| Bill to provide grants for solar
energy projects unveiled in House June 13 -- A congressman from Texas has introduced a measure that would offer federal grants to encourage the development of solar energy projects. U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, introduced a measure June 13 that would encourage state governments and private industry to team up to apply for federal grants to purchase solar panels. The grants would reduce the cost of solar panels by about half, encouraging businesses to purchase and install them, according to Smithīs office. Under Smithīs bill, a state government would contribute at least 10 percent of the funding, the federal government would contribute as much as 40 percent, and utilities or private industry would contribute the remainder. The programīs funding would start with $50 million in 2007 and increase to $300 million in 2011.
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