[House Report 109-147]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



109th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    109-147

======================================================================



 
   REAUTHORIZATION OF THE STEEL AND ALUMINUM ENERGY CONSERVATION AND 
                 TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 1988

                                _______
                                

 June 22, 2005.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

  Mr. Boehlert, from the Committee on Science, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1158]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

  The Committee on Science, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 
1158) to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation 
and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, having considered 
the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and 
recommend that the bill do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
   I. Purpose of the Bill.............................................2
  II. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................2
 III. Summary of Hearings.............................................2
  IV. Committee Actions...............................................2
   V. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................3
  VI. Section-By-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)..............4
 VII. Committee Views.................................................4
VIII. Cost Estimate...................................................4
  IX. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.......................4
   X. Compliance with Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)............5
  XI. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations................5
 XII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives...........5
XIII. Constitutional Authority Statement..............................6
 XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement............................6
  XV. Congressional Accountability Act................................6
 XVI. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law..........6
XVII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported...........6
XVIII.Committee Recommendations.......................................8

 XIX. Proceedings of Full Committee Markup............................9

                         I. Purpose of the Bill

    The purpose of the bill is to reauthorize a program of 
energy efficiency research and development (R&D) at the 
Department of Energy (DOE) focused on the domestic metals 
industry. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes the Steel and 
Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act 
of 1988, and makes minor modifications to that act.

              II. Background and Need for the Legislation

    DOE's steel-related energy efficiency R&D program was 
established in 1986. The program was expanded to a broader 
``metals initiative'' in 1988 when the President signed into 
law the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology 
Competitiveness Act of 1988. Reauthorization of appropriations 
for the program occurred in 1992 with the passage of the Energy 
Policy Act. Authorization of appropriations expired in 1997, 
although Congress has continued to appropriate funds for the 
program each year since then as part of the Industries of the 
Future program at DOE. H.R. 1158 reaffirms Congressional 
support for the metals program through reauthorization of 
appropriations through 2010, updates program priorities and 
reinstates the annual report requirement.

                        III. Summary of Hearings

    On May 20, 2004, during the 108th Congress, the 
Subcommittee on Energy of the Committee on Science held a 
hearing to examine the metals R&D program at DOE. Witnesses 
included: (1) Mr. Douglas L. Faulkner, Principal Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 
at the U.S. Department of Energy; (2) Mr. Richard A. Shulkosky, 
Vice President for Sales, Marketing and Product Development at 
the INTEG Process Group, a small company that supplies 
industrial process control systems and electronics; (3) Ms. 
Lisa A. Roudabush, General Manager of Research for the United 
States Steel Corporation; and (4) Dr. Ronald Sutherland, 
Consulting Economist and Adjunct Professor of Law at the George 
Mason University School of Law.
    Mr. Faulkner, speaking on behalf of the Administration, 
testified on the history and management of the program and 
provided examples of success stories. He indicated that the 
Administration had no objection to the legislation. Mr. 
Shulkosky and Ms. Roudabush spoke of their companies' 
experiences and successes with the program. Mr. Sutherland, 
suggested that the program placed too much emphasis on energy 
efficiency rather than economic efficiency. He also recommended 
program improvements that he felt would help ensure that 
program benefited metals companies in the U.S.

                         IV. Committee Actions

    On March 4, 2004, during the 108th Congress, Ms. Hart, Mr. 
English, and Mr. Murphy introduced H.R. 3890 to reauthorize the 
Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology 
Competitiveness Act of 1988. The bill was referred to the 
Committee on Science, and to the Subcommittee on Energy and to 
the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards. 
Because the bill primarily deals with programs at the 
Department of Energy, the Subcommittee on Energy met on June 
15, 2004, to consider the bill. No amendments were offered. Mr. 
Larson moved that the Subcommittee favorably report the bill, 
H.R. 3890, to the Full Committee on Science, and that the staff 
be instructed to make all necessary technical and conforming 
changes to the bill in accordance with the recommendations of 
the Subcommittee. The motion was agreed to by a voice vote. The 
Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards was 
discharged from considering the bill.
    The Full Committee on Science met on June 16, 2004, to 
consider the bill. Two amendments were offered and considered 
by the committee:
    (1) Ms. Hart offered an amendment in the nature of a 
substitute to make technical corrections to the bill. By 
unanimous consent the amendment in the nature of a substitute 
was considered as base text for the purpose of amendment.
    (2) Mr. Gutknecht offered an amendment to limit the 
authorization for fiscal year 2005 to no more than was 
appropriated in fiscal year 2004. The amendment was approved by 
a voice vote.
    (3) The amendment in the nature of a substitute, as 
amended, was then passed by a voice vote.
    Mr. Gordon moved that the Committee favorably report the 
bill, H.R. 3890, to the House with the recommendation that the 
bill as amended do pass, and that the staff be instructed to 
make all technical and conforming changes to the bill as 
amended and prepare the legislative report and that the 
Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the bill before the 
House for consideration. With a quorum present, the motion was 
agreed to by a voice vote. On July 1, 2004, the Science 
Committee filed the report on the bill, H. Rept. 108-579. On 
July 7, 2004, Ms. Hart made a motion on the Floor of the House 
to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended, and the 
bill passed by a voice vote. The bill was delivered to the 
Senate, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources, but was not considered by the Senate during the 
108th Congress.
    On March 8, 2005, Ms. Hart, Mr. Lipinski and Mr. Ehlers 
introduced H.R. 1158 to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum 
Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. 
The bill was referred to the Committee on Science, which met on 
March 17, 2005 to consider the bill. No amendments were offered 
and the bill was passed by a voice vote. Mr. Gordon moved that 
the Committee favorably report the bill, H.R. 1158, without 
amendment to the House with the recommendation that the bill do 
pass, and that the Chairman take all necessary steps to bring 
the bill before the House for consideration. With a quorum 
present, the motion was agreed to by a voice vote.

               V. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill

    The bill amends the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation 
and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. Primarily, the bill 
authorizes appropriations each year for fiscal years 2006 
through 2010 for the Department of Energy. The bill also 
updates priorities to be considered in research planning, 
repeals a section related to National Institute of Standards 
and Technology (NIST) programs that have been inactive, and 
reinstates the annual report requirement for DOE.

         VI. Section-by-Section Analysis (by Title and Section)


Section 1. Amendments

    Amends various sections of the Steel and Aluminum Energy 
Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 as 
follows:
    Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2006 through 2010 
at $12 million annually, roughly the same level as enacted in 
fiscal year 2005 ($11,111,000 was allocated to the program).
    Amends the list of priorities to delete ``coatings for 
sheet steels'' and substitute ``sheet and bar steels,'' and to 
add research on technologies that reduce greenhouse gas 
emissions.
    Strikes the section referring to activities at NIST.
    Reinstates the annual report to Congress requirement.

                          VII. Committee Views

    The Committee believes that energy efficiency research and 
development (R&D) is an important component of the Nation's R&D 
portfolio, especially given concerns about energy security and 
the environmental impact of energy use. As one of the largest 
energy-consuming industries, efficiency research for the metals 
industry can pay large dividends at a relatively low cost. 
Improvements by these large consumers can mean large reductions 
in energy demand for the nation, lowering demand for fuels and 
reducing upward pressure on prices. The Committee also believes 
that the metals program can help the U.S. steel and aluminum 
industries to maintain a competitive edge over foreign 
producers. A healthy U.S. metals industry helps keep skilled 
jobs here in America, and protects the Nation against reliance 
on foreign sources of metal materials and products essential to 
our economy and national security.

                          VIII. Cost Estimate

    A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 timely submitted to the 
Committee on Science prior to the filing of this report and is 
included in Section X of this report pursuant to House rule 
XIII, clause 3(c)(3).
    H.R. 1158 does not contain new budget authority, credit 
authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. Assuming 
that the sums authorized under the bill are appropriated, H.R. 
1158 authorizes additional discretionary spending, as described 
in the Congressional Budget Office report on the bill, which is 
contained in Section X of this report.

             IX. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate


H.R. 1158--A bill to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy 
        Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988

    Summary: H.R. 1158 would reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum 
Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. 
The bill would authorize the appropriation of $100 million over 
the 2006-2010 period for research and development to enhance 
the energy efficiency of processes that create steel and 
aluminum. It also would expand research authorized under that 
act to include processes that make bar steel and technologies 
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CBO estimates that 
implementing H.R. 1158 would cost $87 million over the 2006-
2010 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts.
    H.R. 1158 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 
and would impose no costs on state, local, and tribal 
governments.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary impact of H.R. 1158 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 270 
(energy). For this estimate, CBO assumes that the amounts 
authorized would be appropriated near the beginning of each 
fiscal year and that outlays would follow the historical 
spending patterns of similar programs.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
                                                              2005     2006     2007     2008     2009     2010
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Spending Under Current Law:
    Budget Authority \1\..................................       12        0        0        0        0        0
    Estimated Outlays.....................................        6        4        2        0        0        0
Proposed Changes:
    Authorization Level...................................        0       20       20       20       20       20
    Estimated Outlays.....................................        0       10       17       20       20       20
Spending Under H.R. 1158:
    Authorization Level\1\................................       12       20       20       20       20       20
    Estimated Outlays.....................................        6       14       19       20       20       20
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 2005 level is the amount appropriated for that year for research and development to enhance the energy
  efficiency of processes to create steel and aluminum.

    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1158 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as 
defined in the UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, 
and tribal governments.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Julie Middleton. 
Impact on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Terri Gullo. 
Impact on the Private Sector: Craig Cammarata.
    Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                  X. Compliance With Public Law 104-4

    H.R. 1158 contains no unfunded mandates.

          XI. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

    The Committee on Science's oversight findings and 
recommendations are reflected in the body of this report.

       XII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives

    The goal of the Act establishing the metals program, which 
H.R. 1158 reauthorizes, is ``to increase the energy efficiency 
and enhance competitiveness of American steel, aluminum, and 
copper industries by providing Federal incentives for the 
establishment of public-private sector research and development 
partnerships to undertake scientific research and development 
to develop advanced technologies.'' H.R. 1158 makes no changes 
to the goal of the underlying Act.

                XIII. Constitutional Authority Statement

    Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United 
States grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 1158.

               XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement

    H.R. 1158 does not establish nor authorize the 
establishment of any advisory committee.

                  XV. Congressional Accountability Act

    The Committee finds that H.R. 1158 does not relate to the 
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services 
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).

      XVI. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law

    This bill is not intended to preempt any state, local, or 
tribal law.

      XVII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

    In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

 STEEL AND ALUMINUM ENERGY CONSERVATION AND TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIVENESS 
ACT OF 1988

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO 
                    DEVELOP COMPETITIVE MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES AND 
                    INCREASE ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE STEEL AND 
                    ALUMINUM INDUSTRIES.

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (c) Priorities.--Within 6 months after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Secretary shall publish an update of the 
research plan. In reviewing research and development activities 
for possible inclusion in the research plan, the Secretary 
shall consider the following:
          (1) Steel projects.--
                  (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                  (H) The development of advanced [coatings for 
                sheet steels] sheet and bar steels.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                  (K) The development of technologies which 
                reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


[SEC. 7. EXPANDED STEEL AND ALUMINUM RESEARCH PROGRAM IN NATIONAL 
                    INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY.

  [The National Institute of Standards and Technology, through 
its Institute for Materials Science and Engineering and, as 
appropriate, in coordination with the Department of Energy and 
other Federal agencies, shall conduct an expanded program of 
steel and aluminum research to provide necessary 
instrumentation and measurement research and development in 
support of activities conducted under this Act.]

SEC. 8. REPORTS.

  The Secretary shall prepare and submit annually to the 
President and the Congress at the close of each fiscal year, 
beginning with fiscal year 2006, a complete report of the 
research and development activities carried out under this Act 
during the fiscal year involved, including the actual and 
anticipated obligation of funds, for such activities, together 
with such recommendations as the Secretary may consider 
appropriate for further legislative, administrative, and other 
actions, including actions by the American steel, aluminum, 
copper, and other metals industries, which should be taken in 
order to achieve the purposes of this Act. The report submitted 
at the close of fiscal year 1991 shall also contain a complete 
summary of activities under the management plan and the 
research plan from the first year of their operation, along 
with an analysis of the extent to which they have succeeded in 
accomplishing the purposes of this Act. The reports submitted 
at the close of fiscal years 1993, 1995, and 1997 shall also 
contain a complete summary of activities under the management 
plan and the research plan from the first year of their 
operation, along with an analysis of the extent to which they 
have succeeded in accomplishing the purposes of this Act.

[SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  [(a) To the Secretary.--(1) There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary, to carry out the functions of 
the Department of Energy under this Act, $2,000,000 for fiscal 
year 1989, $20,000,000 for fiscal year 1990, $25,000,000 for 
fiscal year 1991, $17,968,000 for fiscal year 1992, and 
$18,091,000 for each of the fiscal years 1993 through 1997, to 
be derived from sums authorized under section 2101(e) of the 
Energy Policy Act of 1992.
  [(2) Funds previously appropriated for the steel research and 
development initiative--
          [(A) under title II of the Interior and Related 
        Agencies portion of the joint resolution entitled 
        ``Joint Resolution making further continuing 
        appropriations for the fiscal year 1986, and for other 
        purposes'', approved December 19, 1985 (Public Law 99-
        190); or
          [(B) under subsequent appropriation Acts,
which remain available under the terms of such Acts may be used 
for the purposes of this Act.
  [(b) To the Institute.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Director of the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology to carry out the functions of the 
Institute under this Act, $3,000,000 for each of the fiscal 
years 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997, 
to be derived from sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated 
to the Institute.]

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to 
carry out this Act $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 
2006 through 2010.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                    XVIII. Committee Recommendations

    On March 17, 2005, a quorum being present, the Committee on 
Science favorably reported H.R. 1158, a bill to reauthorize the 
Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Competitiveness Act 
of 1988, by a voice vote, and recommended its enactment.


    XIX. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP ON H.R. 1158, TO 
 REAUTHORIZE THE STEEL AND ALUMINUM ENERGY CONSERVATION AND TECHNOLOGY 
                      COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 1988

                              ----------                              


                        THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2005

                  House of Representatives,
                                      Committee on Science,
                                                    Washington, DC.

    The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:05 a.m., in Room 
2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Sherwood L. 
Boehlert [Chairman of the Committee] presiding.
    Chairman Boehlert. The Science Committee will come to 
order.
    Pursuant to notice, the Committee on Science meets to 
consider the following measures: H.R. 1023, Charles ``Pete'' 
Conrad Astronomy Awards Act; H.R. 1158, To reauthorize the 
Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology 
Competitiveness Act of 1988; H.R. 28, High-Performance 
Computing Revitalization Act of 2005; H.R. 1215, the Green 
Chemistry Research and Development Act of 2005, and how 
appropriate that we entertain this on St. Patrick's Day; 
H.Con.Res. 96, Recognizing the significance of African American 
women in the United States scientific community; and H.R. 798, 
Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005.
    Before we proceed with the markup, however, the Committee 
must first dispense with some administrative business.
    I recognize Mr. Gordon to offer a request regarding 
Democratic Subcommittee membership.
    Mr. Gordon.
    Mr. Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    By direction of the Democratic caucus of the Science 
Committee, I ask unanimous consent to ratify the election of 
Representative Brad Miller of North Carolina to the 
Subcommittee on Research, thereby filling one of the existing 
Democratic vacancies.
    Chairman Boehlert. Without objection, so ordered.
    I ask unanimous consent for the authority to recess the 
Committee at any point during consideration of these matters, 
and without objection, it is so ordered.
    That concludes the Committee's organizational business, and 
we will now proceed with the markup beginning with opening 
statements. And I shall begin with mine.
    I want to welcome everyone here for our St. Patrick's Day 
markup. I hope that the markup will leave everyone seeing 
green, not because we are spending lots of money, but because 
we are environmentally-friendly and because others should be 
green with envy over the ability of this committee to move 
sensible, bipartisan legislation.
    The bills before us today deal with a wide variety of 
critical problems, including the need to improve our energy 
efficiency, the need to improve our technological 
competitiveness, the need to improve our environment, the need 
to protect our citizens from the impacts of drug abuse, the 
need to have a more diverse scientific workforce, and the need 
to increase interest in science among the general public.
    All of these bills have broad support. Four of them passed 
the House last year: the Charles ``Pete'' Conrad Astronomy 
Awards, the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and 
Technology Competitiveness Act, the High-Performance Computing 
Revitalization Act, and the Green Chemistry Research and 
Development Act. The Senate ran out of time to take up these 
bills. They were still pending without prejudice when the clock 
ran out, and we are optimistic about moving them through the 
entire process in this Congress.
    The other two items before us should also move swiftly: the 
resolution recognizing African American women in science, and 
the Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act, which we held a 
very productive hearing on earlier this month.
    I want to move this markup along, so let me just close by 
thanking all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, who 
introduced and contributed to these important bills.
    Mr. Gordon.
    [The prepared statement of Chairman Boehlert follows:]
            Prepared Statement of Chairman Sherwood Boehlert
    I want to welcome everyone here for our St. Patrick's Day markup. I 
hope that the markup will leave everyone seeing green--not because 
we're spending lots of money, but because we're environmentally 
friendly and because others should be green with envy over the ability 
of this committee to move sensible, bipartisan legislation.
    The bills before us today deal with a wide variety of critical 
problems, including the need to improve our energy efficiency, the need 
to improve our technological competitiveness, the need to improve our 
environment, the need to protect our citizens from the impacts of drug 
abuse, the need to have a more diverse scientific workforce, and the 
need to increase interest in science among the general public.
    All these bills have broad support. Four of them passed the House 
last year--the Pete Conrad Astronomy Awards, the Steel and Aluminum 
energy Conservation Act, the High Performance Computing Revitalization 
Act, and the Green Chemistry Research and Development Act. The Senate 
ran out of time to take these bills up--they were still pending without 
prejudice when the clock ran out--and we're optimistic about moving 
them through the entire process this Congress.
    The other two items before us should also move swiftly, the 
resolution recognizing African American women in science, and the 
Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act, which we held a hearing on 
earlier this month.
    I want to move this markup along, so let me just close by thanking 
all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who introduced and 
contributed to these important bills. Mr. Gordon.

    Mr. Gordon. Mr. Chairman, in keeping with the date, you 
seem to have brought your blarney with you, and I wish to 
compliment you for this--for the efforts to revisit our 
unfinished legislative agenda from the past Congress and for 
your willingness to explore some new legislative areas.
    I am especially pleased that Mr. Calvert and my 
Methamphetamine Remediation Act is getting the rapid 
consideration it deserves. We thank you and over 1/3 of our 
committee's membership for signing on as co-sponsors. The 
methamphetamine epidemic is a scourge on rural America, 
affecting many of our Congressional Districts that must be 
addressed. And I will explain more about the importance of this 
bill later in the markup.
    Our committee's legislative environment in high-performance 
computing goes back at least 20 years. The bipartisan High-
Performance Computing Act of 1991 that today's bill amends was 
instrumental in getting the various departments of the 
Executive Branch working together to apply the power of 
supercomputers to our society's major challenges. And we have 
been working together on today's amendments to the High-
Performance Computing Act for really two Congresses now. We on 
the Democratic side are very supportive of this important 
legislation.
    We will consider another important resolution by 
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, recognizing the 
significant contributions that African American women have made 
to science. Given our need to encourage young men and women of 
all races to enter into the science and technology fields, I 
compliment Congresswoman Johnson for her advocacy of this 
resolution.
    And our former Committee colleague, Doug Walgren, 
introduced the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and 
Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 at that time when the 
steel industry in the United States was experiencing hard time 
and high energy costs and consumption. The program established 
under this act has led a steel industry technology roadmap and 
10 cost-sharing projects that have permitted the industry to 
modernize and to better meet the new higher-weight products 
needed--or lighter-weight products needed by the auto industry 
and other industry customers. We on the Democratic side are 
supportive of the effort of Congresswoman Hart and our new 
Member, Congressman Lipinski, to reauthorize this important 
program.
    The Green Chemist Research and Development Act is also an 
important act today, and it is an improved over last 
introduction. We are pleased it incorporates several Democratic 
amendments offered during the last consideration. However, the 
bill still does not do all we should be doing moving into--
moving in the right direction for green chemistry practices, 
and I think we will see some amendments this morning that would 
improve that bill.
    Therefore, I will yield the balance of my time and look 
forward to moving forward today.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Gordon follows:]

            Prepared Statement of Representative Bart Gordon

    I wish to compliment Mr. Boehlert for his efforts to revisit our 
unfinished legislative agenda from the past Congress and for his 
willingness to explore new legislative areas.
    I am especially pleased that Mr. Calvert's and my Methamphetamine 
Remediation Research Act of 2005 is getting the rapid consideration it 
deserves. We thank you and over a third of our committee's membership 
for signing on as co-sponsors.
    The methamphetamine epidemic is a scourge on rural America, 
affecting many of our Congressional districts, that must be addressed. 
I will explain more about the importance of this bill later in the 
markup.
    Our committee's legislative involvement in high-performance 
computing goes back at least 20 years. The bipartisan High-Performance 
Computing Act of 1991 that today's bill amends was instrumental in 
getting the various Departments of the Executive Branch working 
together to apply the power of supercomputers to our society's major 
challenges.
    We have been working together on today's amendments to the High-
Performance Computing Act for two Congresses now. We on the Democratic 
side are very supportive of this important legislation.
    We will consider an important resolution by Congresswoman Eddie 
Bernice Johnson recognizing the significant contributions that African 
American Women have made to science. Given our need to encourage 
American young men and women of all races to enter into scientific and 
technical fields, I compliment Congresswoman Johnson on her advocacy of 
this resolution.
    Our former committee colleague Doug Walgren introduced the Steel 
and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 
1988 at a time when the steel industry in the United States was 
experiencing hard times and high energy costs and consumption.
    The program established under this Act has led a steel industry 
technology roadmap and ten cost-shared projects that have permitted the 
industry to modernize and to better meet the new lighter weight 
products needed by the auto industry and other industry customers. We 
on the Democratic side are supportive of the efforts of Congresswoman 
Hart and our new Member, Congressman Lipinski to reauthorize this 
important program.
    The Green Chemistry Research and Development Act, H.R. 1215, is 
improved over its last introduction.
    We are pleased that it incorporates several Democratic amendments 
offered during its last consideration, including my amendment to 
establish a grant program to enable colleges and universities to update 
their curricula to include training in green chemistry. However, the 
bill still does not do all we should be doing to move green chemistry 
practices from the laboratory bench into everyday practice. Therefore, 
we will be offering several amendments today to further improve this 
legislation.

    Chairman Boehlert. Thank you very much, Mr. Gordon.
    Without objection, Members may place statements in the 
record at this point.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Costello follows:]

         Prepared Statement of Representative Jerry F. Costello

    Good morning. Today, the House Science Committee is considering six 
bills for markup. Most are non-controversial and receive wide 
bipartisan support.
    First, I would like to thank Chairman Boehlert, Ranking Member 
Gordon, and Representative Calvert for introducing H.R. 798, the 
Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005. As a proud co-sponsor 
of H.R. 798, I am pleased the legislation has moved quickly through the 
Science Committee and am hopeful it will come to the House Floor soon.
    This legislation is urgently needed because methamphetamine abuse 
and addiction continues to grow throughout the United States. In my 
home State of Illinois, methamphetamine use has significantly increased 
in the last few years. Alarmingly, almost 10 percent of the meth labs 
seized by law enforcement officials in 2004 were in Illinois. Clearly, 
methamphetamine abuse is a very serious problem in my congressional 
district and I strongly support Ranking Member Gordon's bill because it 
establishes a federal research program that would develop voluntary 
standards to help states deal with the challenges associated with 
methamphetamine abuse. I worked closely with the State and local law 
enforcement officials in my district to secure funding in 2003 and 2004 
for a grant program in Southern Illinois to train approximately 100 law 
enforcement officials across the region in dismantling and cleaning up 
meth labs. In addition, Drug Task Forces were formed in Southern 
Illinois to fight against the methamphetamine problem that has reached 
epidemic proportions. We cannot allow the methamphetamine problem to 
overwhelm law enforcement officials and it is critical we implement a 
strategy to help our communities respond.
    Secondly, I would like to thank the Chairman for agreeing to markup 
H.R. 1158, a bill To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy 
Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1998. As a Member of 
the Congressional Steel Caucus, I am pleased this committee is taking 
an active role to keep the steel industry competitive in today's global 
marketplace. Many are aware that the steel industry suffered a major 
crisis a few years back, which caused four steel companies in Illinois 
to file for bankruptcy, including Laclede Steel and the parent company 
for Granite City Steel, which are in my district. More than 5,000 steel 
workers have lost their jobs in Illinois alone. Therefore, I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 1158 to reauthorize important funding 
measures to improve the health of the domestic steel industry.
    Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the Committee for all their hard work 
on these important issues and look forward to today's proceedings.

    Chairman Boehlert. We will now consider H.R. 1158, To 
reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and 
Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988.
    I recognize Chairman Biggert to present some introductory 
remarks.
    Mrs. Biggert.
    Mrs. Biggert. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    There are many reasons why we should pass this important 
legislation today.
    First of all, the metals industry is highly energy-
intensive. Taken together, the steel, aluminum, and copper 
industries account for more than 10 percent of industrial 
energy usage in the United States. President Bush's National 
Energy Plan recognized that improving energy efficiency in our 
most energy-intensive industries could yield large improvements 
in productivity, product quality, safety, and pollution 
prevention.
    Second, we have a strategic national interest in helping 
our metals industry remain competitive. For any industry, 
energy efficiency means increased production without increased 
energy consumption or costs. Improving energy efficiency helps 
improve the bottom line, making American metals products more 
competitive on the global market. That means more jobs here at 
home.
    But energy efficiency is more than that. Reducing energy 
use means reducing our emissions, our pollutions, and 
greenhouse gases, and increasing our energy security. In this 
way, energy efficiency just makes sense, dollars and cents, for 
the Nation. The bill recognizes this fact and puts in place a 
new requirement that program managers consider the potential 
for technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when 
developing their research plans. In this way, the bill updates 
the program to address current concerns about the impact of 
energy-intensive industries. For these reasons, both the 
Science Committee and the Full House passed this bill by voice 
vote in the 108th Congress.
    I encourage my colleagues to demonstrate such support for 
this bill again and yield back the balance of my time.
    [The prepared statement of Mrs. Biggert follows:]

           Prepared Statement of Representative Judy Biggert

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
    There are many reasons why we should pass this important 
legislation today.
    First of all, the metals industry is highly energy-intensive. Taken 
together, the steel, aluminum, and copper industries account for more 
than 10 percent of industrial energy usage in the United States. 
President Bush's National Energy Plan recognized that improving energy 
efficiency in our most energy-intensive industries could yield large 
improvements in productivity, product quality, safety, and pollution 
prevention.
    Second, we have a strategic national interest in helping our metals 
industry remain competitive. For any industry, energy efficiency means 
increased production without increased energy consumption or costs. 
Improving energy efficiency helps improve the bottom line, making 
American metal products more competitive on the global market. That 
means more jobs here at home.
    But energy efficiency is more than that. Reducing energy use means 
reducing our emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases, and 
increasing our energy security. In this way, energy efficiency just 
makes sense--dollars and cents--for the Nation.
    This bill recognizes this fact, and puts in place a new requirement 
that program managers consider the potential for technologies to reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions when developing their research plans. In this 
way, the bill updates the program to address current concerns about the 
impact of energy-intensive industries.
    For these reasons, both the Science Committee and the Full House 
passed this bill by voice vote in the 108th Congress. I encourage my 
colleagues to demonstrate such support for this bill again, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.

    Chairman Boehlert. Mr. Gordon.
    Thank you very much, Mrs. Biggert.
    Mr. Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is another good 
bill, and in absentia, I want to thank Congresswoman Hart. She 
helped us get this started and did a good job doing that. And 
now, although he is a new Member, he is no rookie. Mr. Lipinski 
has taken up the ball and has helped to take this bill even 
further. And I want to yield the balance of my time to Mr. 
Lipinski from Illinois.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Gordon follows:]

            Prepared Statement of Representative Bart Gordon

    We are supportive of the Steel and Aluminum Energy Efficiency and 
Technology Competitiveness Act Amendments.
    This bill reauthorizes a program that over the years has brought 
increased energy efficiency both to the steel industry and to its major 
customers including the auto industry.
    I would like to compliment Mr. Lipinski for championing this 
legislation and would yield to him at this time to explain the bill.

    Chairman Boehlert. Mr. Lipinski.
    Mr. Lipinski. Thank you for yielding, Mr. Gordon, and thank 
you, Mr. Chairman, for adding H.R. 1158 to today's markup 
schedule.
    Congresswoman Hart and I introduced this legislation, 
because we both come from areas of the country that have been 
heavily impacted by international competition in steel 
manufacturing and still have a strong presence in that 
industry. Today, almost 1/4 of steel production in the United 
States is in the Chicago, Northern Indiana steel region.
    I also strongly believe that the overall prospects for our 
domestic steel industry have an important bearing on our future 
economic security as well as our national security. The success 
of the American steel industry also has a special personal 
significance for me. My father-in-law was a steelworker at 
Bethlehem Steel in Johnstown, Pennsylvania before his plant 
closed due to foreign competition. This bill will help prevent 
further losses of good American jobs like his by increasing the 
competitiveness of our domestic industry.
    This bill before us reauthorizes the Steel and Aluminum 
Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. 
The original act came at a difficult period for the industry. 
The U.S. market was being flooded with steel imports and the 
industry was not making a profit. It was clear that cost-shared 
research programs were important for the industry's 
modernization and ability to continue to compete. The initial 
bill, which originated in this committee, allowed for the 
development of significant new technologies that breathes new 
life into the industry, if there is no way that the industry 
could have developed these technologies on its own.
    The goals of this research are three-fold: energy 
efficiency, increasing competitiveness of the U.S. metals 
industries, and improving the environment. If you had visited 
the typical Boulder steel mill before passage of the original 
act and came back today, you would be in a different world. The 
energy-guzzling and environmentally inferior parts of steel 
mills are a thing of the past. Steel today is made to suit much 
finer tolerances with far fewer people. The cost per ton is 
substantially lower. Good computer skills are as important to 
today's steelworkers as a strong back.
    But the industry is not out of the woods. Many of these 
companies have been through bankruptcy, and finances are not 
what they used to be. While the U.S. steel industry is much 
more modern than a decade and a half ago, the pace of 
technology--the competition from overseas is relentless. 
Therefore, the reauthorization of this program through H.R. 
1158 remains essential to preserve American jobs, to keep the 
customers of the U.S. steel industry strong, and to ensure that 
our national defense industry has a secured domestic supply of 
steel that it needs.
    The metals initiative is simply a great example of how 
public-private partnerships can benefit both taxpayers and 
shareholders by saving energy, improving the environment, and 
accelerating the development and implementation of modern 
technology.
    All Americans benefit from common sense programs such as 
this one, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1158.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Lipinski follows:]

          Prepared Statement of Representative Daniel Lipinski

    Thank you, for yielding, Mr. Gordon and thank you Mr. Chairman for 
adding H.R. 1158, the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and 
Technology Competitiveness Act to today's markup schedule.
    Congresswoman Hart and I introduced this legislation because we 
both come from areas of the country that have been heavily impacted by 
international competition in steel manufacturing and still have a 
strong presence in that industry. Today, almost one quarter of the 
steel production in the United States is in the Chicago/Northern-
Indiana steel region. I also strongly believe that the overall 
prospects for our domestic steel industry have an important bearing on 
our future economic security as well as our national security. The 
success of the American steel industry also has a special personal 
significance for me. My father-in-law was a steelworker at Bethlehem 
Steel in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, before his plant closed due to 
foreign competition. This bill will help prevent further losses of good 
American jobs like his by increasing the competitiveness of our 
domestic industry.
    This bill before us reauthorizes the Steel and Aluminum Energy and 
Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. The original 
Act came at a difficult period for the industry; the U.S. market was 
being flooded with steel imports and the industry was not making a 
profit. It was clear that a cost-shared research program was important 
for the industry's modernization and ability to continue to compete. 
The initial bill which originated in this committee allowed for the 
development of significant new technologies that breathed new life into 
the industry, yet there was no way that the industry could have 
developed these technologies on its own.
    The goals of this research are threefold: Energy Efficiency, 
Increasing Competitiveness of the U.S. Metals Industries, and Improving 
the Environment. If you had visited the typical older steel mill from 
before passage of the original Act and came back today, you would be in 
a different world. The energy guzzling and environmentally inferior 
parts of steel mills are a thing of the past. Steel today is made to 
suit much finer tolerances with far fewer people. The cost per ton is 
substantially lower. Good computer skills are as important to today's 
steel workers as a strong back.
    But the industry is not out of the woods. Many of its companies 
have been through bankruptcy, and finances are not what they used to 
be. While the U.S. steel industry is much more modern than a decade and 
a half ago, the pace of technology and the competition from overseas is 
relentless. Therefore, the reauthorization of this program through H.R. 
1158 remains essential to preserve American jobs, to keep the customers 
of the U.S. steel industry strong, and to assure that our defense 
industry has the secure supply of domestic steel products it needs.
    The Metals Initiative is simply a great example of how public-
private partnerships can benefit both taxpayers and shareholders by 
saving energy, improving the environment, and accelerating the 
development and implementation of modern technology. All Americans 
benefit from common sense programs such as this one. I urge my 
colleagues to support H.R. 1158.

    Chairman Boehlert. Thank you very much, Mr. Lipinski and 
Mr. Gordon, Chair Biggert.
    I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as read 
and open to amendment at any point. Without objection, so 
ordered.
    Are there any amendments? Hearing none, the vote is on the 
bill H.R. 1158, To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy 
Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. All of 
those in favor will say aye. Opposed, no. In the opinion of the 
Chair, the ayes have it.
    I recognize Mr. Gordon for a motion.
    Mr. Gordon. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee 
favorably report H.R. 1158 to the House with the recommendation 
that the bill do pass. Furthermore, I move that the staff be 
instructed to prepare the legislative report and make necessary 
technical and conforming changes, that the Chairman take all 
necessary steps to bring the bill before the House for 
consideration.
    Chairman Boehlert. The question is on the motion to report 
the bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify 
by saying aye. Opposed, no. The ayes appear to have it, and the 
bill is favorably reported.
    Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon 
the table. I move that Members have two subsequent calendar 
days in which to submit supplemental Minority or additional 
views on the measure. I move pursuant to Clause 1 of the Rule 
22 of the Rules of the House of Representatives that the 
Committee authorize the Chairman to offer such motions as may 
be necessary in the House to adopt and pass H.R. 1158, To 
reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and 
Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. Without objection, so 
ordered.
    We don't have to come back after votes. This is it. We are 
going to take up the Green Chemistry bill, which is going to 
require a little more time right after the recess.
    Thank you all very much for arriving. I want to thank you 
for participating.
    This concludes our Committee markup.
    [Whereupon, at 11:10 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.]


                               Appendix:

                              ----------                              


                 H.R. 1158, Section-by-Section Analysis





               Section-by-Section Analysis of H.R. 1158,
     To Reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and 
                 Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988

Section 1. Amendments.

    Amends Section 9 of the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and 
Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 5108) to authorize 
appropriations of $20 million for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 
2010. Amends one of the program priorities by deleting ``coatings for 
sheet steels'' and substituting ``sheet and bar steels.'' Adds a new 
priority that authorizes research on technologies that reduce 
greenhouse gas emissions. Strikes the section referring to activities 
at NIST. Inserts language that reestablishes a requirement for an 
annual report to Congress.

                                  
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