Climate Change Impacts on the Transportation Sector

The hearing will examine climate change research, mitigation, and adaptation efforts in the transportation sector, including both surface transportation and aviation. Witnesses will focus on the projected increases in freight and passenger traffic in each mode of transportation, the contributions of the transportation sector to address climate change, and the potential impacts of climate change on the nation’s transportation infrastructure.

In addition, the witnesses are expected to address the status of ongoing research initiatives, challenges to further development of public and private climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, and the role of technology in such research initiatives and mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Witnesses

Panel 1

  • Thomas J. Barrett, Deputy Secretary, Department of Transportation
  • Dr. James M. Turner, Acting Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology
  • Dr. Thomas C. Peterson, Senior Scientist, National Climatic Data Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Panel 2

  • John D. Porcari, Chair, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Climate Change Technical Assistance Program, Secretary of Transportation of Maryland
  • Dr. G. Edward Dickey, Affiliate Professor of Economics, Loyola College in Maryland, on behalf of the National Research Council
  • David Friedman, Research Director, Clean Vehicles Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
  • Edward Hamberger, President and CEO, Association of American Railroads
  • John M. Meenan, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Air Transport Association
  • Mead Treadwell, Chairman, Arctic Research Commission
Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee
253 Russell

06/24/2008 at 10:30AM

Sustainable, Energy-Efficient Transportation Infrastructure

  • Dr. John L. “Jack” Hayes, Assistant Administrator for Weather Services and Director, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service
  • Dr. Kelvin K. Droegemeier, Former Co-Chair, National Science Board, Task Force on Hurricane Science and Engineering
  • Dr. Shuyi Chen, Professor, University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Sciences
  • Dr. David O. Prevatt, Assistant Professor, University of Florida, Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering
  • Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, Director, Florida International University, International Hurricane Research Center
House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
   Research and Technology Subcommittee
2318 Rayburn

06/24/2008 at 10:00AM

Connecting Communities: The Role of the Surface Transportation Network in Moving People and Feight

Witnesses

  • Jim Lynch, Montana DOT director
  • H.B. Limehouse Jr., South Carolina DOT secretary
  • Mark Pangborn, Eugene, Ore., Lane Transit District general manager
  • Terry Bobrowski, East Tennessee Development District executive director
  • Randy Isaacs, Greyhound Lines director of state government affairs
  • William McDonald, Medical Motor Service executive director
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
   Highways and Transit Subcommittee
2167 Rayburn

06/24/2008 at 10:00AM

Planning for a Changing Climate and its Impacts on Wildlife and Oceans: State and Federal Efforts and Needs

The House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans, led by Del. Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU), will hold an oversight and legislative hearing on the following:

  • Planning for a Changing Climate and its Impacts on Wildlife and Oceans: State and Federal Efforts and Needs; and
  • H.R. 4455 (Don Young): To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to provide international wildlife management and conservation programs through the Wildlife Without Borders Program in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and for other purposes. (Wildlife Without Borders Authorization Act)
House Natural Resources Committee
   Water, Oceans and Wildlife Subcommittee
1324 Longworth

06/24/2008 at 10:00AM

The Silent Invasion: Finding Solutions to Minimize the Impacts of Invasive Quagga Mussels on Water Rates, Water Infrastructure and the Environment

The House Natural Resources Committee, Subcommittee on Water and Power, led by Rep. Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), will hold an oversight hearing on “The Silent Invasion: Finding Solutions to Minimize the Impacts of Invasive Quagga Mussels on Water Rates, Water Infrastructure and the Environment.”

Witnesses

  • Karl Wirkus, Deputy Commissioner for Operations, Bureau of Reclamation
  • Dr. Charles R. O’Neill, Jr., Sr. Extension Specialist, Director, National Aquatic Nuisance Species Clearinghouse, Cornell University/NY Sea Grant
  • Ric De Leon, Ph.D, Water System Operations Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
  • Ronald E. Zegers, Director, Southern Nevada Water Authority, Boulder City, NV Jim Klark, Southern California Marine Association
  • Denise Mayer, Research Scientist, New York State Museum
House Natural Resources Committee
   Water and Power Subcommittee
1334 Longworth

06/24/2008 at 10:00AM

Dr. James Hansen: The Climate Threat to the Planet

n the 20th anniversary of testimony that sounded the alarm bell on our climate crisis, the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming will host pre-eminent climate scientist Dr. James Hansen as he gives a briefing Monday on his vision of the climate challenge as it stands now.

In 1988, discussion of climate change was confined mainly to scientific journals. But on June 23, Dr. Hansen was the lead witness at a hearing of the Senate Energy Committee to explore the issue. His testimony marked the first time a top climate scientist declared that global temperatures had risen beyond the range of natural variability. Since then, scientists from around the world have built an unassailable body of evidence that supports his 1988 testimony. Climate change now looms as a more immediate and serious threat than ever before and in need of swift, effective Congressional action.

Witness

  • Dr. James Hansen, director, NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies
House Energy Independence and Global Warming Committee
2318 Rayburn

06/23/2008 at 03:00PM

Energy Speculation: Is Greater Regulation Necessary to Stop Price Manipulation? – Part II

Witnesses

Panel I

  • Fadel Gheit, managing director and senior oil analyst, Oppenheimer & Co.
  • Roger Diwan, partner and head of financial advisory, PFC Energy
  • Michael Masters, managing member and portfolio manager, Masters Capital Management
  • Edward Krapels, director, Energy Security Analysis Inc.

Panel II

  • Doug Steenland, president and CEO, Northwest Airlines
  • Steven Williams, chairman and CEO, Maverick USA Inc.
  • Eugene Guilford Jr., executive director and CEO, Independent Connecticut Petroleum Assn.

Panel III

  • Walter Lukken, acting chairman and commissioner, Commodity Futures Trading Commission

Panel IV

  • James Newsome, CEO and president, New York Mercantile Exchange
  • Robert Reid, chairman of ICE Futures Europe, Intercontentinental Exchange Inc.
  • Michael Greenberger, professor of law and director, University of Maryland’s Center for Health and Homeland Security
House Energy and Commerce Committee
   Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee
2123 Rayburn

06/23/2008 at 11:00AM