TASK FORC1 AND SUBCOMMITTE1 ON ENERGY, 1971-1974 £gl 



bus, long-range research, development and demonstration p for all forms of 



solar energy, and they could add all their ideas to that. Surprisingly, we had the bill 

 through the Senate just about the way we asked tor it. 



The conference committee was loaded with the five Senate com- 

 mittees represented, facing off against the lone House Energy Subcom- 

 mittee. The bill's final version provided $50 million over a live-year 

 period, with NASA spearheading the effort in collaboration with HUD. 

 As members of the conference committee which had worked out the 

 compromises between June and August 1974, Wydler and Mosher both 

 endorsed the conference report. The only voice raised against the 

 legislation was that of Representative Steven D. Symms (Republican 

 of Idaho), who argued that there was no reason why the creative 

 forces of American free enterprise could not fully develop and market 

 solar energy at a reasonable cost to consumers. After clearing the 

 Senate unanimously, the legislation passed the House by 402 to 4 on 

 August 21, 1974. 



TEAGUE URGES BROADENING NASA's CHARTER 



In the fall of 1973 and early months of 1974, the committee en- 

 gaged in a unique form of direct sparring with OMB over many issues 

 relating to energy policy. The first 1973 meeting with OMB Director 

 Ash and his assistants had been very inconclusive and seemed to some 

 committee members more as a public relations gesture or get-acquainted 

 session than any real effort to seek congressional intent which might 

 modify administration policy. 



On October 16, 1973, Teague wrote the President urging, among 

 other things, that NASA's charter be broadened to become the lead 

 agency in "developing dependable systems for solar heating and cool- 

 ing, as well as for the exploitation of geothermal energy." In addition, 

 Teague pointed to bills introduced which would give NASA primary 

 responsibility for "developing alternative ground propulsion systems 

 to those now employed which require an intolerably high level of 

 energy consumption while producing the same level of pollution." 

 Teague added: 



It is neither my desire nor intent to suggest alteration of the current Space pro- 

 grams which you are generously and, I believe, wisely supporting. * * * My point 

 is rather to emphasize that the experience and expertise acquired by NASA in accom- 

 plishing major tasks that are at once complex and concrete is unique within the 

 Federal establishment. We should, to my mind, capitalize on this talented, versatile 

 resource to a greater extent than we thus far have. 



After a perfunctory acknowledgment from a White House staff sub- 

 ordinate, Teague's letter was turned over to OMB Director Ash. In a 

 brief response on November 5, Ash kissed off the idea by pointing out 



