Subcommittee Discusses Ways to Prevent and Control Harmful Algal Blooms Chairman Brian Baird

Harmful algal blooms are a rapid overproduction of algal cells that produce toxins which are hazardous to animals and plants. Over the years, the frequency and duration of these blooms have increased in freshwater and coastal areas across the nation, due to various changes in the environment, such as water quality and temperature. The toxins the algae creates can be dangerous to people when they drink or swim in the contaminated water or consume seafood that have ingested these toxins. According to a conservative estimate from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), harmful algal blooms cost the U.S. seafood and tourism industries approximately $82 million a year.

Earlier this year, the Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing to discuss ways to prevent and control harmful algal blooms. On September 30 , the Subcommittee passed H.R. 3650 , the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009. This legislation requires federal agencies to create a comprehensive and integrated strategy to address and reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. 

“Since the last reauthorization of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act in 2004, there has been an increase in the number, frequency, and type of blooms in recent years.  We need to continue the valuable ongoing research while now implementing strategic national and regional plans,” said bill author Subcommittee Chairman Baird. “We need to use our research and advances in our understanding of these blooms to better monitor, mitigate, and control these occurrences and hopefully prevent them.”

Read more about the Committee’s work on harmful algal blooms >>

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.