These are provisions that the Science Committee believes are in its jurisdiction and that can be improved over the bill approved by the Natural Resources Committee. We will try and get specific language and upload to this page in coming days.

Comments from experts on these topics would be welcome.

The Science Committee is in negotiations with the Natural Resources Committee with the Parliamentarian as the referee concerning jurisdiction over these provisions.

H.R. 2337, the Energy Policy Reform and Revitalization Act of 2007

(Sections 303, 305, 306, 441, 471, 472, and 473 are pasted below, but the entire text can be found here then type in H R 2337 into the search box.)

TITLE III-ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND EFFICIENCY

Section 303. Increasing Energy Efficiencies for Water Desalination.

This section directs the Secretary of the Interior, in conjunction with the Secretary of Energy, to implement a program to research methods for improving the energy efficiency of reverse osmosis technology for water desalination, water contamination, and water recycling.

SEC. 303. INCREASING ENERGY EFFICIENCIES FOR WATER DESALINATION.
The Water Desalination Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 10301 note; Public Law 104-298) is amended by adding at the end the following new section:
`SEC. 10. RESEARCH ON REVERSE OSMOSIS TECHNOLOGY FOR WATER DESALINATION AND WATER RECYCLING.
`(a) Research Program- The Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, shall implement a program to research methods for improving the energy efficiency of reverse osmosis technology for water desalination and water recycling.
`(b) Report- Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Interior shall submit to Congress a report which shall include--
`(1) a review of existing and emerging technologies, both domestic and international, that are likely to improve energy efficiency at existing and future desalination and recycling facilities; and
`(2) an analysis of the economic viability of energy efficiency technologies.'.

Section 305. OTEC Regulations.

This section directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to use its authority under the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 1980 to reissue regulations providing for the licensing, construction, and operation of related facilities in U.S. waters. Currently, OTEC facilities are unable to operate in U.S. waters without a license from NOAA.

SEC. 305. GREEN CONCESSIONS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.
When awarding any concession, whether operated under a concession contract, special use permit, or lease, the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service shall give preference to proposals that are likely to result in demonstrable energy savings and the implementation of environmentally sustainable practices.

Section 306. Biomass Utilization Pilot Program.

This section replaces Section 210 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, establishing a Biomass Utilization Pilot Program to provide incentives for biomass utilization. Through the utilization of technical assistance and grants, the pilot program will aid in developing and evaluating appropriate technologies that will be integrated with long-term forest management planning processes. The program applies to National Forest System Lands and Bureau of Land Management lands, but excludes old growth forests, wilderness areas, wilderness study areas, inventoried roadless areas, and components of the National Landscape Conservation System.

TITLE IV-CARBON CAPTURE AND CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION

Subtitle D-Natural Resources and Wildlife Programs

Section 441. Interagency Council on Climate Change.

This section creates a Climate Change Adaptability Interagency Governmental Panel to address the impacts of and coordinate efforts related to climate change on federal lands, the ocean environment, and the federal water infrastructure. The panel would include agency heads from the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Forest Service, Minerals Management Service, NOAA, Bureau of Reclamation, and Council on Environmental Quality.

REPORT ON EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
`Sec. 320. (a) In General- The Secretary shall report to the Congress not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, and every 5 years thereafter, on the possible and projected impacts of climate change on--
`(1) oceanic and coastal ecosystems, including marine fish and wildlife and their habitat, and the commercial and recreational fisheries and tourism industries associated with them; and
`(2) coastal communities, including private residential and commercial development and public infrastructure in the coastal zone.
`(b) Contents- Each report under this section shall include information regarding--
`(1) the impacts that may be due to climate change that have occurred as of the date of the submission of the report; and
`(2) the projected future impacts of climate change.
`(c) Impacts- The impacts reported on under subsection (b) shall include any--
`(1) increases in sea level;
`(2) increases in storm activity and intensity;
`(3) increases in floods, droughts, and other extremes of weather;
`(4) increases in the temperature of the air and the water on oceanic and coastal ecosystems, with a particular focus on vulnerable fisheries and ecosystems; and
`(5) changes in the acidity of the ocean surface associated with an increase in concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.'.

Subtitle E-Ocean Programs

Section 471. Ocean Policy, Global Warming, and Ocean Acidification Program.

This section directs the Secretary of Commerce to develop and implement a national strategy to support coastal state and federal agency efforts to predict, plan for, and mitigate the impacts on ocean and coastal ecosystems from global warming. In addition, the strategy would work to ensure the recovery, resiliency and health of ocean and coastal ecosystems. The secretary of Commerce would be required to consult with the Secretary of the Interior, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Regional Fishery Management Councils, coastal States, Indian tribes, local governments, conservation organizations, and scientists.

Section 472. Planning for Climate Change in the Coastal Zone.

This section adds a new coastal climate change resiliency grant program to the Coastal Zone Management Act. The program would provide grants to states to voluntarily develop plans to amend existing coastal programs to address potential climate change impacts. In addition, grants would be provided to implement strategies developed within such plans.

Section 473. Enhancing Climate Change Predictions.

This section establishes a National Integrated Coastal Ocean Observation System, administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric and coordinated within a regional framework that includes both federal and non-federal partners. The observation system would gather data on the ocean environment to refine and enhance predictive capabilities for climate change and to provide other immediate societal benefits, such as better fisheries management and safe navigation.

We can also use your eyeballs on H R 2776, the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2007 (Introduced in House) (go to the site and type in "H R 2776").

Folks, I personally believe the current energy bills are like trying to kill an elephant with a peashooter- it is past time for small changes. However marginal changes are what Congress CAN DO. Our founders designed our federal government to impede significant changes in the status quo by the Congress and the President. But historically, it sometimes happens that small steps, like marginal changes in tax rates for instance, can have significant macro economic effects.