Subcommitttee on Energy and Environment Chairman Brian Baird Statement on H.R. 2693 and H.R. 5716
Mr./Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of the bill before us, H.R. 2693, the Oil Pollution Research and Development Program Reauthorization Act of 2010 and H.R. 5716, the Safer Oil and Natural Gas Drilling Technology Research and Development Act.These bills represent a timely and necessary measure to address the current gaps in federal research, development, and demonstration on oil spill prevention, response, and safety capabilities. Recently, I took a trip to the Gulf and saw … Continue Reading
July 21, 2010Oil Spill Prevention and Response Legislation Passes House
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives passed two bills that will improve the ability of the United States to prevent and respond to oil spills. These two pieces of legislation will enhance research for oil spill prevention and cleanup and provide the necessary research to ensure safer, cleaner oil and gas drilling technologies. Together, these bills represent a comprehensive research agenda to enhance U.S. preparedness for future oil spills. “The BP disaster has … Continue Reading
July 20, 2010House Approves Bill to Improve Prioritization, Collaboration in Critical Security Research
(Washington, DC) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 4842, the Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010. The bill reauthorizes the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate, which is the primary research and development arm of DHS. “I want to thank Chairman Thompson and Subcommittee Chairwoman Clarke for their efforts and willingness to work with our Committee,” said Committee on Science and Technology Chairman … Continue Reading
July 20, 2010Variety of Economic Models Needed, Members Hear
(Washington, DC) - A hearing was held today before the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight to examine the promise and limits of modern macroeconomic theory in light of the current economic crisis. The hearing explored the failure of mainstream macroeconomists to foresee the recent financial and economic collapse and the role of macroeconomics in policy making generally. "Because our experts' way of looking at the economy left them blind … Continue Reading
July 20, 2010Subcommittee Chairman Wu's Floor Speech on H.R. 4842, The Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010
As prepared for delivery I rise in support of the Homeland Security Science and Technology Authorization Act of 2010, which reauthorizes the activities of the Science and Technology Directorate at the Department of Homeland Security. We rely on the Department of Homeland Security to protect our country and secure our nation’s borders, ports, and waterways from a wide range of threats. As chair of the Science Committee’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation, I fully … Continue Reading
July 19, 2010Committee Releases Legislative Text of NASA Reauthorization Bill
(Washington, DC) - Today, Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) is releasing the legislative text of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Authorization Act of 2010. The bill is co-sponsored by Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairwoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), Ranking Member Ralph Hall (R-TX), and Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Ranking Member Pete Olson (R-TX). Furthermore, the Chairman has also announced the Committee intends to … Continue Reading
July 15, 2010Identifying the Attacker Can Play Important Role in Cybersecurity, Members Hear
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to discuss cyber attack attribution-determining the identity or location of an attacker or an attacker's intermediary-and how attribution technologies can affect the anonymity and privacy of internet users. "We are well aware of the critical role that IT networks play in managing much of our day-to-day activity-from online banking to systems that make sure there is … Continue Reading
July 14, 2010Effective Oil Spill Cleanup and Safer Drilling Technologies Legislation Clears Committee
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a markup and approved two bills to enhance U.S. preparedness for future oil spills. These two pieces of legislation will prioritize research into oil spill cleanup and prevention and provide the research for safer, cleaner oil and gas drilling technologies. These bills represent a comprehensive research agenda to preventing and responding to accidents such as Deepwater Horizon. The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon … Continue Reading
July 12, 2010Chairman Gordon's Speech Before the European Union Members of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee
Chairman Reul and the esteemed Members of the Industry, Research and Energy Committee, thank you for inviting me here today to exchange views with you.I had the opportunity the week before last to have a discussion with President Buzek about EU- US cooperation.After our discussion, he asked me why I was so interested in transatlantic collaboration. I told him because I love my 9 year old daughter and I’m very concerned that she as well as your children or grandchildren could inherit a … Continue Reading
July 01, 2010Subcommittee Discusses Progress in Smart Grid Standards
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing on the development of the interoperability standards that will enable the growth of a reliable, efficient, and secure smart grid.“Our nation’s electrical grid has often been called the biggest machine on Earth. With the addition of smart appliances, solar roofing shingles, and networks of communication systems, the grid will become bigger and more complex,” said … Continue Reading
June 29, 2010Interdisciplinary Research- the “New Biology”- Holds Great Potential, Subcommittee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to examine the future of the biological sciences. The trend toward interdisciplinary research--specifically, research at the intersection of the biological sciences, engineering, mathematics, and the physical sciences--has been termed “new biology.” The hearing explored the potential that the new biology holds for addressing fundamental problems in … Continue Reading
June 29, 2010Debate Continues as Weather Satellite Program Splits in Two
(Washington, DC) - A hearing was held today before the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight to assess recent organizational changes at the National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) program. The hearing is the latest in a series, going back to 2003, investigating issues with the vital but perpetually troubled weather monitoring project, and coincides with the release of a new report on the matter from the … Continue Reading
June 23, 2010Members Discuss Focusing on Safety in Deepwater Drilling Research and Development
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to explore technologies, standards, and practices for the prevention and mitigation of oil spills during deepwater oil and natural gas drilling operations. “The Deepwater Horizon tragedy proved that, in this high-stakes game, poor judgment and faulty equipment can bring unimaginable consequences. It is precisely because this incident occurred in 5,000 feet of water … Continue Reading
June 16, 2010Members Discuss Need for Accurate Forecasting to Better Utilize Renewable Energy Resources
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss forecasting data and services necessary to expand reliable, renewable sources of power. The hearing also explored the research, development, demonstration, and monitoring needs in this area that are not currently being adequately addressed. Renewable energy is energy derived from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, and tides, which are replenished by … Continue Reading
June 11, 2010GAO Recommends Improvements in FAA Plan For Finding Safety Threats in Aviation Data
(Washington, DC) - Expanding its analysis of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) plans to identify threats to aviation safety in masses of data, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported today to the House Committee on Science and Technology that the agency is on the right track in looking at their massive data files for safety trends in the air system in an effort to avoid future accidents. The report, Aviation Safety: Improved Data Quality and Analysis Capabilities are … Continue Reading
June 10, 2010Gordon Comments on Report Released by the American Energy Innovation Council
(Washington, DC) - Today, the American Energy Innovation Council (AEIC) released their detailed recommendations to Congress and the President to revolutionize U.S. energy innovation. The report outlines fundamental changes in U.S. energy innovation to increase American economic competitiveness, diversify our energy sources, and produce more abundant, clean, low-cost energy.This report recommends a dramatic increase in federal investments for energy research and technologies and strongly … Continue Reading
June 10, 2010Entrepreneurial Education and Proof of Concept Funding Will Improve Technology Transfer, Subcommittee Hears
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to review the process of transferring knowledge and technology from academic researchers to the private sector. Specifically, the Subcommittee examined the appropriate role of the National Science Foundation (NSF), beyond their support for basic research, including support for entrepreneurial education and proof of concept activities. In addition, the … Continue Reading
June 09, 2010Members, Witnesses Discuss Oil Spill Research, Cleanup Technologies, and the Environment
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to explore the research, development, and technology needs for the recovery of oil and effective cleanup of oil spills.The first panel consisted of the following witnesses from federal agencies: Mr. Douglas Helton from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Captain Anthony Lloyd from the U.S. Coast Guard, Ms. Sharon Buffington from Minerals Management Service, and … Continue Reading
May 28, 2010GAO Reports on Status of Earth Observation Strategy
(Washington, DC) - The Government Accountability Office (GAO),released a report, ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITES: Strategy Needed to Sustain Critical Climate and Space Weather Measurements, related to the country's weather satellite systems. GAO reported a continuing lack of plans to provide the full set of weather and climate observations originally intended for our new satellite systems. This report was requested by the Science and Technology Committee's Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee … Continue Reading
May 28, 2010Innovation Legislation Clears the House With Bipartisan Support
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5116, America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010 by a vote of 262 to 150. The bill, which has over 100 cosponsors and more than 750 endorsers,makes investments in science, innovation, and education to support employers today while strengthening the U.S. scientific and economic leadership to grow new industries of tomorrow, and the jobs that come with them. “If we are to reverse the trend of the last twenty years, where … Continue Reading