Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989
Public Law 101-218 · S. 488 · 101st Congress · began in the Senate
Signed by George H. W. Bush (R) on Dec 11, 1989 · Energy
Sponsor: Sen. Wyche Fowler (D-GA)
Cosponsors (31): Sen. Dale Bumpers, Sen. Wendell Ford,
Passage votes
- HouseUnanimous consent
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technology Competitiveness Act of 1989 - Sets forth specified national goals for the wind, photovoltaics, and solar thermal energy programs.
Requires the Secretary of Energy to submit to the Congress recommendations for specified Department of Energy research and development programs for 1995, including biofuels energy systems, hydrogen energy systems, solar buildings energy systems, ocean energy systems, and geothermal energy. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1993 for: (1) the wind energy research program; (2) the photovoltaic energy systems program; (3) the solar thermal energy systems program; (4) the biofuels energy systems program; (5) hydrogen energy systems; (6) the solar buildings energy systems program; (7) the ocean energy systems program; and (8) the geothermal energy program.
Authorizes appropriations for specified energy efficiency research and development programs for FY 1991 through 1993.
Directs the Secretary to establish joint research and development ventures in specified energy technologies and to report to the Congress on the implementation of such plans. Directs the Secretary to establish the Advisory Committee on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Joint Ventures to advise the Secretary regarding solicitation and evaluation criteria for joint research and development ventures, proposals, and project selection. Requires the Secretary to report to the Congress regarding actions taken on joint research and development ventures. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1991 through 1993 for such joint ventures.
Directs the Secretary to recommend to the Congress three additional joint research and development ventures in the fields of renewable energy or energy efficiency technologies for FY 1992.
Requires the interagency working group on commerce in renewable energy products and related services to report annually to the Congress regarding renewable energy technology exports. Authorizes appropriations for such interagency working group activities for FY 1991 through 1993.
Amends the National Energy Conservation Policy Act to direct the Secretary to establish an information dissemination program for Federal procurement and loan officers on the benefits of solar heating and cooling technology, including site visits and technical briefings.
Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to provide for Overseas Private Investment Corporation loans for renewable energy and other small business activities.
Requires the Secretary to make annual reports to the Congress regarding the research programs and ventures under this Act. Directs the Secretary to prepare a national renewable energy and energy efficiency management plan. Requires the first annual report to analyze available options for assisting the private sector with the timely commercialization of specified renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
Declares that no antitrust immunity or defense shall be deemed created by this Act.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Energy and Natural Resources Committee · Senate · markup by, referred to, reported bySubcommittee: Energy Subcommittee
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 18 actions.
- Dec 11, 1989Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 101-218.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Nov 30, 1989PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Nov 18, 1989Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to the House amendment by Voice Vote.
- Nov 17, 1989FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · A similar measure H.R. 1216 was laid on the table without objection.
- FloorFloor · On passage Passed without objection.
- FloorFloor · The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 1216. Agreed to without objection.
- FloorFloor · Considered by unanimous consent.
- Sep 22, 1989FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Voice Vote.
- FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
- Aug 4, 1989CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Jul 19, 1989CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Jun 15, 1989CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Energy Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Mar 2, 1989CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Energy Subcommittee of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- Mar 1, 1989CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.