During the 111 th Congress, the Energy and Environment Subcommitee will examine the effect of greenhouse gases on the environment. On February 24 th, the subcommittee held a hearing to ask, “How Do We Know What We Are Emitting? Monitoring, Reporting and Verifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions.”  

According to the Government Accountability Office, “elevated levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the resulting effects on the earth’s climate could have significant impacts in the United States and internationally. Potential impacts include a change in sea levels, ecosystems, and ice cover.”

Subcommittee Chairman Brian Baird emphasized how important it is that the U.S. be able to determine how much greenhouse gases are escaping into the atmosphere. “In order to evaluate programs – either mandatory or voluntary – for controlling greenhouse gases, we must be able to track emissions accurately,” said Baird. “We need an accurate measurement of baseline emissions. We need to know the emissions levels we are starting from and we need a good baseline estimate as a benchmark to determine whether control programs are effective or not in reducing emissions.”

Read more about this hearing >>

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.