Members, Witnesses Discuss Harnessing Energy from Waves, Currents, and Stored Heat in Oceans
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Committee on Science and Technology's Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to explore the role of the federal government and industry in developing technologies related to marine and hydrokinetic energy generation. These technologies include wave, current (tidal, ocean and river), ocean thermal energy generation devices and related environmental monitoring technologies. "Studies have estimated that approximately 10 percent of U.S. national … Continue Reading
December 02, 2009Subcommittee Examines Ways to Make Human Space Flight Safer
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics held a hearing to discuss how to ensure the safety of future human space flight in both government and non-government space transportation systems. Specifically, the hearing examined the steps needed establish confidence in a space transportation system's ability to transport astronauts to low Earth orbit (LEO) and safely return them to Earth, safety standards implementation and … Continue Reading
December 01, 2009Energy and Environment Subcommittee Vice Chair Paul Tonko's Floor Speech on HR 3598
as prepared for delivery Demand for energy and water resources is stressing the environment and our economy. Innovation in technologies which address the nexus between these two resources is critical to the future of our country. H.R. 3598 requires the Secretary of Energy to consider water-related issues in the Department's energy efficiency and energy technology research programs. Additionally, H.R. 3598 creates an "Energy-Water Architecture Council" (EWAC) that will facilitate the … Continue Reading
December 01, 2009House Approves Bills to Improve the Integration of Energy and Water Research and the Efficiency of Natural Gas Turbines
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 3598, the Energy and Water Research Integration Act, and H.R. 3029, a bill to establish a research, development, and technology development program to improve the efficiency of gas turbines. The Energy and Water Research Integration Act passed by a voice vote. H.R.3598 was introduced by Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) on September 17, 2009. This bill directs the Secretary of Energy, in … Continue Reading
December 01, 2009Energy and Environment Subcommittee Vice Chair Paul Tonko's Floor Speech on HR 3029
as prepared for delivery My bill establishes a research, development, and technology demonstration program through the Department of Energy to improve the efficiency of natural gas turbines used in electric power generation systems. The Department had a similar public-private partnership research program in the 1990's that lead to technologies used in turbines today. Resurrecting this capability is essential if our country is going to be the energy technology leader of the world. Currently, … Continue Reading
November 19, 2009Subcommittee Examines Opportunities, Risks in the Growth of Global Space Capabilities
"At a time when some in the United States seem to be questioning whether we should sustain a strong commitment to investing in our space program, the rest of the world has not hesitated to embrace the promise that the exploration and utilization of outer space can offer to them,” said Chairwoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). “Those other nations recognize that space activities can spur innovation, help improve the quality of life of our citizens, promote national security and economic … Continue Reading
November 19, 2009Subcommittee Reviews the Priorities and Agenda of DOT’s R&D Portfolio
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to review the components of a surface transportation research and development (R&D) agenda to support the priorities of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). In addition, Subcommittee Members discussed the necessary steps for the DOT to implement its R&D agenda and the most effective practices for ensuring that the latest R&D is used in the … Continue Reading
November 18, 2009Rep. Harry Mitchell's Floor Speech on H.R. 3791
as prepared for delivery Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3791, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009. Firefighters are often the first - and the last - to leave an emergency scene. Whether it's putting out a house fire or a wildfire - or responding to a terrorist attack or a car accident - we depend on firefighters every day. But firefighters also depend on us. They depend on the public and their elected officials to make sure that they have the … Continue Reading
November 18, 2009Chairman Gordon's Floor Speech on H.R. 3791
as prepared for delivery Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3791, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009. This bill reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Program. Over the past nine years, these programs have provided over $5 billion to purchase firefighting equipment and training and for communities to hire additional firefighters. This federal support for public safety is even more … Continue Reading
November 18, 2009Committee Passes Legislation to Improve Cybersecurity R&D
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology passed H.R. 4061, the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2009, by a voice vote. H.R. 4061 will improve the security of cyberspace by ensuring federal investments in cybersecurity are better focused, more effective, and that research into innovative, transformative technologies is supported. H.R. 4061 does this by reauthorizing and expanding the Cyber Security Research and Development Act (P.L. 107-305) passed by the … Continue Reading
November 18, 2009Reauthorization of Programs to Support Firefighters, Communities Passes House with Wide Margin
(Washington, DC) -Today, the House of Representatives voted 395 to 31 to approve H.R. 3791, The Fire Grants Reauthorization Act of 2009, a bill that updates two key programs that provide critical resources to local fire departments. The bill reauthorizes the Assistance to Firefighter Grant (AFG) program and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program. "Over the past nine years, these programs have provided over $5 billion to purchase firefighting equipment and … Continue Reading
November 17, 2009Subcommittee Investigates the Ongoing Problems with Next Generation Technologies to Detect Nuclear and Radioactive Substances at Our Borders
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (I&O) held a hearing to examine the ongoing problems with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) efforts to develop Advanced Spectroscopic Portals (ASPs), next generation radiation monitors, to detect and identify radiological and nuclear material entering the country. Specifically, this hearing is a follow-up to the I&O Subcommittee hearing, The Science of … Continue Reading
November 16, 2009Chairman Gordon and Subcommittee Chairwoman Giffords Congratulate NASA on Receiving TIME Magazine’s Best Invention of the Year Award for Its Ares Rockets
(Washington, DC) - House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) and Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairwoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) congratulated National Administration of Space and Aeronautics (NASA) on making TIME's List of 50 Best Inventions of 2009. NASA's Ares rockets placed number one among the best inventions of the year. The Ares rockets placed before several remarkable inventions - the Smart Thermostat (#4), the AIDS vaccine (#8), and Tweeting by … Continue Reading
November 05, 2009Geoengineering Research Needed, Members Hear
(Washington, DC) - Today, House Committee on Science and Technology held a hearing to examine geoengineering, the deliberate large-scale modification of the earth's climate systems to counteract climate change, beyond traditional strategies to reduce emissions. "My decision to hold this hearing should not in any way be misconstrued as an endorsement of any geoengineering activity, and the timing has nothing to do with the pending negotiations in Copenhagen," said Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). … Continue Reading
November 04, 2009Subcommittee Approves Cybersecurity Coordination and Awareness Act
(Washington, DC) Today, the Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation approved a Committee print of the Cybersecurity Coordination and Awareness Act. "Twenty-two years ago, this Committee paved the way for federal cybersecurity efforts with the Computer Security Act of 1987, which charged NIST with developing technical standards to protect non-classified information on federal computer systems and was the first of 13 major laws related to cybersecurity," … Continue Reading
October 29, 2009Subcommittee Examines DOE’s Fusion Programs and the Challenges and Benefits of Fusion Energy
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing to examine the next generation of fusion energy research. Specifically, the Subcommittee looked at both domestic and international partnerships in fusion energy research and programs within the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science's Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program and DOE's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). "Fusion energy has … Continue Reading
October 28, 2009Chairman Gordon and Subcommittee Chairwoman Giffords Comment on Successful Ares I-X Test Launch
(Washington, DC) - Today, the National Administration of Space and Aeronautics (NASA) held the Ares I-X test launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Cocoa, Florida. The Ares I-X rocket is a 327 foot tall aerodynamic model of Ares I, but only stage one is active. NASA will use the test launch as a learning experience. Although the flight only lasted six minutes, Ares I-X used over 700 high-fidelity sensors to collect enormous amounts of data. NASA will use the data to support the development of … Continue Reading
October 27, 2009Subcommittee Examines Ways to Improve DHS Directorate’s Strategic Planning, Stakeholder Involvement, and Research Portfolio
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology's Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to review activities at the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate, also known as the Directorate. Specifically, the hearing examined the strategic planning process, stakeholder involvement in setting research priorities, and the role of basic research in the Directorate's portfolio. "Research and development efforts at the … Continue Reading
October 26, 2009Chairman Gordon Applauds First Round of Funding Awards for Transformational Energy Technology Development
(Washington, DC) - Today, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the first round of funding awards for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Energy, or ARPA-E. ARPA-E is a new agency at DOE tasked with developing transformational energy technologies. It was part of the America COMPETES Act of 2007 and a focus of the Committee's agenda in the 110th Congress. It received its first funding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. House Science and Technology Committee Chairman Bart … Continue Reading
October 22, 2009Chairman Gordon and Subcommittee Chairwoman Giffords Comment on Augustine Committee Report
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Review of the U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee, chaired by Mr. Norman Augustine, retired Chairman and CEO of Lockheed Martin Corporation, publicly released its final report to the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The final report was released six weeks after the committee had released its summary report. Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) … Continue Reading