910 HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



needed: more aggressive MANAGEMENT 



Through oversight and other means, the subcommittee helped spur 

 a more aggressive approach by those agencies administering energy- 

 programs — particularly ERDA. For example, McCormack wrote to 

 ERDA Administrator Seamans on March 20, 1975, pointing out: 



The low key, academic management style that was characteristic of the NSF 

 solar program cannot continue in ERDA if we arc to have an effective program. One 

 characteristic of the NSF management style was the utilization of peer review pro- 

 cedures to evaluate proposals. These procedures were, I understand, developed for 

 the basic research activities of the NSF which were undertaken mainly in institutions 

 of higher learning. In that context, peer review might make sense. But it is unaccept- 

 able, inadequate and totally unsatisfactory for the solar development and demon- 

 stration activities mandated for fiscal year 1976 and beyond. 



The need for a management style that is both aggressive and effective is greatest 

 for implementing the solar heating and cooling demonstration program. 



McCormack warned that "ERDA will find itself under the gun" and 

 "the key to success lies in effective management — a responsibility 

 which you alone ultimately must exercise." 



After ERDA had submitted its interim report on the national plan 

 for solar heating and cooling residential and commercial applications, 

 McCormack and Goldwater wrote to Dr. Seamans on May 2, 1975, 

 urging a more forceful program. The subcommittee opened three days 

 of oversight hearings on May 13, at which Goldwater commented: 



Please make no mistake, gentlemen. This subcommittee will not sit by idly or 

 passively and allow the demonstration program to be diffused in a bureaucratic or 

 organizational morass nor diverted to a long-term R. & D. activity. 



Ottinger, Harkin, Wirth, and Frey joined in to beat the drums for 

 quicker application of solar technology, and greater urgency in the 

 administration's efforts. At Ottinger's suggestion, Mrs. Robert (Eola) 

 Redford, codirector of "Consumer Action Now," an environmental 

 and consumer organization pushing for expanded use of solar energy, 

 testified on May 15. Mrs. Redford blasted ERDA's interim report as 

 a "slow, redtape approach." She charged: 



The plan sets up a tight little circle made up of a lot of Government agencies 

 and a handful of contractors * * *. The program as presented is almost bound to make 

 solar energy into the Edsel of the energy industry. 



This prompted this interchange: 



Mr. McCormack. There is a limit as to how much the Federal Government can 

 do. 



Mrs. Redford. Absolutely. I think that solar energy will survive in spite of 

 the Government. 



