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HR 2729 111th Congress House Science, Technology, Communications Ecology Energy research Environmental assessment, monitoring, research Georgia Government buildings, facilities, and property Government information and archives Hazardous wastes and toxic substances Higher education Idaho Illinois Land use and conservation Nevada New Mexico Nuclear power Nuclear weapons Parks, recreation areas, trails Research and development Tennessee Water quality

To authorize the designation of National Environmental Research Parks by the Secretary of Energy, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 4, 2009 Introduced by: Luján, Ben Ray Democratic · New Mexico See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 21 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 8, 2009
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy. Hearings held.
Jul 22, 2009
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Jul 21, 2009
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 21, 2009
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 330 - 96 (Roll no. 597). (text: CR 7/20/2009 H8363)
Jul 21, 2009
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 330 - 96 (Roll no. 597).(text: CR 7/20/2009 H8363)
Jul 21, 2009
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8445-8446)
Jul 20, 2009
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Jul 20, 2009
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2729.
Jul 20, 2009
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8362-8364)
Jul 20, 2009
Mr. Lujan moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Jul 14, 2009
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 113.
Jul 14, 2009
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Science and Technology. H. Rept. 111-207.
Jun 24, 2009
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jun 24, 2009
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 16, 2009
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote .
Jun 16, 2009
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 10, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.
Jun 9, 2009
Hearings Held by the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment Prior to Referral.
Jun 4, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Science and Technology.
Jun 4, 2009
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1315-1316)
Jun 4, 2009
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jul 21, 2009 House · vote #597 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 330–96 See who voted →
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to designate as protected outdoor research reserves for the purpose of conducting long-term environmental research on the impacts of human activities on the natural environment: (1) Savannah River National Environmental Research Park; (2) Idaho National Environmental Research Park; (3) Los Alamos National Environmental Research Park; (4) Fermi Lab National Environmental Research Park; (5) Oak Ridge National Environmental Research Park; and (6) Nevada National Environmental Research Park.

Requires each site to support environmental research and monitoring activities to characterize and monitor site conditions and serve as control areas for comparison with environmental impacts of DOE land management, energy technology development, remediation, and other site activities outside the Park areas. Authorizes areas of research and monitoring on the sites to include: (1) ecology of the site and the region; (2) population biology and ecology; (3) radioecology; (4) effects of climate variability and change on ecosystems; (5) ecosystem science; (6) pollution fate and transport research; (7) surface and groundwater modeling; (8) student training; and (9) environmental impacts of development and use of energy generation technologies, including renewable energy technologies.

Requires DOE to enter into a cooperative agreement with a university, community college, or consortium of institutions of higher education with expertise in ecology and environmental science of the region in which the Park is located to ensure the independence of the research, monitoring, public education, and outreach activities.

Requires each site to support an outreach program to inform the public of the diverse ecological activities conducted and to educate students at various levels in environmental science.

Requires DOE to designate a National Environmental Research Park Coordinator within the Department of Energy Office of Science to: (1) coordinate research activities among the Parks; (2) ensure that information on best practices for research, education, and outreach activities is shared among the sites; and (3) serve as liaison to other federal agencies to facilitate collaborative work at the Parks.

Authorizes appropriations for FY2010-FY2014.

Authorizes the Parks to be utilized to provide educational opportunities through the Summer Institutes program authorized in the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act.

What's happening now December 8, 2009

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy. Hearings held.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4