Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
april 2015
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congress
April 22, 2015
On April 22, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee passed the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2015 (H.R. 1806) with a party-line vote. The bill would set authorized spending levels for the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the Department of Energy‘s (DOE) research programs. The bill would authorize $7.6 billion for NSF, a 4 percent increase overall, as well as an 8 percent increase for NIST, and a 5 percent increase for the DOE Office of Science. The bill authorizes NSF funding for each directorate, a departure from the current process of allowing NSF and the National Science Board to determine each directorate’s funding. Furthermore, it would authorize cuts to NSF funding for the Geosciences Directorate (GEO) by 8 percent and the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Directorate (SBE) by 45 percent, despite the overall increase in authorized funding for NSF.
Democratic members strongly opposed the bill, offering 25 amendments intended to restore funding levels for geosciences, climate science, applied energy research, and social, behavioral, and economic sciences, all of which failed mostly along party-line votes. Space Subcommittee Ranking Member Donna Edwards (D-MD) expressed her frustration with the bill, calling the cuts to science and education irresponsible.
Amendments that passed, mostly along party lines, include support for alternative fusion research, support for diversity of states receiving NSF funds, and authorization for DOE’s Energy Frontier Research Centers. Representative Eric Swalwell’s (D-CA) amendment stating that climate change is real passed with bipartisan support after it was amended by Chairman Smith to remove language saying human activity was a significant contributor. Representatives Jim Bridenstine (R-OK) and Randy Weber (R-TX) were the sole nay votes against the amendment.
H.R. 1806 will move on for consideration by the full House. The House and Senate have both pledged to pass reauthorization legislation for energy and science research programs during this Congress.
Source: E&E News, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee passes funding bill
April 15, 2015
On April 15, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water passed a bill funding the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) for fiscal year (FY) 2016 (H.R.2028). The bill provides $5.9 billion for nuclear site environmental cleanup and $5.6 billion to the Army Corps of Engineers. Chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID) expressed his satisfaction with the bill, saying it would improve energy efficiency, fully fund the stockpile life program for United States nuclear weapons, and fully fund production of an Ohio class submarine, a class of nuclear-powered submarine. He emphasized that the bill would support moving forward on Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository through funding for the Nuclear Waste Disposal program and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. This legislation denies an Administration request for funding for non-Yucca nuclear waste activities.
Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) applauded the bill’s support for advancing energy technologies and energy conservation, as well as its focus on modernizing the energy grid and water infrastructure. However, both Rep. Kaptur and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY) expressed concern over controversial riders on the bill, including one that would modify language on the implementation of the Clean Water Act and another that would allow visitors to carry firearms on Army Corps-maintained locations.
The bill passed with no amendments and will be considered by the Senate.
Sources: E&E News, House Appropriations Energy and Water Subcommittee
Senate committee passes EPA reform act
April 28, 2015
On April 28, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed the Secret Science Reform Act (S.544), introduced by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), by an 11-9 party-line vote. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Ed Markey’s (D-MA) amendment barring censorship of common terms like “climate change” in official documents passed with the bill.
The bill would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from using science that is not “transparent and reproducible” in its rule creation. Democrats expressed their displeasure with the bill, saying it will impinge on the EPA’s ability to use private health information in their scientific process. Senator Boxer cited the Congressional Budget Office’s report stating that the bill would cost $250 million per year and would reduce the number of studies the EPA is able to carry out.
The House passed its own “secret science” bill last month. The White House has threatened to veto the legislation.
Source: E&E News
House and Senate hold hearings on energy efficiency legislation
April 30, 2015
On April 30, both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held hearings on energy efficiency bills working their way through each chamber.
House Democrats object to a provision in the draft House Title IV Energy Efficiency bill that would remove the 2007 directive to reduce government reliance on fossil fuels and eliminate fossil fuel-based energy in new or renovated government buildings by 2030. The current draft of the bill would also require the Department of Energy (DOE) to revisit their new rule prohibiting homeowners from buying new “non-condensing” gas furnaces, which House Republicans feel is burdensome. House Democrats expressed desire for legislation that improves energy efficiency and does not undercut existing efficiency gains.
In the Senate hearing, Chairwoman Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voiced concerns about potential redundancy and duplication in an energy bill proposed by Senator Al Franken (D-MN). Sen. Franken’s American Energy Efficiency Act (S. 1063) would amend title VI of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a federal energy efficiency resource standard for electricity and natural gas suppliers. Chairwoman Murkowski argued that Sen. Franken’s bill might overlap with state initiatives. Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) also expressed concern over potentially burdensome regulations or redundant programs.
DOE Deputy Assistant Secretary Kathleen Hogan testified that the proposed programs for fossil fuel phase-outs, gas furnace standards, and green building programs were complementary rather than redundant. Although DOE is still reviewing details on the bills, Hogan expressed tacit support for the Senate Shaheen-Portman Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act (S.720) and Senator Corey Gardner’s (R-CO) Energy Savings Through Public-Private Partnerships Act of 2015 (S.858) which promote energy savings performance in contracts including utility energy service contracts.
Sources: E&E News