Democrats:
Brian Baird (Washington),
Chair
Jerry F. Costello (Illinois)
Lynn Woolsey (California)
Ben Ray Luján (New Mexico)
Paul D. Tonko (New York)
Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas)
Daniel Lipinski (Illinois)
Gabrielle Giffords (Arizona)
Jim Matheson (Utah)
Lincoln Davis (Tennessee)
Ben Chandler (Kentucky)
John Garamendi
(California)
Bart Gordon (Tennessee),
ex officio
Republicans:
Bob Inglis (South Carolina),
Ranking Member
Roscoe G. Bartlett (Maryland)
Vernon J. Ehlers (Michigan)
Judy Biggert (Illinois)
W. Todd Akin (Missouri)
Randy Neugebauer (Texas)
Mario Diaz-Balart (Florida)
Ralph M. Hall (Texas),
ex officio
Subcommittee Discusses Oil Spill Research, Cleanup Technologies, and the Environment
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On April 20, 2010, an explosion and fire occurred on the BP Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. This resulted in the death of eleven workers, a massive oil release, and a national response effort in the Gulf of Mexico by the federal, state, and local governments as well as BP. The response to the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill is the largest operation of its kind in U.S. history; however, our current response tools have limited effectiveness in a spill of this magnitude.
On June 9th, the Energy and Environment Subcommittee explored the research, development, and technology needs for the recovery of oil and effective cleanup of oil spills. Members and witnesses discussed lessons learned from the Exxon Valdez oil spill of 1989. Additionally, concern was expressed about the effectiveness of currently deployed technologies such as booms, skimmers, in situ burns and dispersants. Members consulted witnesses about the barriers to the development and use of transformational technologies for oil spill cleanup.
Read more about the Committee’s work on the oil spill >>
Read more about this hearing >>
Legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to energy research, development, and demonstration and projects therefor, commercial application of energy technology, and environmental research, including:
Subcommittee Quick Links |
(May 13, 2011) Democrats Weigh the True Costs and Risks of Nuclear Energy Post-Fukushima
(November 17, 2010) Subcommittee Chairman Baird Makes Science the Focus of Climate Change Debate
Letters From:
(May 23, 2007) Department of Energy Officials Respond to Chairmen's Request Regarding SREL
Letters From the Committee:
(April 2, 2008) Lampson Letter to DOE Questioning Changes to FutureGen
(May 29, 2007) Lampson, Miller Press for More Information in Keeping SREL Open
(May 7, 2009) E&E; Subcommittee Chairman Baird’s remarks on the Floor on loss of Aquanaut at NOAA Undersea Research Center
(September 29, 2009) Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2010
(September 29, 2009) Solar Technology Roadmap Act
(March 24, 2008) Rep. Gabrielle Giffords Discusses the Opportunites and Obstacles of Solar Power on NPR's Science Friday
(December 6, 2007) Chairman Gordon Speaks on Behalf of Energy Bill
(March 17, 2008) Say No to Reneging on Energy Standards [Giffords]
(September 20, 2007) Watching Over Spending Is Our Job [Miller, Lampson]
(October 29, 2010) [GAO] CLIMATE CHANGE: A Coordinated Strategy Could Focus Federal Geoengineering Research and Inform Governance Efforts
(March 11, 2010) [CRS] International Governance of Geoengineering