39–006 

109TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 109–147 

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

JUNE 22, 2005.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. BOEHLERT, from the Committee on Science, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 1158] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Science, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 

1158) to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation 

and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, having considered the 

same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

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

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

III. Summary of Hearings ................................................................................. 2 

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

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

VI. Section-By-Section Analysis (By Title and Section) ................................. 4 

VII. Committee Views ........................................................................................ 4 

VIII. Cost Estimate .............................................................................................. 4 

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

X. Compliance with Public Law 104–4 (Unfunded Mandates) .................... 5 

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

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

XIII. Constitutional Authority Statement .......................................................... 6 

XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement ................................................... 6 

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

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

XVII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported ....................... 6 

XVIII. Committee Recommendations .................................................................... 8 

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

2 

I. PURPOSE OF THE BILL

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

the bill reauthorizes the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation 

and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, and makes minor 

modifications to that act. 

II. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION

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

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

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

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

has continued to appropriate funds for the program each year since 

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

1158 reaffirms Congressional support for the metals program 

through reauthorization of appropriations through 2010, updates 

program priorities and reinstates the annual report requirement. 

III. SUMMARY OF HEARINGS

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

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

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

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

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

Marketing and Product Development at the INTEG Process Group, 

a small company that supplies industrial process control systems 

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

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

Law at the George Mason University School of Law. 

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

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

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

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

emphasis on energy efficiency rather than economic efficiency. He 

also recommended program improvements that he felt would help 

ensure that program benefited metals companies in the U.S. 

IV. COMMITTEE ACTIONS

On March 4, 2004, during the 108th Congress, Ms. Hart, Mr. 

English, and Mr. Murphy introduced H.R. 3890 to reauthorize the 

Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. The bill was referred to the Committee on 

Science, and to the Subcommittee on Energy and to the Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards. Because 

the bill primarily deals with programs at the Department of EnVerDate Aug 04 2004 07:11 Jun 26, 2005 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR147.XXX HR147
3 

ergy, the Subcommittee on Energy met on June 15, 2004, to consider the bill. No amendments were offered. Mr. Larson moved that 

the Subcommittee favorably report the bill, H.R. 3890, to the Full 

Committee on Science, and that the staff be instructed to make all 

necessary technical and conforming changes to the bill in accordance with the recommendations of the Subcommittee. The motion 

was agreed to by a voice vote. The Subcommittee on Environment, 

Technology, and Standards was discharged from considering the 

bill. 

The Full Committee on Science met on June 16, 2004, to consider 

the bill. Two amendments were offered and considered by the committee: 

(1) Ms. Hart offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute 

to make technical corrections to the bill. By unanimous consent the 

amendment in the nature of a substitute was considered as base 

text for the purpose of amendment. 

(2) Mr. Gutknecht offered an amendment to limit the authorization for fiscal year 2005 to no more than was appropriated in fiscal 

year 2004. The amendment was approved by a voice vote. 

(3) The amendment in the nature of a substitute, as amended, 

was then passed by a voice vote. 

Mr. Gordon moved that the Committee favorably report the bill, 

H.R. 3890, to the House with the recommendation that the bill as 

amended do pass, and that the staff be instructed to make all technical and conforming changes to the bill as amended and prepare 

the legislative report and that the Chairman take all necessary 

steps to bring the bill before the House for consideration. With a 

quorum present, the motion was agreed to by a voice vote. On July 

1, 2004, the Science Committee filed the report on the bill, H. Rept. 

108–579. On July 7, 2004, Ms. Hart made a motion on the Floor 

of the House to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended, 

and the bill passed by a voice vote. The bill was delivered to the 

Senate, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, but was not considered by the Senate during the 108th 

Congress. 

On March 8, 2005, Ms. Hart, Mr. Lipinski and Mr. Ehlers introduced H.R. 1158 to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy 

Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. The bill 

was referred to the Committee on Science, which met on March 17, 

2005 to consider the bill. No amendments were offered and the bill 

was passed by a voice vote. Mr. Gordon moved that the Committee 

favorably report the bill, H.R. 1158, without amendment to the 

House with the recommendation that the bill do pass, and that the 

Chairman take all necessary steps to bring the bill before the 

House for consideration. With a quorum present, the motion was 

agreed to by a voice vote. 

V. SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE BILL

The bill amends the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation 

and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. Primarily, the bill authorizes appropriations each year for fiscal years 2006 through 

2010 for the Department of Energy. The bill also updates priorities 

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

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) programs 

4 

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

VI. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS (BY TITLE AND SECTION) 

Section 1. Amendments 

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

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2006 through 2010 at $12 million annually, roughly the same level as enacted in fiscal 

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

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

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

Strikes the section referring to activities at NIST. 

Reinstates the annual report to Congress requirement. 

VII. COMMITTEE VIEWS

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

portfolio, especially given concerns about energy security and the 

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

can pay large dividends at a relatively low cost. Improvements by 

these large consumers can mean large reductions in energy demand for the nation, lowering demand for fuels and reducing upward pressure on prices. The Committee also believes that the metals program can help the U.S. steel and aluminum industries to 

maintain a competitive edge over foreign producers. A healthy U.S. 

metals industry helps keep skilled jobs here in America, and protects the Nation against reliance on foreign sources of metal materials and products essential to our economy and national security. 

VIII. COST ESTIMATE

A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the 

Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974 timely submitted to the Committee on Science 

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

report pursuant to House rule XIII, clause 3(c)(3). 

H.R. 1158 does not contain new budget authority, credit authority, or changes in revenues or tax expenditures. Assuming that the 

sums authorized under the bill are appropriated, H.R. 1158 authorizes additional discretionary spending, as described in the Congressional Budget Office report on the bill, which is contained in Section X of this report. 

IX. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

H.R. 1158—A bill to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy 

Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 

Summary: H.R. 1158 would reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum 

Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. 

The bill would authorize the appropriation of $100 million over the 

2006–2010 period for research and development to enhance the energy efficiency of processes that create steel and aluminum. It also 

5 

would expand research authorized under that act to include processes that make bar steel and technologies to reduce greenhouse 

gas emissions. CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 1158 would 

cost $87 million over the 2006–2010 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts. 

H.R. 1158 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 

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

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of H.R. 1158 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of this legislation fall within budget function 270 (energy). For this 

estimate, CBO assumes that the amounts authorized would be appropriated near the beginning of each fiscal year and that outlays 

would follow the historical spending patterns of similar programs. 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 

SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Spending Under Current Law: 

Budget Authority 1 ............................................................... 12 0 0 0 0 0 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................... 6 4 2 0 0 0 

Proposed Changes: 

Authorization Level .............................................................. 0 20 20 20 20 20 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................... 0 10 17 20 20 20 

Spending Under H.R. 1158: 

Authorization Level1 ............................................................. 12 20 20 20 20 20 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................... 6 14 19 20 20 20 

1 The 2005 level is the amount appropriated for that year for research and development to enhance the energy efficiency of processes to create steel and aluminum. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1158 contains 

no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the 

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

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Julie Middleton. Impact on 

State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Terri Gullo. Impact on the 

Private Sector: Craig Cammarata. 

Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

X. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104–4 

H.R. 1158 contains no unfunded mandates. 

XI. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

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

XII. STATEMENT ON GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND

OBJECTIVES

The goal of the Act establishing the metals program, which H.R. 

1158 reauthorizes, is ‘‘to increase the energy efficiency and enhance 

competitiveness of American steel, aluminum, and copper industries by providing Federal incentives for the establishment of public-private sector research and development partnerships to undertake scientific research and development to develop advanced techVerDate Aug 04 2004 07:11 Jun 26, 2005 Jkt 039006 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR147.XXX HR147
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nologies.’’ H.R. 1158 makes no changes to the goal of the underlying Act. 

XIII. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

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

grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 1158. 

XIV. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

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

any advisory committee. 

XV. CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

The Committee finds that H.R. 1158 does not relate to the terms 

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

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

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

XVII. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

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

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

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

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

STEEL AND ALUMINUM ENERGY CONSERVATION AND 

TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 1988 

* * * * * * * 

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

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

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

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

plan. In reviewing research and development activities for possible 

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

(1) STEEL PROJECTS.— 

(A) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(H) The development of advanced øcoatings for sheet 

steels¿ sheet and bar steels. 

* * * * * * * 

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

* * * * * * * 

7 

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 

measurement research and development in support of activities 

conducted under this Act.¿ 

SEC. 8. REPORTS. 

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

with fiscal year 2006, a complete report of the research and development activities carried out under this Act during the fiscal year 

involved, including the actual and anticipated obligation of funds, 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.¿ 

8 

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry 

out this Act $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 

2010. 

* * * * * * * 

XVIII. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

On March 17, 2005, a quorum being present, the Committee on 

Science favorably reported H.R. 1158, a bill to reauthorize the Steel 

and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Competitiveness Act of 

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

(9) 

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

COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 1988 

THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2005 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, 

Washington, DC. 

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

2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Sherwood L. 

Boehlert [Chairman of the Committee] presiding. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. The Science Committee will come to order. 

Pursuant to notice, the Committee on Science meets to consider 

the following measures: H.R. 1023, Charles ‘‘Pete’’ Conrad Astronomy Awards Act; H.R. 1158, To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 

1988; H.R. 28, High-Performance Computing Revitalization Act of 

2005; H.R. 1215, the Green Chemistry Research and Development 

Act of 2005, and how appropriate that we entertain this on St. Patrick’s Day; H.Con.Res. 96, Recognizing the significance of African 

American women in the United States scientific community; and 

H.R. 798, Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005. 

Before we proceed with the markup, however, the Committee 

must first dispense with some administrative business. 

I recognize Mr. Gordon to offer a request regarding Democratic 

Subcommittee membership. 

Mr. Gordon. 

Mr. GORDON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

By direction of the Democratic caucus of the Science Committee, 

I ask unanimous consent to ratify the election of Representative 

Brad Miller of North Carolina to the Subcommittee on Research, 

thereby filling one of the existing Democratic vacancies. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Without objection, so ordered. 

I ask unanimous consent for the authority to recess the Committee at any point during consideration of these matters, and 

without objection, it is so ordered. 

That concludes the Committee’s organizational business, and we 

will now proceed with the markup beginning with opening statements. And I shall begin with mine. 

I want to welcome everyone here for our St. Patrick’s Day markup. I hope that the markup will leave everyone seeing green, not 

10 

because we are spending lots of money, but because we are environmentally-friendly and because others should be green with envy 

over the ability of this committee to move sensible, bipartisan legislation. 

The bills before us today deal with a wide variety of critical problems, including the need to improve our energy efficiency, the need 

to improve our technological competitiveness, the need to improve 

our environment, the need to protect our citizens from the impacts 

of drug abuse, the need to have a more diverse scientific workforce, 

and the need to increase interest in science among the general public. 

All of these bills have broad support. Four of them passed the 

House last year: the Charles ‘‘Pete’’ Conrad Astronomy Awards, the 

Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act, the High-Performance Computing Revitalization 

Act, and the Green Chemistry Research and Development Act. The 

Senate ran out of time to take up these bills. They were still pending without prejudice when the clock ran out, and we are optimistic 

about moving them through the entire process in this Congress. 

The other two items before us should also move swiftly: the resolution recognizing African American women in science, and the 

Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act, which we held a 

very productive hearing on earlier this month. 

I want to move this markup along, so let me just close by thanking all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, who introduced 

and contributed to these important bills. 

Mr. Gordon. 

[The prepared statement of Chairman Boehlert follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN SHERWOOD BOEHLERT

I want to welcome everyone here for our St. Patrick’s Day markup. I hope that 

the markup will leave everyone seeing green—not because we’re spending lots of 

money, but because we’re environmentally friendly and because others should be 

green with envy over the ability of this committee to move sensible, bipartisan legislation. 

The bills before us today deal with a wide variety of critical problems, including 

the need to improve our energy efficiency, the need to improve our technological 

competitiveness, the need to improve our environment, the need to protect our citizens from the impacts of drug abuse, the need to have a more diverse scientific 

workforce, and the need to increase interest in science among the general public. 

All these bills have broad support. Four of them passed the House last year—the 

Pete Conrad Astronomy Awards, the Steel and Aluminum energy Conservation Act, 

the High Performance Computing Revitalization Act, and the Green Chemistry Research and Development Act. The Senate ran out of time to take these bills up— 

they were still pending without prejudice when the clock ran out—and we’re optimistic about moving them through the entire process this Congress. 

The other two items before us should also move swiftly, the resolution recognizing 

African American women in science, and the Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act, which we held a hearing on earlier this month. 

I want to move this markup along, so let me just close by thanking all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle who introduced and contributed to these important 

bills. Mr. Gordon. 

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, in keeping with the date, you seem 

to have brought your blarney with you, and I wish to compliment 

you for this—for the efforts to revisit our unfinished legislative 

agenda from the past Congress and for your willingness to explore 

some new legislative areas. 

11 

I am especially pleased that Mr. Calvert and my Methamphetamine Remediation Act is getting the rapid consideration it deserves. We thank you and over B of our committee’s membership for 

signing on as co-sponsors. The methamphetamine epidemic is a 

scourge on rural America, affecting many of our Congressional Districts that must be addressed. And I will explain more about the 

importance of this bill later in the markup. 

Our committee’s legislative environment in high-performance 

computing goes back at least 20 years. The bipartisan High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 that today’s bill amends was instrumental in getting the various departments of the Executive 

Branch working together to apply the power of supercomputers to 

our society’s major challenges. And we have been working together 

on today’s amendments to the High-Performance Computing Act 

for really two Congresses now. We on the Democratic side are very 

supportive of this important legislation. 

We will consider another important resolution by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, recognizing the significant contributions that African American women have made to science. 

Given our need to encourage young men and women of all races to 

enter into the science and technology fields, I compliment Congresswoman Johnson for her advocacy of this resolution. 

And our former Committee colleague, Doug Walgren, introduced 

the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology 

Competitiveness Act of 1988 at that time when the steel industry 

in the United States was experiencing hard time and high energy 

costs and consumption. The program established under this act has 

led a steel industry technology roadmap and 10 cost-sharing 

projects that have permitted the industry to modernize and to better meet the new higher-weight products needed—or lighter-weight 

products needed by the auto industry and other industry customers. We on the Democratic side are supportive of the effort of 

Congresswoman Hart and our new Member, Congressman Lipinski, to reauthorize this important program. 

The Green Chemist Research and Development Act is also an important act today, and it is an improved over last introduction. We 

are pleased it incorporates several Democratic amendments offered 

during the last consideration. However, the bill still does not do all 

we should be doing moving into—moving in the right direction for 

green chemistry practices, and I think we will see some amendments this morning that would improve that bill. 

Therefore, I will yield the balance of my time and look forward 

to moving forward today. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Gordon follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE BART GORDON

I wish to compliment Mr. Boehlert for his efforts to revisit our unfinished legislative agenda from the past Congress and for his willingness to explore new legislative areas. 

I am especially pleased that Mr. Calvert’s and my Methamphetamine Remediation 

Research Act of 2005 is getting the rapid consideration it deserves. We thank you 

and over a third of our committee’s membership for signing on as co-sponsors. 

The methamphetamine epidemic is a scourge on rural America, affecting many of 

our Congressional districts, that must be addressed. I will explain more about the 

importance of this bill later in the markup. 

12 

Our committee’s legislative involvement in high-performance computing goes back 

at least 20 years. The bipartisan High-Performance Computing Act of 1991 that today’s bill amends was instrumental in getting the various Departments of the Executive Branch working together to apply the power of supercomputers to our society’s 

major challenges. 

We have been working together on today’s amendments to the High-Performance 

Computing Act for two Congresses now. We on the Democratic side are very supportive of this important legislation. 

We will consider an important resolution by Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson recognizing the significant contributions that African American Women have 

made to science. Given our need to encourage American young men and women of 

all races to enter into scientific and technical fields, I compliment Congresswoman 

Johnson on her advocacy of this resolution. 

Our former committee colleague Doug Walgren introduced the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 at a time 

when the steel industry in the United States was experiencing hard times and high 

energy costs and consumption. 

The program established under this Act has led a steel industry technology roadmap and ten cost-shared projects that have permitted the industry to modernize and 

to better meet the new lighter weight products needed by the auto industry and 

other industry customers. We on the Democratic side are supportive of the efforts 

of Congresswoman Hart and our new Member, Congressman Lipinski to reauthorize 

this important program. 

The Green Chemistry Research and Development Act, H.R. 1215, is improved over 

its last introduction. 

We are pleased that it incorporates several Democratic amendments offered during its last consideration, including my amendment to establish a grant program to 

enable colleges and universities to update their curricula to include training in 

green chemistry. However, the bill still does not do all we should be doing to move 

green chemistry practices from the laboratory bench into everyday practice. Therefore, we will be offering several amendments today to further improve this legislation. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Thank you very much, Mr. Gordon. 

Without objection, Members may place statements in the record 

at this point. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Costello follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE JERRY F. COSTELLO

Good morning. Today, the House Science Committee is considering six bills for 

markup. Most are non-controversial and receive wide bipartisan support. 

First, I would like to thank Chairman Boehlert, Ranking Member Gordon, and 

Representative Calvert for introducing H.R. 798, the Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005. As a proud co-sponsor of H.R. 798, I am pleased the 

legislation has moved quickly through the Science Committee and am hopeful it will 

come to the House Floor soon. 

This legislation is urgently needed because methamphetamine abuse and addiction continues to grow throughout the United States. In my home State of Illinois, 

methamphetamine use has significantly increased in the last few years. Alarmingly, 

almost 10 percent of the meth labs seized by law enforcement officials in 2004 were 

in Illinois. Clearly, methamphetamine abuse is a very serious problem in my congressional district and I strongly support Ranking Member Gordon’s bill because it 

establishes a federal research program that would develop voluntary standards to 

help states deal with the challenges associated with methamphetamine abuse. I 

worked closely with the State and local law enforcement officials in my district to 

secure funding in 2003 and 2004 for a grant program in Southern Illinois to train 

approximately 100 law enforcement officials across the region in dismantling and 

cleaning up meth labs. In addition, Drug Task Forces were formed in Southern Illinois to fight against the methamphetamine problem that has reached epidemic proportions. We cannot allow the methamphetamine problem to overwhelm law enforcement officials and it is critical we implement a strategy to help our communities respond. 

Secondly, I would like to thank the Chairman for agreeing to markup H.R. 1158, 

a bill To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology 

Competitiveness Act of 1998. As a Member of the Congressional Steel Caucus, I am 

pleased this committee is taking an active role to keep the steel industry competitive in today’s global marketplace. Many are aware that the steel industry suffered 

13 

a major crisis a few years back, which caused four steel companies in Illinois to file 

for bankruptcy, including Laclede Steel and the parent company for Granite City 

Steel, which are in my district. More than 5,000 steel workers have lost their jobs 

in Illinois alone. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1158 to reauthorize 

important funding measures to improve the health of the domestic steel industry. 

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the Committee for all their hard work on these 

important issues and look forward to today’s proceedings. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. We will now consider H.R. 1158, To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. 

I recognize Chairman Biggert to present some introductory remarks. 

Mrs. Biggert. 

Mrs. BIGGERT. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

There are many reasons why we should pass this important legislation today. 

First of all, the metals industry is highly energy-intensive. Taken 

together, the steel, aluminum, and copper industries account for 

more than 10 percent of industrial energy usage in the United 

States. President Bush’s National Energy Plan recognized that improving energy efficiency in our most energy-intensive industries 

could yield large improvements in productivity, product quality, 

safety, and pollution prevention. 

Second, we have a strategic national interest in helping our metals industry remain competitive. For any industry, energy efficiency means increased production without increased energy consumption or costs. Improving energy efficiency helps improve the 

bottom line, making American metals products more competitive on 

the global market. That means more jobs here at home. 

But energy efficiency is more than that. Reducing energy use 

means reducing our emissions, our pollutions, and greenhouse 

gases, and increasing our energy security. In this way, energy efficiency just makes sense, dollars and cents, for the Nation. The bill 

recognizes this fact and puts in place a new requirement that program managers consider the potential for technologies to reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions when developing their research plans. In 

this way, the bill updates the program to address current concerns 

about the impact of energy-intensive industries. For these reasons, 

both the Science Committee and the Full House passed this bill by 

voice vote in the 108th Congress. 

I encourage my colleagues to demonstrate such support for this 

bill again and yield back the balance of my time. 

[The prepared statement of Mrs. Biggert follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE JUDY BIGGERT

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

There are many reasons why we should pass this important legislation today. 

First of all, the metals industry is highly energy-intensive. Taken together, the 

steel, aluminum, and copper industries account for more than 10 percent of industrial energy usage in the United States. President Bush’s National Energy Plan recognized that improving energy efficiency in our most energy-intensive industries 

could yield large improvements in productivity, product quality, safety, and pollution prevention. 

Second, we have a strategic national interest in helping our metals industry remain competitive. For any industry, energy efficiency means increased production 

without increased energy consumption or costs. Improving energy efficiency helps 

improve the bottom line, making American metal products more competitive on the 

global market. That means more jobs here at home. 

14 

But energy efficiency is more than that. Reducing energy use means reducing our 

emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases, and increasing our energy security. 

In this way, energy efficiency just makes sense—dollars and cents—for the Nation. 

This bill recognizes this fact, and puts in place a new requirement that program 

managers consider the potential for technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 

when developing their research plans. In this way, the bill updates the program to 

address current concerns about the impact of energy-intensive industries. 

For these reasons, both the Science Committee and the Full House passed this 

bill by voice vote in the 108th Congress. I encourage my colleagues to demonstrate 

such support for this bill again, and I yield back the balance of my time. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Mr. Gordon. 

Thank you very much, Mrs. Biggert. 

Mr. GORDON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is another good 

bill, and in absentia, I want to thank Congresswoman Hart. She 

helped us get this started and did a good job doing that. And now, 

although he is a new Member, he is no rookie. Mr. Lipinski has 

taken up the ball and has helped to take this bill even further. And 

I want to yield the balance of my time to Mr. Lipinski from Illinois. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Gordon follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE BART GORDON

We are supportive of the Steel and Aluminum Energy Efficiency and Technology 

Competitiveness Act Amendments. 

This bill reauthorizes a program that over the years has brought increased energy 

efficiency both to the steel industry and to its major customers including the auto 

industry. 

I would like to compliment Mr. Lipinski for championing this legislation and 

would yield to him at this time to explain the bill. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Mr. Lipinski. 

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

you, Mr. Chairman, for adding H.R. 1158 to today’s markup schedule. 

Congresswoman Hart and I introduced this legislation, because 

we both come from areas of the country that have been heavily impacted by international competition in steel manufacturing and 

still have a strong presence in that industry. Today, almost @ of 

steel production in the United States is in the Chicago, Northern 

Indiana steel region. 

I also strongly believe that the overall prospects for our domestic 

steel industry have an important bearing on our future economic 

security as well as our national security. The success of the American steel industry also has a special personal significance for me. 

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

jobs like his by increasing the competitiveness of our domestic industry. 

This bill before us reauthorizes the Steel and Aluminum Energy 

Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. The 

original act came at a difficult period for the industry. The U.S. 

market was being flooded with steel imports and the industry was 

not making a profit. It was clear that cost-shared research programs were important for the industry’s modernization and ability 

to continue to compete. The initial bill, which originated in this 

committee, allowed for the development of significant new technologies that breathes new life into the industry, if there is no way 

15 

that the industry could have developed these technologies on its 

own. 

The goals of this research are three-fold: energy efficiency, increasing competitiveness of the U.S. metals industries, and improving the environment. If you had visited the typical Boulder steel 

mill before passage of the original act and came back today, you 

would be in a different world. The energy-guzzling and environmentally inferior parts of steel mills are a thing of the past. Steel 

today is made to suit much finer tolerances with far fewer people. 

The cost per ton is substantially lower. Good computer skills are 

as important to today’s steelworkers as a strong back. 

But the industry is not out of the woods. Many of these companies have been through bankruptcy, and finances are not what they 

used to be. While the U.S. steel industry is much more modern 

than a decade and a half ago, the pace of technology—the competition from overseas is relentless. Therefore, the reauthorization of 

this program through H.R. 1158 remains essential to preserve 

American jobs, to keep the customers of the U.S. steel industry 

strong, and to ensure that our national defense industry has a secured domestic supply of steel that it needs. 

The metals initiative is simply a great example of how public-private partnerships can benefit both taxpayers and shareholders by 

saving energy, improving the environment, and accelerating the development and implementation of modern technology. 

All Americans benefit from common sense programs such as this 

one, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1158. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Lipinski follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL LIPINSKI

Thank you, for yielding, Mr. Gordon and thank you Mr. Chairman for adding H.R. 

1158, the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness 

Act to today’s markup schedule. 

Congresswoman Hart and I introduced this legislation because we both come from 

areas of the country that have been heavily impacted by international competition 

in steel manufacturing and still have a strong presence in that industry. Today, almost one quarter of the steel production in the United States is in the Chicago/ 

Northern-Indiana steel region. I also strongly believe that the overall prospects for 

our domestic steel industry have an important bearing on our future economic security as well as our national security. The success of the American steel industry also 

has a special personal significance for me. My father-in-law was a steelworker at 

Bethlehem Steel in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, before his plant closed due to foreign 

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

by increasing the competitiveness of our domestic industry. 

This bill before us reauthorizes the Steel and Aluminum Energy and Conservation 

and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. The original Act came at a difficult period for the industry; the U.S. market was being flooded with steel imports and the 

industry was not making a profit. It was clear that a cost-shared research program 

was important for the industry’s modernization and ability to continue to compete. 

The initial bill which originated in this committee allowed for the development of 

significant new technologies that breathed new life into the industry, yet there was 

no way that the industry could have developed these technologies on its own. 

The goals of this research are threefold: Energy Efficiency, Increasing Competitiveness of the U.S. Metals Industries, and Improving the Environment. If you had 

visited the typical older steel mill from before passage of the original Act and came 

back today, you would be in a different world. The energy guzzling and environmentally inferior parts of steel mills are a thing of the past. Steel today is made 

to suit much finer tolerances with far fewer people. The cost per ton is substantially 

lower. Good computer skills are as important to today’s steel workers as a strong 

back. 

16 

But the industry is not out of the woods. Many of its companies have been 

through bankruptcy, and finances are not what they used to be. While the U.S. steel 

industry is much more modern than a decade and a half ago, the pace of technology 

and the competition from overseas is relentless. Therefore, the reauthorization of 

this program through H.R. 1158 remains essential to preserve American jobs, to 

keep the customers of the U.S. steel industry strong, and to assure that our defense 

industry has the secure supply of domestic steel products it needs. 

The Metals Initiative is simply a great example of how public-private partnerships 

can benefit both taxpayers and shareholders by saving energy, improving the environment, and accelerating the development and implementation of modern technology. All Americans benefit from common sense programs such as this one. I urge 

my colleagues to support H.R. 1158. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Thank you very much, Mr. Lipinski and 

Mr. Gordon, Chair Biggert. 

I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as read and 

open to amendment at any point. Without objection, so ordered. 

Are there any amendments? Hearing none, the vote is on the bill 

H.R. 1158, To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. All of those 

in favor will say aye. Opposed, no. In the opinion of the Chair, the 

ayes have it. 

I recognize Mr. Gordon for a motion. 

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee favorably report H.R. 1158 to the House with the recommendation that 

the bill do pass. Furthermore, I move that the staff be instructed 

to prepare the legislative report and make necessary technical and 

conforming changes, that the Chairman take all necessary steps to 

bring the bill before the House for consideration. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. The question is on the motion to report the 

bill favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify by saying 

aye. Opposed, no. The ayes appear to have it, and the bill is favorably reported. 

Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table. 

I move that Members have two subsequent calendar days in which 

to submit supplemental Minority or additional views on the measure. I move pursuant to Clause 1 of the Rule 22 of the Rules of 

the House of Representatives that the Committee authorize the 

Chairman to offer such motions as may be necessary in the House 

to adopt and pass H.R. 1158, To reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 

1988. Without objection, so ordered. 

We don’t have to come back after votes. This is it. We are going 

to take up the Green Chemistry bill, which is going to require a 

little more time right after the recess. 

Thank you all very much for arriving. I want to thank you for 

participating. 

This concludes our Committee markup. 

[Whereupon, at 11:10 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.] 

(17) 

Appendix: 

H.R. 1158, SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

18 


1158a.eps
19 


1158b.eps
20 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF H.R. 1158, 

TO REAUTHORIZE THE STEEL AND ALUMINUM ENERGY CONSERVATION AND

TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 1988 

Section 1. Amendments. 

Amends Section 9 of the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 5108) to authorize appropriations of 

$20 million for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2010. Amends one of the program priorities by deleting ‘‘coatings for sheet steels’’ and substituting ‘‘sheet and 

bar steels.’’ Adds a new priority that authorizes research on technologies that reduce 

greenhouse gas emissions. Strikes the section referring to activities at NIST. Inserts 

language that reestablishes a requirement for an annual report to Congress. 

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