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Press Releases |
For Immediate Release
07/16/08
Contact: |
Rob Blumenthal w/Inouye 202-224-8374
Jenilee Keefe w/Inouye 202-224-7824
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Nanotechnology Initiative Reauthorization Bill Introduced in Senate
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) today joined Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) to introduce the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008. The bill would reauthorize the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) and amend aspects of the program to better prioritize research and development activities.
“Developments in nanotechnology have the potential to offer a wide range of innovations in research, industry, and commercial products that will influence our daily lives,” said Senator Inouye. “At the same time, nanotechnology is still a young field, and we must be sure that any potential risks are identified, analyzed, and properly understood. This bill achieves just that by strongly encouraging diverse participation in the comprehensive study and coordinated development of environmental, health, and safety standards.”
The NNI was established in fiscal year 2001 to coordinate Federal nanotechnology research and development. The NNI provides a vision of for the long-term opportunities and benefits of nanotechnology. By serving as a central locus for communication, cooperation, and collaboration for all thirteen participating Federal agencies, the NNI provides guidance and support for the advancement of this broad and complex field. The NNI creates a framework for a comprehensive nanotechnology research and development program by establishing shared goals, priorities, and strategies, and it provides avenues for each individual agency to leverage the resources of all participating agencies.
Specifically, the bill would:
- Establish the National Nanotechnology Advisory Panel as a distinct body independent from any existing advisory committees. Specifically, the Advisory Panel would be responsible for recommending an appropriate funding level for the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area. The bill would also establish a subpanel focused on the societal, ethical, legal, environmental, and workforce issues related to nanotechnology;
- Provide consistent funding for the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office (NNCO) through the participating federal agencies;
- Require the NNCO to establish a publicly available database of the projects funded in the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area, the Educational and Societal Dimensions program component area, and the Nanomanufacturing program component area;
- Require an Office of Science and Technology Policy official to serve as the Coordinator for Societal Dimensions of Nanotechnology. The Coordinator would be required to develop and annually update a research plan for the Environmental, Health, and Safety program component area;
- Support the development of standards, metrology, and characterization tools for nanotechnology;
- Promote technology transfer through the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program and make federally funded nanotechnology facilities available to companies to assist in the development of prototypes of nanoscale products, devices, or processes;
- Promote nanotechnology research and development in areas of national importance, including nano-electronics, energy efficiency, health care, water remediation, instrumentation and characterization, and rapid production nanomanufacturing;
- Require the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive study of federal codes, standards, and regulations as they relate to the safe production, use, and disposal of engineered nanomaterials and products containing nanomaterials; and
- Require the NNCO to engage the public by convening a national discussion on nanotechnology. This national discussion would include diverse participation and incorporate the views of academia, nongovernmental organizations, and industry to identify priorities and concerns related to nanotechnology research and development, products, and regulatory policy.
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18th - |
Senator Hutchison Calls for Improved Bus Safety Standards
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today called for improved safety of over-the-road buses and enhanced National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations governing bus safety during a Senate Surface Transportation Subco...
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18th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for DTV Transition Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for the Full Committee hearing on Oversight of the DTV Transition: Countdown to February 2009, scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. The full witness list is below.
With February 17, 2009 less than five months away, the Committee will assess the Federal Communication...
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18th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade Imbalance Hearing
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for the upcoming Interstate Commerce, Trade, and Tourism Subcommittee hearing on The Imbalance in U.S.-Korea Automobile Trade, scheduled for September 24, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. A full witness list is below.
The hearing will examine the reasons for the imbalance in U.S.-Korea bilateral ...
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17th - |
Commerce Committee to Examine Consumer Privacy Issues Related to Broadband Service Providers
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces a Full Committee hearing on Broadband Providers and Consumer Privacy, scheduled for Thursday, September 25, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
The Committee will examine broadband provider practices with respect to consumer privacy.
Broadband Providers and Consumer PrivacyFull CommitteeDate: Thursday, Septemb...
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16th - |
Senator Hutchison Commends Dept. of Commerce for Helping Nursing Homes with DTV Converter Box Program
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) today commended the U.S. Department of Commerce and Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez for allowing residents with post office boxes and those living in nursing homes to participate in the digital television (DTV) converter box coupon program. Previously, only residents with physical addresses could participate. This meant that those who ...
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16th - |
Inouye Calls for Immediate Passage of S.1492, the Broadband Data Improvement Act
- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) delivered the following statement at today’s hearing on why broadband matters.
“In our hearing today we explore why broadband matters. Broadband matters because broadband communications have become the great economic engine of our time. Broadband deployment drives opportunities for business, education, ...
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16th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Bus Safety Hearing
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12th - |
Commerce Committee to Hear Testimony from Corporation for Public Broadcasting Nominees
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12th - |
Commerce Committee to Review Progress of DTV Transition with FCC, NTIA
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12th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Hearing on Consumer Benefits of Broadband
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11th - |
Commerce Committee Releases MARAD Bill Financial Disclosure Certification
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today filed its report on S. 2997, the Maritime Administration Act for Fiscal Year 2009. In accordance with Senate Rule XLIV, the Committee provides the attached financial disclosure certification.
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11th - |
Commerce Committee Cancels Hearing to Examine Marine Protected Areas
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10th - |
Senator Hutchison Cosponsors Calling Card Legislation to Help Consumers
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Ranking Member on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today signed on as a cosponsor to legislation that would assist consumers with pre-paid calling cards and ensure that fees and terms are easier to understand. The bill, S. 2998, would require pre-paid calling card providers and distributors to disclose the numbe...
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9th - |
Commerce Committee to Hold Hearing on Consumer Benefits of Broadband
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8th - |
Commerce Committee to Examine Marine Protected Areas
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8th - |
Commerce Committee Announces Witnesses for Prepaid Calling Card Hearing
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