TASK FORCE AND SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY, 1971 557 



As the May 1972 Science Subcommittee hearings on energy opened, 

 with former Presidential science adviser Dr. Killian as the leadoff 

 witness, Miller was very noncommittal when Davis, the subcommittee 

 chairman, asked him to deliver some opening remarks. Miller's com- 

 plete remarks follow: 



There is nothing that I could add to what you and Mr. McCormack have said, 

 other than to welcome an old friend, Dr. Killian back. Dr. Killian has been a staunch 

 supporter of this committee since the days of its organization. I am happy to see 

 him here. Unfortunately, I cannot stay very long, but I did want to come and pay 

 my respects to Dr. Killian and his associates. 



This was scarcely much of an endorsement of the work of the task force. 



MILLER INITIATIVE ON SOLAR ENERGY 



But later in May, Yeager talked at length on several occasions 

 with Miller about solar energy and its potential. He pointed out that 

 the task force briefings showed that a vast preponderance of energy 

 research was being concentrated on short-term needs, with only a 

 sprinkling of effort pointed toward long-range needs which could be 

 partially supplied through solar energy. Facing a difficult primary 

 election in June, Miller became persuaded that a strong statement on 

 solar energy would help in California. Miller wrote letters to NASA, 

 NSF and the National Bureau of Standards, as well as the Congres- 

 sional Research Service, asking them to pull together what was being 

 done and also what could be done to produce a coordinated effort in 

 solar energy research. The CRS study was focused primarily on indus- 

 trial materials research, the pacing factor in any solar energy research. 



Armed with preliminary replies from the agencies, on May 31, 

 1972 Miller delivered a major address on solar energy in the House of 

 Representatives. He mentioned that in 1972, the total amount being 

 requested for energy research was $700 million — about 4 percent of 

 the total Federal R. & D. budget. And of the $700 million, a pitifully 

 small $13 million — less than 2 percent of the energy budget, was going 

 for solar energy research by NASA and NSF. "Something is wrong 

 with our priorities," Miller told the House. "In my view, we are 

 going to need an effort comparable in spirit and commitment to the 

 one we put into the space program in the 1960's in order to achieve 

 our solar energy needs." Miller also suggested the formation of a joint 

 executive-legislative-industry task force to provide a "consistent, 

 coherent and intensive assault on the enormous research problems 

 inherent in the production and use of solar energy." He advocated 

 the promulgation of a future statement on solar energy policy which 

 might eventually be incorporated into public law. 



