Hearing of the House Energy Subcommittee of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee - Oversight and Management of Department of Energy National Laboratories and Science Activities

Hearing

Chairman Lummis: Good morning and welcome to today's Energy Subcommittee hearing entitled Oversight and Management of Department of Energy National Laboratories and Science Activities.

Last month, we held a full committee hearing with newly minted Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. At the hearing, Secretary Moniz announced that he would be undertaking a number of management and performance reforms aimed at enhancing the Department's organizational effectiveness and programmatic oversight and accountability.

We very much welcome this undertaking, and the primary purpose of today's hearing is to receive testimony on the specific reforms that Congress and the Administration may be able to work together to advance.

On the same week of Secretary Moniz's announcement, three think tanks--the Information Technology Innovation Foundation, the Heritage Foundation, and the Center for American Progress--released a report entitled Turning the Page: Re-imagining the National Labs in the 21st Century Innovation Economy. Perhaps ironically, one does not have to turn a single page to be intrigued by this report. The
simple fact that the Heritage Foundation and Center for American Progress were able to agree on anything, much less a detailed 70-page report, is a pleasant reminder that even in the current polarized environment, opportunities for bipartisan policy improvements exist.

The Reimagining report includes a bevy of bold recommendations, including ideas to reduce bureaucracy and micromanagement, enhance technology transfer, and change DOE's organizational structure and fundamental relationship with the National Labs. The national laboratories collectively manage more than $10 billion of scientific and national security activities, and major changes such as those being proposed by outside stakeholders as well as the Obama Administration warrant complete and thoughtful consideration.

Beginning with their roots in providing the scientific foundation upon which America won World War II and the Cold War, the national labs have a rich and often underappreciated history. Today, the labs' role in sponsoring cutting-edge basic research and managing world-class user facilities is a driving force behind the United States' global scientific leadership and economic competitiveness. I look forward to
learning how we can best sustain and advance their important contributions to the country.

To this end, Ranking Member Swalwell and I wrote Secretary Moniz requesting his feedback on the recommendations of the Reimagining report. We received his response last night, which I would like to enter into the record [without objection]. I want to commend the Secretary for his prompt response, and note that we also look forward to hearing his own forthcoming reform ideas.

Ultimately, it is my hope that through our discussion today and in the coming weeks, we can begin to identify areas of agreement that will positively benefit DOE's science enterprise.

Thank you and I yield back

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