Subcommittee Approves Bills to Control Harmful Algal Blooms, Improve Solar Technology, and Examine the Link between Energy and Water Resources
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee approved bills to prevent and control harmful algal blooms; to create a roadmap process for a comprehensive solar technology research, development, and demonstration program; and to research the link between energy and water resources. The Subcommittee approved H.R. 3650, Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009 by voice vote. H.R. 3650, authored by … Continue Reading
September 25, 2009GAO Report Confirms that Funding Shortfalls Have Hurt NASA’s Ability to Execute Its Constellation Program As Planned
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report, "NASA: Constellation Program Cost and Schedule Will Remain Uncertain Until a Sound Business Case is Established”. The report was requested by House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN), as part of the Committee’s ongoing oversight of NASA’s major acquisition programs. NASA’s Constellation program is developing the Ares I Crew Launch Vehicle and the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle … Continue Reading
September 24, 2009Subcommittee Investigates Ways to Improve the Measurement Science for Life-Saving Biologic Drugs
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Technology and Innovation Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss the need for reference standards and analytical tools to improve the development and regulatory approval process of biologic drugs, and to help ensure patients receive safe and effective medicines. Specifically, the hearing examined ways to improve the quality of the manufacturing process of biologics and provide tools to the biotechnology industry and the … Continue Reading
September 23, 2009Subcommittee Approves Legislation to Strengthen the Federal Cybersecurity R&D Portfolio
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Research and Science Education Subcommittee passed the Cybersecurity Research and Development Amendments Act of 2009 by a voice vote. This legislation would require agencies to develop, update, and implement a strategic plan for cybersecurity research and development (R&D). Specifically, the plan would require federal agencies to create a roadmap detailing each agency’s role and the level of funding required to fulfill … Continue Reading
September 23, 2009Chairman Gordon Announces Committee Staff Leadership Change
(Washington, DC) -House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN) announced that his long-time aid and current Committee Chief of Staff, Chuck Atkins, will be retiring from congressional service at the end of the year. Upon Chuck’s retirement, Louis Finkel, the current Director of Policy and Outreach for the Committee, will assume the role of Chief of Staff. Chuck has been on the Hill for 17 years, first serving as Chief of Staff for former Rep. Scotty Baesler (D-KY) … Continue Reading
September 17, 2009Subcommittee Examines Ways to Prevent and Control Harmful Algal Blooms
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a legislative hearing to examine harmful algal blooms and hypoxia research and response needs, in order to create and implement a plan that would monitor, prevent, mitigate, and control both marine and fresh water bloom and hypoxia events. Specifically, Subcommittee Members heard testimony on the draft legislation, The Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act … Continue Reading
September 16, 2009Chairman Gordon's Floor Speech on H.R. 3246
as prepared for delivery H.R. 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009, is authored by the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Gary Peters, and co-sponsored by our colleague from Illinois, Ms. Judy Biggert. This legislation provides a comprehensive authorization for long-term sustained funding of public-private vehicle research, development, demonstration and commercial application activities in the Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Program. From passenger cars to heavy duty … Continue Reading
September 16, 2009House Approves Bill to Invest in Comprehensive Vehicle Technology Research Program
(Washington, DC)—Today, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 3246, the Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009 by an overwhelming majority of 312 to 114. The bill was authored by Science and Technology Committee Member Rep. Gary Peters (D-MI). The bill provides the most comprehensive authorization to date for long-term sustained funding of public-private vehicle research, development, demonstration and commercial application activities in the Department of Energy (DOE) Vehicle … Continue Reading
September 16, 2009Rep. Gary C. Peters' Floor Speech on H.R. 3246
As prepared for delivery It is no secret that the global economic crisis has had a devastating impact on the automobile industry. Automobile and truck manufacturers and parts suppliers around the globe are struggling to deal with substantially decreased demand in vehicle sales. At the same time, we are in the midst of a transformation to a more energy independent economy, which will require the production of new vehicle technologies that will increase fuel efficiency and reduce harmful … Continue Reading
September 15, 2009Funding Will Be Key Determinant of America’s Human Space Flight Future, Committee and Witnesses Agree
Testimony of (Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held the first Congressional hearing to examine the summary report of the Review of U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee that was established by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under the direction of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and to consider implications and related issues for NASA. The panel was asked to identify alternative courses that the U.S. might pursue … Continue Reading
September 14, 2009Committee Examines the Impact of Regional Innovation Centers in the U.S. on the Economy
(McKinney, Texas) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology held a field hearing to examine the significance of regional innovation centers on the U.S. economy and global competitiveness. Regional innovation centers cultivate a steady flow of new ideas by partnering universities and specialized research centers nationwide. Specifically, the hearing focused on the roles of the federal, state, and local governments in supporting these centers. “We live in an increasingly … Continue Reading
September 10, 2009Subcommittee Examines the Role of Risk Modeling
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held the first Congressional hearing to investigate the role risk modeling played in the global financial meltdown. Specifically, the Subcommittee examined the Value-at-Risk (VaR), a method of risk measurement, which is widely viewed as a key factor in the extreme risk-taking of financial institutions which lead to the loss of hundreds of billions of dollars causing the … Continue Reading
September 10, 2009Subcommittee Reviews the Biological Research of DOE’s BER and NP programs
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to review the biological research activities of the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science’s Biological and Environmental Research (BER) and Nuclear Physics (NP) programs. Specifically, Subcommittee Members questioned witnesses about how this biological research coincides with DOE’s other programs and the other federal agencies’ research on energy, environmental, … Continue Reading
September 09, 2009House Approves Bills to Focus R&D For Wind Energy and Heavy-Duty Hybrid Trucks
(Washington, DC)—Today, the House of Representatives approved two bills to advance energy research and development. H.R. 3165, Wind Energy Research and Development Act of 2009, which was authored by Energy and Environment Subcommittee Vice Chair Paul Tonko (D-NY), passed by voice vote. The bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to carry out a program of research and development to: improve the energy efficiency, reliability, and capacity of wind turbines; optimize the design and … Continue Reading
September 08, 2009Chairman Gordon’s Statement on Augustine Committee Summary Report on Human Spaceflight
Washington, DC)—Today, the White House released the executive summary of the report of the Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee, chaired by Norman Augustine. The Augustine panel was charged with examining options for NASA’s human spaceflight program and will report on their findings to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, John Holdren. The full report is expected to be released later this month. Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon … Continue Reading
July 30, 2009Committee Examines a Systems Approach to Improving K-12 STEM Education
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Research and Science Education Subcommittee held a hearing to examine how the public and private stakeholders in an urban K-12 system can work together to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education both inside and outside of the classroom. Specifically, the hearing focused on Chicago, and the exemplary collaborative efforts there involving the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. “In … Continue Reading
July 29, 2009Committee Approves Energy Research Legislation
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology passed legislation to improve energy efficiency and advance energy technologies through research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) programs. The bills would improve vehicle technologies, improve wind energy research and development (R&D), establish a gas turbines efficiency program, and establish a social and behavioral sciences research program. “The four bills we passed today target several important energy … Continue Reading
July 23, 2009Members, Witnesses Discuss Transition to A Smart Grid
(Washington, DC) - Today, the Committee on Science and Technology’s Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a hearing on the progress towards transform our electricity delivery system to a smart grid, including the roles of the federal government and industry in the transition from our current aging power generation and distribution infrastructure to the next generation of electrical infrastructure, called the smart grid. “Even today with tremendous advancements in technology, … Continue Reading
July 21, 2009Subcommittee Examines Ways to Break Down Barriers and Improve STEM Education Participation Among Females
(Washington, DC) - Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology’s Research and Science Education Subcommittee held a hearing to examine current research findings, best practices, and the role of federal agencies in increasing the interest of girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in primary and secondary school. Members questioned witnesses about the challenges that deter young women from pursuing post-secondary STEM degrees. “Over the past few decades, girls … Continue Reading
July 21, 2009Subcommittee Advances Bills To Improve Energy R&D and Increase Efficiency
(Washington, DC) Today, the House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment approved four bills that would improve vehicle technologies for alternative fuels, further wind energy research and development, increase efficiency of gas turbines, and examine behavioral and social barriers to adoption of new energy technologies. “The four bills we considered today address important energy technology needs and the need for more research on the human factors that … Continue Reading