development
effort involving government and private resources. The develop-
ment and testing of such systems would be an appropriate com-
ponent of the Project Independence Blueprint now being developed
for the President.
We would note that the existing basic research authority of this
Department is sufficiently broad to encompass comprehensive
demonstrations of the use of solar energy systems in residential
buildings. In addition, Congress has specifically authorized
solar energy demonstrations under section 814 of the recently
enacted Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. As a
matter of general principle, we do not favor the rigidity of a
legislatively imposed requirement for a specific type of demon-
stration or activity. However, we do not feel that our concern
in this regard would justify our recommending that the President
withhold approval of the enactment.
Sincerely,
Robert R. Elliott
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
APPROVED SEP 3- 3
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
AUG 2 9 1974
Poid
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
9/3
Subject: Enrolled Bill H.R. 11864 - Solar Heating and Cooling
Demonstration Act of 1974
Jo,
archives
Sponsors - Rep. McCormack (D) Washington and 20
others
9/4
Last Day for Action
September 3, 1974 - Tuesday
Purpose
Provides for the early development and demonstration of both
solar heating and combined solar heating and cooling systems.
Agency Recommendations
Office of Management and Budget
Approval
National Aeronautics and Space
Approval
Administration
Federal Energy Administration
Approval
Federal Home Loan Bank Board
Approval
National Science Foundation
No objection
(signing statement
attached)
Department of Commerce
No objection
General Services Administration
No objection
Department of the Treasury
No objection
Department of Defense
Defers to interested
agencies
Department of Housing and Urban
Would not recommend
Development
disapproval
FORD B LIBRARY SERVICE
2
Discussion
H.R. 11864 would establish a demonstration program to test and
demonstrate the feasibility of solar energy as a partial sub-
stitute for conventional heating and cooling systems. It
would respond to the need for development of alternatives to
increasingly limited fossil fuel supplies.
The bill would provide for an interagency program to demonstrate
within a three year period the practical use of solar heating
technology and to provide for the development and demonstration
within a five year period of the practical use of combined
solar heating and cooling technology.
H.R. 11864 provides in effect for a two-stage demonstration
program. First, NASA would be responsible for research,
development and procurement of solar heating and combined
solar heating and cooling equipment, meeting performance
criteria prescribed by HUD, utilizing the services of the
National Bureau of Standards. Second, HUD and Defense would
be responsible for arranging for the installation of equipment
in residential dwellings and NASA for installation in commercial
buildings through arrangements with other Federal agencies.
More, specifically, agency responsibilities would be as
follows:
NASA would
-- conduct a program of applied research
-- work with HUD to develop performance criteria for
projects
-- procure equipment
-- enter into arrangements with appropriate Federal
agencies to carry out research and development and
to install demonstration projects in commercial
types of buildings
HUD would
-- determine and publish interim suitability criteria
for residential dwellings and performance criteria
for solar heating and as soon as possible combined
solar heating and cooling systems
3
install equipment procured by NASA in a "sub-
stantial" number of residential dwellings
-- provide for the satisfactory operation of such
installations during the demonstration period
-- prescribe terms and conditions under which title
and ownership of any dwellings constructed or solar
heating systems installed may be conveyed to pur-
chasers or owners of such dwellings
-- monitor the performance and operation of solar
energy equipment
-- establish and operate a Solar Heating and Cooling
Information Data Bank for the purpose of collecting,
reviewing and disseminating solar heating and cooling
information to Federal, State and local authorities,
the building industry, the scientific and technical
community, and the public
-- from time to time conduct studies and make appro-
priate special reports to the Congress evaluating
the effectiveness of combined programs
Defense would be responsible to arrange for the installation
of solar heating and combined heating and cooling systems pro-
cured by NASA in a "substantial" number of residential dwell-
ings which are located on Federal or federally administered
property.
NSF would be responsible to conduct a program of applied
research relevant to the improvement and practical application
of combined solar heating and cooling systems.
NASA and HUD, in consultation with NSF, Defense, the National
Bureau of Standards, and other agencies, would be directed to
submit to the Congress within 120 days of enactment a com-
prehensive program plan for carrying out the residential demon-
stration program.
Within 60 days after the effective date of legislation creating
an Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA), or
similar organization, all energy research and development
functions vested in NASA and NSF under this Act could be
transferred to such Federal agency. Furthermore, any funds
to
Replaces pp. 4 & 5
of Enr. hill memo on
HR 11864.
4
appropriated under this Act could also be transferred -- to
the extent appropriate -- to ERDA. Legislation to establish
ERDA is now in conference.
The bill authorizes appropriations of $5 million each to
HUD and NASA for fiscal year 1975 and $50 million in the
aggregate for fiscal years 1976 through 1979. Because
activities authorized by this bill could be funded out of
existing agency appropriations for solar energy activities,
or through reprogramming actions, the bill would not require
an increase over the 1975 budget.
As in the case of another enrolled bill now pending before
you, H.R. 14920, the "Geothermal Energy Research, Development,
and Demonstration Act of 1974," we do not believe that this
bill is essential to the conduct of a Federal research and
development program in the solar energy area. However, we
are recommending approval of H.R. 11864 for reasons basically
similar to those set out in our enrolled bill memorandum
recommending approval of the geothermal energy bill. In
addition, we note the strong Congressional support for this
bill (passed the House 253-2 and the Senate by voice vote
after having been referred to five Senate committees).
H.R. 11864 provides an interim basis for demonstrating the
feasibility of solar energy and accelerating development of
practical application of solar energy technology with whatever
environmental, economic, and energy conserving implications
that would have and provides for a prototype demonstration
program as opposed to a large-scale, expensive operation. The
provision authorizing transfer of most functions and funding
to ERDA should make it possible to minimize a number of the
problems raised by the bill. Remedial legislation can be
proposed to deal with other problems if this is later deemed
appropriate.
In summary, while the organizational and funding provisions
of the bill are imprecise, most of the relationships can be
worked out if NASA and HUD exercise effective leadership. The
overall purposes of accelerating development of solar energy
applications are commendable. Accordingly, we recommend
approval of the bill.
Milfoed 76. Romand
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Enclosures
4
appropriated under this Act could also be transferred -- to
the extent appropriate -- to ERDA. Legislation to establish
ERDA is now in conference.
The bill authorizes appropriations of $5 million each to
HUD and NASA for fiscal year 1975 and $50 million in the
aggregate for fiscal years 1976 through 1979. Because
activities authorized by this bill could be funded out of
existing agency appropriations for solar energy activities,
or through reprogramming actions, the bill would not require
an increase over the 1975 budget.
As in the case of another enrolled bill now pending before
you, H.R. 14920, the "Geothermal Energy Research, Development,
and Demonstration Act of 1974," we do not believe that this
bill is essential to the conduct of a Federal research and
development program in the solar energy area. However, we
are recommending approval of H.R. 11864 for reasons basically
similar to those set out in our enrolled bill memorandum
recommending approval of the geothermal energy bill. In
addition, we note the strong Congressional support for this
bill (passed the House 253-2 and the Senate by voice vote after
having been referred to five Senate committees).
H.R. 11864 provides an interim basis for demonstrating the
feasibility of solar energy and accelerating development of
practical application of solar energy technology with whatever
environmental, economic, and energy conserving implications
that would have and provides for a prototype demonstration
program as opposed to a large-scale, expensive operation. The
provision authorizing transfer of most functions and funding
to ERDA should make it possible to minimize a number of the
problems raised by the bill. Remedial legislation can be
proposed to deal with other problems if this is later deemed
appropriate.
In summary, while the organizational and funding provisions
of the bill are imprecise, most of the relationships can be
worked out if NASA and HUD exercise effective leadership. The
overall purposes of accelerating development of solar energy
applications are commendable. Accordingly, we recommend
approval of the bill.
5
It is our understanding that White House staff is preparing a
draft of a signing statement for your consideration covering
both the present bill and the geothermal bill. Delited per
N. H. Rommel, 8/29/74.
Helfred H. Rommel
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Enclosures
AND
SPACE
ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546
U.S.A.
OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR
AUG 23 1974
Director
Office of Management and Budget
Executive Office of the President
Washington, DC 20503
Attention: Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Subject: Enrolled Enactment Report on H.R. 11864
This is an Enrolled Enactment report on H.R. 11864, "An Act
to provide for the early development and commercial demon-
stration of the technology of solar heating and combined
solar heating and cooling systems." It is submitted
pursuant to Mr. Wilfred H. Rommel's request.
The Enrolled Bill declares that it is "the policy of the
United States and the purpose of this Act to provide for
the demonstration within a three-year period of the practical
use of solar heating technology, and to provide for the
development and demonstration within a five-year period of
the practical use of combined heating and cooling technology."
To carry out this policy, the Bill would authorize and
direct an interagency program involving the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of
Defense (DOD), the General Services Administration (GSA),
the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department
of Commerce (DOC), with specific responsibilities given
to the National Bureau of Standards (NBS).
Summary of Agency Responsibilities
NASA would have the responsibility under the Bill for the
research, development and procurement of solar heating and
combined solar heating and cooling equipment, meeting
performance criteria prescribed by HUD, utilizing the
services of NBS and in consultation with NSF and NASA.
HUD would install in residential dwellings the equipment
procured by NASA, with authority to convey title thereto to
purchasers or owners of the dwellings, and DOD would install
the equipment in military residential dwellings. HUD would
2.
establish priorities for the program in accordance with
criteria set forth in the Bill, monitor performance of the
equipment, disseminate information on the projects, and
generally coordinate the demonstrations with the building
industry and professional societies.
The equipment would be installed "in a substantial number
of residential dwellings," defined in the conference report
on the Bill as "adequate to assure sufficient numbers of
demonstration units, but at the same time to avoid the risk
of mass failures which could cause a serious setback to the
acceptance of solar energy systems." There was an agreement
between the House and Senate conferees "that a massive
program is not required," but that the equipment used is not
to be "one of a kind."
NASA and HUD, in consultation with NSF, NBS, DOD and other
agencies, would be directed to prepare and submit to the
President and to Congress, within 120 days after enactment
of the Bill, a comprehensive program plan for carrying out
the residential demonstration program.
NASA would be charged with the primary responsibility,
concurrently with the conduct of the residential program,
to enter into arrangements with appropriate Federal agencies
to carry out solar heating and cooling demonstration projects
with respect to commercial buildings, i.e., office buildings,
factories, apartment buildings, public buildings, etc. In
these efforts NASA would act in consultation with HUD, GSA,
NSF and NBS.
The Bill would amend the National Aeronautics and Space Act
of 1958, as amended, specifically to authorize NASA to
carry out its functions under the Bill.
NSF would be directed to conduct a program of applied research
in support of the demonstration program and to apprise HUD
and NASA of the results of that research.
The Bill would authorize an appropriation of $5 million for
NASA for FY 1975 to remain available until expended. It
would authorize $5 million for HUD for FY 1975 to remain
available until expended to carry out its responsibilities
under the Bill and for transfer to DOD, NBS and GSA to
enable them to carry out their functions under the Bill.
The Bill further would authorize to be appropriated for
FY 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1979, $50 million "in the aggregate
to carry out the programs established by this Act."
3.
The Bill would permit the transfer to the Energy Research
and Development Administration (ERDA), within 60 days after
its creation, of all "energy research and development"
functions vested in NASA and NSF by the Bill and any funds
appropriated pursuant to the authorization provided in the
Bill, in accordance with regulations prescribed by OMB. The
committee of conference emphasized the permissive nature
of this transfer authority.
NASA's Position on H.R. 11864
In my testimony on H.R. 11864, I stated my belief in the
two assumptions underlying the Bill: first, that the use of
solar energy for heating and cooling has great potential
in our era of fuel shortages and environmental concern,
and secondly, that this potential will be realized only
after practical solar heating and combined solar heating
and cooling systems have been demonstrated to be economically
competitive with conventional systems. I thus agreed with
the purposes of the Bill, and expressed my view that the
technology is either in hand or could be developed readily
to carry out successfully the demonstration programs envisaged
in the Bill.
At the same time, consistent with the Administration's
position on solar energy programs, I urged the establishment
of ERDA as the first priority on the energy R&D front and
noted that the programs envisaged in the Bill would come
within the scope of ERDA's broad responsibilities. I
pointed out that it was the Administration's position that
until ERDA is established, existing funding channels for
work in solar heating and cooling, principally through NSF,
should be maintained.
I stated, however, that if NASA were to be assigned the
responsibility for solar heating and cooling equipment
development and procurement, it would draw upon the extensive
experience NASA has developed in a number of relevant dis-
cipline areas including materials, thermal control coatings,
heating and cooling technology, and thermal analysis
techniques. I also identified in my testimony on the Bill
on-going NASA programs in solar heating and cooling, carried
out under existing authority. These include technology
work and standardized tests of promising solar collectors
at the Lewis Research Center; the use of a 50,000 square-
foot office building now under construction at the Langley
Research Center as a "test bed" in which solar energy will
4.
provide a significant part of the building's heating and
cooling load; and a solar heating and cooling test and
demonstration project at the Marshall Space Flight Center.
In that latter demonstration a solar collector, using a
thermal coating invented in the Skylab program, has been
installed as a "roof" over three trailers which simulate a
typical living area.
In the hearing on H.R. 11864, I was asked whether $50 million
was a realistic amount to support the demonstration. I
stated that although we had not studied the matter in detail,
that was a good "ball-park figure" for the development and
procurement of the solar heating and combined solar heating
and cooling equipment itself, that is, to carry out NASA's
responsibilities under the Bill. We have since done some
preliminary work, including discussions with HUD and GSA,
and we still believe that such an estimate for NASA's
portion of the work is realistic. I should emphasize,
however, that if the Bill is approved, detailed and reliable
cost estimates would constitute a key portion of the com-
prehensive program plan required to be submitted to the
President and the Congress within 120 days of the enactment
of the Bill.
Notwithstanding the Administration's position in opposition
to the Bill, it was, as you know, passed by the House of
Representatives by a vote of 253 to 2, and was passed by
the Senate after having been referred to five committees:
Aeronautical and Space Sciences; Labor and Public Welfare;
Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Commerce; and Interior
and Insular Affairs.
Given this Congressional support for the Bill--and the
fact that our preliminary discussions with HUD and GSA lead
us to conclude that if sufficient resources were made avail-
able to NASA, we could effectively carry out our responsi-
bilities under the Bill--NASA recommends that the Bill be
approved. Assigning to NASA the hardware development and
procurement portion of the demonstration programs would,
in my view, be an appropriate utilization of NASA's
technical and management capability to achieve technical
program goals on time and within available resources.
No funds for the NASA functions under the Enrolled Bill
are provided either in the Special Energy Research and
Development Appropriations Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-322) or the
1975 HUD, Space, Science, Veterans appropriations bill
5.
which has just been enacted by the Congress. Thus, NASA
would require supplemental FY 1975 appropriations to provide
the first year funding increment. We believe that the amount
authorized for NASA for FY 1975, i.e., $5 million, would be
sufficient to permit initiation of a program which reasonably
would permit the achievement of the three-year target for
solar heating and the five-year goal for combined solar
heating and cooling.
As I have noted above, the first effort to be undertaken
following approval of the Bill would be the development of
a comprehensive program plan. Until that is formulated,
precise estimates on funding beyond FY 1975 are not possible.
If the targets specified in the Bill are to be achieved,
however, the peak funding requirements would undoubtedly
occur early in the program. Our current budget planning
for FY 1976 and our projections for subsequent years do not
include resources which would be required to perform NASA's
functions under the Enrolled Bill.
In view of the foregoing, NASA recommends, if resources can
be made available to carry out the functions envisaged in
the Enrolled Bill, that the Bill be approved.
Cheto
James C. Fletcher
Administrator
FEDERAL ENERGY ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20461
AUG 27 1974
MEMOANDUM FOR: Wilfred H. Rommel
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
ATTN:
James McCullough
FROM:
Robert E. Montgomery, Jr.
General Counsel
pem
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Bill, the "Solar Heating and
Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974."
This is in response to your request for the views of the
Federal Energy Administration on the subject enrolled bill.
The Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act would
establish demonstration programs for the practical uses of
solar heating and combined solar heating and cooling tech-
nologies. We believe the Act will provide an important
impetus for developing potential uses for solar energy.
In developing the comprehensive program definition required
by Section 7 of the Act, NASA and HUD should coordinate with
FEA.
The Federal Energy Administration therefore recommends that
the President sign the Act into law.
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK BOARD
HOME LOAN RANK
WASHINGTON. D.C. 20552
* AUGUS
FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK SYSTEM
101 INDIANA AVENUE N. W.
FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN
INSURANCE CORPORATION
FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN SYSTEM
OFFICE OF THE
GENERAL COUNSEL
August 23, 1974
Mr. Wilfred H. Rommel
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D.C. 20503
Attention: Mrs. Louise Garziglia
BY MESSENGER
Dear Mr. Rommel:
This is in response to your request of August 22, 1974 for a
report of the Board's views on the enrolled bill H.R. 11864, the
"Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974". The purpose
of the act is to provide for the demonstration within a three year period
of the practical use of of solar heating technology and to provide for the
development and demonstration within five years of the practical use of
combined solar heating and cooling technology. Primary authority to
implement the act would be placed in a National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and
the National Science Foundation. Other agencies, such as this Board,
would be expected to cooperate with the lead agencies to implement the
act. Home lending institutions regulated by the Board would be author-
ized under section 13 of the bill to make loans on residential buildings
in amounts which exceeds statutory maxima by the amount by which the
price or cost of such a structure is increased by the installation of solar
heating or combined solar heating and cooling equipment as determined
by HUD to be appropriate.
The Board supports enactment of this bill and recommends that it
be signed by the President.
Sincerely,
Henry L. Judy
Deputy General Counsel
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20550
nsf
OFFICE OF THE
August 27, 1974
DIRECTOR
Mr. Wilfred H. Rommel
Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D. C. 20503
Dear Mr. Rommel:
This is in reply to your request of August 22, 1974
for the views of the National Science Foundation on
Enrolled Bill H. R. 11864, the "Solar Heating and
Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974. "
The National Science Foundation has no objection to
approval of this legislation by the President.
I am attaching for such use as you care to make of it
a draft statement concerning this bill which could be
used by the President at a signing ceremony or
adapted for use as a written comment when the signature
is announced.
Lewell J. Paige
Acting Director
Enc.
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
ON SIGNING
H.R. 11864 - SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING DEMONSTRATION ACT of 1974
H.R. 11864, the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974, is an
example of the kind of positive action the Federal Government -- the Congress
and the Executive -- can take to help the nation meet the goals of Project
Independence. The solutions to our nation's energy problems will ultimately
result from the continued partnership between the Government and private enter-
prise, and H. R. 11864 is the first of what I hope will be many_steps in that
direction. The aim of the bill is to move solar heating and cooling systems into
the market place where they can be seen, used, and accepted by the American
people. It builds on and extends work now being done by the Federal Government,
especially by the National Science Foundation.
The Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974 is the result of much
hard work and thoughtful action by many members of the Congress. In the House,
the Science and Astronautics Committee, and especially the Energy Subcommittee,
have spent long hours developing this innovative legislation. Chairman Olin Teague
and Subcommittee Chairman Mike McCormack, ably supported by the Ranking
Minority Members Charles Mosher and Barry Goldwater, Jr., have taken the
lead in perfecting this legislation. On the other side of the Capitol, five Senate
Committees have had a hand in shaping this bill. Whenever any piece of legis-
lation is scrutinized by so many committees -- and survives -- you know it has
to have great strength and substance.
-2-
H.R. 11864 is, in my opinion, a sound bill. A detailed analysis of its
strengths goes well beyond the scope of this statement, but let me outline a few
of the bill's major strong points:
First, it recognizes the potential of solar energy as a future energy
source. In Chairman Teague's words, solar energy is "clean, plentiful,
and renewable. " unlike fuels that come from the ground, solar energy
knows no national boundary or geographic constraints; it cannot be shut
off nor has it a price which can be manipulated. In short, it is available
to all who are willing to use it, and I assure you that the United States
will use it. As an energy source, solar energy has the potential of
supplying 30 percent of our nation's needs as we move into the next
century.
Second, the bill selects a single use of solar energy -- heating and cooling
of buildings. As the one element of the solar energy research programs
closest to commercial application, solar heating and cooling of buildings
is ready to move from the research stage to the development and
demonstration phase. The framers of H. R. 11864 were wise in their
assessment of the potential that solar heating and cooling presents.
-3-
Another strength of the bill is its utilization of the special expertise
present in a number of Federal Agencies. Adopting the concept that
mission agencies are best suited to handle those responsibilities that
fall within their jurisdiction, H.R. 11864 is designed to bring to bear
the special skills of the Department of Housing and Urban Development,
National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administra-
tion, and the National Bureau of Standards on this aspect of solar energy
utilization.
At the same time, the bill recognizes the need for a central coordinating
agency and provides for the transfer of function to the Energy Research
and Development Administration at the appropriate time. The creation
of ERDA remains high on the list of the Administration's priorities, and
I am pleased to note that the Congress is moving forward in that direction.
H.R. 11864 provides Federal initiation to introduce solar heating and
cooling units to the American people throughout the country. Once the
building industry, manufacturing concerns, and the American people
realize the tremendous advantages that solar power offers, I am confident
that the private sector will do as it always has done: step in to provide the
American consumers with the quality systems they will soon demand.
-4-
Finally, the foresight of the framers of H.R. 11864 is evidenced by their emphasis
on both residential and commercial buildings. To have its greatest potential
impact, the versatility of solar energy must be demonstrated in many different
embodiments. H.R. 11864 encourages installation of solar equipment on single
and multi-family dwellings, and large commercial establishments such as
factories, enclosed shopping centers, and Government buildings.
H.R. 11864, however, does not freeze technology at today's state. It encourages
continued research by the NSF, ERDA, and the other Federal Agencies directed to
continued improvement of solar systems.
I am confident that the Executive and Legislative branches of the Government can
and will work together to insure that the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration
Act will succeed. This bill is just the beginning of a new era in America's
energy future.
Just as the heating and cooling of buildings program is one important element of
our total solar energy effort, so too is solar energy only one alternative energy
source for our nation's future. By simultaneous vigorous development of solar,
geothermal, nuclear, fossile fuel, and perhaps presently unknown sources of
energy, the ingenuity and creativity of American science and industry will help
make Project Independence a reality. With encouragement from the Congress by
means of bills such as H. R. 11864, the time when alternative energy sources will
become a reality can be brought rapidly closer.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Washington, D.C. 20230
AUG 28 1974
Honorable Roy L. Ash
Director, Office of Management
and Budget
Washington, D. C. 20503
Attention: Assistant Director for Legislative Reference
Dear Mr. Ash:
This is in reply to your request for the views of this Department
concerning the Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of
1970, H.R. 11864, an enrolled enactment
"To provide for the early development and commercial
demonstration of the technology of solar heating and
combined heating and cooling systems. 11
This bill declares it to be the policy of the United States to provide
for the demonstration within a three-year period of the practical
use of solar heating technology, and to provide for the development
and demonstration within a five-year period of the practical use of
combined heating and cooling technology.
Under this bill, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) and the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) are assigned the responsibility to initiate and
carry out the programs for the development and demonstration of
solar heating systems for use in the residential dwellings. The
Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary, the Director of
the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), the Administrator of the
General Services Administration, and the Director of the National
Science Foundation (NSF) is assigned the responsibility for the early
development and demonstration of solar heating and combined solar
heating and cooling systems for use in commercial buildings.
The Act specifically requires that the Secretary of HUD, utilizing the
services of the Director of NBS, and in consultation with the Adminis-
trator of NASA and the Director of NSF, shall determine, prescribe,
2.
and publish, within 120 days of the date of enactment of this Act,
interim performance criteria for solar heating components and
systems to be used in residential dwellings and interim performance
criteria (relating to suitability for solar heating) for such dwellings
themselves.
Moreover, as soon as possible after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary, utilizing the services of the Director of NBS,
and in consultation with the Administrator of NASA and the Director
of NSF, shall determine, prescribe, and publish interim performance
criteria for combined solar heating and cooling components and
systems to be used in residential dwellings, and interim performance
criteria (relating to suitability for solar heating and cooling) for such
dwellings themselves.
We interpose no objection to the enactment of H. R. 11864. However,
if there is to be a Presidential signing statement, we request that it
be clearly indicated in that statement that all the functions vested in
NASA and the NSF under this Act, and as many of the functions as possible
vested in the Secretary of HUD under this act, be transferred to the
Energy Research and Development Administration or such other
permanent Federal organization or agency having jurisdiction over
the energy research development functions of the United States as
Congress may, by law, create. It should be noted that Section 18
does not mandate a transfer of the functions vested in NASA and NSF
but only provides that such transfer may occur. We believe it should
be clearly indicated that such transfer shall occur.
More critically, as noted above, the Act provides that the National
Bureau of Standards undertake various activities to support the
Demonstration Program and in certain cases mandates a time schedule
(such as 120 days subsequent to enactment of the legislation) for
completion of a task.
H.R. 11864 will not require an expenditure of NBS funds. The
legislation provides that NBS be reimbursed for its activities through
appropriations to be made available to HUD. However, in order for
3.
NBS to accomplish the legislated activities and to meet the established
schedules, it is imperative that funds be made available to HUD for
transfer to NBS as soon as possible.
A rough estimate of the amount of funds that will be required
from HUD to carry out the NBS tasks is as follows:
Fiscal Year 1975 - $750, 000 to $1,000,000
Fiscal Year 1976 - $1,000,000
Furthermore, it will be necessary for NBS to acquire additional
staff for this project as soon as possible. In this connection,
we will also require 14 additional positions.
Sincerely,
Karl E. Bakke
General Counsel
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
#
4
GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
#
#
WASHINGTON, DC 20405
4
4
........
GENERAL SERVICES
*
ADMINISTRATION
#
*
*
AUG 23 1974
Honorable Roy L. Ash
Director
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, DC 20503
Dear Mr. Ash:
By referral dated August 22, 1974, from the Assistant Director for
Legislative Reference, your office requested the views of the General
Services Administration on enrolled bill H.R. 11864, 93rd Congress,
an act "To provide for the early development and commercial demon-
stration of the technology of solar heating and combined solar heating
and cooling systems. "
The bill directs the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to
initiate, support, and carry out research, development, demonstrations,
and other related activities in solar heating and cooling technologies.
Under section 9 of the bill, the Administrator of the National Aeronau-
tics and Space Administration, in carrying out such projects and
activities with respect to commercial buildings, shall consult with the
Administrator of General Services, among others. The Administrator of
General Services also will be consulted with respect to the prescribing
of regulations to carry out the Act (section 16).
GSA has no objection to Presidential approval of the enrolled bill.
Sincerely,
Arthur F. Sampson
Administrator
Keep Freedom in Your Future With U.S. Savings Bonds
OF
OFFICE THE TREASURY THE
THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE TREASURY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20220
1789
AUG 27 1974
Director, Office of Management and Budget
Executive Office of the President
Washington, D. C. 20503
Attention: Assistant Director for Legislative
Reference
Sir:
Reference is made to your request for the views of this
Department on the enrolled enactment of H.R. 11864, "To
provide for the early development and commercial demonstration
of the technology of solar heating and combined solar heating
and cooling systems."
The enrolled enactment would authorize to be appropriated
for the fiscal years 1976-1979, $50,000,000 in the aggregate
to carry out programs for the development and demonstration of
solar heating and combined solar heating and cooling systems
for use in residential and commercial buildings.
The Department would have no objection to a recommendation
that the enrolled enactment be approved by the President.
This Department should be among the Federal agencies consulted
during the preparation of the comprehensive plan required by
section 7 of the enrolled enactment.
Sincerely yours,
General Counsel
of METTERS
GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20301
UNITED
AMERICA
STATES DE
26 August 1974
Honorable Roy L. Ash
Director, Office of Management and Budget
Executive Office Building
Washington, D. C. 20503
Dear Mr. Ash:
Reference is made to your request for the views of the Department of
Defense with respect to the enrolled enactment of H.R. 11864, 93d
Congress, the "Solar Heating and Cooling Demonstration Act of 1974. "
This Act is intended to stimulate research and development in the tech-
nology of solar heating and combined solar heating and cooling. It pro-
vides for sponsorship of research, development and demonstration pro-
grams by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the
Department of Housing and Urban Development in cooperation with the
National Science Foundation and other Federal Agencies. It establishes
residential and commercial demonstration projects. The Act provides
that the Department of Defense will cooperate with the named agencies in
furnishing, on a reimbursable basis, facilities that would be used to test
and demonstrate the techniques developed by solar energy research.
There is one provision of the Act that may cause some concern for this
Department, depending upon the interpretation which is given to it.
Section 13(a)(1) provides for modification of dollar limitations on federally-
assisted or federally-constructed housing. Buildings constructed by this
Department are subject to strict limitations on cost, either by unit of
housing or per square foot of floor space. The Act recognizes that use
of solar technology will result in increased costs. However, the language
of this provision could be construed to require that the solar equipment
replace conventional equipment if the cost ceilings are to be increased.
It is the understanding of this Department, based upon the hearings and
Committee reports, that the Congress recognized that conventional equip-
ment will continue to be necessary and will be installed, notwithstanding
the fact that most of the heating (or combined heating and cooling) service
will be furnished by the solar equipment in the demonstration projects. If
this interpretation is not correct, it may not be possible for the Depart-
ment of Defense to support the demonstration projects without exceeding
statutory limitations.
The Department of Defense supports the purpose of the Act and is pre-
pared to cooperate with the appropriate agencies in the demonstration
projects. However, as to the merits of the Act, the Department of
Defense defers to the interested Federal agencies.
Sincerely,
Martin Hoffmann R.Hoffram
2
DEPARTMENT
OF
U.S.
HOUSING
*
*
THE GENERAL COUNSEL OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
A
AND
UNBAN
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20410
AUG 26 1974
Mr. Wilfred H. Romme1
Assistant Director
Legislative Reference
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, D. C. 20503
Attention: Mrs. Garziglia
Dear Mr. Rommel:
Subject: H. R. 11864, 93d Congress
Enrolled Enactment
This is in response to your request for our views on the
enrolled enactment of the proposed "Solar Heating and Cooling
Demonstration Act of 1974.' "
The enrolled bill would mandate the undertaking of coordinated
inter-agency solar energy research and development efforts
involving HUD, NASA, NSF, NBS, DoD, and other agencies. These
efforts would be designed primarily to (1) develop and test
extensively in residential and non-residential structures
solar heating and combined heating and cooling components
and systems, (2) determine, prescribe, and publish interim
performance criteria for such components and systems and for
the buildings in which they are installed, and (3) maintain
and disseminate widely data on development, testing and
related activities.
This Department would be given responsibility for installing
and monitoring the performance and suitability of components
and systems for residential use, for promulgating criteria for
such components and systems (and for the structures they service),
and for maintaining and disseminating program information.
Overall authorization for the contemplated five year effort
would be set at $60 million, with $5 million authorized to be
appropriated for FY 1975 for NASA and a similar amount authorized
2
for HUD for carrying out its own functions and for transfer to
other specified agencies for carrying out their respective
functions.
This Department strongly endorses the primary objective of this
enactment, which is to develop and demonstrate the feasibility
and practicality of heating and combined heating/cooling systems
utilizing solar energy. Solar heating systems technology
already offers sufficient promise of a non-polluting, convenient
and economical alternate heat source to warrant measured con-
fidence as to the success of a concerted research and development
effort involving government and private resources. The develop-
ment and testing of such systems would be an appropriate com-
ponent of the Project Independence Blueprint now being developed
for the President.
We would note that the existing basic research authority of this
Department is sufficiently broad to encompass comprehensive
demonstrations of the use of solar energy systems in residential
buildings. In addition, Congress has specifically authorized
solar energy demonstrations under section 814 of the recently
enacted Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. As a
matter of general principle, we do not favor the rigidity of a
legislatively imposed requirement for a specific type of demon-
stration or activity. However, we do not feel that our concern
in this regard would justify our recommending that the President
withhold approval of the enactment.
Sincerely,
Robert R. Elliott
THE WHITE HOUSE
RUSH
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.: 554
Date:
August 29, 1974
Time:
3:30 p.m.
FOR ACTION: Michael Duval
CC (for information): Warren K. Hendriks
Tod Hullin
Jerry Jones
NSC/S
Phil Buchen
Bill Timmons
Dave Gergen
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date:
Friday, August 30, 1974
Time:
2:00 p.m.
SUBJECT:
Enrolled Bill H. R. 11864 - Solar Heating and Cooling
Demonstration Act of 1974
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
XX For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
Please return to Kathy Tindle - West Wing
No objection
D.C.
BERALD FORD LIBRART
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
Warren K. Hendriks
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President