Rep. Lipinski Selected As Vice Chair of House Science Committee

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Representative Dan Lipinski was selected Vice Chair of the House Committee on Science and Technology for the 110^th Congress.  In addition, Rep. Lipinski was selected to serve on the Energy and Environment Subcommittee and the Research and Science Education Subcommittee.  These subcommittees oversee issues critical to maintaining economic competitiveness, national security, and the environment. 

"As an engineer by training and a former university professor, it is a great honor to be selected as Vice Chair of the House Committee on Science and Technology," said Congressman Lipinski.  "This position will provide me with a great opportunity to continue my leadership on issues critical to our future including reducing our dependence on foreign fossil fuels, improving math and science education in our schools, protecting the environment, and increasing American economic competitiveness."

Congressman Lipinski has put a tremendous emphasis on improving our economic and national security by investing in energy research and science education.  Lipinski is the sponsor of the H-Prize Act of 2007 that establishes competitively awarded cash prizes for scientific breakthroughs in the advancement of hydrogen energy technology.  This bill passed the House overwhelmingly last year and was reintroduced this week. 

"Scientific advancement is one of the keys to U.S. competitiveness in a global marketplace.  If we don't invest in tools that help our businesses and manufacturers compete, they can't create jobs," continued Lipinski.  "This committee will remain extremely active throughout this Congress to address our many scientific and technological challenges."

The Research and Science Education Subcommittee has jurisdiction on all matters relating to science policy and science education, and exercises oversight over the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the National Science Foundation (NSF).  The Energy and Environment Subcommittee has jurisdiction on all matters relating to energy research and development, and exercises oversight over Department of Energy (DOE) research and laboratories, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) research and development programs, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) activities, advanced nuclear, solar, and renewable energy technologies, and energy aspects of climate change.