To authorize the designation of National Environmental Research Parks by the Secretary of Energy, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-hr-2729
Sponsor: Rep. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM-3]
Introduced: 2009-06-04 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Ecology
Energy research
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Georgia
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Higher education
Idaho
Illinois
Land use and conservation
Nevada
New Mexico
Nuclear power
Nuclear weapons
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Research and development
Tennessee
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: 
Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to designate as permanent protected outdoor research reserves for the purpose of conducting long-term environmental research on the impacts of human activities on the natural environment: (1) Savannah River National Environmental Research Park; (2) Idaho National Environmental Research Park; (3) Los Alamos National Environmental Research Park; (4) Fermi Lab National Environmental Research Park; (5) Hanford National Environmental Research Park; (6) Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park; and (7) Nevada National Environmental Research Park.
 
Requires each site to support environmental research and monitoring activities and public outreach and education activities to characterize and monitor site conditions and serve as control areas for comparison with environmental impacts of DOE land management, energy technology development, remediation, and other site activities outside the Park areas. Requires areas of research and monitoring on the sites to include: (1) ecology of the site and the region; (2) population biology and ecology; (3) radioecology; (4) ecosystem science; (5) pollution fate and transport research; (6) surface and groundwater modeling; and (7) student training.
 
Requires DOE to enter into a cooperative agreement with specified universities to ensure the independence of the research, monitoring, public education, and outreach activities.
 
Requires each site to support an outreach program to inform the public of the diverse ecological activities conducted and to educate students at various levels in environmental science. 
 

action_date: 2009-07-14
text: 
Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to designate as permanent protected outdoor research reserves for the purpose of conducting long-term environmental research on the impacts of human activities on the natural environment: (1) Savannah River National Environmental Research Park; (2) Idaho National Environmental Research Park; (3) Los Alamos National Environmental Research Park; (4) Fermi Lab National Environmental Research Park; (5) Hanford National Environmental Research Park; (6) Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park; and (7) Nevada National Environmental Research Park.
 
Requires each site to support environmental research and monitoring activities to characterize and monitor site conditions and serve as control areas for comparison with environmental impacts of DOE land management, energy technology development, remediation, and other site activities outside the Park areas. Authorizes areas of research and monitoring on the sites to include: (1) ecology of the site and the region; (2) population biology and ecology; (3) radioecology; (4) effects of climate variability and change on ecosystems; (5) ecosystem science; (6) pollution fate and transport research; (7) surface and groundwater modeling; (8) student training; and (9) environmental impacts of development and use of energy generation technologies, including renewable energy technologies.
 
Requires DOE to enter into a cooperative agreement with a university, community college, or consortium of institutions of higher education with expertise in ecology and environmental science of the region in which the Park is located to ensure the independence of the research, monitoring, public education, and outreach activities.
 
Requires each site to support an outreach program to inform the public of the diverse ecological activities conducted and to educate students at various levels in environmental science. 
 
Requires DOE to designate a National Environmental Research Park Coordinator within the Department of Energy Office of Science to: (1) coordinate research activities among the Parks; (2) ensure that information on best practices for research, education, and outreach activities is shared among the sites; and (3) serve as liaison to other federal agencies to facilitate collaborative work at the Parks.
 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014.
 
Authorizes the Parks to be utilized to provide educational opportunities through the Summer Institutes program authorized in the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act.

action_date: 2009-07-21
text: 
Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to designate as protected outdoor research reserves for the purpose of conducting long-term environmental research on the impacts of human activities on the natural environment: (1) Savannah River National Environmental Research Park; (2) Idaho National Environmental Research Park; (3) Los Alamos National Environmental Research Park; (4) Fermi Lab National Environmental Research Park; (5) Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park; and (6) Nevada National Environmental Research Park.
 
Requires each site to support environmental research and monitoring activities to characterize and monitor site conditions and serve as control areas for comparison with environmental impacts of DOE land management, energy technology development, remediation, and other site activities outside the Park areas. Authorizes areas of research and monitoring on the sites to include: (1) ecology of the site and the region; (2) population biology and ecology; (3) radioecology; (4) effects of climate variability and change on ecosystems; (5) ecosystem science; (6) pollution fate and transport research; (7) surface and groundwater modeling; (8) student training; and (9) environmental impacts of development and use of energy generation technologies, including renewable energy technologies.
 
Requires DOE to enter into a cooperative agreement with a university, community college, or consortium of institutions of higher education with expertise in ecology and environmental science of the region in which the Park is located to ensure the independence of the research, monitoring, public education, and outreach activities.
 
Requires each site to support an outreach program to inform the public of the diverse ecological activities conducted and to educate students at various levels in environmental science. 
 
Requires DOE to designate a National Environmental Research Park Coordinator within the Department of Energy Office of Science to: (1) coordinate research activities among the Parks; (2) ensure that information on best practices for research, education, and outreach activities is shared among the sites; and (3) serve as liaison to other federal agencies to facilitate collaborative work at the Parks.
 
 
Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014.
 
Authorizes the Parks to be utilized to provide educational opportunities through the Summer Institutes program authorized in the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-12-08
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy. Hearings held.
action_date: 2009-07-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2009-07-21
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2009-07-21
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 330 - 96 (Roll no. 597). (text: CR 7/20/2009 H8363)
action_date: 2009-07-21
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 330 - 96 (Roll no. 597).(text: CR 7/20/2009 H8363)
action_date: 2009-07-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8445-8446)
action_date: 2009-07-20
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2009-07-20
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2729.
action_date: 2009-07-20
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8362-8364)
action_date: 2009-07-20
text: Mr. Lujan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2009-07-14
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 113.
action_date: 2009-07-14
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 111-207.
action_date: 2009-07-14
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 111-207.
action_date: 2009-06-24
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2009-06-24
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-06-16
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2009-06-16
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-06-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
action_date: 2009-06-09
text: Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Prior to Referral.
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1315-1316)
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-06-04
text: Introduced in House