The bill is Rep. Paul Tonko's first piece of legislation as a congressman. The bill authorizes a comprehensive program to improve the efficiency, reliability and cost effectiveness of domestic wind energy systems.

The bill passed with bipartisan support in a voice vote. There is no companion bill in the Senate.

"This bill will take us in the right direction in terms of creating a renewable energy infrastructure that will help power our future energy needs and wean us off our gluttonous dependence on fossil fuels," said Rep. Tonko. "We need to make sure that we develop renewable technologies that are as safe, reliable, and energy efficient as possible. The program created by this bill will do just that."

The bill requires the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program of research and development to improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and capacity of wind turbines.

The bill authorizes $200 million dollars per year from 2010 through 2014 for these programs.

Tonko said wind energy makes up 2 percent of the total energy generation in the United States, but there is the potential for it to provide up to 20 percent with the improvements in turbine technology, forecasting, energy storage, and expansion of transmission systems.