Volume 143, No. 53 covering the 1st Session of the 105th Congress (1997 - 1998) was published by the Congressional Record.
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“EXTENDING THE ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS RESEARCH PROGRAM” mentioning the Environmental Protection Agency was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H1943-H1946 on April 29, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
EXTENDING THE ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS RESEARCH PROGRAM
Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 363) to amend section 2118 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to extend the Electric and Magnetic Fields Research and Public Information Dissemination program, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 363
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS.
Section 2118 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 13478) is amended--
(1) in subsections (c)(5), (e)(5), (g)(3)(B), (j)(1), and
(l) by striking ``1997'' each place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``1998''; and
(2) in subsection (j)(1), by striking ``$65,000,000'' and inserting in lieu thereof $46,000,000''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Dan Schaefer, and the gentleman from Texas Mr. Hall, each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Dan Schaefer.
Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 5 minutes.
(Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 363 extends for a period of 1 year the Department of Energy's authorization to conduct research on electric and magnetic fields. In 1992 it became clear to Congress that there was a need for more research and more coordination within this particular area and more public dissemination of the information, mainly on the health effects of EMF, and thus the 5-year DOE-EMF RAPID program was authorized.
Since its creation, the RAPID program has added a great deal to our understanding on the effects of EMF. Unfortunately, however, the authorization to conduct the 5-year EMF RAPID program will expire before the program is scheduled to conclude. At the subcommittee hearing we learned this is not because the program is behind schedule, but because money was not appropriated for the program until after the first year's authorization had already passed. We want to now extend that authorization for one year to get this concluded in a logical manner.
Importantly, this program has been cost effective. Industry stakeholders have matched the Government dollar for dollar in funding this particular program. This has allowed the Government to do more with less, a concept which both Republicans and Democrats certainly can support. In fact, when the program is concluded, it is expected to cost nearly $20 million less than what was originally contemplated. The cost to the Federal Government of extending this program another year is
$4.5 million.
Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to support H.R. 363.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
(Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 363. It is a bill to reauthorize the Electric and Magnetic Fields Research and Public Information Dissemination Program. This important 5-year program, this very important 5-year program was first authorized by Congress in 1992 in response to public concerns about the possible adverse health effects of exposure to electric and magnetic fields.
The program first received appropriations in fiscal year 1994 rather than 1993, yet the authorization will expire at the end of this year. Now, this reauthorization for fiscal year 1998 is necessary to complete the fifth and final year of funding and to fulfill the program's original objectives. These objectives are to determine whether or not exposure to electric and magnetic fields affects human health, to conduct research with respect to technologies to mitigate any adverse human health effects, and to disseminate this information to the public.
Without this funding, the risk assessment portion of the program would be completed without the research due to be provided in mid-1997. More importantly though than that, the National Institute of Environmental and Health Sciences, which is conducting this program jointly with the Department of Energy, will have to produce risk assessment through a closed process rather than through the public process currently planned.
The program's cost will be much less than originally projected. It was authorized at $65 million over the 5-year period, but it is now projected to cost nearly $20 million less than originally estimated, about $46 million. Fifty percent of the funding comes from non-Federal sources, including electric utilities, electrical equipment manufacturers and realtors. The cost to the Federal Government will be
$23 million over the 5-year period. Supporters of the reauthorization include the American Public Power Association, Edison Electric Institute, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, among others.
Mr. Speaker, the program's research is on target and will be successfully completed by 1998, at which time the final report will be issued concerning potential health effects of exposure to electric and magnetic fields. Our citizens are depending on us to give them complete and accurate information, and the credibility of the final report would be compromised without this 5th and final year of funding.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 363 so that this important program can achieve the objectives that Congress intended and provide the public with the information they deserve to have.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Sensenbrenner], the chairman of the full Committee on Science.
Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 363 to amend section 2118 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 to extend the Electric and Magnetic Fields Research and Public Information Dissemination Program.
This bipartisan bill is designed to fulfill the intent of legislation enacted in 1992 to conduct a 5-year research and public information dissemination program on the health effects of electric and magnetic fields.
Section 2118 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 directed the Secretary of Energy to establish a 5-year, cost-shared program, the EMF RAPID Program, starting on October 1, 1992, and expiring on December 31, 1997. The EMF RAPID Program objectives are: To determine whether or not exposure to EMF produced by the generation, transmission, and use of electric energy affects human health; to carry out research and development and demonstration with respect to technologies to mitigate any adverse human health effects; to provide for the dissemination of scientifically valid information to the public.
Under the act, the Department of Energy and the Department of Health and Human Services National Environmental Health Sciences Institute are jointly responsible for directing the program. DOE has responsibility for research, development, and demonstration of technologies to improve the measurement and characterization of EMF and for assessing and managing exposure to EMF, while NIEHS has sole responsibility for research on possible human health effects of EMF. EPACT also authorized
$65 million for the period encompassing fiscal years 1993 through 1997. At least 50 percent of the total authorized funding must come from non-
Federal sources, and before the Federal funds can be expended in any fiscal year, they must be matched by non-Federal contributions. In addition, not more than $1 million annually may be spent for the collection, compilation, publication, and dissemination of scientifically valid information.
The act also established two advisory committees to help guide the program: The Electric and Magnetic Fields Interagency Committee, composed of 9 members, and the National Electric and Magnetic Fields Advisory Committee, a 10-member body.
Finally, EPACT establishes a number of reporting requirements, including the following: By March 31, 1997, the director of NIEHS is to report to the Congress and to the agency his or her findings and conclusions on the extent to which exposure to EMF affects human health.
Not later than September 30, 1997, the committee, in consultation with the other committee, is to report to the Secretary and to Congress on its findings and conclusions on the effects, if any, of EMF on human health and remedial actions, if any, that may be needed to minimize any such health effects.
Periodically, the National Academy of Sciences is to submit reports to both committees that evaluate the research activities under the program and to make recommendations to promote the effective transfer of information derived from such research projects.
Although the act authorized the EMF RAPID Program to begin in fiscal year 1993, no funds were appropriated because the 1993 energy and water development appropriation bill was enacted before EPACT. Consequently, the first year of available appropriations was fiscal year 1994. In 1996, DOE submitted legislation to extend the EPACT authority for the EMF Rapid Program through 1998, and former Committee on Science Chairman Walker introduced this proposal in the last Congress. However, the last Congress adjourned sine die without taking action on the measure.
The President's fiscal year 1998 budget contains $8 million in funding for the fifth and final year of the EMF RAPID Program and completion of the DOE long-term commitment to EMF research. The Department continues to believe the 1-year extension is appropriate in the interest of completing the work contemplated by EPACT, and the DOE and non-Federal participants testified at a hearing conducted by the Committee on Science's Subcommittee on Energy and Environment that a total authorization of $46 million will be sufficient to complete the 5-year effort.
As amended by the Science Committee, H.R. 363 amends section 2118 of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 by extending by 1 year: First, the EMF RAPID Program, the Electric and Magnetic Fields Interagency Committee, and the National Electric and Magnetic Fields Advisory Committee to December 31, 1998; second, the Environmental Health Sciences' report to the EMFIAC and to Congress is extended by 1 year, to March 31, 1998; and third, the deadline of the EMFIAC's final report to the Secretary of Energy and to Congress is extended by 1 year, to September 30, 1998.
Finally, the bill, as amended, reduces the EMF RAPID Program 5-year authorization from $65 to $46 million, consistent with the testimony by DOE and the non-Federal participants on the funding requirements needed to complete the program.
In closing, I wish to thank the gentleman from California [Mr. Calvert], the chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment of the Committee on Science, and the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Roemer], the subcommittee's ranking member, for their hard work on this legislation. I would also like to thank the Committee on Science's ranking member, the gentleman from California [Mr. Brown], for his bipartisan support.
I also want to commend the efforts of the gentleman from Virginia,
[Mr. Bliley], chairman of the Committee on Commerce; the gentleman from Michigan, [Mr. Dingell], the ranking member of the Committee on Commerce; the gentleman from Colorado, [Mr. Dan Schaefer], chairman of the Committee on Commerce's Subcommittee on Energy and Power, the gentleman from Texas, [Mr. Hall], the subcommittee's ranking member; and also the gentleman. from New York [Mr. Towns], the bill's author, for their work on this legislation.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from California [Mr. Brown], the ranking member on the Committee on Science, and a very venerable former chairman of Science, Space, and Technology.
Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, what did the gentleman call me? Venerable?
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 363, which provides a 1-year extension with no extra funding to the electromagnetic field and health effects research and development bill and information dissemination program with the Department of Energy.
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As we heard from testimony before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment of the Committee on Science on March 19 of this year, this 5-year program seeks to clarify the risks to public health posed by electromagnetic fields.
Mr. Speaker, in an effort to be brief, I would just point out that other speakers have already indicated the adverse effects of terminating this program 1 year before it is completed. I certainly join in my own feelings with regard to that.
The issue of health effects of electromagnetic fields, such as those created by high voltage electric lines, was a very highly emotional and politically potent issue a number of years ago, and it was this increasing public concern that led to the original enactment of this legislation. Families that live near such high voltage lines have wondered whether their children are at greater risk for contracting leukemia or a host of other maladies, and there has been research conducted, some of it in other countries, in Europe, for example, which lent credence to the possibility that such might be the case.
The issue, therefore, had to be put to rest with an authoritative and complete research program which would deal with that issue, and that is what this program has done. It has accomplished its goal so far well under budget and ahead of schedule, and we think it deserves to move ahead to completion.
I am also glad to say that the Committee on Science has been able to move expeditiously on this bill in a bipartisan manner, and this is due in large part to the efforts of the subcommittee chairman, the gentleman from California [Mr. Calvert], and to the ranking member of the subcommittee, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Roemer], as well as to the efforts of the full committee chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin [Mr. Sensenbrenner], whose efforts as chairman I have commended on previous occasions and I will continue to do so.
I have enjoyed working with each of them as well as other members of the committee and they enjoy my highest respect.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York [Mr. Towns].
Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Colorado
[Mr. Schaefer] and the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Hall] and the Committee on Science. I know that they have made a special effort to move this bill as an early priority. Since the authorization expires at the end of 1997, the program will terminate after 4 years instead of the 5-year period originally envisioned.
The need for the extension is plain and very clear. It will ensure that the original program's objectives set by Congress are met and enhance the credibility of the RAPID final report regarding potential human health aspects of exposure to electric and magnetic fields.
During consideration of H.R. 363, the Committee on Commerce received testimony from industry stakeholders who all agreed that a 1-year extension was necessary to complete the risk assessment through an open, public workshop approach that was originally planned by the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences.
Upon completion of the 5-year study, a final report to Congress on the electromagnetic field effects, if any, on human health will be submitted. The report will allow the Federal Government to confidently speak to the American people with one voice on this very important issue. Anything less than a 1-year extension would render the study incomplete and jeopardize the credibility developed over the last 4 years with EMF issue stakeholders and the public as well.
The RAPID Program has been very successful to date. In addition to the research initiated, the program has distributed 180,000 copies of questions and answers about electric and magnetic fields associated with the use of electric power to the public. Additionally, RAPID has published EMF in the work force and EMF InfoLine, managed by the Environmental Protection Agency and funded by the RAPID Program. It has also responded to the thousands of calls from the general public.
The program conducts research jointly with the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and is funded equally by the annual appropriations and matching contributions from the electric utilities, electrical equipment manufacturers, and realtors.
This 1-year extension has the support of the administration, Congress and the industry stakeholders such as the Edison Electric Institute, the American Public Power Association, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to again thank all of the participants in making this possible. I would like to thank the subcommittee chairman, and of course the ranking member as well, and all of the staff that worked very hard to move this legislation very quickly.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. ROEMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 363, which provides a 1-year extension, with no extra funding, to the electromagnetic fields and health effects R&D and information-
dissemination program at the Department of Energy. As we heard in March 19, 1997, in testimony before the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment, this 5-year program seeks to clarify the risks to public health posed by electromagnetic fields.
The authorization for this program currently ends in 1997--5 years after passage of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. However, with this termination date, the program will have actually had only 4 years to complete its tasks, because, through no fault of its own, the program began a year late due to the logistics of the budget cycle.
If the program were to terminate at the end of fiscal year 1997, important tasks assigned to the program by the Energy Policy Act of 1992 would go undone. With a 1-year extension, however, these essential functions will be completed and presented to the public in a concise manner.
As many Members are well aware, the issue of the health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields, such as those created by electric high wires, have been controversial and emotional issues. Families that live near such wires have wondered whether their children are at greater risk for contracting leukemia or a host of other maladies. And, unfortunately as is often the case with research, the answers have been a long time coming, and have wrought their own controversies at times.
As directed by the Energy Policy Act of 1992, the Department of Energy has nevertheless pursued a complete airing of the issues in an open process that solicits public opinion and lets any expert challenge the results of their work. Learning from past mistakes, the Energy Policy Act required that the data and final analysis be shared in order to gain the trust and confidence of the public. Without this openness, the study would be just another Government study over which opposing factions bicker.
In fact, just such a closed study was recently completed by the National Academy of Sciences, and it found no credible evidence for a significant public health threat due to exposure to electromagnetic fields. While I fully respect the work of the academy and this study did reassure many of us, skeptics remain concerned with these results and their views also need to be considered in a public forum.
As promised in the Energy Policy Act, the EMF program at DOE will provide such a forum and analyze the opinions of skeptics and mainstream researchers alike. I look forward to the results of this work, and I think that it is an important step in public understanding of these health risks.
I am also glad to say that the Committee on Science has been able to move expeditiously on this bill in a bipartisan manner. This is due, in large part, to the efforts of the subcommittee chairman, Mr. Calvert, and the full committee chairman and ranking member, Mr. Sensenbrenner and Mr. Brown. I have enjoyed working with each of them, as well as the other members of the committee, and they enjoy my highest respect.
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman of the Commerce Committee for yielding me this time.
I also thank the chairman of the Committee on Science and the ranking member, Mr. Brown, for their support in expediting passage of this bill.
As Chairman Sensenbrenner has pointed out, this bill will allow the Electric and Magnetic Fields research program to complete its original 5-year authorization. At the same time, we will save the taxpayers money by reducing the authorization some $19 million to the $46-
million-agreed-upon budget for the program. I should add that 50 percent of this budget is cost-shared by industry.
Mr. Speaker, at the time of the markup of this bill in the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, the distinguished vice-chairman of the full Science Committee, Mr. Ehlers, made the point that all the research to date on this issue has failed to find a significant link between electric and magnetic fields and serious health problems. I agree and I doubt that will change.
Nevertheless, this program was agreed to by both Government and industry to put to rest public concern and, once started, I think it's worth finishing.
Finally, I want to particularly thank my friend from Indiana, our ranking minority member of the subcommittee, Mr. Roemer, for cosponsoring this bill and working closely with us to expedite the process. Mr. Speaker, this bill has strong bipartisan support and I urge its passage. I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Snowbarger). The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Colorado, Mr. Dan Schaefer, that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 363, as amended.
The question was taken.
Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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