Harry Johnston: “I have several concerns with the bill as reported. H.R. 3870 would establish the definition of environmental technology…”

“I have several concerns with the bill as reported. H.R. 3870 would establish the definition of environmental technology so broadly that energy technologies such as those involving nuclear power, fusion, solar, or energy efficiency could be considered environmental technologies. The term is used throughout the bill in ways that are troubling. For example, the bill would direct the President to prioritize environmental technologies in a national environmental technology strategy. With such a broad definition of environmental technology, I fear, the strategy would turn into a national energy strategy. The bill would direct agencies such as the Department of Commerce, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Science Foundation to carry out energy research activities that are properly in the domain of the Department of Energy. It is not acceptable to me to create new energy research programs at other agencies, especially when funding for Department of Energy research programs are going down because of anxieties over the deficit.”