Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act of 2010

Floor Speech

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Mr. MCNERNEY. Mr. Chair, I rise to express my support for H.R. 3534. The spill in the Gulf is a tragedy, and this important bill will help prevent future disasters. H.R. 3534 improves safety, prevents ethical misconduct at federal agencies, and closes royalty loopholes enjoyed by the oil and gas industry.

Some important provisions of H.R. 5626, the Blowout Prevention Act, are also included in H.R. 3534. I am disappointed, however, that the legislation before us today does not include a section of H.R. 5626 that authorizes the creation of expert review panels to provide technical advice on regulatory decisions. During committee consideration of H.R. 5626, I offered an amendment to clarify that experts serving on such panels can be drawn from diverse backgrounds, including industry, national laboratories, and academia.

I would like to note the particular importance of utilizing the expertise available at America's national laboratories. I am familiar with the work of the labs and the talents of lab employees through my personal experience working as a contractor at Sandia National Laboratories. Northern California is also the location of three national laboratories that employ a number of my constituents.

Following the tragic explosion of the Deepwater Horizon, employees of the national laboratories were quickly deployed to the Gulf. The Department of Energy estimates that more than 200 lab employees have been involved in crisis response operations. The labs have provided an array of services such as developing pressure measurements and radiographic imaging of the blowout preventer. Lab employees have also provided technical services such as conducting flow and resistance calculations, evaluating pressure data, and providing independent analysis of BP's plans.

The national labs have a tremendous amount of technical expertise that can help our country prevent future spills and better respond if an unfortunate incident occurs. I look forward to working with members of both parties to incorporate the labs into future legislation.

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