Congressional News

NOAA GRANT-BASED EDUCATION BILL MOVES TO THE HOUSE FLOOR

On Wednesday, the House Natural Resources Committee passed the Ocean, Coastal and Watershed Education Act (H.R. 3644) by a 22-13 margin. The bill authorizes and expands two existing NOAA education grant programs: the National Environmental Literacy Grants (ELG) Program and the Regional Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET).  H.R. 3644 would increase the funding levels of ELG, a national grants program to advance coastal, ocean, and watershed environmental education in formal and informal education systems and for other purposes. B-WET was first initiated in the Chesapeake Bay region in FY 2002 and has since grown to include five additional regional programs: California, Hawaii, Pacific Northwest, Gulf of Mexico and New England. H.R. 3644 bill allows NOAA to expand to new regions.

SHARK FINNING BILL PASSES SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT

The Senate Commerce Committee passed the Shark Conservation Act of 2009, S. 850, which strengthens language in the Magnuson-Stevens Act and extends the shark finning ban to all vessels in U.S waters. This bill would also require shark fins brought to shore to be naturally attached and calls for the Commerce Department to identify countries without anti-finning provisions.  The House passed a similar bill, H.R. 81, in March and the Obama Administration has expressed its support for the measures.

HOUSE PASSES LEGISLATION TO ALLOW U.S. REGULATORS TO ENFORCE BAN OF TRIBUTYLTIN PAINT ON SHIP HULLS

On Tuesday, the House passed the Clean Hull Act of 2009 (H.R. 3618) by suspension of the rules, meaning no amendments are allowed and a two-thirds majority is required for passage. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advanced the bill to the House floor by voice vote in September.  H.R. 3618 provides implementation of the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships of 2001.  The Senate signed this international treaty last year and the ban of tributyltin (TBT) paint on U.S. ships was established in 2000. However, until this week, Congress had not passed legislation to allow enforcement of this ban on international vessels in U.S. waters.  The Clean Hull Act has been referred to the Senate Commerce committee for their consideration.

CJS APPROPRIATIONS BILL STALLS OVER GUANTANAMO BAY CONTROVERSY

Congress planned to move forward with conference negotiations for the Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations bill this week.  However, the designation of House conferees was stalled over a debate on the relocation and release of the Guantanamo Bay prisoners.  This Department of Justice issue is delaying new funding for federal agencies like NOAA, NSF, and NASA.  These agencies are currently working under a Continuing Resolution at FY09 levels, which ends December 18^th.

SENATE ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE CONSIDERS NO-DEVELOPMENT ZONES FROM OFFSHORE ENERGY PRODUCTION

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on Thursday to discuss the environmental policies related to offshore energy development.  The Committee heard from the deputy director of Mineral Management Service, Walter Cruickshank, Shell Oil and BP executives, and NGOs opposing offshore energy development.  The witnesses addressed the use of existing technology and policies to reduce environmental impacts of energy production.  The committee debated whether Congress or Interior should lead the effort in designating no-development zones off U.S. coasts.  The issue of offshore buffer zones from energy production is an important topic as Interior develops the 2010-2015 outer shelf development plan and Congress debates energy and climate legislation.

THE UNFCCC SUMMIT IN COPENHAGEN WILL NO LONGER SEEK LEGAL BINDING AGREEMENTS

This week, world leaders, including the U.S., Denmark, and Sweden, announced the December Copenhagen climate change negotiations would pursue politically agreements.  Legally binding agreements have been delayed until the next round of negotiations in Mexico during 2010.  This announcement sparked criticism since political agreements are considered less binding than legal agreements.  In reaction to this and to the Senate discussions on paring down the energy bill, Obama’s Energy and Climate Change Czar, Carol Browner reinforced the President’s dedication to passing global warming legislation and continuing international discussions.  She also reiterated the Administration’s continuous communication with both chambers of Congress on passing climate legislation. Despite the downgraded implications from the Copenhagen Summit, many Congressional members, NGOs, and Administration officials will travel to Copenhagen to show their support for the UNFCCC’s efforts.

SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE MARKS UP BILL TO PROMOTE EDUCATION AND ENHANCE OBSERVATIONS IN THE CHESAPEAKE BAY

On Thursday, the Senate Commerce committee marked up the Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2009 (S. 1224), which would strengthen NOAA’s education efforts and observation capabilities in the Chesapeake Bay.  The bill would require NOAA to establish a Chesapeake Bay watershed education and training program.  It also calls for NOAA to develop an integrated observations system for the Bay and to implement the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy system.  NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay office was authorized $78.9 million between fiscal years 2011-2014 to carry out these programs.  A similar bill (H.R. 1771) passed the House last month.

REAUTHORIZATION OF PUGET SOUND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS PASSES THE HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE

Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2009, (H.R. 1672) passed by the House Natural Resources Committee by unanimous consent on Wednesday.  The companion Senate bill (S. 668) to promote the protection of the resources of the Northwest Straits passed out of the Senate Commerce committee late last month.