Nuclear and alternative fuels legislation
The purpose of this hearing is to receive testimony on S. 512, the Nuclear Power 2021 Act; S. 937, the American Alternative Fuels Act of 2011; and S. 1067, a bill to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to require the Secretary of Energy to carry out a research and development and demonstration program to reduce manufacturing and construction costs relating to nuclear reactors, and for other purposes (Hearing Room SD-366) (Overflow Room SDG-50).
Witnesses
Panel 1- Dr. John E. Kelly, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactor Technologies, U.S. Department of Energy
- Steven G. Chalk, Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy
- Dr. Edwin Lyman – Senior Scientist, Union of Concerned Scientists
- Joe Colvin, President, American Nuclear Society
- Dr. James T. Bartis, Senior Policy Researcher, RAND Corporation
- Brian Siu, Policy Analyst, Natural Resources Defense Council
The Vulnerability of U.S. Water Resources to Climate Change: From the Mississippi River floods to growing shortages in the West
Speaker: Peter Gleick
Title: An update on the vulnerability of U.S. water resources to climate change: From the Mississippi River floods to growing shortages in the West
The scientific evidence supporting growing impacts of human-induced climate change on U.S. water resources continues to strengthen. Dr. Peter Gleick, one of the nation’s leading experts on climate and water, will discuss recent reports on increased precipitation intensity in North America, the Mississippi River flood events, the new Department of Interior assessment of climate and western river basins, and efforts to prepare for climate and water risks facing cities, farmers, and natural systems. He will also explore some of the adverse implications of recent budget decisions for emergency preparedness and warning systems, weather forecasting, military preparedness, and national response to extreme events.
EPA Surface Mining Guidelines
- Michael Gardner, General Counsel, Oxford Resources
- Harold Quinn, President, National Mining Association
- Dr. Leonard Peters, Secretary, State of Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
- Teresa Marks, Director, State of Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality
Power Shift 2011: Monday
Power Shift, the biennial youth climate movement summit, runs from Friday, April 15, to Monday, April 18.
10:00am – 11:30am Action: Make Big Polluters Pay
April 18th is Tax Day and we’re hitting the streets to send a clear message: “It’s time to end handouts to Big Oil. Make Polluters Pay and fund OUR future: a 100% clean energy future that looks out for everyone.”
12:00pm – 4:00pm Lobby Visits
We’ll march from our demonstration to Capitol Hill to bring our demands to Congress. With thousands of us converging on Capitol Hill, it will be one of the largest citizen visits ever!
Power Shift 2011: Sunday
Power Shift, the biennial youth climate movement summit, runs from Friday, April 15, to Monday, April 18.
9:00am – 1:00pm Movement Building Sessions: Strategy & Actions
We’ll start putting our local plans on paper. We’ll work with one another to develop strategy and plans to build a clean energy future.
1:00pm – 2:00pm Lunch
2:00pm – 3:30pm State Breakouts
People will come together by state to develop state-by-state, community-by-community plans and coordination. Each group will have a chance to report on the action they’re planning, and we’ll identify all the ways we can continue to work together coming out of Power Shift!
3:30pm – 6:30pm Lobby Day Training
or Non-Violent Direct Action Training
8:00pm – 11:00pm Art / Performances / Movies
We’ll unwind with some incredible performance art from across the movement: spoken word, dance, and more. We’ll also have screenings of movies from the Reel Power Film Series, and some of the creators will be on hand to talk about these films.
Power Shift 2011: Saturday
Power Shift, the biennial youth climate movement summit, runs from Friday, April 15, to Monday, April 18.
9:00am – 1:00pm Movement Building Sessions: Training & Planning
People will come together regionally to meet one another, share stories and ideas, and plan collective efforts. We’ll practice and learn the fundamentals of grassroots organizing that will give us a strong foundation for campaign work.
1:00pm – 2:00pm Lunch
2:00pm – 6:00pm Clean Economy Canvass
Attendees will have the opportunity to help build the clean energy economy in Washington, DC. Participants will be trained in the best ways to engage friends and neighbors in energy efficiency work.
2:15pm – 3:15pm Workshop & Panels: Session 1
3:30pm – 4:30pm Workshop & Panels: Session 2
4:45pm – 5:45pm Workshop & Panels: Session 3
6:00pm – 7:30pm Dinner & Caucuses
During dinner, attendees will have the opportunity to meet with other folks to talk about how their identity has impacted their experiences throughout the weekend.
7:30pm – 11:00pm Keynote & Concert
We’ll reconvene in a keynote session to hear from more movement leaders. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and 350.org founder Bill McKibben are confirmed as keynote speakers, and more will be announced soon!
Power Shift 2011: Friday
Power Shift, the biennial youth climate movement summit, runs from Friday, April 15, to Monday, April 18.
2:00pm – 5:30pm Generation Waking Up
An optional activity, Generation Waking Up will help us launch Power Shift fired up and inspired to take action. Through music, exercises, dialogue, and video, we’ll explore the critical questions facing young people and society
6:30pm – 9:00pm Opening Keynote
Our opening keynote will set the stage for the Power Shift 2011—we’ll give an overview for the weekend and start to hear from movement leaders and climate and energy experts. Al Gore and Van Jones are confirmed as keynote speakers for the evening.
9:00pm – 12:00am Films Fueling the Energy Revolution
We’ll be showing a handful of films discussing and investigating environmental issues. These films will kick off the Reel Power film series scheduled to air throughout Power Shift 2011.
S.398, a bill to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to improve energy efficiency of certain appliances and equipment, and for other purposes, and S.395, the Better Use of Light Bulbs Act
Witnesses
Panel 1- Kathleen Hogan, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Energy Efficiency, U.S. Department of Energy
- Steven Nadel, Executive Director, American Council for an Energy-Efficent Economy
- Joseph M. McGuire, President, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
- Kyle Pitsor, Vice President, Government Relations, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
- Stephen R. Yurek, President & Chief Executive Officer, The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute
- Dr. Mark Cooper, Director of Research, Consumer Federation of America
- Howard Brandston, Hollowville, NY
Department of the Interior Budget
Examining the Spending, Priorities and the Missions of the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey’s Water Resources program
President Obama’s budget proposes 10 percent cuts to both Reclamation and USGS water resources, but it would continue to fund the WaterSMART and Title XVI programs. Title XVI pays for as much as a quarter of the price of water recycling and conservation programs; Reclamation faces a $600 million project backlog under the program.
Other Reclamation budget proposals that are expected to be discussed Wednesday: $51.5 million for expenses related to four Indian water rights settlements; $154.6 million for the Central Valley Project; and $12.8 million for the Animas-La Plata Project, a water storage project being built as part of a tribal settlement.