[House Report 111-207]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


111th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    111-207

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



 
AUTHORIZING THE DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PARKS BY 
            THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

                                _______
                                

 July 14, 2009.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

Mr. Gordon of Tennessee, from the Committee on Science and Technology, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 2729]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Science and Technology, to whom was 
referred the bill (H.R. 2729) to authorize the designation of 
National Environmental Research Parks by the Secretary of 
Energy, and for other purposes, having considered the same, 
report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that 
the bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

   I. Amendment.......................................................2
  II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................3
 III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................3
  IV. Hearing Summary.................................................5
   V. Committee Actions...............................................6
  VI.  Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill........................6
 VII. Section-by-Section Analysis.....................................7
VIII. Committee Views.................................................8
  IX. Cost Estimate..................................................10
   X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate......................10
  XI. Compliance with Public Law 104-4...............................11
 XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations...............11
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives..........11
 XIV. Constitutional Authority Statement.............................12
  XV.  Federal Advisory Committee Statement..........................12
 XVI. Congressional Accountability Act...............................12
XVII. Earmark Identification.........................................12
XVIII.Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law.........12

 XIX. Committee Recommendations......................................12
  XX. Proceedings of the Subcommittee Markup.........................13
 XXI. Proceedings of the Full Committee Markup.......................38

                              I. Amendment

  The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. FINDINGS.

  Congress finds the following:
          (1) The National Environmental Research Parks are unique 
        outdoor laboratories that provide opportunities for 
        environmental studies on protected lands around Department of 
        Energy facilities.
          (2) In 1972, the Atomic Energy Commission established its 
        first official environmental research park at the Savannah 
        River site in South Carolina.
          (3) In 1976, the Department of Energy defined the mission for 
        the research parks in accordance with the recommendations of 
        the multiagency review team for environmental research 
        activities at the Savannah River site.
          (4) The mission of the research parks is to--
                  (A) conduct research and education activities to 
                assess and document environmental effects associated 
                with energy and weapons use;
                  (B) explore methods for eliminating or minimizing 
                adverse effects of energy development and nuclear 
                materials on the environment;
                  (C) train people in ecological and environmental 
                sciences; and
                  (D) educate the public.
          (5) The seven National Environmental Research Parks are 
        located within six major ecological regions of the United 
        States, covering more than half of the Nation.
          (6) The parks are especially valuable research sites because 
        within their borders they provide secure settings for 
        scientists to conduct long-term research on a broad range of 
        subjects including--
                  (A) plant succession;
                  (B) biomass production;
                  (C) population ecology;
                  (D) radioecology;
                  (E) ecological restoration; and
                  (F) thermal effects on freshwater ecosystems.
          (7) The parks maintain several long-term data sets that are 
        available nowhere else in the United States or in the world on 
        amphibian populations, bird populations, and soil moisture and 
        plant water stress. These data sets are uniquely valuable for 
        the detection of long-term shifts in climate.
          (8) The maintenance of these parks by the Department of 
        Energy is consistent with statutory obligations to promote 
        sound environmental stewardship of Federal lands and to 
        safeguard sites containing cultural and archeological 
        resources.
          (9) Public education and outreach activities carried out on 
        these sites provide unique learning opportunities, promote a 
        stronger connection between these Federal facilities and the 
        surrounding communities, and enhance public confidence that the 
        Department of Energy is fulfilling its environmental 
        stewardship responsibilities.

SEC. 2. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PARKS.

  (a) Designation.--The Secretary of Energy shall designate the seven 
National Environmental Research Parks located on Department of Energy 
sites as permanent protected outdoor research reserves for the purposes 
of conducting long-term environmental research on the impacts of human 
activities on the natural environment. The seven National Environmental 
Research Parks shall include--
          (1) the Savannah River National Environmental Research Park;
          (2) the Idaho National Environmental Research Park;
          (3) the Los Alamos National Environmental Research Park;
          (4) the Fermi Lab National Environmental Research Park;
          (5) the Hanford National Environmental Research Park;
          (6) the Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park; and
          (7) the Nevada National Environmental Research Park.
  (b) Purposes.--Each site shall support--
          (1) environmental research and monitoring activities to 
        characterize and monitor present and future site conditions, 
        and serve as control areas for comparison with environmental 
        impacts of Department of Energy land management, energy 
        technology development, remediation, and other site activities 
        outside the National Environmental Research Park areas. Areas 
        of research and monitoring on the sites may include--
                  (A) ecology of the site and the region;
                  (B) population biology and ecology;
                  (C) radioecology;
                  (D) effects of climate variability and change on 
                ecosystems;
                  (E) ecosystem science;
                  (F) pollution fate and transport research;
                  (G) surface and groundwater modeling; and
                  (H) environmental impacts of development and use of 
                energy generation technologies, including renewable 
                energy technologies; and
          (2) public education and outreach activities consistent with 
        subsection (d).
  (c) Cooperative Agreement.--To ensure the independence of the 
research, monitoring, public education, and outreach activities 
conducted on each site, the Secretary shall enter into a cooperative 
agreement with a university, community college, or consortium of 
institutions of higher education with expertise in ecology and 
environmental science of the region in which the National Environmental 
Research Park is located.
  (d) Environmental Education and Outreach.--Each site shall support an 
outreach program to inform the public of the diverse ecological 
activities conducted at the park and to educate students at various 
levels in environmental science. Program activities may include--
          (1) on-site and in-classroom education programs for 
        elementary and secondary students;
          (2) presentations to school, civic, and professional groups;
          (3) exhibits at local and regional events;
          (4) development of educational projects and materials for 
        students at all levels;
          (5) undergraduate and community college internships and 
        graduate research opportunities; and
          (6) regularly scheduled public tours.
  (e) Coordination.--The Secretary of Energy shall designate a National 
Environmental Research Park Coordinator within the Department of Energy 
Office of Science. The Coordinator shall--
          (1) coordinate research activities among the National 
        Environmental Research Parks as appropriate;
          (2) ensure that information on best practices for research, 
        education, and outreach activities is shared among the sites; 
        and
          (3) serve as liaison to other Federal agencies to facilitate 
        collaborative work at the Parks.
  (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary of Energy, acting through the Director of 
the Office of Science, for carrying out this section $35,000,000, 
including $5,000,000 for each National Environmental Research Park, for 
each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

SEC. 3. SAVINGS.

  Nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the activities that 
the Federal Government may carry out or authorize on a site on which a 
National Environmental Research Park is located.

SEC. 4. SUMMER INSTITUTES PROGRAM.

  The National Environmental Research Parks may be utilized to provide 
educational opportunities through the Summer Institutes program 
authorized in section 3185 of the Department of Energy Science 
Education Enhancement Act (42 U.S.C. 7381n).

                              II. Purpose

    The purpose of H.R. 2729 is to authorize the seven existing 
National Environmental Research Parks as permanent research 
reserves and provide guidance for research, education, and 
outreach activities to be conducted on or in collaboration with 
the Parks.

              III. Background and Need for the Legislation

    The National Environmental Research Parks (NERPs) are 
unique outdoor laboratories that provide opportunities for 
environmental studies on protected lands around Department of 
Energy (DOE) facilities. They offer secure settings for long-
term research on a broad range of subjects, including biomass 
production, environmental remediation, plant succession, 
population ecology, ecological restoration, climate change and 
thermal effects on freshwater ecosystems. The Parks also 
provide rich environments for training researchers and 
introducing the public to ecological sciences.
    In the 1940s the government established laboratories in 
isolated regions surrounded by large buffer zones of 
undeveloped land to ensure the security and safety of the 
nation's work on nuclear weapons. Interest in the use of 
radionuclides in ecological research evolved after World War 
II. DOE's predecessor, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), 
began to recognize the need to track both radioactive fallout 
from the testing of nuclear weapons and inadvertent radioactive 
releases from nuclear weapons production facilities into the 
environment. Out of the radionuclide research grew new 
techniques for quantifying the movement both of natural 
materials such as nutrients and fluids and of introduced 
pollutants through the ecosystem.
    In 1970, the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
provided President Nixon with ten recommendations on the 
stewardship and use of federal lands. One of these was to 
utilize federal lands to conduct research on ecosystems and 
wildlife biology and preservation. In 1972, AEC established the 
first research park at the Savannah River Site in South 
Carolina. The plan for a research park emerged during a formal 
review of the environmental research activities at Savannah 
River. The review team consisted of scientists, representatives 
from other Federal agencies, and members of the newly formed 
President's Council on Environmental Quality. Four years later 
DOE released a charter and directives for current and future 
research parks based upon the recommendations of this team.
    The seven National Environmental Research Parks are located 
within six major ecological regions of the United States, 
covering more than half of the nation. The mission of the Parks 
is to: conduct research and education activities to assess and 
document environmental effects associated with energy and 
weapons use; explore methods for eliminating or minimizing 
adverse effects of energy development and nuclear materials on 
the environment; train people in ecological and environmental 
sciences; and educate the public. A number of long-term data 
sets have been gathered and maintained by researchers working 
at the Parks. These long-term data sets are available nowhere 
else in the U.S. or in the world and include information on 
amphibian populations, bird populations, prairie succession and 
restoration, and soil moisture and plant water stress. These 
data are uniquely valuable for the detection of medium and 
long-term variability and changes in ecology and climate. They 
also provide valuable baseline information for assessing short 
and long-term effects of energy development activities, 
pollution exposures, pollution remediation, and other land-use 
changes.
    Over the years since their establishment, there have been 
thousands of scientific papers published on the environmental 
studies done at the NERPs. The research at these sites has been 
conducted by DOE scientists, scientists from other federal 
agencies, universities and private foundations.
    The maintenance of the Parks by DOE meets the Department's 
statutory obligations to promote sound environmental 
stewardship of federal lands and to safeguard sites containing 
cultural and archeological resources. However, the Parks 
themselves have never been formally authorized and currently 
have no designated source of funding within the federal 
government. Research and outreach activities have been 
coordinated on an ad hoc basis to date. H.R. 2729 addresses 
each of these issues.

                          IV. Hearing Summary

    The Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing in 
the 111th Congress on June 9, 2009 to receive testimony on H.R. 
2729, as well as other environmental research programs 
supported by the Department of Energy. Witnesses included:
    Dr. Paul Hanson, Ecosystem Science Group Leader, Oak Ridge 
National Laboratory
    Dr. David Bader, former Director of the Program for Climate 
Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison
    Dr. Nathan McDowell, Atmospheric, Climate, and 
Environmental Dynamics Group, Los Alamos National Laboratory
    Dr. Whit Gibbons, Professor Emeritus of Ecology, University 
of Georgia and Head of the Environmental Outreach and Education 
program, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
    The hearing examined how the Parks have been used to study 
long-term trends in the development of ecosystems, develop 
methods to monitor and remediate contaminants, and conduct 
environmental education and outreach programs. It also explored 
the need for dedicated support of the Parks and ways to improve 
coordination of research and education activities among them.
    Dr. Hanson discussed the importance of the NERPs for 
studies of the carbon cycle in local ecosystems. These include 
manipulations in temperatures, precipitation, nutrient content, 
and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels to examine the role 
of ecosystems in mediating emissions of greenhouse gases and 
how climate change may impact the exchange of carbon between 
the atmosphere and the earth. Dr. Hanson also testified on the 
value of the Oak Ridge NERP noting that last year the National 
Ecological Observation Network (NEON) of the National Science 
Foundation identified it as a core wild land site for their 
planned long-term measurements of environmental change.
    Dr. Bader explained the importance of field measurements 
and experiments for improving the accuracy of computational 
climate models. He noted that data collected from these sites 
provide validation of the impacts that the models predict, and 
they provide insights into ways the models need to be modified 
to better reflect observations of field conditions.
    Dr. McDowell described research conducted on the Los Alamos 
NERP and the need for more consistent and robust support of the 
NERPs overall. As an example he explained how long-term 
observations of the pinon pine species on the Los Alamos Park 
led to a thorough understanding of tree mortality under extreme 
drought conditions. Dr. McDowell also stressed the importance 
of integrating environmental research tools both among and 
beyond the Parks.
    Dr. Gibbons discussed the various ways that the NERPs can 
be used for environmental education and outreach noting that 
the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) reaches as many as 
50,000 members of the general public each year through talks, 
tours, exhibits, workshops, and other activities. He also 
explained how these Parks are particularly unique. For example, 
SREL has been recognized by a Guinness World Record Certificate 
for the longest running amphibian field research program in the 
world. In addition Dr. Gibbons described the importance of the 
NERPs for research in environmental restoration and 
remediation, and he echoed Dr. McDowell's call for better 
coordination on research, education, and outreach activities 
among the NERPs.

                          V. Committee Actions

    The Subcommittee on Energy and Environment met to consider 
H.R. 2729 on June 16, 2009.
    Rep. Lujan offered an amendment-in-the-nature-of-a-
substitute that made clarifying and technical changes, 
instructed the Secretary of Energy to designate a National 
Environmental Research Park Coordinator, designated the Office 
of Science as the lead agency of support for the NERPs within 
the Department of Energy, and ensured that community colleges 
were eligible to apply for funding to support and participate 
in NERP activities. The amendment was agreed to by voice vote.
    Ms. Giffords offered an amendment to add environmental 
impacts of development and use of energy generation 
technologies to the list of potential research activities on 
the NERPs. The amendment was agreed to by voice vote.
    Mr. Baird moved that the Subcommittee favorably report H.R. 
2729, as amended, to the Full Committee. The motion was agreed 
to by voice vote.
    The full Committee on Science and Technology met to 
consider H.R. 2729 on Wednesday, June 24, 2009.
    Mr. Hall of Texas offered an amendment to clarify that 
nothing in the Act shall be construed to limit the activities 
that the Federal Government may carry out or authorize on a 
site on which a National Environmental Research Park is 
located. The amendment was agreed to by voice vote.
    Ms. Johnson of Texas offered an amendment to clarify that 
the National Environmental Research Parks may be utilized to 
provide educational opportunities through the Summer Institutes 
program authorized in Section 3815 of the Department of Energy 
Science Education Enhancement Act. The amendment was agreed to 
by voice vote.
    Mr. Gordon moved that the Committee favorably report the 
bill, H.R. 2729, as amended, to the House. The motion was 
agreed to by a voice vote.

              VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill

    H.R. 2729, as amended, authorizes the Secretary of Energy 
to designate the seven National Environmental Research Parks 
(NERPs) as permanent protected outdoor research reserves for 
the purposes of conducting long-term environmental research on 
the impacts of human activities on the natural environment.
    The bill states that each site is to support environmental 
research and monitoring activities to study present and future 
site conditions, and serve as a control area to evaluate the 
environmental impacts of land management, energy technology 
development, remediation, and other activities carried out by 
the Department of Energy outside the NERPs. The areas of 
research and monitoring to be carried out include the ecology 
of the site and the region, population biology and ecology, 
radioecology, effects of climate variability and change on 
ecosystems, pollution fate and transport research, surface and 
groundwater modeling, and environmental impacts of development 
and use of energy generation technologies.
    H.R. 2729 requires the Secretary of Energy to enter into a 
cooperative agreement with a university, community college, or 
consortium of institutions of higher education with expertise 
in the ecology and environmental science of the region in which 
the NERP is located.
    The bill requires each NERP to support an outreach program 
to inform the public of the diverse ecological activities 
conducted at the NERP and to educate the public and students in 
environmental science. Program activities may include: on-site 
and in-classroom education programs for elementary and 
secondary students; presentations to school, civic, and 
professional groups; exhibits at local and regional events; 
development of educational projects and materials for students 
at all levels; undergraduate internship and graduate research 
opportunities; and regularly scheduled public tours.
    It instructs the Secretary of Energy to designate a 
National Environmental Research Park Coordinator. This 
Coordinator will coordinate research activities among the 
NERPs, ensure that information on best practices is shared 
among the sites, and serve as liaison to other Federal agencies 
to facilitate interagency cooperative research.
    H.R. 2729 authorizes $35 million per year within the DOE 
Office of Science to support the NERPs. This includes $5 
million for each NERP for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 
2014.
    H.R. 2729 has a savings clause to clarify that this 
legislation does not restrict the Department of Energy from 
pursuing other authorized activities on these sites.
    Section 4 clarifies that the National Environmental 
Research Parks may be used to provide educational opportunities 
through the Summer Institutes Program authorized in the 
Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act.

                    VII. Section-by-Section Analysis


                          SECTION 1. FINDINGS

    Explains the origins and purposes of NERPs.

            SECTION 2. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PARKS

    Section 2 instructs the Secretary to designate the seven 
existing NERPs as permanent outdoor research reserves, and 
identifies research activities that may be conducted at the 
NERPs.
    The section also instructs the Secretary to enter into a 
cooperative agreement with a university or consortia in the 
region to engage broader regional expertise in ecology and 
environmental research, education, and outreach activities. It 
identifies education and outreach activities that may be 
supported by the NERPs.
    Section 2 directs the Secretary to designate a NERP 
Coordinator within the DOE Office of Science to coordinate 
research activities among the NERPs, ensure that information on 
best practices is shared among the sites, and serve as the 
liaison to other Federal agencies.
    The section authorizes $5 million per year for each Park 
for a total of $35 million per year from FY 2010 through FY 
2014.

                           SECTION 3. SAVINGS

    Section 3 clarifies that nothing in the Act shall be 
construed to limit the activities that the Federal Government 
may carry out or authorize on a site on which a NERP is 
located.

                  SECTION 4. SUMMER INSTITUTES PROGRAM

    Section 4 clarifies that the National Environmental 
Research Parks may be utilized to provide educational 
opportunities through the Summer Institutes program authorized 
in Section 3815 of the Department of Energy Science Education 
Enhancement Act.

                         VIII. Committee Views

    The Committee believes that the seven National 
Environmental Research Parks (NERPs) are a unique resource not 
only for the nation, but also the world. The Parks have been in 
existence for several decades and have hosted a wide variety of 
research, education, and demonstration projects. However, there 
has been no core funding for these Parks for many years and as 
a result these unique and important resources have been 
underutilized. The Committee believes the Parks require and 
deserve consistent funding and support for their research and 
education activities by the Department of Energy (DOE).
    The sites encompassed by the seven Parks represent six of 
the major ecoregions within the United States. These sites were 
established and have been maintained because of the need to 
restrict access to DOE activities occurring on these sites, 
provide adequate buffer areas around these activities to 
maintain the security of the site, and to protect the public 
from inadvertent exposure to nuclear materials. In many cases, 
these sites now represent some of the largest areas of endemic 
ecosystems remaining in their respective regions.
    The Committee believes these unique areas can provide 
important information to support better understanding of 
wildlife population biology, long-term fate and transport of 
pollutants, ecosystem succession, environmental effects of 
energy development, and ecosystem effects of climate 
variability and change.
    The Committee believes on-going monitoring of site 
contaminants and research and demonstration of ecosystem-based 
remediation techniques can provide useful information with 
applications beyond DOE sites. The Committee also believes 
these sites provide valuable information on carbon 
sequestration. By absorbing and storing carbon from the 
atmosphere, ecosystems can offset the effects of emissions from 
fossil fuels. However, ecosystems will also be affected by 
changing climatic conditions and by changes in atmospheric 
chemistry associated with increased greenhouse gas 
concentrations. Large areas of representative ecosystems such 
as those contained within the Parks provide a unique 
opportunity to gather information about carbon cycling in 
representative ecosystems in a way that will enable us to 
monitor fluxes of greenhouse gases from natural systems, gain a 
better understanding of carbon cycling in these systems, 
conduct experiments to better understand the factors that 
enhance carbon sequestration, facilitate more accurate modeling 
of ecosystem responses to changes in climate and greenhouse gas 
concentrations in the atmosphere, and improve estimation of 
greenhouse gas emissions from natural areas.
    The NERPs are protected only from unauthorized activities 
by the general public or commercial interests for the reasons 
indicated earlier. The Committee recognizes that each NERP 
consists of a large area of land alongside DOE facilities with 
complementary or other missions important to the Department. 
The Committee does not intend the designation of the NERPs to 
interfere with these activities. Section 3 of H.R. 2729 
clarifies that the designation of the NERPs does not impede DOE 
from carrying out these other priorities on land designated as 
part of a NERP.
    The Committee believes that a cooperative agreement with a 
university or academic consortia in the region of each NERP 
will be helpful to ensuring long-term engagement with the 
broader regional expertise in environmental sciences. H.R. 2729 
does not specify the nature of these agreements. The Committee 
recognizes the specific nature of the agreements is likely to 
differ for each NERP reflecting specific needs, interests, and 
potential partners in each region. The Committee does not 
intend these agreements to transfer management responsibilities 
to non-governmental entities. Overall management 
responsibilities for each Park are retained by DOE.
    H.R. 2729 provides core funding for each NERP as well as a 
Coordinator within the DOE Office of Science. The Committee 
expects both to be part of the Office of Science's Biological 
and Environmental Research Program. The Committee believes that 
the position of Coordinator should be separate from the 
Associate Director for Biological and Environmental Research.
    The Committee intends the Coordinator to facilitate 
communication, information exchange, and development of 
collaborative research projects among the NERPs as appropriate. 
For example, monitoring of carbon cycle and greenhouse gases 
across the six ecoregions represented by the NERPs would 
provide opportunities for comparison of ecosystem behaviors and 
responses across a variety of ecosystems and climatic zones. 
The Committee believes each NERP will also continue to foster 
individual, unique research projects as they have since their 
establishment. The Coordinator will, however, facilitate 
opportunities to utilize the NERPs as a network of research 
sites that will enable scientists to conduct large-scale, 
comparative ecosystem studies.
    The Committee also intends the Coordinator to facilitate 
the exchange of information on public education and outreach 
programs and other student training programs that are 
undertaken by the NERPs. The NERPs located at Fermi Lab and at 
the Savannah River Laboratory have very active and successful 
education and public outreach programs. The Committee believes 
these programs are of value to the public and to the DOE 
facilities because they provide opportunities for interaction 
and communication between the DOE facility and the local 
community.
    The Committee also intends the Coordinator to serve as 
liaison to facilitate the use of NERPs by researchers from 
other agencies, universities, and other non-governmental 
research organizations. The unique nature of the NERPs offers 
research opportunities for other federal agencies including 
collaborative work by agencies through interagency research 
programs such as the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The 
Coordinator should assist DOE researchers at NERPs in their 
efforts to collaborate with other DOE scientists and scientists 
from other agencies, as appropriate.
    Over the years, the NERPs have provided field opportunities 
for graduate student training and research. In addition to the 
public education programs, some of the NERPs have offered short 
courses for middle school and high school students and for 
undergraduates. The Committee notes that the NERPs can be used 
for other DOE education programs authorized in prior 
legislation including summer programs and summer institutes.
    H.R. 2729 provides an authorization of $5 million per year 
for each Park. The Committee intends this core funding to 
support research, education, operations, and public outreach 
activities as well as the Coordinator and activities that may 
be undertaken by the Coordinator's office. The Committee does 
not intend this funding to be the sole source of funds for 
monitoring, research, and demonstration projects undertaken at 
the Parks. The Committee anticipates that, as in the past, 
additional funds from other DOE programs, other federal 
agencies, and outside entities will also be utilized to support 
activities conducted at the Parks. The Committee encourages the 
Coordinator to seek out opportunities for collaboration with 
other entities to make effective use of the Parks. Research 
projects should be selected through a peer-reviewed, merit-
based process.

                           IX. 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 has been timely submitted to 
the Committee on Science and Technology 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. 2729 does not contain new budget authority, credit 
authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. H.R. 
2729 does authorize additional discretionary spending, as 
described in the Congressional Budget Office report on the 
bill, which is contained in Section X of this report.

              X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate


H.R. 2729--A bill to authorize the designation of National 
        Environmental Research Parks by the Secretary of Energy, and 
        for other purposes

    Summary: H.R. 2729 would authorize the appropriation of $35 
million a year over the 2010-2014 period to support seven 
National Environmental Research Parks across the United States. 
Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates 
that implementing H.R. 2729 would cost the federal government 
$143 million over the 2010-2014 period and $32 million after 
2014. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or 
revenues.
    H.R. 2729 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 
and would impose no cost on state, local, or tribal 
governments.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary impact of H.R. 2729 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 250 
(science, space, and technology).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        2010         2011         2012         2013         2014      2010-2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  Changes in spending subject to appropriation

Authorization Level...............           35           35           35           35           35          175
Estimated Outlays.................           14           26           33           35           35          143
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that the 
bill will be enacted near the end of 2009 and that the 
authorized amounts will be appropriated each year. Estimated 
outlays are based on historical spending patterns for similar 
programs.
    H.R. 2729 would designate seven National Environmental 
Research Parks as permanently protected research reserves. The 
bill also would authorize the appropriation of $35 million 
annually ($5 million per park) over the 2010-2014 period to 
support research, education, and outreach activities at the 
parks.
    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 2729 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as 
defined in UMRA and would impose no costs on state, local, or 
tribal governments.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Jeff LaFave; Impact on 
State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Ryan Miller; Impact on 
the Private Sector: Amy Petz.
    Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                  XI. Compliance With Public Law 104-4

    H.R. 2729 contains no unfunded mandates.

         XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

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

      XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives

    Pursuant to clause (3)(c) of House Rule XIII, the goal of 
H.R. 2729 is to authorize the seven existing National 
Environmental Research Parks as permanent research reserves and 
provide guidance for research, education, and outreach 
activities to be conducted on or in collaboration with the 
Parks.

                XIV. Constitutional Authority Statement

    Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United 
States grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 2729.

                XV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement

    H.R. 2729 does not establish nor authorize the 
establishment of any advisory committee.

                 XVI. Congressional Accountability Act

    The Committee finds that H.R. 2729 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).

                      XVII. Earmark Identification

    H.R. 2729 does not contain any congressional earmarks, 
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 
clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI.

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

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

                     XIX. Committee Recommendations

    On June 24, 2009, the Committee on Science and Technology 
by voice vote favorably reported the bill, H.R. 2729, as 
amended, to the House with the recommendation that the bill, as 
amended, do pass.



    XX. PROCEEDINGS OF THE MARKUP BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND 
  ENVIRONMENT ON H.R. 2729, TO AUTHORIZE THE DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL 
   RESEARCH PARKS BY THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

                              ----------                              


                         TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2009

                  House of Representatives,
            Subcommittee on Energy and Environment,
                                      Committee on Science,
                                                    Washington, DC.

    The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 10:00 a.m., in 
Room 2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Brian 
Baird [Chair of the Subcommittee] presiding.
    Chair Baird. Good morning to everyone. Our committee will 
now come to order.
    Pursuant to notice, the Subcommittee on Energy and 
Environment meets to consider the following measures: H.R. 
2693, the Federal Oil Pollution Research Program Act; H.R. 
2729, To authorize the designation of National Environment 
Research Parks by the Secretary of Energy and for other 
purposes; and H.R. 1622, To provide for a program of research, 
development and demonstration on natural gas vehicles. We will 
now proceed with the markup.
    This morning the Energy and Environment Subcommittee meets 
to consider, as mentioned, three pieces of legislation: the 
Federal Oil Pollution Research Program Act, which is H.R. 2693; 
also H.R. 2729, the bill to authorize the Department of 
Energy's National Environment Research Parks; and H.R. 1622, a 
bill to provide for a program of research and development of 
vehicles that operate using natural gas as a fuel.
    First, the Subcommittee will consider H.R. 2693 authorized 
by Ms. Woolsey from California, which amends the federal 
interagency research and development program created in the Oil 
Pollution Act of 1990. This bill would improve the Federal 
Government's research and development efforts to prevent, 
detect or mitigate oil discharges. Through this 
reauthorization, federal agencies will be better equipped to 
respond to oil discharges wherever they occur.
    We will also mark up H.R. 2729, the bill introduced by Mr. 
Lujan from New Mexico to authorize the Department of Energy's 
seven National Environmental Research Parks. These parks are 
truly a national treasure, providing large tracts of land that 
represent nearly all of the major eco-regions in the United 
States and are a valuable resource for examining the transport 
of DOE-related contaminants, the long-term impacts of climate 
change and the various ways carbon is captured and released 
within the ecosystem. I am pleased to be a co-sponsor of both 
H.R. 2693 and H.R. 2729, and I encourage colleagues on both 
sides of the aisle to join in supporting those important bills.
    Finally, the Subcommittee will consider H.R. 1622, a bill 
introduced by Mr. Sullivan of Oklahoma and co-sponsored by Full 
Committee Ranking Member Mr. Hall. This bill reauthorizes the 
Department of Energy's research, development and demonstration 
program in natural gas-powered vehicles and related 
infrastructure. To transform our nation's energy sector, we 
must explore a diverse range of fuels and vehicle technologies. 
While only a piece in a very complex puzzle, natural gas can 
potentially provide us with an option that is both cleaner than 
petroleum and more domestically available. I look forward to 
the discussion on the bill and moving it towards a Full 
Committee markup.
    I thank the Members for their participation this morning 
and look forward to a productive markup.
    I now recognize Mr. Inglis to present opening remarks.
    [The prepared statement of Chair Baird follows:]
                Prepared Statement of Chair Brian Baird
    This morning the Energy and Environment Subcommittee meets to 
consider three pieces of legislation: H.R. 2693, the Federal Oil 
Pollution Research Program Act; H.R. 2729, A bill to authorize the 
Department of Energy's National Environmental Research Parks; and H.R. 
1622, A bill to provide for a program of research and development of 
vehicles that operate using natural gas as a fuel.
    First, the Subcommittee will consider H.R. 2693, authored by Ms. 
Woolsey, which amends the federal interagency research and development 
program created in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. This bill would 
improve the Federal Government's research and development efforts to 
prevent, detect, or mitigate oil discharges. Through this 
reauthorization, federal agencies will be better equipped to respond to 
oil discharges wherever they occur.
    We will also be marking up H.R. 2729, a bill introduced by Mr. 
Lujan to authorize the Department of Energy's seven National 
Environmental Research Parks. These parks are truly a national 
treasure, providing large tracts of land that represent nearly all of 
the major eco-regions in the United States. They are a valuable 
resource for examining the transport of DOE-related contaminants, long-
term impacts of climate change, and the various ways carbon is captured 
and released within ecosystems.
    I am pleased to be a co-sponsor of both H.R. 2693 and H.R. 2729, 
and I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join me in 
supporting these important bills.
    Finally, the Subcommittee will consider H.R. 1622, a bill 
introduced by Mr. Sullivan of Oklahoma and co-sponsored by the Full 
Committee Ranking Member, Mr. Hall. This bill reauthorizes the 
Department of Energy's research, development, and demonstration program 
in natural gas powered vehicles and related infrastructure.
    To transform our nation's energy sector we must explore a diverse 
range of fuels and vehicle technologies. While only a piece in very 
complex puzzle, natural gas can potentially provide us with an option 
that is both cleaner than petroleum and domestically available. I look 
forward to the discussion on the bill and moving it towards a Full 
Committee markup.
    I thank the Members for their participation this morning, and I 
look forward to a productive markup.

    Mr. Inglis. Good morning, and thank you, Mr. Chair, for 
this hearing today. We will address several pieces of 
legislation that highlight the diversity of federal research 
initiatives into pressing environmental and energy-related 
problems. It is an opportunity to reflect on our broad 
jurisdiction and to ensure that federal research dollars are 
focused and well spent.
    The first bill before us, the Federal Oil Spill Research 
Program Act, will revitalize the federal research efforts 
focused on the prevention, detection and mitigation of oil 
spills. While this is critical research and I commend Ms. 
Woolsey's dedication to this important issue, I am not 
confident that H.R. 2693 is necessary to improve the 
interagency commitment to oil spill research. The testimony we 
heard on this topic two weeks ago indicated that the 
interagency process seems to be working. The witnesses 
indicated that the most significant problems were related to 
limited funding and poor communication with the states. 
Further, this bill makes NOAA the Chair of the interagency 
research committee though other federal agencies seem better 
geared toward leading this particular research effort.
    The second bill is H.R. 2729, a bill to permanently 
authorize the National Environmental Research Parks. I 
appreciate Mr. Lujan's leadership in this area. These 
facilities are a unique environmental research asset. The 
Environmental Research Park at the Savannah River site, for 
example, has provided South Carolina and Georgia students with 
the opportunity to engage in research in our local ecologies. 
Especially as we develop new energy alternatives, our 
Environmental Research Parks will help us understand how our 
energy choices impact our distinct ecosystems.
    I would also like to speak in support of H.R. 1622 and 
commend Mr. Sullivan for his leadership in promoting the 
development of natural gas vehicles. As long as we rely on oil 
to power our transportation sector, the U.S. will be dependent 
on hostile foreign nations and will continue to fund both sides 
of the War on Terror. H.R. 1622 will utilize American ingenuity 
to increase competition and fuel choices in the transportation 
sector and spur innovation economy and increasing our national 
security.
    Thank you again, Mr. Chair. I look forward to developing 
legislation that truly improves our diverse federal research 
efforts.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Inglis follows:]
            Prepared Statement of Representative Bob Inglis
    Good morning and thank you for holding this hearing, Mr. Chairman.
    Today we will address several pieces of legislation that highlight 
the diversity of federal research initiatives into pressing 
environmental and energy related problems. It's an opportunity to 
reflect on our broad jurisdiction and to ensure that federal research 
dollars are focused and well spent.
    The first bill before us, the Federal Oil Spill Research Program 
Act will revitalize the federal research effort focused on the 
prevention, detection, and mitigation of oil spills. While this is 
critical research and I commend Ms. Woolsey's dedication to this 
important issue, I am not confident that H.R. 2693 is necessary to 
improve the interagency commitment to oil spill research. The testimony 
we heard on this topic two weeks ago indicated that the interagency 
process seems to be working. The witnesses indicated that the most 
significant problems were related to limited funding and poor 
communication with the states. Further, this bill makes NOAA the Chair 
of the interagency research committee, though other federal agencies 
are better geared toward leading this particular research effort.
    The second bill is H.R. 2729, a bill to permanently authorize 
National Environmental Research Parks. I appreciate Mr. Lujan's 
leadership in this area. These facilities are a unique environmental 
research asset. The environmental research park at the Savannah River 
Site has provided South Carolina's research universities and students 
with the unique opportunity to engage in research on our local ecology. 
Especially as we develop new energy alternatives, our National 
Environmental Research Parks will help us understand how our energy 
choices impact our distinct ecosystems.
    I'd also like to speak in support of H.R. 1622 and commend Mr. 
Sullivan for his leadership in promoting the development of natural gas 
vehicles. So long as we rely on oil to power our transportation sector, 
the U.S. will be dependent on hostile foreign nations and we will 
continue to fund both sides of the war on terror. H.R. 1622 will 
utilize American ingenuity to increase competition and fuel choice in 
the transportation sector, spurring our innovation economy and 
increasing our national security.
    Thank you again, Mr. Chairman, and I look forward to developing 
legislation that truly improves our diverse federal research efforts.

    Chair Baird. Thank you, Mr. Inglis. Members may place any 
statements for the record at this point.
    We will now consider H.R. 2729, To authorize the 
designation of the National Environmental Research Parks by the 
Secretary of Energy and for other purposes. Mr. Lujan has an 
extended remark and I will recognize Mr. Inglis for first 
comments on this legislation.
    Mr. Inglis. Well, Mr. Chair, as I said earlier, I think 
this is a very helpful bill. It permanently authorizes the 
National Environmental Research Parks, and I appreciate Mr. 
Lujan's leadership in this area, and it really is a wonderful 
resource that we have in these parks and to permanently 
authorize them certainly makes sense, so I am happy to be 
supportive of the bill.
    Chair Baird. Thanks, Mr. Inglis. I ask unanimous consent 
that the bill is considered as read and open to amendment at 
any point and that the Members proceed with the amendments in 
the order of the roster. Without objection, so ordered.
    The first amendment on the roster is an amendment in the 
nature of a substitute offered by the gentleman from New 
Mexico, Mr. Lujan. Mr. Lujan, are you ready to proceed with 
your amendment?
    Mr. Lujan. Yes, Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
    Chair Baird. The Clerk will report the amendment.
    The Clerk. Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 
2729 offered by Mr. Lujan of New Mexico, amendment number 019.
    Chair Baird. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the 
reading. Without objection, so ordered. I recognize the 
gentleman for five minutes to explain the amendment.
    Mr. Lujan. Thank you, Mr. Chair and Ranking Member Inglis 
and Members of the Subcommittee for offering their valuable 
insight and suggestions at the hearings we held on this bill 
last week. The seven National Environmental Research Parks that 
H.R. 2729 formally authorizes provide unique research 
environments necessary to understanding the impacts of humans 
and industrial development on the environment.
    The parks are largely comprised of preserved land in their 
natural state on several Department of Energy sites across the 
country. Many of them have existed for decades. The parks 
enable studies of the transport of DOE-relevant containments, 
long-term variations in climate--I apologize, Mr. Chair. It is 
relevant contaminants, long-term variations in climate and the 
evaluation of crops that may be used as feedstocks for 
bioenergy. With this authorization, these parks will be able to 
properly support and expand their important research 
activities.
    H.R. 2729 also includes public outreach and education 
components that will support science and technology in the 
classroom and increase public awareness of environmental 
science overall.
    The amendment in the nature of a substitute makes minor 
technical and clarifying corrections and also improves H.R. 
2729 in several ways. It instructs the Secretary of Energy to 
designate a National Environmental Research Park coordinator to 
help coordinate their complementary research activities and 
ensure information on best practices is shared among the parks. 
The amendment clarifies that the Office of Science will be the 
lead agency for supporting the parks within the Department. The 
amendment also ensures that community colleges are included in 
the environmental education and outreach section.
    I am grateful to my Republican colleagues for their 
suggestions which I incorporated into this amendment as well. I 
look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the 
Committee as H.R. 2729 goes forward. I ask my colleagues to 
support the Manager's Amendment, and I yield back my time.
    Chair Baird. Is there further discussion on this amendment?
    Mr. Inglis. Mr. Chair, I would like to strike the last 
word.
    Chair Baird. The gentleman from South Carolina is 
recognized.
    Mr. Inglis. Mr. Chair, several questions either for Mr. 
Lujan or for counsel. We have heard from some of the folks at 
the NERP sites that there is some concern that the language 
would prohibit current plans for parts of those sites to be 
developed and used for other research, and that there may be--
for example, there is one that is said to be doing physics 
experiments and there is some question about whether they could 
do that in those areas. I certainly don't think that would be 
the intent of the bill to prevent NERPs from doing planned 
development or other types of research on lands that are 
officially designated as a NERP. I assume that is not the 
intent, and I wonder if there is something that needs to be 
made clear if NERP sites are asking us that question. Maybe 
that is question for counsel.
    Counsel. That is definitely not the intent of the language, 
and I don't believe that there is any language within the bill 
that would prevent them from doing that.
    Mr. Lujan. Mr. Chair, if the gentleman would yield?
    Mr. Inglis. Sure.
    Mr. Lujan. One of the changes in the manager's amendment on 
page 5, line 22 does change one of the concerns that was 
brought up in the Subcommittee discussion from ``shall 
include'' to ``may include'' which should clear up any concerns 
that you may have had. The intent of this is to continue to 
explore any research that is taking place, to be able to 
encourage science as opposed to discourage it.
    Mr. Inglis. There is some question about whether the 
protected site language is not connected to that language. Is 
that right? So that basically there is some question as to 
whether the entirety of the parks should be open for research. 
Surely I would hope the intent is to say, for example, at 
Savannah River Ecology Lab that that whole 300-square-mile area 
is available to be used for various kinds of experiments rather 
than put off limits. That is a lot of land that could do a lot 
of valuable research. We don't want to constrain that research, 
right?
    Counsel. That is the intent, yes.
    Mr. Inglis. Apparently the question arises in section 2A, I 
guess it is on page 3 of the bill, line 15, 16. This is where 
the concern----
    Chair Baird. I am going to ask counsel to read that 
section, if you would read. Just read it out loud.
    Mr. Lujan. Mr. Chair, if the gentleman would yield?
    Mr. Inglis. Yes.
    Mr. Lujan. The idea of the protected language, Mr. Chair, 
is that there are areas of the park that are contaminated and 
they should be protected from the public as opposed to 
protected from the kind of science and research that should 
take place, and so if that is something that needs to be 
clarified, Mr. Chair, I am sure that we could work on that, but 
that is the intent of this, to protect it from those that may 
come in contact with contaminated areas.
    Mr. Inglis. Reclaiming my time. That is certainly important 
at a place like Savannah River National Lab and the Savannah 
River site. We certainly want to keep people out of some places 
that really would be very dangerous to be. But I am glad to 
hear that the intent, and I want to make sure we are getting 
this on the record, the intent is to make it freely available 
for scientific purposes, because while we have got this 
incredible asset that we were talking about at that hearing, 
let us make sure to use it for scientific research and not 
cordoned off areas that could be used for great research.
    So, Mr. Chair, I hope that between now and Full Committee, 
we can see if there are any improvements that need to be made 
to that language and I hope that we can work together 
cooperatively to get that done.
    Chair Baird. I thank the gentleman for his diligence in 
raising this, and I would certainly make my personal commitment 
and I am certain counsel will commit to that as well. I think 
you raised a very, very good point. We don't want to 
inadvertently create ambiguity so that we block research where 
it must occur, and I applaud the gentleman and his staff for 
raising this issue and I hope counsel will commit to work with 
that as well. Does the gentleman wish to continue?
    Mr. Inglis. I yield back, Mr. Chair. Thank you.
    Chair Baird. Again, I thank the gentleman and I think he 
has raised outstanding points. Mr. Lujan, let us work together 
to see what we can do to absolutely clarify that and work that 
out before it moves to final passage.
    Are there others--there is a second amendment on the 
roster, a second-degree amendment by Ms. Giffords. Are you 
ready to proceed with your amendment?
    Ms. Giffords. Yes, Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the 
desk.
    Chair Baird. The Clerk will report the amendment.
    The Clerk. Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a 
substitute to H.R. 2729 offered by Ms. Giffords of Arizona, 
amendment number 052.
    Chair Baird. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the 
reading. Without objection, so ordered. I recognize the 
gentlelady for five minutes to explain her amendment.
    Ms. Giffords. Thank you, Mr. Chair. This amendment is 
pretty simple and builds off the stated purposes of the 
National Energy Research Parks, the NERPs.
    According to the official language and official charter, 
the National Environmental Research Parks are actually field 
laboratories set aside for ecological research, and let me 
emphasize, for the study of the environmental impacts of energy 
developments and for informing the public of the environmental 
and land-use options open to them. In other words, studying the 
environmental impacts on energy technologies was one of the 
primary purposes stated and envisioned in the NERPs. So you can 
understand why I was a little dismayed last week during our 
hearing of H.R. 2729 when I asked one of the witnesses whether 
or not they were aware of any research being conducted on the 
environmental impacts of renewable energy technologies, and 
essentially they indicated, all the panelists, that they 
weren't aware of any.
    As most of my colleagues know, I am a big supporter of 
renewables but particularly solar energy. One of the major 
attractions of renewable energy technologies is obviously their 
relatively low environmental impact compared to traditional 
energy sources. However, no energy technology, even solar 
energy, is without any environmental impacts. So this language 
is pretty simple. It includes the language, ``environmental 
impacts of development and use of energy generation 
technologies including renewable energy technologies,'' section 
2B of the bill, and I think it will provide the explicit 
encouragement for those researchers studying these impacts to 
look at renewables. I think this is non-controversial and I 
think it is consistent with the long-established purposes of 
the NERPs, and I urge my colleagues to support it.
    Chair Baird. The gentlelady has a well-established record 
of commitment to renewable energy. I applaud her for that and 
think this amendment is thoroughly consistent with that record.
    Are there any other Members of the Committee who wish to 
comment on this amendment? Hearing none, the vote occurs on the 
amendment. All in favor will say aye. Those opposed, no. The 
ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to.
    Are there any other amendments to the amendment in the 
nature of a substitute? If no, the vote occurs on the amendment 
in the nature of a substitute. All in favor, say aye. Those 
opposed, no. The ayes have it and the amendment is agreed to.
    The vote now occurs on the bill, H.R. 2729, as amended. All 
those in favor will say aye. All those opposed, no. In the 
opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it.
    Again, I thank colleagues for working together on this 
bill. Mr. Inglis, you raised some very good points and we will 
work on those before moving it to the Full Committee.
    I now move that the Subcommittee favorably report H.R. 2729 
as amended to the Full Committee. Furthermore, I move that 
staff be instructed to prepare the Subcommittee report and make 
necessary technical and conforming changes to the bill in 
accordance with the recommendations of the Subcommittee.
    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 have it, and the bill is favorably 
reported. Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid 
upon the table. Members will have two subsequent calendar days 
in which to submit supplemental Minority or additional views on 
the measure.
    I want to thank Members for their attendance. This 
concludes our Subcommittee markup.
    [Whereupon, at 10:58 a.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.]
                               Appendix:

                              ----------                              


        H.R. 2729, Section-by-Section Analysis, Amendment Roster



                     Section-by-Section Analysis of
               H.R. 2729, To authorize the designation of
               National Environment Research Parks by the
               Secretary of Energy and for other purposes

Bill Summary

    The bill authorizes the seven existing National Environmental 
Research Parks (NERPs) as permanent research reserves and provides 
guidance for research, education, and outreach activities to be 
conducted on or in collaboration with the Parks.

Section 1: Findings

    Explains the origins and purpose of NERPs.

Section 2: National Environmental Research Parks

    Instructs the Secretary to designate the seven existing NERPs as 
permanent outdoor research reserves.
    Identifies important research activities to be supported by the 
NERPs.
    Instructs the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with 
a university or consortia in the region to engage broader regional 
expertise in ecology and environmental research, education, and 
outreach activities.
    Identifies important education and outreach activities to be 
supported by the NERPs.
    Authorizes $5 million a year per park for a total of $35 million 
per year from FY 2010 through FY 2014.





    XXI: PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP ON H.R. 2729, TO 
 AUTHORIZE THE DESIGNATION OF NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PARKS BY 
             THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

                              ----------                              


                        WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2009

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

    The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 
2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Bart Gordon 
[Chair of the Committee] presiding.
    Chair Gordon. The Committee will come to order.
    Pursuant to notice, the Committee on Science and Technology 
meets to consider the following measures: H.R. 2965, the 
Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009; 
H.R. 2729, To authorize the designation of National Environment 
Research Parks by the Secretary of Energy and for other 
purposes; and H.R. 1622, To provide for the programs of 
research, development and demonstration on natural gas 
vehicles.
    Today the Committee is going to mark up three good 
bipartisan pieces of legislation. The first bill, H.R. 2965, 
the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act, is 
one of the most significant bills the Committee will likely 
address in this Congress. The Small Business Innovation 
Research Program (SBIR) is a more than $2.3 billion federal 
investment in small high-tech businesses that assist them in 
developing commercial products and assist agencies in their 
mission related to research agendas. It is the single largest 
federal program supporting the private sector research 
activities.
    Since its beginning more than 25 years ago, we have learned 
about the significant contributions small high-tech startup 
companies can have to our economy and employment growth. AmGen, 
Apple, Microsoft, Genetech, Research-in-Motion all started as 
small high-tech entrepreneurial firms. In the current economic 
environment, we need to do everything possible to support small 
high-tech entrepreneurs in the United States, which is the goal 
of the SBIR program.
    There is no stronger supporter of the SBIR program than 
Representative David Wu. H.R. 2965 is largely the result of 
hard work by Representative Wu. In the 110th and 111th 
Congress, he has held three Subcommittee hearings on the 
program and he has worked closely with the Small Business 
Committee in crafting this legislation. H.R. 2965 is 
substantially the same bill which passed the House last year 
with only 43 no votes. H.R. 2965 was introduced with strong 
bipartisan support.
    Unfortunately, the SBIR program is operating under rules 
more than 25 years old. H.R. 2965 makes major improvements to 
the SBIR program which reflects the current set of challenges 
confronting our small high-tech entrepreneurs. I strongly 
support this legislation and will work with my counterpart on 
the Small Business Committee to bring it to the Floor as 
quickly as possible. This program is set to expire on July 31, 
so time is of the essence.
    Today we will also consider H.R. 2729, a bill introduced by 
Representative Lujan that will formally authorize the seven 
National Environmental Research Parks supported by the 
Department of Energy (DOE). These parks are a truly unique 
national resource. They provide large tracks of undisturbed 
land that enable long-term research in environmental sciences, 
climate change and for the development and testing of methods 
to clean up past pollutions. The parks are located on DOE sites 
in states across the country. They have had bipartisan 
cooperation in making this a good bill, and I hope that you 
will all join me in supporting it.
    Finally, the Committee will consider H.R. 1622, a bill 
introduced by Mr. Sullivan of Oklahoma and co-sponsored by my 
friend from Texas, Mr. Hall, as well as Mr. Lujan and Mr. 
Lucas. This bill reauthorizes the Department of Energy's 
research, development and demonstration program in natural gas-
powered vehicles and related infrastructure. The vehicle fleet 
of the future will include a diverse range of fuels and vehicle 
technologies, and since it is both cleaner than petroleum and 
domestically available, natural gas will likely play an 
important role in a more sustained transportation sector.
    I hope we can continue to improve these bills in a 
bipartisan manner today, and I look forward to moving to the 
Floor for their final passage.
    I now recognize Mr. Hall to present his opening remarks.
    [The prepared statement of Chair Gordon follows:]
                Prepared Statement of Chair Bart Gordon
    Today the Committee is going to markup three good, bipartisan 
pieces of legislation. The first bill, H.R. 2965, the Enhancing Small 
Business Research and Innovation Act, is one of the most significant 
bills the Committee will likely address in this Congress.
    The Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) is a more 
than 2.3 billion dollar federal investment in small high-tech 
businesses that assists them in developing commercial products and 
assists agencies in their mission-related research agendas.
    It is the single largest federal program supporting private-sector 
research activities.
    Since its beginning more than 25 years ago, we have learned about 
the significant contributions small high-tech start-up companies can 
have to our economic and employment growth--AmGen, Apple, Microsoft, 
Genetech, and Research-in-Motion all started as small high-tech 
entrepreneurial firms. In the current economic environment we need to 
do everything possible to support small high-tech entrepreneurs in the 
United States, which is the goal of the SBIR program.
    There is no stronger supporter of the SBIR program than 
Representative David Wu. H.R. 2965 is largely the result of hard work 
by Representative Wu. In the 110th and 111th Congresses he has held 
three Subcommittee hearings on the program and has worked closely with 
the Small Business Committee in crafting this legislation. H.R. 2965 is 
substantially the same bill which passed the House last year with only 
43 no votes. H.R. 2965 was introduced with strong bipartisan support.
    Unfortunately, the SBIR program is operating under rules more than 
25 years old. H.R. 2965 makes major improvements to the SBIR program 
which reflect the current set of challenges confronting our small high-
tech entrepreneurs. I strongly support this legislation and will work 
with my counterpart on the Small Business Committee to bring it to the 
Floor as quickly as possible. This program is set to expire on July 31, 
so time is of the essence.
    Today we will also consider H.R. 2729, a bill introduced by Mr. 
Lujan that will formally authorize the seven National Environmental 
Research Parks supported by the Department of Energy. These parks are a 
truly unique national resource.
    They provide large tracts of undisturbed land that enable long-term 
research in environmental sciences, climate change, and for the 
development and testing of methods to clean up past pollution.
    The Parks are located on DOE sites in states across the country, 
including my home State of Tennessee. We've had bipartisan cooperation 
in making this a good bill, and I hope you will all join me in 
supporting it.
    Finally, the Subcommittee will consider H.R. 1622, a bill 
introduced by Mr. Sullivan of Oklahoma and co-sponsored by my friend 
from Texas, Mr. Hall, as well as Mr. Lujan and Mr. Lucas. This bill 
reauthorizes the Department of Energy's research, development, and 
demonstration program in natural gas powered vehicles and related 
infrastructure.
    The vehicle fleet of the future will include a diverse range of 
fuels and vehicle technologies.
    And since it is both cleaner than petroleum and domestically 
available, Natural gas will likely play an important role in a more 
sustainable transportation sector.
    I hope we can continue to improve these bills in a bipartisan 
manner today, and I look forward to moving to the Floor for final 
passage.
    I now recognize Mr. Hall to present his opening remarks.

    Mr. Hall. Mr. Chair, I thank you, and as you say, today we 
are marking up three bills: H.R. 2965, and the other two bills 
authorizing the designation of National Research Parks by the 
Secretary of Energy and for H.R. 1622 that provides a program 
of research, development and demonstration on natural gas 
vehicles.
    As you ably pointed out, H.R. 2965 extends and makes 
important changes to the Small Business Innovation Research 
Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program, 
which as their names indicate, fund innovation and technology 
development of America's small businesses. One of the basic 
purposes of my parroting what you are saying is that I speak 
for myself when I say I support this bill and note that both 
the Committee and the Full House passed a bill very similar to 
this version last year, as you ably pointed out, and I am 
pleased that we are again able to advance this bill in a 
bipartisan fashion, working closely with the Majority as well 
as our counterparts on the Small Business Committee. This has 
allowed us to build a strong legislative record on this program 
which will serve us well, as we aim to complete Floor action 
and conference negotiations before the program expires on July 
31.
    H.R. 2729 will authorize and make permanent the existing 
seven National Environmental Research Parks across the country. 
The National Environmental Research Parks are outdoor 
laboratories that provide opportunities for environmental 
studies on protected lands that act as buffers around the 
Department of Energy facilities. I commend Mr. Lujan for his 
dedication on the Parks and for authorizing this legislation. I 
will be offering an amendment to the bill that came about as a 
result of consultation with the Parks and with the Majority 
staff to clarify that the Parks and the sites they are located 
on shall continue to be run as they currently are.
    H.R. 1622 reauthorizes the natural gas vehicle R&D program 
that was created in the 1992 Energy Policy Act. This bill was 
introduced by Representative John Sullivan of Oklahoma and I 
co-sponsored it as did Representative Lucas on this committee. 
On a well-to-wheels basis, natural gas vehicles produce 22 
percent less greenhouse gases than comparable diesel vehicles 
and 29 percent less gasoline vehicles. In 2007, natural gas 
vehicles displaced 250 million gallons of petroleum in the 
United States. In the next 17 years, the industry's goal is to 
grow that to 10 billion gallons. Over 60 percent of the 
petroleum used in America is imported. Much of it is from 
countries that are unstable and do not have the best interests 
of the United States in mind. Meanwhile, almost 98 percent of 
the natural gas used in America is produced in North America, 
85 percent in the U.S. and the rest in Canada. Just last 
Thursday the report by the Potential Gas Committee, the 
authority on gas supplies, shows that the United States holds 
far larger reserves than previously thought, 35 percent more 
than the previous report showed in 2006. Natural gas makes 
sense as a transition fuel, and this bill will help us get more 
natural gas vehicles on the road. I will be offering an 
amendment to H.R. 1622 that will simply clear up some wording 
in order to avoid potential jurisdictional issues.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Hall follows:]
           Prepared Statement of Representative Ralph M. Hall
    Thank you Mr. Chairman. Today we're marking up three bills, H.R. 
2965, the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009; 
H.R. 2729, To authorize the designation of National Environmental 
Research Parks by the Secretary of Energy, and for other purposes; and 
H.R. 1622, To provide for a program of research, development, and 
demonstration on natural gas vehicles.
    H.R. 2965 extends and makes important changes to the Small Business 
Innovation Research program (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology 
Transfer program (STTR), which, as their names indicate, fund 
innovation and technology development at America's small businesses. I 
support this bill, and note that both the Committee and the Full House 
passed a very similar version last year. I'm pleased that we're again 
able to advance this bill in a bipartisan fashion, working closely with 
the Majority as well as our counterparts on the Small Business 
Committee. This has allowed us to build a strong legislative record on 
this program, which will serve us well as we aim to complete Floor 
action and conference negotiations before the program expires on July 
31st.
    H.R. 2729 will authorize and make permanent the existing seven 
National Environmental Research Parks across the country. The National 
Environmental Research Parks are outdoor laboratories that provide 
opportunities for environmental studies on protected lands that act as 
buffers around Department of Energy (DOE) facilities. I commend Mr. 
Lujan on his dedication to the Parks and for authoring this 
legislation. I will be offering an amendment to the bill that came 
about as a result of consultation with the Parks and with the Majority 
staff to clarify that the Parks and the sites they are located on shall 
continue to be run as they currently are.
    H.R. 1622 reauthorizes the natural gas vehicle RD&D program that 
was created in the 1992 Energy Policy Act. This bill was introduced by 
Rep. John Sullivan of Oklahoma and is co-sponsored by myself and Rep. 
Lucas on this committee. On a well-to-wheels basis, natural gas 
vehicles produce 22 percent less greenhouse gases than comparable 
diesel vehicles and 29 percent less than gasoline vehicles. In 2007, 
natural gas vehicles displaced 250 million gallons of petroleum in the 
U.S. In the next 17 years, the industry's goal is to grow that to 10 
billion gallons. Over 60 percent of the petroleum used in America is 
imported--much of it from countries that are unstable or do not have 
the best interests of the U.S. in mind. Meanwhile, almost 98 percent of 
the natural gas used in America is produced in North America--85 
percent in the U.S. and the rest in Canada.
    Just last Thursday, the report by the Potential Gas Committee, the 
authority on gas supplies, shows the United States holds far larger 
reserves than previously thought--35 percent more that the previous 
report showed in 2006. Natural gas makes sense as a transition fuel, 
and this bill will help us get more natural gas vehicles on the road. I 
will be offering an amendment to H.R. 1622 that will simply clear up 
some wording in order to avoid potential jurisdictional issues.
    With that I yield back the balance of my time.

    Chair Gordon. Members may place statements in the record at 
this point.
    We will now consider H.R. 2729, To authorize the 
designation of the National Environmental Research Parks by the 
Secretary of Energy and for other purposes.
    I recognize the gentleman from New Mexico, Mr. Lujan, to 
describe his bill.
    Mr. Lujan. Thank you, Mr. Chair and Members of the 
Committee. H.R. 2729 formally authorizes seven National 
Environmental Research Parks located at national laboratories 
within six major ecological regions of the United States. In my 
District, the Research Park at Los Alamos National Laboratory 
includes a landscape of canyons, mesas, mountains and the Rio 
Grande, providing a diverse range of ecosystems to study. The 
Research Park conducts ongoing environmental studies on 
everything from containment transport to woodland productivity 
to long-term climate change effects and human impact on the 
land. Over 125 publications related to the ecology and 
interaction between lab operations and the environment have 
been written about the Los Alamos area and the Pajarito Plateau 
it rests on. The Research Parks are one of our nation's most 
valuable environmental research assets and it is time for them 
to be recognized into law and explicitly provided the resources 
they need to continue their valuable work.
    This legislation supports the Research Parks' research and 
monitoring programs. It authorizes core funding that will 
ensure that they can continue to work on the important work 
they already perform and provide opportunities to expand on new 
research and energy development initiatives as well. This bill 
also encourages environmental science education and public 
outreach activities and it establishes a research park 
coordinator that will assist the Parks in collaborating with 
each other.
    I want to thank my Republican colleagues for their support, 
Ms. Biggert for her co-sponsorship and Ranking Member Hall for 
his amendment today. I want to thank Members of the Energy and 
Environment Subcommittee for their valuable insight and input 
over the past several weeks as we have worked on this bill. I 
would also like to thank Chair Gordon for his leadership and 
the Committee staff for their hard work. I am excited to work 
on this important bill as it moves forward toward passage in 
the House and I look forward to working with my colleagues on 
future legislation that seeks to improve environmental science, 
education and energy research and development programs at our 
national laboratories.
    Thank you, Mr. Chair. I yield back.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Lujan follows:]
           Prepared Statement of Representative Ben R. Lujan
    Thank you Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee.
    H.R. 2729 formally authorizes seven National Environmental Research 
Parks located at National Laboratories within six major ecological 
regions of the United States. In my District, the Research Park at Los 
Alamos National Laboratory includes a landscape of canyons, mesas, 
mountains, and the Rio Grande, providing a diverse range of ecosystems 
to explore. The Research Park conducts ongoing environmental studies on 
everything from contaminant transport to woodland productivity to long-
term climate change effects and human impact on the land. Over 125 
publications related to the ecology and interaction between lab 
operations and the environment have been written about Los Alamos and 
the Pajarito Plateau it rests on.
    The Research Parks are one of our nation's most valuable 
environmental research assets, and it is time for them to be recognized 
in law and explicitly provided the resources they need to continue 
their valuable work. This legislation supports the Research Parks' 
research and monitoring programs. It authorizes core funding that will 
ensure that they can continue the important work they already perform, 
and provide opportunities to expand on new research and energy 
development initiatives as well. This bill also encourages 
environmental science education and public outreach activities, and it 
establishes a Research Parks coordinator that will assist the Parks in 
collaborating with each other.
    I want to thank my Republican colleagues for their support, Ms. 
Biggert for her co-sponsorship and Ranking Member Hall for his 
amendment today. I want to thank Members of the Energy and Environment 
Subcommittee for their valuable insight and input over the past several 
weeks as we have worked on this bill. I'd also like to thank the 
Chairman for his leadership and Committee staff for their assistance on 
this legislation.
    I am excited to work on this important bill as it moves forward 
toward passage in the House, and I look forward to working on future 
legislation that seeks to improve environmental science, education, and 
energy research and development programs in our National Laboratories.

    Chair Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Lujan, for bringing this good 
bill before us.
    I now recognize Mr. Hall to present any remarks on the 
bill.
    Mr. Hall. Mr. Chair, I support the bill. I urge its 
passage. I have an amendment at the desk when the time comes.
    Chair Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Hall. Does anyone else wish to 
be recognized? Then I ask unanimous consent that the bill is 
considered as read and open to amendment at any point and that 
the Members proceed with the amendments in the order of the 
roster. Without objection, so ordered.
    The first amendment on the roster is an amendment offered 
by the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Hall. Are you ready to proceed 
with your amendment?
    Mr. Hall. Mr. Chair, I am ready to proceed, and my 
amendment is----
    Chair Gordon. The Clerk will report the amendment.
    The Clerk. Amendment to H.R. 2729, amendment number 012, 
offered by Mr. Hall of Texas.
    Chair Gordon. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the 
reading. Without objection, so ordered.
    I recognize the gentleman for five minutes to explain his 
bill--or amendment.
    Mr. Hall. Mr. Chair, my amendment is a simple savings 
clause that clarifies that it is not the intent of this bill to 
prohibit the sites on which the National Environmental Research 
Parks are located from carrying out the mission or missions of 
the site. This issue was brought to our attention from several 
of the park directors, and after consultation with them and 
with your Majority staff and legislative counsel, we were able 
to come up with the language in my amendment. The National 
Environmental Research Parks are happy with the way things are 
running now and this amendment ensures that things can continue 
to run that way, and I yield back my time.
    [The prepared statement of Mr. Hall follows:]
           Prepared Statement of Representative Ralph M. Hall
    Mr. Chairman, my amendment is a simple savings clause that 
clarifies it is not the intent of this bill to prohibit the sites on 
which the National Environmental Research Parks are located from 
carrying out the mission or missions of the site. The issue was brought 
to our attention from several of the Park directors, and after 
consultation with them and with your Majority staff and legislative 
counsel, we were able to come up with the language in my amendment. The 
National Environmental Research Parks are happy with the way things are 
running now and this amendment ensures that things can continue that 
way.

    Chair Gordon. Thank you, Mr. Chair, for your, again, 
constructive improvement of this bill.
    Is there further discussion on the amendment? If no, the 
vote occurs on the amendment. All in favor, say aye. Opposed, 
no. The ayes have it and the amendment is agreed to.
    The second amendment on the roster is an amendment offered 
by the gentlelady from Texas, Ms. Johnson. Are you ready to 
proceed with your amendment?
    Ms. Johnson. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I do have an amendment 
at the desk.
    Chair Gordon. The Clerk will report the amendment.
    The Clerk. Amendment to H.R. 2729, amendment number 069, 
offered by Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas.
    Chair Gordon. I ask unanimous consent to dispense with the 
reading. Without objection, so ordered.
    I recognize the gentlelady for five minutes to explain her 
amendment.
    Ms. Johnson. Thank you, Mr. Chair. My amendment directs the 
Secretary to establish a summer institute program at the 
National Environmental Research Parks. The program is similar 
to a program at the Department of Energy's National 
Laboratories that was passed in the America COMPETES Act.
    The program for K-12 teachers and also for students would 
include two-week summer learning institutes at the 
Environmental Research Parks. It would also allow participants 
to interact with environmental scientists and enhance their 
understanding of the subject. This committee has held hearings 
on the importance of informal hands-on learning settings that 
are outside the classroom. There is no question that 
experience-based learning is very important, especially for 
science education. Allowing students to come to the 
Environmental Research Parks to learn the scientific method 
will help build a highly educated workforce of ecological and 
environmental scientists. This enrichment experience can also 
help teachers bring science to life in their schools and their 
classrooms.
    As the Committee knows, studies have found that minority 
students begin to underachieve in math and science as early as 
the 5th grade. Providing teachers with the exceptional 
opportunity to study at these research parks will help them to 
motivate and inspire their students early on. In addition, the 
lab setting will provide a unique educational opportunity for 
minority students and girls who are under-represented in 
science technology, engineering and math careers. They may also 
otherwise never be exposed to this type of research. They will 
have the opportunity to learn how and why we study ecological 
and environmental service sciences. No specific funds are 
designated for this program. My amendment simply authorizes the 
program at the discretion of the Secretary.
    In summary, the amendment will set the stage for 
educational opportunities. It will facilitate partnerships 
between research parks, teachers and students. It will help to 
ensure that we have a new generation of competitive scientists 
who are trained here in the United States and who are prepared 
to excel in the ecological and environmental sciences.
    Thank you for the consideration of this amendment. I urge 
its support and I yield back the balance of my time.
    [The prepared statement of Ms. Johnson follows:]
       Prepared Statement of Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson
    Thank you Mr. Chairman and Ranking Member.
    My amendment directs the Under Secretary to establish a Summer 
Institutes Program within the National Environmental Research Parks.
    The program, for K-12 teachers and students, would include two-week 
summer learning institutes at the Environmental Research Parks.
    This would allow teachers throughout the country to come to the 
Environmental Research Parks to interact with expert ecological and 
environmental scientists and develop innovative curriculum.
    This enrichment experience can help teachers bring the excitement 
of science back to their schools and their classrooms.
    The laboratory setting will provide a unique educational 
opportunity for minority students and girls who are under-represented 
in science, technology, engineering, and math careers and who might 
otherwise never be exposed to this type of research.
    They will have the opportunity to learn how and why we study 
ecological and environmental sciences. They will see that a career in 
these fields is accessible and desirable.
    The seed must be planted early--studies have found that minority 
students begin to under-achieve in math and science as early as fifth 
grade.
    Providing teachers the exceptional opportunity to study at these 
research parks will help them to motivate and inspire their students 
early-on.
    In addition, my amendment would allow for undergraduate students to 
come to the Environmental Research Parks.
    Exposure to ecological and environmental scientists and their work 
may encourage them to further their studies in these fields.
    This committee has held hearings on the importance of informal, 
hands-on learning settings that are outside the classroom.
    There is no question that experience-based learning is very 
important, especially for science education.
    Scientific inquiry comes alive and is best taught in a research 
environment.
    Allowing teachers and students to come to the Environmental 
Research Parks to learn the scientific method will help invigorate 
tomorrow's generation of ecological and environmental scientists.
    The summer institutes program, authorized by my, amendment, is 
similar to a program at the Department of Energy that was passed in the 
America COMPETES Act.
    No specific funds are designated for this program.
    My amendment simply authorizes the program, at the discretion of 
the Under Secretary.
    When we provide educational opportunities for our young people, we 
ensure that we have a new generation of competitive scientists who are 
trained here in the U.S., who are prepared to excel in ecological and 
environmental science.
    Thank you all for considering this amendment. I urge its support 
and yield back the balance of my time.

    Chair Gordon. And thank you, Ms. Johnson, for this good 
amendment.
    Is there further discussion on the amendment? If no, the 
vote occurs on the amendment. All in favor, say aye. Those 
opposed, no. The ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to.
    Are there any other amendments? If no, then the vote is on 
the bill, H.R. 2729 as amended. All those in favor will say 
aye. All those opposed, say no. In the opinion of the Chair, 
the ayes have it.
    I now recognize myself to offer a motion. I move that the 
Committee favorably report H.R. 2729 as amended 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 and 
that the Chair take all necessary steps to bring the bill 
before the House for consideration.
    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 have it. The bill is favorably reported.
    Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon 
the table. Members will have two subsequent calendar days in 
which to submit supplemental Minority or additional views on 
the measure.
    Chair Gordon. Let me again in closing say that just because 
we didn't have a lot of rancor today does not mean that we did 
not have three very good bills. For some that came in a little 
after the opening statements, I want to remind you that our 
first bill was a $2.3 billion authorization for research in 
small business innovation. It is the largest such program in 
the Federal Government. When we are talking about creating new 
jobs for this country, it is going to go a long way, and so I 
thank you for helping. I want to thank the Members for their 
attendance. This concludes our Committee markup.
    [Whereupon, at 11:40 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.]


                               Appendix:

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                H.R. 2729, as amended, Amendment Roster





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