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Joint U.S.-Israel Alternative Energy Research Approved by House Committee
Vote Expected Soon on Bipartisan Energy Cooperation Act
A bill that will foster alternative energy solutions through joint research by Americans and Israelis cleared the House Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday and could be headed for a vote by the full House as early as next week.
The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved the bipartisan United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Act, also known as HR 2730, in a voice vote. Before the decision on that bill and several others related to energy conservation and efficiency, Committee Chairman Joe L. Barton said Republican leaders dubbed next week "energy week," with plans to bring several pieces of energy-related legislation to a vote. [1]
The United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Act would create a $20 million annual grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Energy "to fund eligible joint ventures between United States and Israeli businesses and academic persons, to establish the International Energy Advisory Board, and for other purposes." Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., first presented the legislation as its sole sponsor in the last Congress and reintroduced it a year ago with Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz. The bill now has almost 100 co-sponsors.
The Senate version of the bill, SB 1862, sponsored by Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore., was introduced in Oct. 2005. It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and has gained numerous new co-sponsors in the last two months including Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb. and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn.
The Shadegg-Sherman Bill got a boost last month by newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who lauded the legislation while addressing a joint session of Congress. "Both our countries share a desire for energy security and prevention of global warming," Olmert said.
"Therefore, through the United States-Israel Energy Cooperation Act and other joint frameworks, in collaboration with our U.S. counterparts, Israel will increase its efforts to find advanced scientific and technological solutions, designed to develop new energy sources and encourage conservation."
Jennifer Laszlo Mizrahi, founder and president of The Israel Project, said, "Israel is a country that made deserts bloom and can be a part of dynamic solutions on these issues. American families know that gas supplies will not last forever and we need cost-effective ways to provide remedies for our families. Israel is one of America's key partners in bringing results on critical energy issues."
Following the bill's passage by the House Energy Committee, Sherman said, "Cutting edge research by top scientists from the United States and Israel could hold the key to reducing our reliance on foreign oil. We must promote efficient use of traditional energy sources as well as research into alternative energy sources."
Shadegg thanked Olmert for supporting the bill, saying, "Israel is one of America's closest allies. I am glad that the Prime Minister recognizes the mutual benefits to our countries of working more closely together on renewable energy technologies."
Israel has been on the forefront of developing alternative energy technology and is a significant center for alternative energy research and development. More than 200 Israeli firms so far have developed environmental or energy-related technology. [2]
Israeli companies have been working to provide alternative energy in the United States for decades. From 1984 to 1991, Israeli technology built nine solar plants in southern California. The plants are still operational today, eliminating the need for nearly two million barrels of oil each year and providing electricity to millions of Americans. [3] Today, an American and Israeli company are working together in Nevada to build the largest solar power plant since 1992. [4]
Europe has already begun working with Israel on alternative energy research. On June 9, German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel pledged nearly $2.2 million from his ministry to four separate German-Israeli alternative energy projects. [5]
Israel's alternative energy expertise includes seven universities that produce a higher number of engineers and scientists per capita than any other nation. [6] The country also has 67.5 square miles of solar collectors per 100 people, the highest per-capita rate of solar collectors in the world. [7]
Additionally, Israel and the United States have a long tradition of working together to advance science. Those programs, which have led to many technological breakthroughs ranging from scientific theory to disease control and pesticide reduction, include:
the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation. The foundation has provided
more than 3,000 grants to institutions in both America and Israel; [8]
the United States-Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development Fund;
the United States-Israel Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation.
(Note: All documents produced by The Israel Project are the views of only The Israel Project, which is an independent, nonprofit educational organization.)
Footnotes
[1] Tollefson, Jeff, "Energy Measures Head to House Floor," CQ Today, June 20, 2006
[2] "R&D Activities in Israel," CORDIS (Community Research and Development Information Service), the European Union Publication Office, Jan. 12, 2005, http://cordis.europa.eu/israel/rd_expertise_5_en.html
[3] SOLEL, company Web site, accessed June 19, 2006, http://solel.com/news/subsidiary/
[4] Sandler, Neal, "Israeli Startup Shines," BusinessWeek, Feb. 14, 2006, http://www.businessweek.com/print/technology/content/feb2006/tc20060214_533101.htm
[5] United Press International, "Germany and Israel for Energy Cooperation," June 9, 2006
[6] America-Israel Chamber of Commerce, Central Atlantic Region, accessed June 19, 2006, http://www.americaisraelchamber.com/aicc/why.html
[7] Chromagen Solar Energy Systems, company Web site, accessed June 19, 2006
[8] Bard, Mitchell, "The Pro-Israel Campus," Israel on Campus Coalition, Nov. 29, 2005, http://israeloncampuscoalition.org/news/highlights/
The Israel Project
alan@newsblaze.com
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