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Solar, Wind, Waste, and Geothermal Power Production Incentives Act of 1990

Public Law 101-575 · H.R. 4808 · 101st Congress · began in the House

Signed by George H. W. Bush (R) on Nov 15, 1990 · Energy

Sponsor: Rep. Philip Sharp (D-IN-2)

Cosponsors (23): Rep. Ed Markey,

Passage votes

  • HouseVoice vote
  • 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.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Solar, Wind, Waste, and Geothermal Power Production Incentives Act of 1990 - Amends the Public Utility and Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) and the Federal Power Act to remove the size limitations placed upon solar, wind, and geothermal facilities eligible for PURPA regulatory benefits. Sets forth general qualification, certification application, and construction deadline requirements for such facilities.

Amends the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to modify the definition of a uranium enrichment production facility to preclude any equipment or device capable of separating uranium isotopes or enriching uranium in isotope 235. Directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to prescribe regulations for the control, ownership, or possession of any equipment or device, or important component part specifically designed for such equipment, capable of separating uranium isotopes or enriching uranium in isotope 235. Establishes criminal penalties for the sabotage of a uranium enrichment facility licensed by the Commission.

Declares that the issuance of a uranium enrichment facility license shall be considered a major Federal action requiring an environmental impact statement. Sets forth certain licensing requirements, including: (1) a single adjudicatory hearing on the record; (2) Commission inspection prior to facility operation; and (3) liability insurance on the part of the licensee (including adequate assurance of the availability of funds for decommissioning).

Rejects a certain proposed alignment of the Harold T. (Bizz) Johnson California-Pacific Northwest Intertie line within Contra Costa County, California. Directs the Secretary of Energy to report by a specified deadline to certain congressional committees about a proposed realignment of such line. Prohibits any implementation of such proposed realignment before March 1, 1991.

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

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.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 24 actions.

  1. Nov 15, 1990Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 101-575.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Nov 6, 1990PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Oct 28, 1990Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  5. Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by voice vote.
  6. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Lent demanded a second on the motion to suspend the rules. Without objection a second was ordered.
  7. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Markey moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
  8. Oct 27, 1990FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
  9. FloorFloor · Amendment SP 3211 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
  10. FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
  11. Oct 23, 1990FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  12. FloorFloor · The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
  13. FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
  14. FloorFloor · On ordering a second Agreed to without objection.
  15. FloorFloor · Mr. Moorhead demanded a second on the motion to suspend the rules.
  16. FloorFloor · Mr. Sharp moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  17. Oct 16, 1990CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Energy and Commerce Committee
  18. Jul 17, 1990CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Energy and Commerce Committee
  19. Jun 14, 1990CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
  20. CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
  21. CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
  22. Jun 5, 1990CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee
  23. May 14, 1990CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Energy and Commerce Committee
  24. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
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.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.