107th Congress

FY 2002 House Appropriations Hearing on Superfund Budget -- Hearing Before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies (VA/HUD) -- May 1, 2001

Members Present

Representatives James T. Walsh (R-NY) Chairman; Alan Mollohan (D-WV); David Hobson (R-OH); Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI); Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ); Virgil Goode (I-VA); Carrie Meek (D-FL); and David Price (D-NC).

Witnesses

Kenneth Olden, Ph.D., Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH); William Suk, Director, Superfund Basic Research and Training Program, Division of Extramural Research and Training, NIEHS, NIH; Joseph T. Hughes, Jr., Director, Worker Education and Training Program, Division of Extramural Research and Training, NIEHS, NIH; and Dennis P. Williams, Acting Assistant Secretary, Management and Budget, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Introduction: Chairman Walsh welcomed Dr. Olden and commented that this is the first time NIEHS has testified before the Committee. Funding through separate and distinct appropriations outside of EPA should provide better oversight and flexibility to ATSDR and NIEHS in regard to Superfund issues. Chairman Walsh summarized the budget request of $70,228,000, which reflects an increase of $7,366,600 over the fiscal year 2001 comparable appropriation, then introduced Dr. Olden.

Summary

Opening Statements: Dr. Olden introduced his associates, Dr. Suk, Dr. Hughes, Mr. Williams and Anne Sassaman, Director, Division of Extramural Research and Training, NIEHS, and gave his opening statement. He highlighted that waste sites present hazards to the ecosystem and human health. NIEHS efforts can be broken into three categories: 1) assessment of effects on human health, 2) research into technologies to reduce amount and toxicity of hazardous compounds (both are accomplished through the NIEHS Superfund Basic Research Program) and 3) information dissemination and community outreach, which is achieved through the NIEHS Worker Education and Training Program.

Dr. Olden then provided examples of successes in several areas to include more efficient and cost-effective remediation technologies compared to conventional remediation strategies, exposure assessments, and the worker-training program. Dr. Olden concluded by saying there are many other opportunities in technology transfer, outreach, and increased use of computer technology.

Statements and Questions

Chairman Walsh: Chairman Walsh congratulated NIEHS on the use of the "otherwise unpopular" poplar tree. He also commented favorably on the use of an interdisciplinary approach. He asked that Dr. Olden give the Committee an idea of the process-how priorities are established and decisions made-for funding grants. Dr. Olden responded that the NIEHS works with ATSDR and EPA to define needs and priorities at the worksites. Then a request for application is developed and advertised for university scientists to submit their best applications. A panel is put together to perform peer review. The scores are then forwarded to the Advisory Committee at the Institute for funding decisions.

Chairman Walsh then asked if all programs are peer reviewed. Dr. Olden replied, yes.

Chairman Walsh stated that 19 universities are funded. He asked if the increase was to fund grants? If so, will it increase the number of grants or number of receiving institutions? Dr. Olden stated that the increase would add dollars to the existing institutions. Currently, they are "underfunded" by 25 percent. The NIEHS would look at each program and base increases on scientific need and ability. Dr. Olden's first commitment is to increase funding to those underfunded.

Representative Mollohan: Mr. Mollohan asked if the funding was just to increase funding of existing grants rather than new initiatives. Dr. Olden replied that NIEHS would do both. The first priority is to overcome underfunding. He added that there would be some new initiatives; for example, 2.65 percent of the budget would be set aside for small businesses. He hoped this would help with new initiatives in the technology transfer area. Mr. Mollohan asked Dr. Olden to talk more about technology transfer and asked if there was a technology transfer office. Dr. Olden briefly described technology transfer and NIEHS' outreach efforts in that area. Dr. Olden also stated that a technology transfer office was created at NIEHS about 7 or 8 years ago.

Mr. Mollohan observed that worker training does not benefit from the increase and asked why. Dr. Olden replied that the Superfund program is built based on opportunity and needs. The existing proportion of funding for worker training is adequate. The focus for worker training is on computer and web-based training. Mr. Mollohan then asked how the training is achieved and success measured. Dr. Olden replied that cooperative agreements with universities and nonprofit organizations are used. Success is measured at the training site for those workers who attend training. Also, evaluation of the workplace after training is received is conducted.

Mr. Mollohan asked if community outreach is used in both research and education programs. Dr. Olden replied yes.

Mr. Mollohan then asked if there is overlap with other agencies. He also asked if NIEHS' efforts could be differentiated from other agencies. Additionally, he asked about coordination between agencies, especially with EPA. Dr. Olden replied that NIEHS' coordination with EPA is outstanding. They meet frequently to make sure there is no overlap. The research efforts by EPA are typically short-term, seeking a quick fix. Research funded by NIEHS is more basic and long-term. ATSDR is not doing research.

Representative Frelinghuysen: Mr. Frelinghuysen asked about the difference between the Superfund basic research program and the 19 programs on the list provided to the Committee. Dr. Olden stated that they were the same program. Many sites and states can be involved in any one program. The list provided to the Committee was just a subset which provided examples of innovative technologies. Mr. Frelinghuysen asked that, for the record, the dollar amounts associated with each program also be provided. He commented that New Jersey has a large majority of sites and seems underfunded. Dr. Olden replied that New Jersey is part of the New York Superfund program and that there are three environmental health research centers in New York. He also stated that research funding is based on which institutions submit an application and how the applications score in the peer review process. Dr. Olden stated that he understands "under representation" and is making it a priority to encourage submissions from under-represented states.

Representative Meek: Ms. Meek stated that she has noticed a trend that most of the universities that have previously conducted research get "grand fathered" in and keep receiving the funding. She stated that more attention should be paid to this. Dr. Olden replied that he agreed it is a concern. He stated that NIEHS has town meetings through universities to make them more aware and encourage them to submit applications for funding.

Ms. Meek stated that outreach is so important. Universities know what is going on but the community doesn't. She emphasized that there needs to be more effort toward getting the wORD out to the community. Dr. Olden responded that all grantees that receive funding are required to have a community outreach program. With the additional funding for the "under funded" grantees, he hopes outreach will increase.

Representative Knollenberg: Mr. Knollenberg commented on trichloroethylene (TCE) and the new development of the Poplar tree. He asked if anything else is being used. Dr. Olden replied, yes, that there is a genetically engineered tobacco plant as well as microorganisms being used for TCE. Mr. Knollenberg then asked about harm to wildlife if the plant is absorbing the TCE. Dr. Olden stated that the plant breaks it down to carbon dioxide and water so it would cause no harm to animals. Mr. Knollenberg then asked if, now that the poplar tree has been deployed in the country, is NIEHS promoting it? He then asked if it would be good for anything other than TCE. Dr. Olden responded that yes, it is has been received widely and is in the marketplace. However, the tobacco plant is not out yet. As for other uses, it is useful for MTBE and other chemicals as well. Mr. Knollenberg asked if any byproduct was harmful. Dr. Olden responded that it has to be experimented with and examined. Those in the marketplace now are not harmful. There was some discussion on comparison to conventional remediation. Dr. Olden stated that the discussed bioremediation approaches are 10 to 15 percent cheaper.

Representative Price: Mr. Price stated he was proud of NIEHS' contribution to the state and nationally. He commended the multi-disciplinary, multi-university approach. Mr. Price stated that the Superfund research "downward negotiation" of 25 percent is considerably more than the NIH norm of 6 to 15 percent. He asked what it would take to bring the Superfund research up to 85 percent of the approved funding level, which is more in line with NIH's downward negotiated levels. Dr. Olden stated that approximately $10 million above the President's budget would be needed to fund at 85 percent of the approved funding level. Mr. Price asked what the effects are of under-funding. Dr. Olden replied that some projects are eliminated, other things are slowed down, and sometimes you lose scientists. Mr. Price commented that this program has many advocates on this Committee.

Representative Hobson: Mr. Hobson stated that he represents two historically black colleges. He noted that 19 non-profit organizations are listed and asked if any were minority organizations. He also asked about the graduate training opportunities and if there are any available for minorities. Dr. Olden responded that there are worker-training programs at two historically black colleges. Dr. Olden also stated that it is a concern of NIEHS to increase minority representation. Mr. Hobson stated that people at minority institutions need to be given the opportunity to perform in these programs. Many don't know how to play the game, and we have an obligation to make sure they not only know how to play but that they actually do play in the game. He also stated that this applies to all Committees.

Mr. Goode: Mr. Goode commented that, being from Virginia, he noticed that VPI is not on the list of universities funded with NIEHS Superfund dollars. He added that he comes from an area that grows a lot of tobacco. VPI has been doing research with genetically engineered tobacco, and Mr. Goode suggested keeping in mind opportunities for collaboration between VPI and whoever is working on the tobacco plant for NIEHS. Dr. Olden commented that we want the best scientists wherever they are to be a part of the program. NIEHS even encourages partnerships between institutions to make them more competitive.

Chairman Walsh stated that additional questions for the record would be submitted.

Prepared by OD/Office of Budget, May 1, 2001