On January 28, Committee Members approved Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) to be Chair of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee. Along with Chair Baird, twenty other Committee Members serve on the Subcommittee. The Subcommittee on Energy and Environment handles issues related to U.S. energy policy and environmental science.  During the 110^th Congress, the Subcommittee worked on issues including climate change; solar, geothermal, and vehicle technologies; biofuels development; water efficiency and conservation; the NPOESS weather and climate satellite program; DOE’s FutureGen program addressing clean coal and CCS; and ocean acidification. 

“I am extremely concerned with climate change and ocean acidification.  I look forward to playing a leading role in using scientific research to craft responsible policies in these areas,” said Subcommittee Chair Brian Baird. “I look forward to working on the research and development to advance the energy technology that will allow us to reduce use through energy efficiency, to more fully embrace renewable energies and to reduce climate change.” 

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Subcommittee Jurisdiction

Committee Rule 11(a)(1)

Legislative jurisdiction and general oversight and investigative authority on all matters relating to energy research, development, and demonstration and projects therefor, commercial application of energy technology, and environmental research, including:

1. Department of Energy research, development, and demonstration programs;
2. Department of Energy laboratories;
3. Department of Energy science activities;
4. energy supply activities;
5. nuclear, solar and renewable energy, and other advanced energy technologies;
6. uranium supply and enrichment, and Department of Energy waste management and environment, safety, and health activities, as appropriate;
7. fossil energy research and development;
8. clean coal technology;
9. energy conservation research and development;
10. energy aspects of climate change;
11. pipeline research, development, and demonstration projects;
12. energy and environmental standards;
13. energy conservation, including building performance, alternate fuels for and improved efficiency of vehicles, distributed power systems, and industrial process improvements;
14. Environmental Protection Agency research and development programs;
15. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including all activities related to weather, weather services, climate, the atmosphere, marine fisheries, and oceanic research;
16. risk assessment activities; and
17. scientific issues related to environmental policy, including climate change.