Subcommittee on Investigations & Oversight Examines Rare Earths and Critical Materials Issues
(Washington, DC) -- The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittees on Investigations & Oversight held a hearing yesterday on The Federal Perspective on a National Critical Materials Strategy. They have strange names: neodymium, europium, cerium and terbium. They compose a group of seventeen chemical elements known as rare earths that have unusual physical properties and are essential in lasers, magnets and batteries. Without them your cell phone, iPod or MP3 player … Continue Reading
June 14, 2011Subcommittee Democrats Stress the Value of Surface Transportation RD&T
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearingto review the research, development, and technology (RD&T) activities of the Department of Transportation (DOT). The hearing also focused on what research priorities and provisions should be incorporated into the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) reauthorization. Subcommittee Ranking Member … Continue Reading
June 02, 2011Important Social Science Research the Focus of Subcommittee Hearing
(Washington, DC) Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing titled, “Social, Behavioral, and Economic Science Research: Oversight of the Need for Federal Investments and Priorities for Funding.” The hearing examined the need for Federal investments in the social, behavioral, and economic (SBE) sciences and the benefits of this type of research to our nation. It also reviewed the research funding and fiscal year … Continue Reading
June 01, 2011Subcommittee Democrats Urge Continued Investment in Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research
Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a legislative hearing to examine harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia research and response needs. Subcommittee Members heard testimony on the draft legislation, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 2011, which would establish a National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia program and provide for comprehensive regional action plans to address and reduce HABs and … Continue Reading
June 01, 2011GAO Issues Report on Mismanaging Critical Isotopes and the Energy Department’s Role in the Helium-3 Crisis
(Washington, DC) -- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report yesterday on the government’s flawed management of critical isotopes, particularly Helium-3, a non-radioactive gas that plays a crucial role in the fields of nuclear security, scientific and medical research, and the oil and gas industries. The report was requested by Congressman Brad Miller, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Energy & Environment and Ms. Donna F. Edwards, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on … Continue Reading
May 26, 2011Subcommittee Democrats Seek Assurance of Reliable and Timely Commercial Cargo Capability for the International Space Station
(Washington, DC) - Today the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing to review the status of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) commercial cargo initiative and the overall readiness of commercial cargo providers to support the International Space Station (ISS). Members heard testimony and questioned witnesses from NASA, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and representatives from the two companies that have … Continue Reading
May 25, 2011Subcommittees Examine Federal Cybersecurity R&D, Lay Groundwork for Legislation
Today the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittees on Technology and Innovation and Research and Science Education held a joint hearing to review federal cybersecurity research and development (R&D) efforts with witnesses from the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program (NITRD), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Specifically, … Continue Reading
May 13, 2011Democrats Weigh the True Costs and Risks of Nuclear Energy Post-Fukushima
Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittees on Investigations & Oversight and Energy & Environment held a joint hearing on Nuclear Energy Risk Management. There are 104 operating nuclear power plants in the United States that provide roughly 20- percent of the nation’s electricity. No new nuclear power plants have been built in the U.S. for the past thirty years, since the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. Over the last few years, there has been a renewed … Continue Reading
May 13, 2011Democrats Weigh the True Costs and Risks of Nuclear Energy Post-Fukushima
(Washington, DC) -- Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Subcommittees on Investigations & Oversight and Energy & Environment held a joint hearing on Nuclear Energy Risk Management. There are 104 operating nuclear power plants in the United States that provide roughly 20- percent of the nation's electricity. No new nuclear power plants have been built in the U.S. for the past thirty years, since the Three Mile Island nuclear accident. Over the last few … Continue Reading
May 11, 2011Democrats Want More Information on Hydraulic Fracturing
Washington, DC - ( Wednesday, May 11, 2011) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to discuss hydraulic fracturing technologies and practices used to access new unconventional natural gas-bearing formations. Democrats wanted to understand what research was required to assess the impacts of this technology on public health and the environment. The hearing focused on the congressionally-mandated Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study on hydraulic … Continue Reading
May 11, 2011Democrats Want More Information on Hydraulic Fracturing
Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to discuss hydraulic fracturing technologies and practices used to access new unconventional natural gas-bearing formations. Democrats wanted to understand what research was required to assess the impacts of this technology on public health and the environment. The hearing focused on the congressionally-mandated Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study on hydraulic fracturing as well as the ongoing debate regarding … Continue Reading
May 05, 2011Subcommittee Democrats Seek Answers on Scope and Timing of FAA Plans to Regulate the Safety of Commercial Space Transportation
(Washington, DC) -- Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2012 budget request for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Office of Commercial Space Transportation known as AST. At the hearing, FAA’s Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, a senior official from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and a space policy expert from George Washington University … Continue Reading
May 05, 2011Subcommittee Democrats Seek Answers on Scope and Timing of FAA Plans to Regulate the Safety of Commercial Space Transportation
(Washington, DC) -- Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing to review the Fiscal Year 2012 budget request for the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Office of Commercial Space Transportation known as AST. At the hearing, FAA's Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, a senior official from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and a space policy expert from George Washington University … Continue Reading
May 04, 2011Committee Approves Small Business Legislation
Washington, DC - (Wednesday, May 04, 2011) Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology approved by voice vote H.R. 1425, the Creating Jobs Through Small Business Innovation Act of 2011. The bill reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. "We all recognize the important role that small businesses play in fueling technological innovation and creating jobs in the United States," said Ranking Member … Continue Reading
May 04, 2011Committee Approves Small Business Legislation
Washington, DC - (Wednesday, May 04, 2011) Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology approved by voice vote H.R. 1425, the Creating Jobs Through Small Business Innovation Act of 2011. The bill reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. “We all recognize the important role that small businesses play in fueling technological innovation and creating jobs in the United States,” said Ranking Member … Continue Reading
April 14, 2011Subcommittee Hearing Highlights Economic Benefits of Federal Investments in Nanotechnology R&D
(Washington, DC) -The Subcommittee on Research and Science Education of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology today held a hearing to review the research and development (R&D) priorities under the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) and to examine the economic benefits of NNI to our nation. The Committee was instrumental in the development of the 2003 21st Century National Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (P.L. 108-153), which authorized the program through … Continue Reading
April 14, 2011Subcommittee Hearing Highlights Economic Benefits of Federal Investments in Nanotechnology R&D
(Washington, DC) -The Subcommittee on Research and Science Education of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology today held a hearing to review the research and development (R&D) priorities under the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) and to examine the economic benefits of NNI to our nation. The Committee was instrumental in the development of the 2003 21st Century National Nanotechnology Research and Development Act (P.L. 108-153), which authorized the program through … Continue Reading
April 13, 2011Subcommittee Approves Bipartisan Small Business Legislation
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April 13, 2011Subcommittee Approves Bipartisan Small Business Legislation
(Washington, DC) Today, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation approved by voice vote H.R. 1425, the Creating Jobs Through Small Business Innovation Act of 2011. The bill reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. “Small businesses are arguably the most important component of our innovation-based economy. Countless new technologies that have transformed the … Continue Reading
April 07, 2011Subcommittee Reviews Earthquake Risks in the U.S.
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to examine the state of earthquake risk reduction in the United States and the role of the federal government in preparation for and response to earthquakes. Democratic Members of the subcommittee focused on the importance of critical infrastructure and other lifelines to allow for rapid recovery after an earthquake. They also explored where the United … Continue Reading