John W. Olver: “Mr. Chairman, this is a simple amendment. It reduces the authorized levels of spending in H.R. 655 by a total of $36…”

“Mr. Chairman, this is a simple amendment. It reduces the authorized levels of spending in H.R. 655 by a total of $36 million over 3 years. On March 1, 1995, the Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel released its recommendations for the future of the hydrogen research program. The Hydrogen Technical Advisory Panel, or HTAP, is a panel of professionals from industry, universities, and government, specifically convened to provide expert advice to the Department of Energy on the development of hydrogen programs. This panel's work represents essentially peer review of the overall research program. HTAP has adopted as its long-range goal that 'hydrogen join electricity in the 21st century as a primary energy carrier in the Nation's sustainable energy future,' and HTAP has laid out a 20-year budget plan to achieve that goal. My amendment simply adopts the level of funding proposed in the advisory panel's recommendations for research and development activities. Therefore, my amendment would authorize the hydrogen research program at the levels that have been listed in the amendment. It does not cut hydrogen research funding.”