In this issue:
AMERICA COMPETES SENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE FOR SIGNATURE
Following a bipartisan vote of 228 to 130 in the House of Representatives on December 21st, the “America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010” was sent to the White House for President Obama’s signature. The House passed the Senate version of the bill, which was analyzed in the December 20, 2010 issue of “Capitol Update.” First authorized in 2007 with broad bipartisan support and signed into law by then President George W. Bush, the ‘America COMPETES Act’ was a legislative response to a series of “Rising Above the Gathering Storm” reports from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. The reports revealed troubling trends indicating a decline in key measures of U.S. competitiveness, including exports of high-tech products, the educational standing of our students in math and science, and declining federal investments in science and engineering research and education. ASME has long been a strong supporter of America COMPETES and related legislation.
Hailing its passage, House Science and Technology Committee Chairman and author of the legislation, retiring Representative Bart Gordon (D-TN), stated “Science funding is the engine of a knowledge-based economy. If we remove it, our economy will crash and burn. If we are to reverse the trend of the last 20 years, during which our country’s technological edge in the world has diminished, we must make the investments necessary today. More than half of our economic growth since World War II can be attributed to development and adoption of new technologies. These investments are the path toward sustainable economic recovery and growth and the path toward prosperity for the next 50 years.”
On the other hand, prior to the final House COMPETES vote, Chairman-elect of the Science and Technology Committee Ralph Hall (R-TX) had this to say of the measure. “As much as I want to support COMPETES and see NSF, NIST and the DOE Office of Science reauthorized, I simply cannot support this version. This measure continues to be far too expensive, particularly in light of the new and duplicative programs it creates. Further, we have not had the opportunity to give proper oversight to the programs we put in motion in the first COMPETES before authorizing new, additional programs.”
As the incoming Chairman, Representative Hall has pledged to conduct rigorous oversight over the programs included in this bill.
President Obama is anticipated to sign the bill into law.
For more information on America COMPETES, including Chairman Gordon’s remarks on the House floor, please visit: http://science.house.gov/RelatedByTag.aspx?KeywordID=38
Additional comments from Incoming Chair-Elect Hall may be read at: http://gop.science.house.gov/Pressroom/Item.aspx?ID=281
To read H.R.5116 as passed, go to http://thomas.loc.gov and search by bill number.
Robert Rains handles public policy-related energy issues for ASME. He can be reached at: rainsr@asme.org
Paul Fakes handles public policy-related research and development (R&D) issues for ASME. He can be reached at: fakesp@asme.org
Melissa Carl handles public policy-related science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics (STEM) education issues for ASME. She can be reached at: carlm@asme.org
PRESIDENT SIGNS CR TO FUND GOVERNMENT UNTIL MARCH 4TH
Following passage of a Continuing Resolution (CR) funding the federal government through March 4th, 2011 by the Senate and the House of Representatives, President Obama signed the measure, H.R. 3082, into law just hours before the previous CR would have expired. The vote in the Senate was 79 to 16; in the House, it was 193 to165. Congress failed to pass any appropriations bills in 2010.
Under the CR, funding would continue at FY 2010 enacted levels for most programs, including those at the federal science and engineering agencies. In total, the CR would provide funding at a rate approximately $1.16 billion over the FY 2010 level. The CR also does not include funding to implement the Democratic-written financial regulatory reform and health care overhaul laws.
A summary of the CR as signed into law may be reviewed at: http://www.appropriations.senate.gov/news.cfm?method=news.view&id=51524096-2c8b-4580-96dc-3bde5294aec8
For the full text of H.R. 3082, go to: http://thomas.loc.gov and search by bill number.
Paul Fakes handles public policy-related research and development (R&D) issues for ASME. He can be reached at: fakesp@asme.org
OSTP ISSUES “SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY” MEMORANDUM
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has issued a long-awaited memorandum providing guidelines to ensure the integrity of government scientists’ work. The memorandum sets out the minimum standards for federal departments and agencies to use as the basis for crafting their own specific scientific integrity rules, as well as providing guidance on how government agencies should communicate with the media and the American people.
In a posting on the White House blog (http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/12/17/scientific-integrity-fueling-innovation-building-public-trust), OSTP Director John Holdren observed, “Science and technology have extraordinary potential to help America achieve a broad range of national goals, including sparking economic growth and job creation; allowing Americans to live longer, healthier lives; developing clean sources of energy that reduce our dependence on foreign oil; and protecting our environment. As the President said at the annual meeting of the National Academy of Sciences last year, ‘Science is more essential for our prosperity, our security, our health, our environment, and our quality of life than it has ever been before.’ I am confident that today’s Memorandum will help ensure that science and technology continue to be brought to bear by this Administration with the greatest effectiveness and integrity in the service of all of the national goals the President has so clearly articulated.”
Specifically, the memorandum sets forth four foundations of scientific integrity in government:
- Ensure a culture of scientific integrity: Science, and public trust in science, thrives in an environment that shields scientific data and analyses from inappropriate political influence.
- Strengthen the actual and perceived credibility of government research by ensuring that selection of candidates for scientific positions is based primarily on their scientific and technological knowledge and integrity, ensuring that data and research used to support policy decisions undergo independent peer review; setting clear standards governing conflicts of interest and adopting appropriate whistleblower protections.
- Facilitate the free flow of scientific and technological information consistent with privacy and classification standards;
- Establish principles for conveying scientific and technological information to the public.
The “Scientific Integrity” Memorandum may be read in its entirety by visiting: http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/scientific-integrity-memo-12172010.pdf
Paul Fakes handles public policy-related research and development (R&D) issues for ASME. He can be reached at: fakesp@asme.org
UPTON NAMES ENERGY AND COMMERCE SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRS
Representative Fred Upton (R-MI), incoming Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, has announced the members who will chair the six Energy and Commerce subcommittees in the 112th Congress. Upton is splitting the current Energy and Environment Subcommittee jurisdiction into two separate subcommittees: Energy and Power, which will have jurisdiction over energy and Clean Air Act issues; and, Environment and Economy, which will focus on environmental regulations and their economic impact. Upton also announced that Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) will serve as the Committee's Chairman Emeritus and Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC) will serve as the Committee's Vice Chair.
"We could not have a more talented, accomplished group of members, from top to bottom, with such diverse backgrounds necessary to deliver the change the American people expect and demand," said Upton. "Every member and every subcommittee will be on the frontlines as we take on federal agencies- EPA, HHS, DOE, FCC, you name it- to identify wasteful programs and target areas to immediately cut spending..”
The following are the subcommittee chair and vice chair appointments:
- Communications and Technology: Chair, Greg Walden (OR); Vice Chair, Lee Terry (NE).
- Health: Chair, Joe Pitts (PA); Vice Chair, Mike Burgess (TX).
- Energy and Power: Chair, Ed Whitfield (KY); Vice Chair, John Sullivan (OK).
- Environment and Economy: Chair, John Shimkus (IL); Vice Chair, Tim Murphy (PA).
- Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade: Chair, Mary Bono Mack (CA); Vice Chair, Marsha Blackburn (TN);
- Oversight and Investigations: Chair, Cliff Stearns (FL).
Full subcommittee rosters are anticipated to be unveiled in the near future.
For additional information on the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s new leadership, please visit: http://republicans.energycommerce.house.gov
Robert Rains handles public policy-related energy issues for ASME. He can be reached at: rainsr@asme.org
SENSENBRENNER TO SERVE AS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY VICE CHAIR
Incoming Science and Technology Committee Chair Ralph Hall (R-TX) has selected Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) to serve as the Committee’s vice chair for the 112th Congress. In a statement, Hall said, ““I am pleased to announce that Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) will serve as Vice Chair of the Committee on Science and Technology in the 112th Congress and that Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) will be Chairman of the Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee.”
“Both Members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience on climate change, energy independence, and other issues under the jurisdiction of the Committee. Rep. Broun will continue the effective oversight and investigations that he has handled for the past two years. Rep. Sensenbrenner’s expertise as Ranking Member of the Select Committee on Global Warming and Energy Independence and as former Chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology will continue to be invaluable to the Committee.”
In a related development, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) was formally selected by House Democrats to serve as Ranking Member of the panel. Incoming Chair Hall had this to say upon learning of her selection: “I would like to congratulate my friend and colleague, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, on being named by the Democratic caucus as the Ranking Member of the Science and Technology Committee for the next Congress. As Representatives of neighboring districts in Texas, we’ve known each other a long time and have worked together on many occasions. The Science and Technology Committee has a long history of bipartisanship, and I look forward to maintaining that tradition in the 112th Congress, as we tackle issues that are critical to our Nation’s economic competitiveness.”
DOE ANNOUNCES UP TO $184 MILLION FOR ADVANCED VEHICLE R&D
The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that it is accepting applications for up to $184 million over the next three to five years to accelerate the development of new efficient vehicle technologies for projects including: advanced materials, combustion research, hybrid electric systems, fleet efficiency and fuels technology.
The Funding Opportunity Announcement focuses on eight approaches to improving vehicle efficiency:
- Advanced fuels and lubricants: Improve today's vehicle fuels and lubricants to enable optimal performance of advanced combustion engines.
- Light weighting materials: Accelerate commercial availability of lighter weight vehicles using advanced materials like magnesium and carbon fiber to dramatically reduce vehicle weight.
- Multi-material light weight material prototype: Design, build, and test a light-weight vehicle that is 50 percent lighter than a baseline light-duty vehicle.
- Advanced cells and design technology for electric drive batteries: Develop high energy or high power electric vehicles that significantly exceed existing state-of-the-art technologies in terms of performance and/or cost.
- Advanced power electronics and electric motor technology: Develop the next generation of power inverters and electric motors to meet demanding performance targets while achieving significant reductions in cost.
- Thermoelectric and enabling engine technology: Improve the efficiency of thermoelectric devices to convert engine waste heat to electricity. Develop early-stage enabling engine technologies to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
- Fleet efficiency: Develop and demonstrate fuel efficient tire and driver feedback technologies that will positively affect efficiency of the fleet of passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
- Advanced vehicle testing and evaluation: Conduct laboratory and field evaluations of advanced technology vehicles and related infrastructure, while developing new or modified test procedures.
“These awards will help ensure America leads the world in the development of advanced vehicle technologies that support cost-competitive, convenient, and comfortable fuel-efficient vehicles,” said DOE Secretary Steven Chu. "Investments in the next generation of vehicle technologies are laying the groundwork for a sustainable transportation sector in America that strengthens our economy and improves our economic competitiveness."
Applications for the solicitation are due February 28, 2011. Applications must be submitted through http://www.Grants.gov to be considered for awards. DOE expects to announce the selections by summer 2011. For additional information on the Vehicle Technologies Program, please visit: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/
Robert Rains handles public policy-related energy issues for ASME. He can be reached at: rainsr@asme.org
THE ARTICLES CONTAINED IN CAPITOL UPDATE ARE NOT POSITIONS OF ASME OR ANY OF ITS SUB-ENTITIES, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY NOTED AS SUCH. THIS PUBLICATION IS DESIGNED TO INFORM ASME MEMBERS ABOUT ISSUES OF CONCERN BEING DEBATED AND DISCUSSED IN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS, IN THE STATES, AND IN THE FEDERAL AGENCIES.
EDITOR: Mary James Legatski, ASME Government Relations, 1828 L Street, NW, Suite 906, Washington, DC 20036-5104.