59–006 

110TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 110–41 

STEEL AND ALUMINUM ENERGY CONSERVATION AND 

TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 1988 REAUTHORIZATION 

MARCH 8, 2007.—Committed to the Committee on 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. 1126] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Science and Technology, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 1126) to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum 

Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, 

having considered the same, report favorably thereon without 

amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

I. Purpose of the Bill ...................................................................................... 2 

II. Background and Need for the Legislation ................................................ 2 

III. Hearing Summary ....................................................................................... 2 

IV. Committee Actions ...................................................................................... 2 

V. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill .................................................. 3 

VI. Section-by-Section Analysis ........................................................................ 3 

VII. Committee Views ........................................................................................ 3 

VIII. Cost Estimate .............................................................................................. 3 

IX. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate ............................................. 4 

X. Compliance with Public Law 104–4 .......................................................... 5 

XI. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations ........................... 5 

XII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives ...................... 5 

XIII. Constitutional Authority Statement .......................................................... 5 

XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement ................................................... 5 

XV. Congressional Accountability Act .............................................................. 6 

XVI. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law ........................ 6 

XVII. Earmark Identification ............................................................................... 6 

XVIII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ........................ 6 

XIX. Committee Recommendations .................................................................... 8 

XX. Proceedings of the Full Committee Markup ............................................. 8 


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I. PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of the bill is to reauthorize a program of energy efficiency research and development (R&D) at the Department of Energy (DOE) focused on the domestic metals industry. Specifically, 

the bill reauthorizes the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation 

and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, and makes minor 

modifications to that act. 

II. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION

DOE’s steel-related energy efficiency R&D program was established in 1986. The program was expanded to a broader ‘‘metals 

initiative’’ in 1988 when the President signed into law the Steel 

and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. Reauthorization of appropriations for the program 

occurred in 1992 with the passage of the Energy Policy Act. Authorization of appropriations expired in 1997, although Congress 

has continued to appropriate funds for the program each year since 

then as part of the Industries of the Future program at DOE. H.R. 

1126 reaffirms Congressional support for the metals program 

through reauthorization of appropriations through 2012, updates 

program priorities and reinstates the annual report requirement. 

III. HEARING SUMMARY

On May 20, 2004, during the 108th Congress, the Subcommittee 

on Energy of the Committee on Science held a hearing to examine 

the metals R&D program at DOE. Witnesses included: (1) Mr. 

Douglas L. Faulkner, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of 

Energy; (2) Mr. Richard A. Shulkosky, Vice President for Sales, 

Marketing and Product Development at the INTEG Process Group, 

a small company that supplies industrial process control systems 

and electronics; (3) Ms. Lisa A. Roudabush, General Manager of 

Research for the United States Steel Corporation; and (4) Dr. Ronald Sutherland, Consulting Economist and Adjunct Professor of 

Law at the George Mason University School of Law. 

Mr. Faulkner, speaking on behalf of the Administration, testified 

on the history and management of the program and provided examples of success stories. He indicated that the Administration had no 

objection to the legislation. Mr. Shulkosky and Ms. Roudabush 

spoke of their companies’ experiences and successes with the program. Mr. Sutherland suggested that the program placed too much 

emphasis on energy efficiency rather than economic efficiency. He 

also recommended program improvements that he felt would help 

ensure the program benefited metals companies in the United 

States. 

IV. COMMITTEE ACTIONS

On February 26, 2007, H.R. 1126, a bill to reauthorize the Steel 

and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, was introduced by Congressmen Lipinski and 

Ehlers and was referred to the Committee on Science and Technology. The bill was not referred to a subcommittee. On February 

28, 2007, the Committee met to consider H.R. 1126 and ordered the 


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bill reported without amendment by voice vote. Except for the 

years the program is authorized, H.R. 1126 is virtually identical to 

H.R. 1158, introduced by Congresswoman Hart, Congressman Lipinski, and Congressman Ehlers in the 109th Congress. 

V. SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE BILL

The bill amends the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation 

and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. Primarily, the bill authorizes appropriations each year for fiscal years 2008 through 

2012 for the Department of Energy. The bill also updates priorities 

to be considered in research planning, repeals a section related to 

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) programs 

that have been inactive, and reinstates the annual report requirement for DOE. 

VI. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS

Amends various sections of the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 as follows: 

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2008 through 2012 at $12 million annually, roughly the same level as enacted in fiscal 

year 2005 ($11,111,000 was allocated to the program). 

Amends the list of priorities to delete ‘‘coatings for sheet steels’’

and substitute ‘‘sheet and bar steels,’’ and to add research on technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Strikes the section referring to activities at NIST. 

Reinstates the annual report to Congress requirement. 

VII. COMMITTEE VIEWS

The Committee believes that energy efficiency research and development (R&D) is an important component of the Nation’s R&D 

portfolio, especially given concerns about energy security and the 

environmental impact of energy use. As one of the largest energyconsuming industries, efficiency research for the metals industry 

seeks to pay large dividends at a relatively low cost. Improvements 

by these large energy consumers have the potential to provide for 

significant reductions in energy demand for the nation, lowering 

demand for fuels and reducing upward pressure on prices. The 

Committee also believes that the metals program can help the U.S. 

steel and aluminum industries to maintain a competitive edge over 

foreign producers. A healthy U.S. metals industry helps keep 

skilled jobs here in America, and protects the Nation against reliance on foreign sources of metal materials and products essential 

to our economy and national security. 

VIII. COST ESTIMATE

A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the 

Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974 has been timely submitted to the Committee on 

Science prior to the filing of this report and is included in Section 

X of this report pursuant to House Rule XIII, clause 3(c)(3). 

H.R. 1126 does not contain new budget authority, credit authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. Assuming that the 


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sums authorized under the bill are appropriated, H.R. 1126 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. 

IX. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

MARCH 9, 2007. 

Hon. BART GORDON, 

Chairman, Committee on Science and Technology, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1126, a bill to reauthorize 

the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology 

Competitiveness Act of 1988. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Megan Carroll. 

Sincerely, 

PETER R. ORSZAG. 

Enclosure. 

H.R. 1126—A bill to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy 

Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 

Summary: H.R. 1126 would authorize appropriations totaling $60 

million over the 2008–2012 period for research and development to 

enhance the energy efficiency of processes to manufacture metals, 

particularly steel and aluminum. Assuming appropriation of the 

specified amounts, CBO estimates that implementing the bill 

would increase discretionary spending by $6 million in 2008 and 

$54 million over the next five years. Enacting H.R. 1126 would not 

affect direct spending or revenues. 

H.R. 1126 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 

and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: For this estimate, 

CBO assumes that H.R. 1126 will be enacted before the end of fiscal year 2007 and that appropriations will be provided as specified 

in the bill. The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 1126 is shown 

in the following table. The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 270 (energy). 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 

SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Spending Under Current Law for Research on Energy Efficiency of 

Metals Manufacturing: 

Budget Authority)1 ........................................................................... 7 0 0 0 0 0 

Estimated Outlays ........................................................................... 6 2 0 0 0 0 

Proposed Changes: 

Authorization Level .......................................................................... 0 12 12 12 12 12 

Estimated Outlays ........................................................................... 0 6 12 12 12 12 

Spending Under H.R. 1126 for Research on Energy Efficiency of Metals 

Manufacturing: 

Authorization Level .......................................................................... 7 12 12 12 12 12 

Estimated Outlays ........................................................................... 6 8 12 12 12 12 

1 The 2007 level is the amount appropriated for that year for programs to improve the energy efficiency of metals manufacturing. 


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Basis of estimate: H.R. 1126 would reauthorize the Steel and 

Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness 

Act of 1988. The bill would authorize the appropriation of $12 million a year over the 2008–2012 period for research and development to enhance the energy efficiency of processes to manufacture 

steel, aluminum, and other metals. It also would expand research 

authorized under the act to include processes that make bar steel 

and technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Based on historical spending patterns for similar activities, CBO estimates that 

fully funding H.R. 1126 would increase discretionary spending by 

$6 million in 2008 and $54 million over the next five years, assuming appropriation of the specified amounts. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1126 contains 

no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in 

UMRA. Funds authorized in the bill would benefit institutions of 

higher education that participate in research programs to improve 

the energy efficiency of metals. Any costs that they might incur, including matching funds, would result from complying with conditions of federal assistance. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Megan Carroll. Impact on 

State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Lisa Ramirez-Branum. Impact on the Private Sector: Craig Cammarata. 

Estimate approved by: Robert A. Sunshine, Assistant Director for 

Budget Analysis. 

X. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104–4 

H.R. 1126 contains no unfunded mandates. 

XI. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee on Science’s and Technology’s oversight findings 

and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. 

XII. STATEMENT ON GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVE

Pursuant to clause (3)(c) of House rule XIII, the goals of H.R. 

1126 to reauthorize the Department of Energy’s program scientific 

research and development of steel and aluminum technologies to 

increase the energy efficiency, international competitiveness and 

environmental performance of these American industries by aligning the research and development resources of industry and government. The program promotes collaborative, cost-shared, publicprivate research and pre-competitive development, bringing together the expertise and experience of the metals industries, the 

DOE National Laboratories, universities, states and others. 

XIII. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States 

grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 1126. 

XIV. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

H.R. 1126 does not establish nor authorize the establishment of 

any advisory committee. 


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XV. CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

The Committee finds that H.R. 1126 does not relate to the terms 

and conditions of employment or access to public services or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104–1). 

XVI. STATEMENT ON PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL LAW

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

XVII. EARMARK IDENTIFICATION

H.R. 1126 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. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, 

existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman): 

STEEL AND ALUMINUM ENERGY CONSERVATION AND 

TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 1988 

* * * * * * * 

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

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(c) PRIORITIES.—Within 6 months after the date of enactment of 

this Act, the Secretary shall publish an update of the research 

plan. In reviewing research and development activities for possible 

inclusion in the research plan, the Secretary shall consider the following: 

(1) STEEL PROJECTS.—

(A) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(H) The development of advanced øcoatings for sheet 

steels¿ sheet and bar steels. 

* * * * * * * 

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

* * * * * * * 

øSEC. 7. EXPANDED STEEL AND ALUMINUM RESEARCH PROGRAM IN 

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY. 

øThe National Institute of Standards and Technology, through 

its Institute for Materials Science and Engineering and, as appropriate, in coordination with the Department of Energy and other 

Federal agencies, shall conduct an expanded program of steel and 

aluminum research to provide necessary instrumentation and 


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measurement research and development in support of activities 

conducted under this Act.¿ 

SEC. 8. REPORTS. 

The Secretary shall prepare and submit annually to the President and the Congress at the close of each fiscal year, beginning 

with fiscal year 2008, a complete report of the research and development activities carried out under this Act during the fiscal year 

involved, including the actual and anticipated obligation of funds, 

for such activities, together with such recommendations as the Secretary may consider appropriate for further legislative, administrative, and other actions, including actions by the American steel, 

aluminum, copper, and other metals industries, which should be 

taken in order to achieve the purposes of this Act. The report submitted at the close of fiscal year 1991 shall also contain a complete 

summary of activities under the management plan and the research plan from the first year of their operation, along with an 

analysis of the extent to which they have succeeded in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. The reports submitted at the 

close of fiscal years 1993, 1995, and 1997 shall also contain a complete summary of activities under the management plan and the 

research plan from the first year of their operation, along with an 

analysis of the extent to which they have succeeded in accomplishing the purposes of this Act. 

øSEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

ø(a) TO THE SECRETARY.—(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary, to carry out the functions of the Department of Energy under this Act, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1989, 

$20,000,000 for fiscal year 1990, $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1991, 

$17,968,000 for fiscal year 1992, and $18,091,000 for each of the 

fiscal years 1993 through 1997, to be derived from sums authorized 

under section 2101(e) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. 

ø(2) Funds previously appropriated for the steel research and development initiative—

ø(A) under title II of the Interior and Related Agencies portion of the joint resolution entitled ‘‘Joint Resolution making 

further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1986, and 

for other purposes’’, approved December 19, 1985 (Public Law 

99–190); or 

ø(B) under subsequent appropriation Acts, 

which remain available under the terms of such Acts may be used 

for the purposes of this Act. 

ø(b) TO THE INSTITUTE.—There are authorized to be appropriated 

to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to carry out the functions of the Institute under this Act, 

$3,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 

1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997, to be derived from sums otherwise authorized to be appropriated to the Institute.¿ 

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 

out this Act $12,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 

2012. 

* * * * * * * 


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XIX. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

On February 28, 2007, the Committee on Science and Technology 

favorably reported H.R. 1126, a bill to reauthorize the Steel and 

Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness 

Act of 1988, by a voice vote, and recommended its enactment. 

XX. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE 

MARKUP ON H.R. 1126, TO REAUTHORIZE 

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

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2007 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 

Washington, DC. 

The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:05 a.m., in Room 

2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Bart Gordon 

[Chairman of the Committee] presiding. 

Chairman GORDON. Good morning. The Committee on Science 

and Technology will come to order. Pursuant to notice, the Committee on Science and Technology meets to consider the following 

measures: H.R. 363, Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act; H.R. 1068, To amend the High-Performance 

Computing Act of 1991; H.R. 1126, To reauthorize the Steel and 

Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness 

Act of 1988; and H.R. 85, the Energy Technology Transfer. 

Today, we are here to mark up these four bipartisan bills. They 

are all good bills and I am happy to support them all. I want to 

note that all of these bills have extensive legislative histories in 

prior Congress. It is not my intention for this committee to regularly markup legislation that has not gone through the Subcommittee hearing process; however, as I noted before, these bills 

were fully vetted in the last Congress and they are ready to go. 

I have said it before and I will say it again. I want this committee to be a Committee of good ideas. Here, we have four good 

ideas and I hope four bills everybody on this committee can get behind and support. 

Now I recognize Mr. Hall to present his opening remarks. 

Mr. HALL. Mr. Chairman, I thank you for calling the markup 

today. We have before us today, as you say, four bills that were 

passed by this Committee in the 109th Congress, and I look forward to their easy passage again today. The continued bipartisan 

support for these bills reflects their broad appeal and the fact that 

they are good bills and they are good for this country. 

The National Academy of Science’s Rising Above the Gathering 

Storm and the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative 

have emphasized the importance of supporting high-risk research, 

young researchers, and research infrastructure in the U.S. to enVerDate Aug 31 2005 07:01 Mar 13, 2007 Jkt 059006 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR041.XXX HR041

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sure that the next generation of high tech industries and products 

are developed in the United States. 

H.R. 363 is a step in the right direction. I thank the Chairman 

for his willingness to work with us on improving this legislation, 

and recommend a yes vote for the manager’s amendment and for 

the underlying measure. 

As the Chairman has already mentioned, Mrs. Biggert has been 

instrumental in getting a high-performance computing bill through 

the Committee and the full House, for that matter, in two previous 

Congresses, and I certainly applaud her and Mr. Baird for their 

persistence. I recommend a yes vote on H.R. 1068 and trust the 

Senate will follow suit when it is sent to them once again. 

I am happy to see Mr. Lipinski and Mr. Ehlers continuing former 

Representative Hart’s lead in their continuing effort to reauthorize 

the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology 

Competitiveness Act of 1988. This is another bill that has been 

passed twice by our committee in the full House, and I also recommend a yes vote for H.R. 1126. 

I would also recommend a yes vote for Representative Biggert 

and Representative Miller’s bill, H.R. 85, that will provide for the 

establishment of centers to encourage demonstration and commercial applications of advanced energy methods and technology. As I 

understand, they will be offering an amendment in the nature of 

a substitute that makes technical corrections, which I support as 

well. 

Mr. Chairman, I look forward to these bills moving to the Floor. 

With that, I yield back the balance of my time. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Hall follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE RALPH M. HALL

Mr. Chairman, thank you for calling this markup today. We have before us today 

four bills that were passed by this committee in the 109th Congress, and I look forward to their easy passage again today. The continued bipartisan support for these 

bills reflects their broad appeal and the fact that they are good bills that are good 

for the country. 

The National Academy of Science’s Rising above the Gathering Storm and the 

President’s American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) have emphasized the importance of supporting high-risk research, young researchers, and research infrastructure in the United States to ensure that the next generation of high-tech industries 

and products are developed in the United States. H.R. 363 is a step in the right 

direction. This bill authorizes programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF) 

and the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science to provide grants to researchers just starting their careers to conduct high-risk, high-return research at 

the cutting edge of new scientific fields. In addition, it requires NIST to report to 

us on their efforts to recruit and retain young scientists and engineers, and it includes our recognition that NASA should be at the table for any interagency efforts 

to promote innovation and economic competitiveness. I thank the Chairman for his 

willingness to work with us on improving this legislation and recommend a ‘‘yes’’

vote for the managers’ amendment and for the underlying measure. 

As the Chairman has already mentioned, Mrs. Biggert has been instrumental in 

getting this bill through the Committee, and the full House for that matter, in two 

previous Congresses, and I applaud her and Mr. Baird for their persistence. I recommend a ‘‘yes’’ vote on H.R. 1068 and trust the Senate will follow suit when it 

is sent to them once again. 

I am happy to see Mr. Lipinski and Mr. Ehlers continuing former Representative 

Hart’s lead in their continuing effort to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy 

Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. This is another bill that 

has been passed twice by our committee, and the full House and I also recommend 

a ‘‘yes’’ vote for H.R. 1126. 

I would also recommend a ‘‘yes’’ vote for Rep. Biggert and Rep. Miller’s bill, H.R. 

85 that will provide for the establishment of centers to encourage demonstration 


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and commercial application of advanced energy methods and technologies. I understand they will be offering an amendment in the nature of a substitute that makes 

technical corrections which I will support as well. 

Mr. Chairman, I look forward to these bills moving to the floor and being passed. 

With that I yield back the balance of my time. 

Chairman GORDON. Thank you, Mr. Hall. 

Without objection, Members may place statements in the record. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Mitchell follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE HARRY MITCHELL

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

America needs innovators and leaders if it wants to remain competitive in the 

global economy. This is especially true when it comes to science and engineering. 

Retaining scientists and engineers, however, is often difficult, because they receive such low pay early-on in their careers. 

If we don’t invest early in our future innovators, we will fall behind. 

Spreading technological innovation across existing industry is another indispensable part of maintaining our competitiveness. 

In my view, we should help businesses access both the technology and the research they need to modernize and improve their efficiency. 

Industry standards can also play a role. 

Today, we are considering four bills to address these issues and I look forward 

to working on them. 

I yield back the balance of my time. 

Chairman GORDON. With that introduction, Mr. Akin, we will 

now consider H.R. 1126, To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum 

Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, 

and I yield to Mr. Lipinski five minutes to describe his bill. 

Mr. LIPINSKI. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for yielding, and thank 

you for scheduling this bill early in the session. 

I am pleased to be here today for the markup of H.R. 1126, legislation reauthorizing the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation 

and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, also known as—more 

easily known as the Metals Initiative. 

I would also like to thank Representative Ehlers and Representative Akin for being co-sponsors in the introduction of the bill this 

year. 

Today, the steel industry and other metals industries are important parts of our national economy, and they must remain innovative in order to stay competitive in an increasingly global economy. 

Now, more than ever, it is vital to ensure that these industries are 

fully prepared to confront the challenges that it faces at home and 

abroad. 

This bill will protect valuable jobs and vital businesses in the 

United States, while developing advanced environmentally friendly 

technologies to prepare the industry fro the challenges of tomorrow. 

Originally passed by the 100th Congress, the Metals Initiative 

authorizes federal cost-sharing of research whose goals are threefold. First, enhancing energy efficiency; second, increasing the competitiveness of U.S. industry; and third, improving the environment, the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. 

More specifically, this legislation promotes collaborative costshared public private research between the American industry, the 

Department of Energy, and institutions of higher learning. 

The bill would reauthorize the Metals Initiative at $12 million 

per year from fiscal year 2008 through 2012 to fund advanced metals research. 


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The success of the American steel industry has a special, personal significance to me. My father-in-law was a steel worker at 

Bethlehem Steel in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He had this job for 

many years before his plant closed due to foreign competition. This 

bill will help prevent further losses of good American jobs like his 

by increasing the competitiveness of our domestic industry. 

While the U.S. steel industry has significantly modernized, the 

pace of technology and competition from overseas is relentless. Reauthorization of this bill is essential to preserve American jobs, 

keep the customers of U.S. steel industry and other metal industry 

strong, and ensure the defense industry has a secure supply of domestic steel products it needs. 

The results of this program speak for themselves. Since its inception, the Metals Initiative has delivered numerous technologies to 

the factory floor, resulting in incredible environmental and energy 

savings, while increasing the competitive position of the steel industry in the domestic manufacturing sector. 

In the Chicago area, schools such as my alma mater, Northwestern University, have participated in this program, along with 

companies such as IPSCO and A. Finkle and Sons. 

Because of advances made in steel production, partially through 

programs funded through DOE, the steel industry as a whole used 

28 percent less energy in 2004 to produce a ton of steel than it did 

in 1990. 

Lastly, it is important to note that the federal funds in this program are given to the schools to conduct the research. Companies 

are not the recipients of funds, and they must provide a share of 

the cost of the research. But the American company that provides 

that match has the first opportunity to take advantage of the research findings and improve their operations, benefiting American 

workers. 

H.R. 1126 is simply a great example of how public private partnerships can benefit both taxpayers and shareholders by saving energy, improving the environment, and accelerating the development 

and implementation of modern technology. 

We passed this bill through the Science Committee in the last 

Congress. We also had it pass on the House Floor in the last Congress. Hopefully this year we can get it through the Committee, 

through the House, and we can work and get it done in the Senate 

this year also. 

All Americans can benefit from a common sense program such as 

this one, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1126. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Lipinski follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL LIPINSKI

Thank you, Mr. Chairman; I am pleased to be here today for the markup of H.R. 

1126, legislation reauthorizing the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and 

Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, also known as the Metals Initiative. 

Today, the steel industry and other metals industries are important parts of our 

national economy and they must remain innovative in order to stay competitive in 

the increasingly global economy. Now more than ever it is vital to ensure that these 

industries are fully prepared to confront the challenges that it faces at home and 

abroad. This bill will protect valuable jobs and vital businesses in the United States, 

while developing advanced, environmentally-friendly technologies to prepare the industry for the challenges of tomorrow. 


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Originally passed by the 100th Congress, the Metals Initiative authorizes federal 

cost sharing of research whose goals are threefold: first, enhancing energy-efficiency, 

second, increasing the competitiveness of U.S. industry, and third, improving the environment through reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. More specifically, this 

legislation promotes collaborative, cost-shared, public-private research between the 

American industry, the Department of Energy, and institutions of higher learning. 

The bill would reauthorize the Metals Initiative at $12 million per year from Fiscal 

Year 2008 through 2012 to fund advanced metals research. 

The success of the American steel industry has a special personal significance for 

me. My father-in-law was a steelworker at Bethlehem Steel in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, before his plant closed due to foreign competition. This bill will help prevent 

further losses of good American jobs like his by increasing the competitiveness of 

our domestic industry. 

While the U.S. steel industry has significantly modernized, the pace of technology 

and the competition from overseas is relentless. Reauthorization of this bill is essential to preserve American jobs, keep the customers of the U.S. steel industry strong, 

and assure that our defense industry has the secure supply of domestic steel products it needs. 

The results of this program speak for themselves. Since its inception, the Metals 

Initiative has delivered numerous technologies to the factory floor, resulting in incredible environmental and energy savings while increasing the competitive position 

of the steel industry and the domestic manufacturing sector. In the Chicago area, 

schools such as my alma mater Northwestern University have participated in this 

program, along with companies such as IPSCO and A. Finkle & Sons. Because of 

advances made in steel production, partially through the industry’s partnership 

with DOE, the steel industry as a whole used 28 percent less energy in 2004 to 

produce a ton of steel than in 1990. 

In addition, this research has produced several successful and important technological breakthroughs, including the development of advanced high strength steels 

and Ultra-Light Weight Steel Automobile Bodies, leading to lighter, safer, and more 

energy-efficient automobiles. In fact, recently these advanced technologies were applied to a new, lightweight military vehicle, yielding performance improvements including 25 percent weight savings and 50 percent fuel efficiency improvement. 

Through this partnership program, the U.S. Army now has a next generation tactical vehicle that ensures a mobile, agile, and responsive force for use by American 

war fighters. These advances, applied to the civilian versions of the vehicle, add a 

substantial further positive impact to our nation’s economy. 

Lastly, it is important to note that the federal funds in this program are given 

to the schools to conduct the research. Companies are not the recipients of funds 

and they must provide a share of the cost of the research. But the American company that provides that match has the first opportunity to take advantage of the 

research findings and improve their manufacturing operations, benefiting American 

workers. 

H.R. 1126 is simply a great example of how public-private partnerships can benefit both taxpayers and shareholders by saving energy, improving the environment, 

and accelerating the development and implementation of modern technology. 

All Americans benefit from common sense programs such as this one, and I urge 

my colleagues to support H.R. 1126. 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time. 

Chairman GORDON. I recognize Mr. Hall to present any remarks 

on the bill. 

Mr. HALL. Mr. Chairman, thank you, and I thank Mr. Akin. I am 

going to recognize him, pass my time on to him. I want to thank 

him for recommending the visit to the North Pole. I always wanted 

to go, but not much, so—I am more of an Equator man. 

I yield to Mr. Akin my remaining time. 

Mr. AKIN. Thank you. I appreciate that. 

One of the problems with Codel’s is your constituents sometimes 

think that you are getting a special deal, but when the paper printed that we had a beautiful, sunny day at the South Pole, it was 

27 below zero with a 30 mile an hour wind. We didn’t receive any 

criticism, so there is a benefit of staying away from the Equator. 

On this—Mr. Lipinski’s bill, 1126, there is just something in 

terms of the nature of aluminum, its being so tightly combined 

with oxygen or other different elements, and steel or iron are the 


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same way with oxygen, that it takes a tremendous amount of energy to refine and to pull metals away from those bonds. And so 

just by nature, this is a very energy-intensive process. And then 

further in the process of refining and getting the crystalline structure and the shape of the material the way you want uses a whole 

lot more energy. 

So first of all, this is a place where there is a lot of potential savings for energy, and it is just a logical place for us to be making 

some investments. I can also say that my great-grandfather started 

a steel mill, which has since gone bankrupt. The steel industry has 

really been hammered in this country. It is very hard for them to 

be competitive, and the things that we can do to make steel competitive, they are good, solid jobs and a very important part of our 

infrastructure. So investing some money in research in order to 

save energy, to save jobs, and to clean the environment, all together it is just like a triple win. 

So I just wanted to compliment what we are doing here, and I 

think that it is important to keep that point that if we do a good 

job on this and if we develop a technology that really works, that 

is going to be paid back by industry, so in a way it is an investment. So I think you have got a triple win piece of legislation for 

Vern and Mr.—Congressman Lipinski. 

Thank you, Mr. Chair. 

Chairman GORDON. Thank you. 

Anyone else like to be recognized? 

Mr. BAIRD. Mr. Chairman? Mr. Chairman, this side. 

Chairman GORDON. Well, let me go to this side first if there is 

anybody here. 

Mr. Gingrey. 

Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Chairman, thank you. I just want to commend 

Representative Lipinski and Representative Akin in regard to this 

bill. 

I was just reading in front of me kind of a summary of some of 

the things, but the development of technologies which reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions as an additional priority under the bill, 

this is in follow up to just two weeks ago when were talking about 

climate change and greenhouse gases and the importance of the 

issue of global warming. I do want to commend Dan Lipinski and 

Todd Akin on this bill. I think that we need to continue to go in 

this direction, Mr. Chairman. 

As you know, I have a strong interest in the Green Chemistry 

bill that we had—you helped pass through the Committee last 

year, and it is all along that same line of trying to, with a little 

bit of money, and a public—as Representative Lipinski said—public 

private partnership to do things that in small increments, slowly 

but surely, we get to the point where we are reducing all this contamination and doing it in an efficient manner. I commend him for 

that. 

I yield back my time, Mr. Chairman. Thank you. 

Chairman GORDON. Does anyone else wish to be recognized? 

If not, then I ask unanimous 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. 

Are there any amendments? 


hmoore on PROD1PC68 with HMRPT
14 

Hearing none, the vote is on the bill, H.R. 1126. All those in 

favor, say aye. All those opposed, say no. In the opinion of the 

Chair, the ayes have it. 

I recognize Mr. Hall to offer a motion. 

Mr. HALL. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee favorably 

report H.R. 1126 to the House with 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 Chairman take all necessary steps to bring 

the bill before the House for consideration. 

I yield back. 

Chairman GORDON. 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 is—to reconsider is on the table. I 

move that Members have two subsequent calendar days in which 

to submit supplemental, minority or additional views on the measure. I move pursuant to Clause I, Rule 22 of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives that the Committee authorize the Chairman to 

offer such motions as may be necessary in the House to adopt and 

pass H.R. 1126, To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy 

Conservation and Technological Competitiveness Act of 1988. Without objection, so ordered. 

Let me finally say that these amendments—and I thank all of 

you for a smooth hearing, smooth markup. We went fairly quick 

today, but the reason is there was a lot of staff work put in before 

this, and I thank the staff for that. I thank the Members for their 

patience, and this is the conclusion of our Committee markup. 

[Whereupon, at 11:08 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.] 


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Appendix: 

H.R. 1126, SECTION-BY-SECTION


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H.R. 1126, SECTION-BY-SECTION

Section (1) replaces Section 9 of the Steel and Aluminum, Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. Subsection 1(a) authorizes $12 million for each 

of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out the Act. Section 1(b) amends the 

priorities to be addressed under the Act by replacing ‘‘coatings for sheet steels’’ with 

‘‘coatings for sheet and bar steels’’ and adds ‘‘the development of technologies which 

reduce greenhouse gas emissions’’ as an additional priority under the bill, bringing 

the total number of research priorities in the underlying act to eleven. Section 1(c) 

contains conforming amendments to other sections of the original Act. 


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