Program Update: Advocacy – September 2011
Filed under: Action,News & Resources,Policy,Program Updates,Program Updates - Advocacy
After returning from the August recess, both the House and the Senate have quickly taken up legislation addressing appropriations for fiscal year 2012, restoration of the Gulf Coast, and energy development and production. The formation of the new Senate Oceans Caucus in September highlights growing bipartisan recognition of the importance of understanding and addressing issues that face ocean and coastal resources.
The Senate approved its FY12 Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) mark, which would provide a 1 percent reduction below FY11 levels and 9 percent less than what the president requested. The chart below outlines the various NSF, NOAA, NASA and DoD accounts over the past several years. Congress is expected to negotiate an omnibus measure that would include all of the FY12 bills, including CJS and DOD. The intent is to have it done by November 18, when the current continuing resolution is scheduled to expire.
Note: Click to enlarge tables:
Eighteen Senators from both parties joined together to address ocean and coastal issues within the newly-formed Senate Oceans Caucus, which met for the first time on September 13 to adopt a charter and identify legislative priorities. The Caucus will seek to “increase awareness and find common ground in responding to issues facing the oceans and coasts.” Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) will serve as Caucus Co-Chairs. Senators Mark Begich (D-AK) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), as Chair and Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, will serve as Honorary Co-Chairs. Representatives from Ocean Leadership joined the Senators for the September 13 press conference announcing the formation of the Caucus following the inaugural meeting. Ocean Leadership also co-sponsored a reception celebrating the inauguration of the Caucus.
Legislation addressing restoration of Gulf Coast economies and ecosystems following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill moved forward in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee this month. S 1400 (Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2011), introduced by Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), would direct 80 percent of the penalties anticipated to be paid by BP from Clean Water Act fines into a Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund. Thirty-five percent of the funds would be allocated directly to states for recovery efforts; 60 percent would be used to implement long-term research and restoration plans; and the remaining 5 percent would be directed to a Fisheries and Ecosystem Monitoring Endowment to focus on long-term sustainability of Gulf fisheries. The Committee passed an amended version of the legislation, which also allocated a percentage of the interest earned on fines to the National Oceans Endowment, to be distributed to coastal states to support oceans research and management programs.
Several oceans-related bills were introduced in Congress over the past month from both sides of the aisle, which included legislation to limit introduction of aquatic invasive species, create artificial reefs, promote research into marine renewable energy production, and increase monitoring of beach pollution. HR 2840 (Commercial Vessel Discharges Reform Act of 2011), sponsored by Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), seeks to regulate ballast water discharge from commercial vessels to prevent the introduction of aquatic nuisance species into United States waters. HR 2994 (Marine and Hydrokinetic Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2011), a bill that would award $145 million in grants over fiscal years 2012 and 2013 to marine renewable technology research, development, and demonstration test facilities, was introduced by Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA). S 1555 (Rigs to Reefs Habitat Protection Act), sponsored by Rep. David Vitter (R-LA), would authorize the use of some offshore oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico for artificial reefs. S 1582 (Clean Coastal Environment and Public Health Act of 2011), introduced by Rep. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), would institute rapid testing methods for pathogens in coastal recreation waters and calls for studies of the long-term impact of climate change, nutrient excesses, and algal blooms on coastal recreation waters. For a complete list of new and pending legislation, please see the latest Legislative Tracker.
