934 HISTORY OF THI COMMITTEE ON S< IEN< I AND TECHNOLOGY 



could not resist pointing out that the total production of photovoltaic 

 cells was the equivalent of about three-hundredths of 1 percent of 

 one nuclear powerplant. Speaking in support of the bill were Fuqua, 

 Goldwater, Fish, Pursell, Walker, and Dornan, as well as a number 

 of noncommittee members. Representative Chalmers P. Wylie (Re- 

 publican of Ohio) told the House: 



The solar photovoltaic concept draws attention to the serious problem the 

 Nation faces, posed by our depleting energv resources. * * * 



We who live in Ohio arc perhaps a little more sensitive to this problem than 

 those who live in other areas. For the past two years we have suffered from painful 

 glimpses at a frozen crystal ball. The winter of 1977 brought a natural gas shortage 

 that closed our industry, business, and schools. This winter's coal strike brought the 

 same threat from a different direction. 



OTTINGER, THE RINGLEADER 



Even though his name was not prominently associated with the 

 final legislation, and the mutual accolades which accompanied it, one 

 committee member could take private satisfaction from the fruition 

 of his efforts. Ottinger had been the ringleader of extensive efforts 

 to get ERDA and DOE to realize that industry was far ahead of the 

 Federal Government in moving forward with photovoltaics. Time 

 after time, he forcefully called attention to the work which was being 

 done by specific industries in various parts of the country, as evidence 

 that the DOE should be moving faster. As a pioneer and advanced 

 thinker, Ottinger was at times labelled as an "agitator" or "bomb 

 thrower" by some of his colleagues. On the day the bill was being 

 debated, Ottinger remarked: 



In the past the photovoltaic program has not, in my opinion, been taken with an 

 adequate degree of seriousness. 



This was a mild understatement. There are times when majorities in 

 both the Congress and the general public treat unkindly those who 

 are too right too soon. It was Ottinger's custom to plant his flag higher 

 up on the mountain when a majority caught up with him. Yet it 

 usually took others to consolidate the gains. 



ANOTHER FEATHER IN COMMITTEE'S CAP 



When the solar photovoltaic bill was passed in the House, it 

 received topheavy support, 385-14. Scheuer was the only committee 

 member to vote against the bill. The bill passed the Senate on Octo- 

 ber 10. At this point the committee faced the question of whether to 

 disagree with the Senate amendments and ask for a conference com- 

 mittee meeting, or accept the Senate amendments and send the bill 



