29–006 

108TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 108–579 

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

JULY 1, 2004.—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. 3890] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

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

3890) to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation 

and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, having considered the 

same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

I. Amendment ................................................................................................. 2 

II. Purpose of the Bill ...................................................................................... 2 

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

IV. Summary of Hearings ................................................................................. 3 

V. Committee Actions ...................................................................................... 3 

VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill .................................................. 4 

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

VIII. Committee Views ........................................................................................ 4 

IX. Cost Estimate .............................................................................................. 4 

X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate ............................................. 5 

XI. Compliance with Public Law 104–4 (Unfunded Mandates) .................... 6 

XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations ........................... 6 

XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives ...................... 6 

XIV. Constitutional Authority Statement .......................................................... 6 

XV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement ................................................... 6 

XVI. Congressional Accountability Act .............................................................. 6 

XVII. Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law ........................ 7 

XVIII. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, As Reported ....................... 7 

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

XX. Proceedings of Subcommittee Markup ...................................................... 9 

XXI. Proceedings of Full Committee Markup .................................................... 23 

2 

I. AMENDMENT

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS. 

(a) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 9 of the Steel and Aluminum 

Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 5108) 

is amended to read as follows: 

‘‘SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this Act 

for fiscal year 2005, an amount equal to the amount appropriated for the same purposes for fiscal year 2004, and $20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 

2009.’’. 

(b) STEEL PROJECT PRIORITIES.—Section 4(c)(1) of the Steel and Aluminum Energy 

Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 5103(c)(1)) is 

amended—

(1) in subparagraph (H), by striking ‘‘coatings for sheet steels’’ and inserting 

‘‘sheet and bar steels’’; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: 

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

(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation 

and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 is further amended—

(1) by striking section 7 (15 U.S.C. 5106); and 

(2) in section 4(b)—

(A) in the subsection heading, by inserting ‘‘AND REPORT’’ after ‘‘MANAGEMENT PLAN’’; 

(B) by striking ‘‘Within 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act’’

and inserting ‘‘Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of the 

Act enacting this sentence’’; 

(C) by striking ‘‘to expand the steel research and development initiative 

to include aluminum and’’; and 

(D) by inserting ‘‘, and shall transmit such plan to Congress’’ after ‘‘carry 

out the purposes of this Act’’. 

II. 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) to support 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. 

III. 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. 

3890 reaffirms Congressional support for the metals program 

through reauthorization of appropriations through 2009, updates 

program priorities, and calls for an update of the management plan 

required by the original legislation. 

3 

IV. SUMMARY OF HEARINGS

On May 20, 2004, the Subcommittee on Energy of the Committee 

on Science held a hearing to examine the metals R&D program at 

DOE. Witnesses included: 

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

Department of Energy; 

• 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; 

• Ms. Lisa A. Roudabush, General Manager of Research for 

the United States Steel Corporation; and 

• 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 has 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. 

V. COMMITTEE ACTIONS

On March 4, 2004, 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 Energy, 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. 

4 

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. 

VI. 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 2005 through 

2009 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 requires DOE to update the program’s 

Management Plan and submit it to Congress. 

VII. 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 2005 at the same 

level as enacted in fiscal year 2004 (when DOE allocated 

$13,268,000 to the program) and authorizes appropriations of 

$20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2009. 

• 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. 

• Modifies language to require DOE to update and submit to 

Congress a Management Plan. 

VIII. 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 impacts 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 benefits the U.S. steel and aluminum industries by 

helping them 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. 

IX. COST ESTIMATE

A cost estimate and comparison prepared by the Director of the 

Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the Congressional 

5 

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. 3890 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. 3890 authorizes additional discretionary spending, as described in the Congressional Budget Office report on the bill, which is contained in Section X of this report. 

X. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, July 1, 2004. 

Hon. SHERWOOD L. BOEHLERT, 

Chairman, Committee on Science, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 3890, 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 Lisa Cash Driskill. 

Sincerely, 

ELIZABETH M. ROBINSON

(For Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Director). 

Enclosure. 

H.R. 3890—A bill to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy 

Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988 

Summary: H.R. 3890 would reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum 

Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. 

The bill would authorize the appropriation of $93 million over the 

2005–2009 period for research and development to enhance the energy efficiency of processes that create steel and aluminum. It also 

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. 3890 would 

cost $79 million over the 2005–2009 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts. 

H.R. 3890 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. 3890 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. 

6 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Spending under current law: 

Budget Authority 1 ....................................................................................... 13 0 0 0 0 0 

Estimated outlays ........................................................................................ 6 5 2 0 0 0 

Proposed changes: 

Authorization level ....................................................................................... 0 13 20 20 20 20 

Estimated outlays ........................................................................................ 0 6 14 19 20 20 

Spending under H.R. 3890: 

Authorization level 1 ..................................................................................... 13 13 20 20 20 20 

Estimated outlays ........................................................................................ 6 11 16 19 20 20 

1 The 2004 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. 3890 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: Lisa Cash Driskill. Impact 

on State, Local and Tribal Governments: Greg Waring. Impact on 

the Private Sector: Jean Talarico. 

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

XI. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104–4 

H.R. 3890 contains no unfunded mandates. 

XII. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

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

XIII. STATEMENT ON GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND

OBJECTIVES

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

3890 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 technologies.’’ H.R. 3890 makes no changes to the goal of the underlying Act. 

XIV. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

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

grants Congress the authority to enact H.R. 3890. 

XV. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

H.R. 3890 does not establish nor authorize the establishment of 

any advisory committee. 

XVI. CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

The Committee finds that H.R. 3890 does not relate to the terms 

and conditions of employment or access to public services or accomVerDate mar 24 2004 04:43 Jul 02, 2004 Jkt 029006 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR579.XXX HR579
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modations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104–1). 

XVII. STATEMENT ON PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL

LAW

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

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) * * * 

(b) MANAGEMENT PLAN AND REPORT.—øWithin 6 months after 

the date of enactment of this Act¿ Not later than 6 months after 

the date of enactment of the Act enacting this sentence, the Secretary shall publish an update of the management plan øto expand 

the steel research and development initiative to include aluminum 

and¿ to carry out the purposes of this Act, and shall transmit such 

plan to Congress. The Secretary, from time to time, may further 

update the management plan. The management plan shall be subject to the following conditions: 

(1) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(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 

8 

aluminum research to provide necessary instrumentation and 

measurement research and development in support of activities 

conducted under 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 for fiscal year 2005, an amount equal to the amount 

appropriated for the same purposes for fiscal year 2004, and 

$20,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2009. 

* * * * * * * 

XIX. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

On June 16, a quorum being present, the Committee on Science 

favorably reported H.R. 3890, a bill to reauthorize the Steel and 

Aluminum Energy Conservation and Competitiveness Act of 1988, 

by a voice vote, and recommended its enactment. 

(9) 

XX: PROCEEDINGS OF THE MARKUP BY THE 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY ON H.R. 3890, 

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2004 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENERGY, 

COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, 

Washington, DC. 

The Subcommittee met, pursuant to call, at 2:10 p.m., in Room 

2318 of the Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Judy Biggert 

[Chairwoman of the Subcommittee] presiding. 

Chairwoman BIGGERT. Good afternoon. The Subcommittee will be 

in order. I apologize for being late. After a two-day markup, we are 

having votes at this very moment, so I did get three out of five in, 

so it was time to leave. 

Pursuant to notice, the Subcommittee on Energy meets today to 

consider the following measures: H.R. 4516, to require the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program of research and development to advance high-end computing; and H.R. 3890, To Reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology 

Competitiveness Act of 1988. I ask unanimous consent for authority 

to recess the Subcommittee at any point. Without objection, it is so 

ordered. 

We will now proceed with opening statements, and I will start. 

I want to thank you all for attending today’s markup. The two 

bills the Energy Subcommittee will consider this afternoon are noncontroversial in nature, and I anticipate that we will complete our 

business here quite quickly. The first bill before the Subcommittee 

is H.R. 4516, the Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004, which I sponsored along with my Democratic 

colleague, Lincoln Davis. This bill would authorize a program of research and development in high-end computing at the Department 

of Energy. Next, the Subcommittee will consider H.R. 3890, a bill 

to reauthorize the Metals Initiative at the Department of Energy, 

sponsored by Ms. Hart. Representative Hart’s bill will help the 

metals industry, one of our most energy-intensive industries, to develop more energy-efficient processes. 

Let me speak for a moment about the legislation H.R. 4516, 

DOE’s High-Energy Computing Revitalization Act of 2004. This bill 

requires the Secretary of Energy to establish and operate high-end 

10 

computing facilities involving leadership-class machines that are 

among the most elite in the world. The bill also directs the Secretary to conduct advanced scientific and engineering research and 

development using these leadership-class systems, and to continue 

to advance the capabilities of high-end computing hardware and 

software. Finally, the bill requires that these computing facilities 

be made available on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis to researchers with U.S. industry, institutions of higher education, national laboratories, and other federal agencies. 

Last fall, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science released 

its ‘‘20-year Facilities Plan,’’ a prioritized list of the most important 

facilities needed to advance multiple fields of scientific endeavor 

over the next two decades. The second highest priority identified on 

the Department’s list was ultra-scale computing. Ultra-scale, or 

high-end, computing ranks at the top of the Department of Energy’s priority list because these computers are essential tools for 

achieving the next generation of scientific breakthroughs in a variety of disciplines. These powerful machines are used to complement 

theory and experimentation in plasma physics and fusion, astrophysics, nuclear physics, and genomes, all fields central to the Department of Energy’s mission. 

In many cases, dramatic breakthroughs will require us to increase computing power by a factor of 100, or, in some cases, by 

a factor of 1,000. While obtaining these increases may seem 

daunting, the history of computer development has taught us that 

with a sustained commitment to research, such gains are within 

our reach. 

The bill we are marking up today also complements a new initiative recently advanced by the Department. Last month, Secretary 

Abraham announced the selection of a team including Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and other partners to develop and build a new high-end computing facility. When 

completed, this facility will outpace the world’s current number one 

computer, Japan’s Earth Simulator. By renewing our commitment 

to high-end computing research and development at the Department of Energy, the United States can regain its distinction as 

home to the world’s most powerful computer. 

[The prepared statement of Mrs. Biggert follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN JUDY BIGGERT

I want to thank you all for attending today’s markup. The two bills the Energy 

Subcommittee will consider this morning are non-controversial in nature, and I anticipate that we will complete our business here quite quickly. 

The first bill before the Subcommittee is H.R. 4516, the Department of Energy 

High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004, which I sponsored along with my 

Democratic colleague, Lincoln Davis. This bill would authorize a program of research and development in high-end computing at the Department of Energy. Next, 

the Subcommittee will consider H.R. 3890, a bill to reauthorize the metals initiative 

at the Department of Energy, sponsored by Ms. Hart. Representative Hart’s bill will 

help the metals industry, one of our most energy intensive industries, to develop 

more energy efficient processes. 

Let me speak for a moment about my legislation, H.R. 4516, the DOE High-End 

Computing Revitalization Act of 2004. This bill requires the Secretary of Energy to 

establish and operate high-end computing facilities involving ‘‘leadership-class’’ machines that are among the most elite in the world. My bill also directs the Secretary 

to conduct advanced scientific and engineering research and development using 

these leadership class systems, and to continue to advance the capabilities of highend computing hardware and software. Finally, the bill requires that these comVerDate mar 24 2004 04:43 Jul 02, 2004 Jkt 029006 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6621 E:\HR\OC\HR579.XXX HR579
11 

puting facilities be made available on a competitive, peer-reviewed basis to researchers with U.S. industry, institutions of higher education, national laboratories, and 

other federal agencies. 

Last fall, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science released its twenty-year 

facilities plan, a prioritized list of the most important facilities needed to advance 

multiple fields of scientific endeavor over the next two decades. The second highest 

priority identified on the Department’s list was ‘‘ultra-scale computing.’’

Ultra-scale or high-end computing ranks at the top of the Department of Energy’s 

priority list because these computers are essential tools for achieving the next generation of scientific breakthroughs in a variety of disciplines. These powerful machines are used to complement theory and experimentation in plasma physics and 

fusion, astrophysics, nuclear physics, and genomics, all fields central to the Department of Energy’s mission. 

In many cases, dramatic breakthroughs will require us to increase computing 

power by a factor of a hundred, or in some cases, by a factor of a thousand. While 

attaining these increases may seem daunting, the history of computer development 

has taught us that with a sustained commitment to research, such gains are within 

our reach. 

The bill we are marking up today also complements a new initiative recently advanced by the Department. Last month, Secretary Abraham announced the selection 

of a team, including Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 

and other partners to develop and build a new, high-end computing facility. When 

completed, this new facility will outpace the world’s current ‘‘number one’’ computer, 

Japan’s Earth Simulator. 

By renewing our commitment to high-end computing research and development 

at the Department of Energy, the United States can regain its distinction as home 

to the world’s most powerful computer. 

Thank you. 

Chairwoman BIGGERT. I now recognize Mr. Larson for five minutes to present his opening remarks. 

Mr. LARSON. Thank you, Madame Chair. I join with you in the 

sentiments that you have expressed that the two bills that we are 

about to undertake are one that enjoy unanimous support of the 

Subcommittee, and we look forward to their passage in taking 

them before the Committee of the whole. And I would like to congratulate both Congresswoman Hart and also yourself and Congressman Lincoln Davis for your hard work in putting forth this 

legislation. 

Madame Chair, I am pleased to join you in supporting the Department of Energy’s High-End Computing Revitalization Act that 

is before the Subcommittee today. I want to congratulate you and 

Congressman Lincoln Davis on our side of the aisle for all of your 

hard work in developing this important bill. It has been a bipartisan effort, as you know, that culminated in an excellent legislative product deserving of the support of the Subcommittee. 

The activities authorized at Department of Energy by H.R. 4516 

will help to ensure that United States researchers have the tools 

they need now and in the future to make progress in science and 

engineering research and to generate the new ideas that will underpin future technology products and services. The bill will reenergize the Department of Energy’s R&D efforts in supercomputing, which have been at the forefront in past development of 

high-end computing capabilities, as you have previously noted. The 

resources authorized will provide researchers with access to the 

most powerful computing systems and will also support the education and training of new scientists and engineers in computer 

and computational sciences. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Larson follows:] 

12 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LARSON

Thank you Madame Chairman. 

We are here today to markup H.R. 3890, Congresswoman Hart’s bill to reauthorize the metals R&D program at the Department of Energy. 

The implications for programs such as this extend well beyond the steel and aluminum industries. With U.S. manufacturing capabilities quickly heading overseas, 

we have a responsibility to do all we can to bolster domestic industries and keep 

Americans working. 

The Department of Energy has a long and successful history of partnerships with 

industry. Through the Industries of the Future program, the Department has seen 

substantial technological benefits in a wide range of industrial sectors. 

In addition to the work done on steel and aluminum, applied research programs 

in the mining, chemicals, forest products, agriculture, glass and petroleum industries have seen real results. Together, these industries employ a very large part of 

the domestic manufacturing workforce. 

There are many benefits of sustaining R&D partnerships with industry. We see 

results in energy savings, a cleaner environment, competitive industries, high-paying jobs and ultimately a more solid foundation for our economy. 

H.R. 3890 is a small but effective step Congress can take to reinforce key domestic 

industries in their efforts to achieve these goals and I support the bill. 

Thank you, and I yield back my time. 

Mr. LARSON. I would also seek unanimous consent, and I know 

that Mr. Davis is not here, and I know how hard he has worked 

on this proposal and would seek unanimous consent to submit, for 

the record, any remarks that Mr. Davis, who I know is also probably detained by a markup and is unable to be here at this point. 

Chairwoman BIGGERT. Without objection, all Members’ opening 

statements will be placed in the record at this time. 

The next bill is H.R. 3890, a bill To Reauthorize the Steel and 

Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness 

Act of 1988. We will now proceed with opening remarks, and I will 

yield five minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania to introduce the bill. 

Ms. HART. Thank you, Madame Chair. I hope I won’t take the 

five minutes. 

The Committee is familiar with the legislation from our recent 

hearing, and I would ask the Committee, obviously, to support it. 

The goal of the legislation is to reauthorize the original Steel and 

Aluminum Competitiveness Act of 1988, which authorized federal 

cost sharing for research in the metals industry. This legislation 

does this by providing federal incentives for the establishment of 

public/private sector research and development to develop technologies that utilize the expertise of our existing metals industries 

to their fullest potential. The act established three goals. One was 

high-energy efficiency. The other is increasing competitiveness of 

the U.S. metals industries worldwide, and also improving our environment. 

The legislation also has a payback provision, which I think is especially important. This initiative requires, under this payback provision, the federal share of the monies for the research to be repaid 

out of the net proceeds from commercialization of the developed 

technology that is a result of these grants. This has several advantages. Obviously, one by compelling commercialization, it focuses 

the funding for particular projects on those that have the best 

chance of commercial success. And also, the Metals Initiative requires a commercialization partner, which is a business partner, 

that will be involved in the project from the beginning and the reVerDate mar 24 2004 04:43 Jul 02, 2004 Jkt 029006 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HR579.XXX HR579
13 

sponsibility of that business partner is then to deliver that technology somehow profitably into the market. 

The reason that we need the reauthorization is because the steel 

industry and the Department of Energy have continued the partnership but at a much lower level since the expiration of this Act. 

The Steel Initiative continued even after the expiration as well. 

The Administration has continued to support this type of partnership. For fiscal year 2005, in fact, the Administration has recommended $6.5 million for the Initiative, $3.8 million for steel, 

$2.7 for aluminum, but that is only half of what was provided in 

2004. In 2004, the level of funding was $13.3 million. It is very difficult to plan projects having funding swing so severely from $6.5 

in one budget to $13.3 the next, or backwards, so this legislation 

would basically reauthorize the 1988 Act through 2009 at a more 

consistent level of $10 million a year. 

Over the years, 58 steel companies and 23 research organizations 

have participated and benefited from the program. Those of you 

who were at the hearing will recall that two organizations that participated in the program, one called Integ Process Group, and they 

do a lot of the research, and another, United States Steel, had been 

participants through this program and had much success. They testified regarding the benefits that it has provided in the past and 

potential benefits that it can continue to provide if we continue to 

fund it in the future. 

I believe the bill is right for industry. I believe it is good for energy consumption and also good for our environment. It provides 

for government and for our economy a great bang for the buck, especially with the requirements for commercialization and payback. 

So I ask the Members for their support, and I yield back, Madame 

Chair. 

[The prepared statement of Ms. Hart follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE MELISSA HART

I would like to thank Madam Chair for calling this markup to discuss my legislation H.R. 3890, To Reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and 

Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. 

As a lifelong Western Pennsylvanian, I saw the devastating effects on my region 

by the collapse of the domestic steel industry in the 1970s and early 1980s. In the 

1960’s there were 15,000 steel-producing jobs in the City of Aliquippa alone. Currently, there are 15,000 steel-producing jobs in all of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties combined. Recently, we almost saw 

the complete folding of the industry as they were attacked by unfair trade practices 

and dumping by foreign competitors. 

However, the steel industry has worked within itself to stay efficient, cost effective and productive, despite these exterior set backs. As one of the largest energy 

consumers in manufacturing, they sought way to be energy efficient and environmentally sensitive. In such a cash strapped business, they needed the help of the 

Federal Government to be able to seek these benefits. The purpose of the original 

legislation was to authorize federal cost sharing of research in the metals industry. 

The legislation established three goals: energy-efficiency, increasing the competitiveness of U.S. industry and improving the environment. Legislation does this by providing federal incentives for the establishment of public-private sector research and 

development to develop technologies that utilize the expertise of the metals industries. Legislation also has a payback provision that requires the federal share to be 

repaid out of net proceeds of commercialization of the developed technology. This 

has several advantages such as: by compelling commercialization, it forces only the 

projects with the best chance of commercial success to be selected; by requiring a 

‘‘commercialization partner,’’ a company involved in the project from the beginning 

has the responsibility to deliver the technology to market. 

14 

The steel industry and Department of Energy continued this partnership under 

the Metals Initiative, and its predecessor, the Steel Initiative, even after the authorization expired. 

While the Metals Initiative benefited from years of high funding levels, we have 

seen a steady decline in the funding over the last four years. For the fiscal year 

2005 the Administration only recommended a total of $6.5 million ($3.8 million for 

steel, $2.7 for aluminum) which is half the $13.3 million provided in 2004. My legislation would reauthorize the 1988 Act through 2009 at a constant level of $10 million per year. 

Over the years 58 steel companies and 23 research organizations have participated and benefited from the program. Many of those companies are from my region 

including two companies that participated in our May 20th hearing, INTEG Process 

Group and U.S. Steel. Also universities in my region, including the University of 

Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, benefited from this program. The Metals Initiative has helped push private research investments to pursue public goals. 

This bill is right for the industry, good for energy consumption and good for the environment. I ask for your support and yield back. 

Chairwoman BIGGERT. I now recognize Mr. Larson for five minutes to present his opening remarks. 

Mr. LARSON. Thank you, Madame Chair. 

We are here today to mark up H.R. 3890, Congresswoman Hart’s 

bill, to reauthorize the Metals Research and Development Program 

at the Department of Energy. 

The implications for programs such as this extend well beyond 

the steel and aluminum industries. With U.S. manufacturing capabilities quickly heading overseas, we have the responsibility to do 

all that we can to bolster domestic industries and keep Americans 

working. 

The Department of Energy has a long and successful history of 

partnerships with industry. Through the Industries of the Future 

Program, the Department has seen substantial technological benefits in a wide range of industrial sectors. 

In addition to the work done on the steel and aluminum, applied 

research programs in mining, chemicals, forest products, agriculture, glass, and petroleum industries have seen real results. Together these industries employ a very large part of the domestic 

manufacturing workforce. 

There are many benefits of sustaining research and development 

partnerships with industry. We see the results in energy savings, 

a cleaner environment, competitive industries, high-paying jobs, 

and ultimately, a more solid foundation for our economy. 

H.R. 3890 is a small, but effective, step Congress can take to reinforce key domestic industries in their efforts to achieve these 

goals, and I support the bill. 

Thank you, and I yield back my time. 

Chairwoman BIGGERT. The gentleman yields back. 

Without objection, all Members may place opening remarks in 

the record at this point. 

I ask unanimous consent that H.R. 3890 be considered as read 

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

Are there any amendments? Hearing none, the question is on the 

bill, as amended, H.R. 3890, To Reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 

1988, as amended. All of those in favor will say aye. All of those 

opposed will say no. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it. 

I now recognize Mr. Larson to offer a motion. 

15 

Mr. LARSON. Thank you, Madame Chair. 

Madame Chair, I move that the Subcommittee favorably report 

the bill H.R. 3890 to the Full Committee. Further, I ask unanimous 

consent that the staff be instructed to make all necessary technical 

and conforming changes to the bill in accordance with the recommendation of the Subcommittee. 

Chairwoman BIGGERT. The question is on the motion to report 

the bill. Those in favor will say aye. Those opposed will say no. The 

ayes have it, and the motion is agreed to. 

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

This concludes our Subcommittee markup. And I thank you all. 

And again, I apologize for being late. My one goal always is to be 

on time and to start our meetings on time. So once again, thank 

you for coming, and the Chair declares the Subcommittee adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 2:20 p.m., the Subcommittee was adjourned.] 

(17) 

Appendix: 

H.R. 3890, TO REAUTHORIZE THE STEEL AND ALUMINUM ENERGY

CONSERVATION AND TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 1988; 

SUMMARY OF H.R. 3890; SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF H.R. 

3890 

18 


3890e.eps
19 


3890f.eps
20 

SUMMARY OF H.R. 3890 

The bill amends the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology 

Competitiveness Act of 1988. Primarily, the bill authorizes appropriations of $10 million each year for fiscal years 2005 through 2009 for the Department of Energy. The 

bill also includes provisions to: 

• Include the potential for technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as 

a consideration in research planning; 

• Repeal a section related to programs at the National Institute of Standards 

and Technology (NIST) that have been inactive; and 

• Re-establish a requirement for an annual report to the President and the 

Congress on R&D activities carried out under the program. 

21 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF H.R. 3890 

Section 1 

Authorizes appropriations of $10 million for each of the fiscal years 2005 through 

2009. 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. 

Bill Background 

What did the underlying legislation do? 

The underlying act, the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology 

Competitiveness Act of 1988, (the Act) authorized a program to ‘‘increase the energy 

efficiency and enhance the competitiveness of American steel, aluminum, and copper 

industries’’ through research and development activities at DOE. While a program 

already existed at DOE, the Act required an updated research plan, set the minimum cost share from industry at 30 percent, identified specific priorities for consideration in project selection, required regular reports to Congress, and outlined intellectual property rights for discoveries of the research. The Act also mandated participation by industry and labor in the development of the management plans. The 

Act also called on NIST to provide instrumentation and measurement R&D support 

to the programs. 

What programmatic changes does H.R. 3890 include? 

In addition to authorizing $10 million per year for fiscal year 2005 through fiscal 

year 2009 to carry out the program, H.R. 3890 proposes to: 

• Authorize research to target greenhouse gas reductions. As large energy consumers the metals industries make a significant contribution to total 

emission of greenhouse gasses, including carbon dioxide. This provision, included at the request of the metals industry, would explicitly allow research 

projects that concentrate on reducing these emissions; 

• Repeal the sections of the Act that refer to NIST. The NIST portion of 

the program has not been active for many years. While NIST’s general authorities would allow work to continue on competitiveness for the metals industry, the bill’s sponsors believe that it is most important to focus the program at the Department of Energy; 

• Require an annual report to Congress. The report must include a summary of the research and development activities, including budget information, together with any recommendations from the Secretary on other actions 

that could assist the industry. The report must also contain an analysis of 

the extent to which projects succeeded in accomplishing the purposes of the 

Act. 

How does the existing program work? 

The program is closely coordinated with industry through participation in research planning and cost-sharing. This involvement serves as a ‘‘market test’’ of 

whether industry perceives the activities as important enough to contribute their 

time and money. In general, the program solicits proposals, which are concurrently 

reviewed by the industry’s trade organization and DOE to ensure that the projects 

meet the criteria and objectives of both. The resulting list of qualified proposals is 

then distributed to the trade group’s member companies, which determine priority 

projects by identifying projects for which they are willing to cost share. Project 

awards are made, and the research is generally conducted at universities and national laboratories, although some research may also be carried out on-site at participating companies’ facilities. To ensure that the benefits are realized domestically, 

the Act limits company participation to those companies ‘‘substantially involved in 

the United States domestic production, processing, or use’’ of steel, aluminum or 

copper. 

What are the funding levels for the program? 

In 2004, Congress appropriated $6.7 million for the steel program and $6.6 million 

for the aluminum program. The 2005 Budget includes $3.8 million and $2.7 million 

for these programs, respectively. 

(23) 

XXI. PROCEEDINGS OF THE FULL COMMITTEE MARKUP ON H.R. 3890, TO REAUTHORIZE THE STEEL AND ALUMINUM ENERGY CONSERVATION AND TECHNOLOGY 

COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF 1988 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2004 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE, 

Washington, DC. 

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

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

Boehlert [Chairman of the Committee] presiding. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. The Committee on Science will be in order. 

Pursuant to notice, the Committee on Science meets today to consider the following measures: H.R. 3890, To Reauthorize the Steel 

and Aluminum Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act 

of 1988; H.R. 3598, Manufacturing Technology Competitiveness Act 

of 2004; H.R. 4218, High-Performance Computing Revitalization Act 

of 2004; and H.R. 4516, Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004. 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. 

We will now proceed with opening statements, and I will lead off. 

I am going to keep my remarks very brief, because we have a 

long markup ahead of us. I would simply point out that once again 

we have come up with a good set of bipartisan bills that prepare 

our nation for the future. We have Ms. Hart’s metals bill, which 

will help our nation save energy, helping the steel and aluminum 

industries remain competitive by helping our nation become less 

dependent on foreign sources of energy, all worthy goals. We have 

Ms. Biggert’s computing bill—bills, which will revitalize our highperformance computing efforts, enabling our scientists and computing industry to excel as they face new challenges from abroad. 

And we have Dr. Ehlers’ manufacturing bill, which will help our 

smaller manufacturers stay up-to-date and competitive. All of these 

bills reflect significant contributions from the Minority and have 

lead Minority co-sponsors, whom I am sure Mr. Gordon will acknowledge. 

Our debate today will be prolonged, but it won’t be on fundamental goals or principles. It will be about whether to do even 

more in the manufacturing bill. I think we need to get this measure through before we take on additional issues. We will have liveVerDate mar 24 2004 04:43 Jul 02, 2004 Jkt 029006 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6601 E:\HR\OC\HR579.XXX HR579
24 

ly discussion on that, but we are united on trying to do everything 

possible for our manufacturers. 

With that, let the games begin. 

Mr. Gordon. 

[The prepared statement of Chairman Boehlert follows:] 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF CHAIRMAN SHERWOOD BOEHLERT

I’m going to keep my remarks very brief because we have a long markup ahead 

of us. 

I would simply point out that once again we’ve come with a good set of bipartisan 

bills that prepare our nation for the future. We have Ms. Hart’s metals bill, which 

will help our nation save energy, helping the steel and aluminum industry remain 

competitive while helping our nation become less dependent on foreign sources of 

energy. We have Ms. Biggert’s computing bills, which will revitalize our high-performance computing efforts, enabling our scientists and computing industry to excel 

as they face new challenges from abroad. And we have Mr. Ehlers manufacturing 

bill, which will help our smaller manufacturers stay up-to-date and competitive. 

All these bills reflect significant contributions from the Minority and have lead 

Minority co-sponsors, whom I’m sure Mr. Gordon will acknowledge. 

Our debate today will be prolonged, but it won’t be on fundamental goals or first 

principles. It will be about whether to do even more in the manufacturing bill. I 

think we need to get this measure through before we take on additional issues. We’ll 

have lively discussion on that, but we are united on trying to do everything possible 

for our manufacturers. 

With that, let the games begin. 

Mr. Gordon. 

Mr. GORDON. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me say that we are 

pleased at the bipartisan cooperation we have experienced in the 

development of three of the bills considered today: H.R. 3890, To 

Reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and 

Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988; H.R. 4516, the Department 

of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act of 2004; and 

H.R. 4218, the High-Performance Computing Revitalization Act of 

2004. 

With regard to H.R. 4218 and H.R. 4516, we believe the Committee is making a major contribution to reinvigorating high-end 

computing at a time when traditional U.S. lead is under vigorous 

challenge. We are depending on this program to increase ability to 

understand huge data sets across a wide spectrum of programs 

ranging from advanced manufacturing to weather prediction. 

The steel industry is one of several industrial sectors that are 

heavy users of energy and benefit from cooperative research with 

the Federal Government. We support not only continuing the Department of Energy’s program with the steel industry as set out in 

H.R. 3890, but also strengthening the entire Industries of the Future Program. 

Unfortunately, though, however, the same level of cooperation 

did not occur on H.R. 3598 in developing our manufacturing policy. 

This is particularly disturbing in light of the battering this sector 

has endured over the last three years. We have no problem with 

the tentative first steps taken in H.R. 3598, but we do not think 

it is an adequate response to the problems that have cost the jobs 

of two million Americans. I will have further comments on this bill 

when it is called up for consideration. 

Thank you. 

[The prepared statement of Mr. Gordon follows:] 

25 

PREPARED STATEMENT OF REPRESENTATIVE BART GORDON

We are pleased at the bipartisan cooperation we have experienced in the development of three bills to be considered today: H.R. 3890, TO REAUTHORIZE THE STEEL

AND ALUMINUM ENERGY CONSERVATION AND TECHNOLOGY COMPETITIVENESS ACT OF

1988; H.R. 4516, The Department of Energy High-End Computing Revitalization Act 

of 2004; and H.R. 4218, The High-Performance Computing Revitalization Act of 

2004. 

With regard to H.R. 4218 and H.R. 4516, we believe the Committee is making a 

major contribution to reinvigorating high-end computing at a time when the traditional U.S. lead is under vigorous challenge. We are depending on this program to 

increase our ability to understand huge data sets across a wide spectrum of problems ranging from advanced manufacturing to weather prediction. The steel industry is one of several industrial sectors that are heavy users of energy that benefit 

from cooperative research with the Federal Government. We support, not only continuing the Department of Energy’s program with the steel industry as set out in 

H.R. 3890, but also strengthening the entire Industries of the Future Program. 

Unfortunately, the same level of cooperation did not occur on the H.R. 3598, The 

Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2004, in developing our manufacturing policy. 

This is particularly disturbing in light of the battering this sector has endured over 

the past three years. We have no problem with the tentative first steps taken in 

H.R. 3598, but we do not think it is an adequate response to the problems that have 

cost the jobs of two million Americans. I will have further comments on this bill 

when it is called up for consideration. 

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

Without objection, all Members may place opening statements in 

the record at this point. 

We will now consider H.R. 3890. Now, listen, the balance of the 

program. We have three bills, and by agreement of both sides, we 

are going to move these rather rapidly. We are very mindful of the 

demands on your time. We will now consider H.R. 3890, To Reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988. I now yield five minutes to Ms. Hart to introduce her bill. 

Ms. HART. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for scheduling 

this markup so quickly on the heels of the Subcommittee markup, 

but I would like to also thank the Subcommittee Chairman, Mrs. 

Biggert, for moving the bill as well. 

H.R. 3890 is a bill to reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum Energy Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, 

and it is—the purpose of it is to just reauthorize the Act, which has 

expired. I would authorize federal cost sharing of research in the 

metals industry. The legislation does this by providing federal incentives for the establishment of public private sector research and 

development, to develop technologies that will utilize the expertise 

of the metal industries, and also, the expertise of those that provide process development. 

The Act established three goals. And one is energy efficiency, the 

second is increasing the competitiveness of the United States industry, the metals industry here, and also, improving the environment. The legislation also contains something that I think is extremely important, and that is a payback provision. It requires a 

federal share, or a portion of the federal share, to be repaid out of 

the net proceeds of the commercialization of the developed technology. 

This has several advantages. Obviously, first, by compelling commercialization, it focuses these—the decision for which projects will 

be funded on those projects which have the best chance of commercial success, and also, the metals initiative requires that there be 

26 

a commercialization partner, that is a business, that will be involved in the project from the beginning, and it will be the responsibility of that business to deliver this technology to market. 

The reason we need the reauthorization is that the partnership 

has been concluded, even though the Act—the part—excuse me, 

has been continued even after the Act expired, but it is important, 

in my opinion, to continue it, because the funding has been inconsistent. For Fiscal Year 2005, the Administration only recommended a total of $6.5 million, which is $3.8 million for steel, 

$2.7 million for aluminum, which is half of what was provided in 

the prior year of 2004. 

This legislation would simply reauthorize the Act, and continue 

it until 2009, and at a consistent funding level. Over the years of 

this Act, 58 steel companies and 23 research organizations have 

participated and benefited from the program, creating a stronger 

industry, creating jobs, and obviously, helping us to be competitive 

worldwide. 

Two of those companies, as the Members may recall, did participate in a hearing before the Subcommittee, and one of them, Integ 

Process Group, the other, United States Steel, testified about the 

positive effects of this initiative, and their hopes for the future of 

this initiative, has continued. 

I believe it is a great bill for industry. It is good for energy consumption, and it is good for the environment, and by partnering 

with industry, it provides a great bang for the government dollar. 

I ask the Members for their support, and I yield back, Mr. Chairman. 

Chairman BOEHLERT.—presentation. The Chair now recognizes. 

The Chair now recognizes Mr. Gordon. 

Mr. GORDON. I want to commend Congresswoman Hart for her 

work on H.R. 3890, for a variety of reasons, and which I won’t go 

to today, because of our need for brevity, but I urge the support of 

this bill. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Thank you very much. Without objection, 

all Members may place opening statements in the record at this 

point. I ask unanimous consent that the bill is considered as read 

and opened to amendment at any point, and that the Members proceed with the amendments in the order of the roster. 

Without objection, so ordered. The first amendment on the roster 

is an amendment in the nature of a substitute, offered by Ms. Hart. 

I ask unanimous consent that the amendment in the nature of a 

substitute be treated as original text for purpose of amendment 

under the five-minute rule. Without objection, so ordered. Ms. 

Hart? 

Ms. HART. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I mentioned the continuation of funding through this legislation, and what we do in the 

amendment. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Do you have the amendment——

Ms. HART. I am sorry. 

Chairman BOEHLERT.—desk. Clerk, report the amendment. 

Ms. HART. Thanks. 

Ms. TESSIERI. Amendment in the nature of a substitute to H.R. 

3890, offered by Ms. Hart. 

[Note: See the Appendix for the Amendment offered by Ms. Hart.] 

27 

Chairman BOEHLERT. The gentlelady is recognized. 

Ms. HART. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I apologize for starting too 

soon. Basically, there are some technical corrections in the amendment. One is that the development of an initiative for aluminum 

is removed, because the Department of Energy has already done 

that, and the other is regarding the consistent funding, we actually 

replace $10 million with $20 million, so that the funding will be 

more significant. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Thank you very much. If there is no further discussion on the amendment, the next amendment is on the 

roster, amendment number 2, an amendment offered by the gentleman from Minnesota. Are you ready to proceed? 

Mr. GUTKNECHT. Yes, Mr. Chairman. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. You are recognized. The Clerk will report 

the amendment. 

Ms. TESSIERI. Amendment offered by Mr. Gutknecht to the 

amendment in the nature of a substitute. 

[Note: See the Appendix for the Amendment offered by Mr. Gutknecht.] 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Mr. Gutknecht is recognized for five minutes. 

Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Chairman, I believe this amendment that 

Ms. Hart will agree to, essentially what it does, because we are, in 

fairly large sections of the federal budget this year, we are putting 

in what I would describe as a flexible freeze, and as a Member of 

the Budget Committee, I think we probably need to follow through 

in terms of our authorization, and instructing the appropriators. 

All this really does is—does for this program what we have done 

for so many other programs, and that is to flatline the budget for 

this year. The compromise is that in future years, the amount authorized for this program will be allowed to go up. And so I would 

hope you would support this amendment, and we can move forward 

with the bill. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Ms. Hart, do you have a word to say in 

support? 

Ms. HART. Yes. I have. My staff and Mr. Gutknecht’s staff have 

worked out an agreement on the amendment, so I do support the 

amendment. 

Chairman BOEHLERT. Is there further discussion on the amendment? If not, the vote occurs on the amendment. All in favor, say 

aye? Aye. Opposed, no. The ayes appear to have it, and the amendment is agreed to. 

Now, we will vote on the amendment in the nature of a substitute. Are there any further amendments to the amendment in 

the nature of a substitute? Hearing none, the question is on the 

amendment in the nature of a substitute. All in favor, say aye. Aye. 

The opposed, say no. The ayes have it, and the amendment in the 

nature of a substitute is agreed to. 

Are there any other amendments? Hearing none, the question is 

now on the bill, H.R. 3890, To Reauthorize the Steel and Aluminum 

Conservation and Technology Competitiveness Act of 1988, as 

amended. All those in favor, say aye. Aye. Opposed, no. In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it. 

I now recognize Mr. Gordon to offer an amendment. 

28 

Mr. GORDON. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee favorably report H.R. 3890, as amended, to the House with the recommendation that the bill, as amended, 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. 

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

bill, as amended, favorably. Those in favor of the motion will signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, no. The ayes appear to have it, 

and the resolution 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 Rule 22 of the Rules of 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. 3890, as 

amended, and to go to conference with the Senate on H.R. 3890, 

or a similar Senate bill. Without objection, so ordered. 

This concludes our Committee markup, and I want to thank 

those who indulged all of us for so many hours. I want to thank 

the staff on a bipartisan basis for their outstanding input, that 

makes these success stories possible. 

This committee is adjourned. 

[Whereupon, at 2:15 p.m., the Committee was adjourned.] 

(29) 

Appendix: 

AMENDMENT ROSTER

30 


3890a.eps
31 


3890b.eps
32 


3890c.eps
33 


3890d.eps