Statement from Bodman

Statement from Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman on the Passage of H.R. 2776 and H.R. 3221
"Today the House passed legislation that does little to increase our nation's energy security or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, the bills will actually lead to less domestic oil and gas production and increased dependence on imported oil.”
“Because H.R. 2776 and H.R. 3221 fail to deliver American consumers or businesses more energy security, but rather would lead to higher energy costs and higher taxes, the President’s senior advisors would recommend that he veto these bills.”
“As the full Congress considers this legislation, I urge them to implement President Bush's Twenty in Ten Initiative that will reduce gasoline usage 20 percent in ten years and put America on a path towards a stronger, cleaner energy future."

H.R. 3274: To encourage cooperation between the US and China on energy research, development or commercialization

H.R. 3274: To authorize the Secretary of Energy to make grants to encourage cooperation between the United State and China on joint research, development, or commercialization of carbon capture and sequestration technology, improved energy efficiency, or renewable energy sources. This bill was introduced on August 1, 2007 and referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology and Energy and Commerce. The Secretary is authorized to expend no more than $20,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2008-2018.

Updates

H.R. 1933: Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 2007 was reported (amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology and added to the Union Calendar, No. 188.

H.R. 2272: The conference report on the Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007 was filed and was read. The bill was cleared for the White House.
Editorial
Press Release
News
News

S. 761: Blog

H.R. 2273: The bill on Biofuels Research and Development Enhancement was reported (amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology and placed on the Union Calednar, No. 189.

H.R. 3093: Blog Article
Status Report

H.R. 3161: The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Act was passed to the Senate where it was read twice and placed on the Calendar, No. 331.
News
Blog

H.R. 3223: Coastal Access Grant Program

H.R. 3223: A bill to amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to establish a grant program to ensure coastal access for commercial and recretional fishermen and other water-dependent coastal-related businesses, and for other purposes was introduced on July 20, 2007 and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

H.R. 3184 Update

July 30, 2007, Sandlin moved to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3184. The bill was considered under suspension of the rules and passed by voice vote.

H.R. 2272 Update

On July 31, the House voted to disagree with the Senate amendment (incorporation of S. 761) to H.R. 2272. The Speaker of the House appointed conferees from the Committee on Science and Technology for consideration of the House bill and the Senate amendment and modifications. The Conferees included: Gordon, Lipinski, Baird, Wu, Lampson, Udall (CO), Giffords, McNernt, Hall (TX), Sensenbrenner, Ehlers, Biggert, Feeney and Gingrey. The speaker also appointed conferees from Committee on Education and Labor. The conferees (Miller, George, Holt and McKeon) held a conference and agreed to file the conference report.

Outside News: Compromise Competitiveness Bill Heads for Congressional Vote

H.R. 3220, 3221: Energy Bills/ ARPA-E

H.R. 3220 and H.R. 3221: Bills moving the US toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production and modernizing our energy infrastructure were introduced on July 30, 2007 and referred to 11 different House committees. The bills establishe and provide funding for ARPA-E as well as other grants for renewable energy research and development.
H.R. 3221 will be voted on in the House on Friday August 3.

S. 1900: Authorizing appropriations for the US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution

S. 1900: A bill to authorize appropriations for the US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution was introduced on July 30 by John McCain. It was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

H.R. 3161, S. 1859 Ag Appropriations News

August 1, 2007: The White House made a series of recommendations in a Statement of Administrative Policy on HR 3161, the fiscal 2008 Agriculture spending bill, which includes funding for the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

August 2, 2007: The House debated a bill July 31 that would provide $1.69 billion for the FDA for fiscal 2008 and faces a veto threat from the president because of its high spending levels. The House adjourned without voting on the bill.

On August 1, the Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 595 was reported to the House. It provides for the consideration of H.R. 3161.

H.R. 3197: To provide for grants for EnergySmart schools and Energy Star programs

H.R. 3197: A bill to provide for the grants from the Secretary of Education to State and local education agencies for EnergySmart schools and Energy Star programs was introduced on July 26th and referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

H.R. 3074: Appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development

H.R. 3074: Making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 2008, and for other purposes. This bill was introduced on July 18th by John Olver and has been considered unfinished business in the House and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar, No. 286.

H.R. 3184: To authorize the Sec of Ag to carry out a competitive grant program

H.R. 3184: This is a bill to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out a competitive grant program for the Puget Sound area to provide comprehensive conservation planning to address water quality. On July 26th it was introduced and referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

H.R. 906 To Date: Global Change Research and Data Management

H.R. 906: The Global Change Research and Data Management Act of 2007 is a bill to promote and coordinate global change resesarch. It was introduced on February 7th and referred to the Committee on Science and Technology and on Foreign Affairs. On June 6th and 7th, subcommittee consideration and mark-up sessions were held. It was added to the calendar on June 7th, ordered to be reported as amended. Another committee consideration and mark-up session was held on June 27th and the bill was then added to the calendar. Introductory remarks were made on June 28th.

The bill directs the President to:
1. Establish an interagency committee to ensure cooperation and coordination of federal research activities pertaining to processes of global change
2. Establish an interagency US Global Change Research Program to improve understanding of global change and to provide periodic assessments of the vulnerability of the US and other areas to climate change.
3. Develop a National Global Change Research Plan to implement the Program, including recommendations for global change research. The Plan should set research goals and priorities.
4. Establish an interagency climate and other global change data management working group.
5. Direct the Secretary of State to initiate disucssions withother nations leading toward international protocols and other agreements to coordinate global climate change research activities.
6. Establish an Office of Global Change Research Information.

This bill would provide many opportunities for peer review.

Energy Technology Transfer Act Update

On July 25th, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural resources ordered the H.R. 85 to be reported favorably, without amendment.

News Updates

H.Res. 581 was introduced and scheduled for debate on July 27th. It was considered in committee and has been recommended to be considered by the House as a whole, Calendar No. 95. It provides for the consideration of H.R. 3161: making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies.

H.R. 3093: The bill passed roll in the House on July 26th.
H. Amdt. 696 to reduce funds in the bill by 0.5 percent failed.

H.R. 2950 was referred to the suncommittees on Military Personnel, Water Resources and Environment, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Highways and Transit and Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management on July 25th and 29th.

Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations updates

Utah Nets $550K in House Measure for Commerce, Justice, Science
In total, the spending measure boosts the funding level of the Community Oriented Policing Services grant program by 25 percent to $725 million. H.R. 3093 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Sires votes to strengthen law enforcement and keep America globally competitive
In the scientific arena, this bill provides $28 billion for the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to keep America competitive in the global market. H.R. 3093 also includes funds for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration to protect land surrounding our nation’s coasts and estuaries, as well as to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for scientific research in space, aeronautical research, manned exploration in space, and education dedicated to space. The FY 2008 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations bill also provides funding for the creation of a National Academies’ Climate Change Committee to investigate issues and make recommendations to address global climate change.

Agriculture appropriations update

CQ Today:The House is expected to complete the last two of 12 appropriations bills as well as a cornucopia of other legislation.
Early in the week, the chamber is set to debate the fiscal 2008 Agriculture appropriations measure (HR 3161) which funds the Agriculture Department, Food and Drug Administration and other agencies. The House bill’s discretionary total is $18.8 billion, just about $1 billion above President Bush’s fiscal 2008 request. The bill would provide the FDA with $1.7 billion and lift a ban on the importation of prescription drugs.

S. 1745: Appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, science, and related agencies

S. 1745: An original bill making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, science, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. This bill was introduced by Barbara Mikulski on June 29th and added to the calendar, No. 259.

S. 1859: Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration

S. 1859: An original bill making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies' programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. This bill was introduced by Herbert Kohl on July 24th, 2007 and added to the calendar, No. 282.

H.R. 3118: To promote the production and use of ethanol

H.R. 3118: This bill is to promote the production and use of ethanol. It was introduced on July 19th and referred to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Science and Technology. Among other actions, it will establish a grant program to demonstrate the ability of sweet sorghum to replace corn.

H.R. 3161: Appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration

H.R. 3161: This bill makes appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies' programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes. It was introduced by Rosa DeLauro on July 24th and added to the calednar, No. 166.

H.R. 3101: To Amend the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000

H.R. 3101: To amend the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 to include heating fuel produced from biomass in the definition of biobased fuel. This bill was introduced on July 19, 2007 and referred to the House subcommittee on Science and Technology under the Agriculature Committee.

H.R. 3093: Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act

H.R. 3093: Makes appropriations for the Departments of Commerce and Justice, and Science and Related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008. It was introduced to the House by Alan Mollohan July 19th, and placed on the calendar, No. 150. It was reported to the House on July 23rd.

Some highlights:

• Makes funding available for algal bloom and hypoxia research to help boost red tide research on Florida's coast
• Increases funds to NASA

Outside News:
July 24, 2007 (Tancredo)
July 24, 2007 (algae)
July 25, 2007 (Bush's disapproval)
July 25, 2007 (IFPTE opinion)

S. 761 language incorporated into H.R. 2272 as an amendment; H.R. 2272 passed Senate

Updates on S. 761: Incorporated into H.R. 2272 as an amendement

Updates on H.R. 2272: On July 19th, the measure was laid before the Senate by unanimous consent. Everything after the Enacting Clause was struck and replaced with the language of the amended version of S. 761. The Senate thn passed H.R. 2272 with the amendement by unanimous consent. The senate asked for a conference and appointed conferees (Bingamin, Inouye, Kennedy, Liberman, Mikulski, Kerry, Nelson FL, Domenici, Stevens, Enzi, Alexander, Ensign and Coleman). A message on the Senate action was sent to the House on July 20th.

Outside News:
July 16, 2007

Green Buildings

H.R. 3031: This bill is to promote the construction of green buildings in the United States, and for other purposes. Specifically, grants will be awarded in two capacities:

• To local educational agencies - For projects that reduce energy consumption of buildings by at least 30%, meet Federal and State health and safety codes, and support healthful, energy efficient and environmentally sound practices.
• To local and state governments - For renovations to achieve building standards and for research and development of technology to support and enable green building design.

This bill was introduced by Jay Inslee on July 12th, 2007 and referred to 6 different House committees.

1. Ways and Means
2. Financial Services
3. Oversight and Government Reform
4. Education and Labor
5. Transportation and Infrastructure
6. Energy and Commerce

US Energy Storage Competitiveness Act

S. 1321: The United States Energy Storage Competitiveness Act of 2007 is an original bill to enhance the energy security of the United States by promoting biofuels, energy efficiency, and carbon capture and storage, and for other purposes.
The bill was introduced May 7, 2007 by Jeff Bingaman and placed on the legislative calendar under General Orders, Calendar #140.
Among other actions and appropriations, this bill sets up:

• Bioenergy research and development
• Renewable fuel production research and development
• Research and development of infrastructure and Transportation of biomass to local biorefineries

Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007

H.R. 2272: Technology Innovation and Manufacturing Stimulation Act of 2007; To invest in innovation through resesarchh and development, and to improve the competitiveness of the U.S.
This bill is part of the 21st Century Competitiveness Act of 2007. It establishes specified science, mathematics, education, engineering, technology, research and training programs. It authorizes appropriates for the NSF and NIST.
Introduced by Barton Gordon on May 10th, 2007, this bill was referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology but was never reviewed by the committee. On May 21st, Mr. Wu moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill through the House. The bill was passed by voice vote in the House and then received by the Senate on May 22nd. It was read twice and has been placed on the legislative calendar under General Orders (Calendar No. 159).

Outside News
May 22nd, 2007
May 23rd, 2007

Biofuels Research and Development

H.R. 2773: To enhance research, development, demonstration, and commerical application of biofuels related technologies, and for other purposes.
This bill was introduced June 19th by Nicholas Lampson and referred to the House committee on Science and Technology, Energy and Environment subcommittee. A markup session was held by the subcommittee June 21, and the full committee held a markup session the 27th. It has been added to the calendar to be reported (amended). Among other actions, this bill calls for the Secretary of Energy to provide grants for biofuel production research and development.

H.R. 2950

H.R. 2950: To reduce our Nation's dependence on foreign oil by investing in clean, renewable, and alternative energy resources, promoting new emerging energy technologies, developing greater efficiency, and creating a Strategic Energy Efficiency and Renewables Reserve to invest in alternative energy, and for other purposes. This bill was introduced on June 28th and referred to 13 different committees. It amends several laws, but also provides for the following grant opportunities:

• Grants for renewable fuel production research and development
• Energy sustainability and efficiency grants for institutions of higher education
• EPA demonstration grant program for local governments
• Grants for healthy school environments
• Energy security Fund and Alternative Fuel Grant Program

DOE Carbon Capture and Storage To Date

H.R. 1933: The Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Storage Research, Development and Demonstration Act amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the Secretary of Energy to:

1. Carry out fundamental science and engineering resesarch to develop and document new approaches to CO2 sequestration.
2. Ensure fundamental research appropriately is appropriately applied to energy technology development activities and the field testing of carbon sequestration.
3. Promote regional carbon sequestration partnerships to conduct geologic sequestration tests in various geological settings
4. Conduct at least seven initial sequestration tests for geological storage of CO2.

The Secretary must give preference to award proposals from partnerships among industrial, academic, and government entities.

This bill was introducd on April 18th, 2007, and added to the calendar to be reported (amended) on June 27th, 2007.

Geothermal Energy R&D To Date

H.R. 2304:Introduced by Rep Jerry McNeary on May 14, 2007, reported amended by the Energy and Environment Subcommittee on June 6, 2007, and Reported as amended by Science and Technology Committee on June 13, 2007. It directs the Secretary of Energy to support programs of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application in advanced geothermal energy technologies. It also establishes or expands several programs for technology transfer and information sharing on geothermal energy. It authorizes $90 million a year from 2008-2012, and also establishes a research program coordinated with the EPA to identify potential environmental impacts of geothermal energy.

Marine Renewable Energy R&D To Date

H.R. 2313: The Marine Renewable Energy Research and Development Act of 2007 was introduced by Darlene Hooley (D-OR), reported amended by the Energy and Environment Subcommittee on June 6th and approved by the House Science and Technology Committee on June 13th. It would authorize $50 million a year from 2008-2012 for resesarch and development to produce electrical power from renewable marine sources. Specifically, it will instruct the Secretary of Energy to support programs to:

1. Reduce the manufacturing and operation costs of marine renewable energy technologies
2. Investigate integration of such technologies into the power grid
3. Advance Technologies to forecase waves
4. Coordinat with the EPA to study the environmental impacts of the technologies and mitigate adverse impacts.

Sowing the Seeds Act To Date

Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act, H.R. 363, is part of the Innovation Package in the House. It is also known in the Senate as "An Act to Authorize Programs for Support of the Early Career Development of Science and Engineering Researches." It was passed by the House and sent to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Outside News
February 28, 2007

Energy Technology Transfer Act To Date

The Energy Technology Transfer Act H.R. 85 amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005. If passed, it will impact the application process and the selectrion criteria. It will provide for the establishment of centers to encourage demonstration and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies. The House Committee on Science and Technology passed the bill on March 12, 2007. The Energy Subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing on May 22, 2007.

Outside News
February 28, 2007

ARPA-E To Date

ARPA-E is part of the Innovation Package in the House and the America COMPETES Act in the Senate. It is presented to Congress in 3 parts.

1. S. 761 - Directs the energy secretary to establish ARPA-E as part of the America COMPETES Act. This bill was passed by the Senate on 4/25/07 and received by the House on 4/30/07.
2. H.R. 364 - Introduced by H.R. Gordon (TN), it establishes ARPA-E and its funding source (Energy Independence Acceleration Fund). It would authorize $4.9 billion over 2004-2012 for the DOE to support research and development projects with energy and environment applications. It was reported (amended) by the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, adding more goals for the GHGs, efficiency, economy, organizational guidlines and limits for funding. It is awaiting further reporting/amending in the Science and Technology Committee.
3. S. 696 - Introduced by S. Max Baucus (MT), it calls for the initiation of high-risk, innovate energy resesarch to improve the energy security of the U.S. It was read in the Senate and referred to the Committee of Energy and Natural Resources.

Outside News

May 23, 2007

April 27, 2007

February 8, 2007