2000
[DOCID: f:s1716is.txt]
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1716
To speed national action to address global climate change, and for
other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 15, 2001
Mr. Kerry (for himself, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Hollings, Mr. Inouye, and Mr.
Akaka) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred
to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To speed national action to address global climate change, and for
other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Global Climate Change Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short Title.
Sec. 2. Table of Contents.
Sec. 3. Findings.
Sec. 4. Greenhouse gases defined.
TITLE I--CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Subtitle A--Office of Climate Change
Action
Sec. 101. Establishment of Office of Climate Change Action.
Sec. 102. Climate change action task force.
Sec. 103. Climate change action strategy.
Sec. 104. Reports.
Subtitle B--Policy Development Activities
and Organizations
Sec. 151. Elevate global climate change in the Office of Science and
Technology Policy.
Sec. 152. Establishment of Associate Director for global climate
change.
Sec. 153. National Science and Technology Assessment Service.
TITLE II--GREENHOUSE GAS MEASURING AND REPORTING
Sec. 201. National greenhouse gas measurement, verification, and
reporting system.
Sec. 202. Atmospheric monitoring and reporting on trends.
TITLE III--CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE AND INFORMATION
Subtitle A--Amendments to the Global
Change Research Act of 1990
Sec. 301. Amendment of Global Change Research Act of 1990.
Sec. 302. Changes in definitions.
Sec. 303. Change in committee name.
Sec. 304. Change in national global change research plan.
Sec. 305. Integrated Program Office.
Sec. 306. Changes in reference to national climate change program.
Subtitle B--National Climate Services and
Monitoring
Sec. 351. Amendment of National Climate Program Act.
Sec. 352. Change in short title of Act.
Sec. 353. Changes in findings.
Sec. 354. Change in purpose.
Sec. 355. ``Program'' changed to ``Service''.
Sec. 356. Tools for regional planning.
Sec. 357. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 358. National Climate Service Plan.
Sec. 359. International Pacific research and cooperation.
TITLE IV--CLIMATE CHANGE TECHNOLOGY
Sec. 401. NIST greenhouse gas functions.
Sec. 402. Measurement and verification technologies.
Sec. 403. Enhanced environmental measurements and standards.
Sec. 404. Technology development and diffusion.
Sec. 405. Transfer of greenhouse gas reduction technology.
TITLE V--CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND HAZARDS PREVENTION
Subtitle A--Assessment and Adaptation
Sec. 501. Regional climate assessment and adaptation.
Sec. 502. Coastal vulnerability and adaptation.
Subtitle B--Pilot Programs; Grants
Sec. 551. Forecasting projects.
Sec. 552. Database establishment.
Sec. 553. Definitions.
Sec. 554. Authorization of appropriations.
TITLE VI--OCEAN AND COASTAL OBSERVING SYSTEM
Sec. 601. Ocean and coastal observing system.
Sec. 602. Authorization of appropriations.
SEC. 3. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) The natural greenhouse effect is real and is an
essential component of the planet's climate process, but some
greenhouse gases are increasing in the atmosphere because of
human activities and increasingly trapping more heat.
(2) The global-average surface temperature has increased
over the 20th century by 0.4 to 0.8 degrees Celsius and the
average temperature increase in the Northern Hemisphere over
the 20th century is likely to have been the largest of any
century during the past 1,000 years.
(3) From 1948 to 1998 the mean temperature of the world
ocean increased with substantial changes in heat in the 300-to-
1,000 meter layers of each ocean and in depths greater than
1,000 meters in the North Atlantic.
(4) Other observed changes are consistent with this
warming, including widespread retreat of mountain glaciers in
non-polar regions, decrease in snow cover and ice extent, and a
rise of between 10-20 centimeters of global-average sea level.
(5) There is new and stronger evidence that the warming
observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human
activities.
(6) Direct atmospheric measurements made over the past 40-
plus years, coupled with paleoclimatic measurements from ice
cores, have documented the steady growth in the atmospheric
abundance of carbon dioxide.
(7) The predominant cause of this increase in carbon
dioxide is the combustion of fossil fuels and the burning of
forests. Further, methane abundance has doubled over the
Industrial Era. Other heat-trapping gases are also increasing
as a result of human activities.
(8) Emissions of greenhouse gases and aerosols due to human
activities continue to alter the atmosphere in ways that are
expected to affect the climate.
(9) Scenarios of future human activities indicate continued
changes in atmospheric composition throughout the 21st century.
Projected rates of warming would be much larger than the
observed 20th-century changes and would very likely be without
precedent during at least the last 10,000 years.
(10) The oceans are key to regulating climate and
atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases, and to
understanding global change processes. Yet, at present we lack
an observing system to monitor marine and coastal waters that
cover nearly three quarters of the Earth's surface. Such a
system not only would improve knowledge of global change, but
also contribute to ensuring national security, managing marine
resources reducing ocean pollution, improving shipping and
other marine operations, and mitigating natural hazards.
(11) A greenhouse-gas warming could be reversed only very
slowly because of the centuries-long rate of removal of many
greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and because of the slow
response of the oceans to thermal changes.
(12) Stabilization of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere
will require a no net greenhouse gas emission strategy in
conjunction with specific innovative mitigation technologies
and flexible compliance mechanisms.
(13) Substantial and coordinated progress must be made in
both the public and private sectors to develop and deploy
uniform measurement and verification standards and innovative
technologies and practices that will meet the goal of
stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere at
levels that would prevent dangerous human interference in the
climate system.
(14) Federal, state and local governments will need
assistance in pla
2000
nning for or adapting to unavoidable coastal
and land use changes associated with global climate change.
Coastal zone management and innovative technologies such as remote
sensing, geographic information systems and satellite-based positioning
information, when integrated with regional climate assessments, could
provide decision makers with essential hazards prevention and long-term
planning capabilities.
SEC. 4. GREENHOUSE GASES DEFINED.
(a) In General.--In this Act, the term ``greenhouse gas'' means--
(1) carbon dioxide (CO<INF>2</INF>);
(2) methane (CH<INF>4</INF>);
(3) nitrous oxide (N<INF>2</INF>O);
(4) hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs);
(5) perfluorocarbons (PFCs); or
(6) sulphur hexafluoride (SF<INF>6</INF>).
(b) Other Gases.--In addition to the gases listed in subsection
(a), the term ``greenhouse gas'' includes any other gas determined by
the Secretary of Commerce, after consultation with the National Office
of Climate Change Action and the Environmental Protection Agency, after
notice and an opportunity for a public hearing to contribute
substantially to climate change phenomena associated with global
warming attributable to greenhouse gases.
TITLE I--CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY
Subtitle A--Office of Climate Change Action
SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE OF CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION.
(a) In General.--There is established a National Office of Climate
Change Action within the Office of Science and Technology Policy to
coordinate--
(1) the development of a United States climate change
action strategy; and
(2) the development, integration, and planning of long-
range research and development budgets for climate change
action in consultation with the Office of Management and
Budget.
(b) Duties.--The Office established by subsection (a) is
responsible for--
(1) establishing policies, objectives, and priorities for
the national climate change action strategy;
(2) consulting with the President in creating the
interagency task force under section 102;
(3) advising the President and the Congress, in
coordination with the Office of Management and Budget, of
substantial changes in the organization, management, budgeting,
and personnel allocations of Federal agencies involved in
climate change activities necessary to achieve the goals of the
climate change action strategy.
(c) Director.--The Associate Director for Global Climate Change in
the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall serve as the Director
of the Office of Climate Change Action.
SEC. 102. CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION TASK FORCE.
The President, after consultation with the Federal Coordinating
Council for Science, Engineering, and Technology established by section
401 of the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and
Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6651), shall create an interagency
climate change action task force, which shall be chaired by the
Secretary of Commerce, to serve as the primary mechanism for
development and implementation of a climate change action strategy
under section 103.
SEC. 103. CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION STRATEGY.
The task force established under section 102 shall develop a
national strategy for--
(1) establishing and implementing emission reduction
standards and specific mitigation approaches that will
substantially reduce United States greenhouse gas emissions and
stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations in order to
prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference with the climate
system;
(2) doubling the current investment in research and
development of energy efficiency and emissions reductions
technologies by the United States public and private sectors
aimed at transforming the United States economy into a no-net
greenhouse gas emissions economy;
(3) ensuring long-term investment of adequate resources to
high priority climate research and infrastructure needs,
including observation and modeling systems needed to provide
reliable global-mean and regional predictions and evaluate
adaption strategies;
(4) promoting the transfer and exportation of innovative
United States greenhouse gas emissions reduction or
sequestration technologies to enable other nations to reduce
their emissions of greenhouse gases;
(5) identifying national risks and vulnerabilities
associated with the effects of climate change or climate
variability and designing an appropriate adaptation and
disaster response capability; and
(6) recommending legislative or administrative actions
necessary to implement the strategy.
SEC. 104. REPORTS.
(a) Strategy.--The President shall transmit to the Congress not
later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act a report
containing the climate change action strategy developed under this
subtitle. The President shall transmit a revised report on the strategy
biennially thereafter.
(b) Progress Reports.--The President shall transmit to the Congress
not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and
annually thereafter, a report on--
(1) the progress that has been made in developing and
implementing the climate change action strategy required under
this subtitle, including data on greenhouse gas emissions
reductions and technology innovation achievements;
(2) whether, and the extent to which, Federal agency
policies or discretionary programs are contributing effectively
to the long-term goal of stabilization of atmospheric
greenhouse gas emissions;
(3) whether, and the extent to which, Federal research and
development activities are consistent with the strategy; and
(4) recommendations to ensure effective Federal
implementation of the strategy.
(c) Review.--The Science and Technology Assessment Service
established under section 154 shall review the report submitted to the
Congress under subsections (a) and (b), and provide technical advice to
the Congress on the adequacy of Federal agency efforts to provide
technologies that will stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gases.
Subtitle B--Policy Development Activities and Organizations
SEC. 151. ELEVATE GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY POLICY.
Section 101(b) of the National Science and Technology Policy,
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6601(b)) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (7) through (13) as
paragraphs (8) through (14), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (6) the following:
``(6) improving efforts to understand, assess, predict,
mitigate, and respond to global climate change;''.
SEC. 152. ESTABLISHMENT OF ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR FOR GLOBAL CLIMATE
CHANGE.
Section 203 of the National Science and Technology Policy,
Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6612) is amended--
(1) by striking ``four'' in the second sentence and insert
``five'';
(2) by striking ``title.'' in the second sentence and
inserting ``title, one of whom shall be responsible for global
climate change.''; and
(3) by striking ``prescribe.'' and inserting ``prescribe,
except that the Associate Director for global climate change
shall coordinate the development, integration, and planning of
long-range research and development budgets for climate change
action in consultation with the Office of Management and
Budget.
SEC. 153. NATIONAL SCIENCE
2000
AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT SERVICE.
The National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and
Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6601 et seq.) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``TITLE VII--NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT SERVICE
``SEC. 701. ESTABLISHMENT.
``There is hereby created a Science and Technology Assessment
Service (hereinafter referred to as the `Service'), which shall be
within and responsible to the legislative branch of the Government.
``SEC. 702. COMPOSITION.
``The Service shall consist of a Science and Technology Board
(hereinafter referred to as the `Board') which shall formulate and
promulgate the policies of the Service, and a Director who shall carry
out such policies and administer the operations of the Service.
``SEC. 703. FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES.
``The Service shall coordinate and develop information for Congress
relating to the uses and application of technology to address current
national science and technology policy issues. In developing such
technical assessments for Congress, the Service shall utilize, to the
extent practicable, experts selected in coordination with the National
Research Council.
``SEC. 704. INITIATION OF ACTIVITIES.
``Science and technology assessment activities undertaken by the
Service may be initiated upon the request of--
``(1) the Chairman of any standing, special, or select
committee of either House of the Congress, or of any joint
committee of the Congress, acting for himself or at the request
of the ranking minority member or a majority of the committee
members;
``(2) the Board; or
``(3) the Director.
``SEC. 705. ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT.
``The Director of the Science and Technology Assessment Service
shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve for a term of 6 years
unless sooner removed by the Board. The Director shall receive basic
pay at the rate provided for level III of the Executive Schedule under
section 5314 of title 5, United States Code. The Director shall
contract for administrative support from the Library of Congress.
``SEC. 706. AUTHORITY.
``The Service shall have the authority, within the limits of
available appropriations, to do all things necessary to carry out the
provisions of this section, including, but without being limited to,
the authority to--
``(1) make full use of competent personnel and
organizations outside the Office, public or private, and form
special ad hoc task forces or make other arrangements when
appropriate;
``(2) enter into contracts or other arrangements as may be
necessary for the conduct of the work of the Office with any
agency or instrumentality of the United States, with any State,
territory, or possession or any political subdivision thereof,
or with any person, firm, association, corporation, or
educational institution, with or without reimbursement, without
performance or other bonds, and without regard to section 3709
of the Revised Statutes (41 U.S.C. 51);
``(3) accept and utilize the services of voluntary and
uncompensated personnel necessary for the conduct of the work
of the Service and provide transportation and subsistence as
authorized by section 5703 of title 5, United States Code, for
persons serving without compensation; and
``(4) prescribe such rules and regulations as it deems
necessary governing the operation and organization of the
Service.
``SEC. 707. BOARD.
``(a) In General.--The Board shall consist of 13 members as
follows--
``(1) 6 Members of the Senate, appointed by the President
pro tempore of the Senate, 3 from the majority party and 3 from
the minority party;
``(2) 6 Members of the House of Representatives appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 3 from the
majority party and 3 from the minority party; and
``(3) the Director, who shall not be a voting member.
``SEC. 708. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
``The Service shall submit to the Congress an annual report which
shall include, but not be limited to, an evaluation of technology
assessment techniques and identification, insofar as may be feasible,
of technological areas and programs requiring future analysis. The
annual report shall be submitted not later than March 15 of each year.
``SEC. 709. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
``There are authorized to be appropriated to the Service such sums
as are necessary to fulfill the requirements of this title.''.
TITLE II--GREENHOUSE GAS MEASURING AND REPORTING
SEC. 201. NATIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS MEASUREMENT, VERIFICATION, AND
REPORTING SYSTEM.
(a) Emissions Measurement and Verification System.--The Director of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology shall, within 1 year
after the date of enactment of this Act, design and develop a
comprehensive national measurement and verification system for
greenhouse gas emissions in order to establish a consistent and
technically accurate record of greenhouse gas emissions, reductions,
and atmospheric concentrations for measurement of progress in emissions
reduction and future trading in greenhouse gas credits.
(b) System Requirements.--The system developed by the Director
shall--
(1) provide a method for establishing an accurate baseline,
using standard units, for national or international measurement
and accounting of the United States's greenhouse gas emissions
and reductions;
(2) build on, or coordinate with, existing monitoring,
measurement, and reporting systems applicable to greenhouse
gases under Federal environmental or other laws;
(3) ensure coverage of greenhouse gases regulated under the
Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) and greenhouse gas
sources accounting for at least 75 percent of United States
greenhouse gas emissions;
(4) utilize techniques and methods that will minimize
measurement and reporting costs of covered entities;
(5) utilize advanced technologies, including satellite and
laser technology, that will allow for field measurement and
verification;
(6) allow for measurement of reductions from energy
efficiency or environmentally appropriate carbon reduction
projects;
(7) set uniform protocols and standards that can be used in
State or international reporting and measurement systems,
including those established by the Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change;
(8) support the emissions reporting system established
under subsection (c);
(9) provide for use and training of third-party
verification entities; and
(10) provide a forum for public dissemination of
measurement and reporting techniques and methods, including
distribution on the world wide web.
(c) Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting System.--
(1) In general.--No later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Climate Change Task Force, acting
through the Secretary of Commerce, shall initiate a mandatory
greenhouse gas emissions reporting system for the industrial,
energy-producing, and transportation sectors of the economy
utilizing the measurement and verification system developed
under subsection (a) and (b). The Secretary shall ensure that
the system is designed to maximize completeness, transparency,
and accuracy and to minimize measurement-and-reporting costs
for covered entities.
(2) Covered entities.--The reporting system shall measure,
track, and disclose direct and indirect emissions from entities
operating in the industrial, energy-producing, and
2000
transportation sectors of the United States economy. This shall
include facilities or entities--
(A) with significant direct greenhouse gas
emissions;
(B) with manufacturing or other processes that are
significant consumers of energy, particularly energy
derived from fossil fuel sources;
(C) that sell or market products or services that
consume significant amounts of energy, particularly
energy derived from fossil fuel sources; or
(D) involved in land use activities that release
significant greenhouse gases.
(d) Reporting Emissions.--
(1) Notification requirement.--Within 12 months after the
reporting system is developed, all covered entities shall be
notified of the existence of the system, and the procedures for
measuring, verifying, and submitting greenhouse gas emissions
information to the Secretary.
(2) Required information.--Each covered entity shall be
required to report direct and indirect emissions on an entity-
wide and facility-by-facility basis.
(3) First reporting date.--Each covered entity notified
under paragraph (1) to begin reporting under the reporting
system shall be required to begin reporting not less than 4
years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(4) Voluntary reporting.--Any entity may voluntarily report
greenhouse gas emissions information into the reporting system,
and such information shall be included in the reporting system.
(e) Penalty for Failure to Report.--If any person required to
report under this section fails to transmit the report at the time and
in the manner required by the Task Force, the Secretary shall issue an
administrative order assessing a penalty of not more than $25,000 per
day. Each day on which the failure to report continues, excepting
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, constitutes a separate violation of
the reporting requirement. The maximum penalty the Secretary may assess
against any person for any multiple day violation of a single failure
to report may not exceed $200,000.
(f) Public Information.--The Secretary shall make greenhouse gas
emissions information contained in the reporting system publicly
available, including through access on the world wide web, except in a
case in which publishing information would reveal a trade secret or
disclose information vital to national security. Emissions information
reported by individual facilities shall be made available through a
link with the Toxic Release Inventory public access system established
under section 821 of the Act entitled ``An Act to amend the Clear Air
Act to provide for attainment and maintenance of health protective
purposes'', (42 U.S.C. 7651k nt.).
SEC. 202. ATMOSPHERIC MONITORING AND REPORTING ON TRENDS.
(a) Atmospheric Monitoring and Verification Program.--The Secretary
of Commerce, in coordination with relevant Federal agencies, shall, as
part of the National Climate Service, establish an atmospheric
monitoring and verification program utilizing aircraft, satellite,
ground sensors, and modeling capabilities to monitor, measure, and
verify atmospheric greenhouse gas levels, dates, and emissions. Where
feasible, the program shall measure emissions from identified sources
participating in the reporting system for verification purposes. The
program shall use measurements and standards that are consistent with
those utilized in the greenhouse gas measurement and reporting system
established under subsection (a).
(b) Annual Report.--The Secretary of Commerce shall issue an annual
report that identifies greenhouse emissions and trends on a local,
regional, and national level. The report shall also identify emissions
or reductions attributable to individual or multiple sources covered by
the greenhouse gas measurement and reporting system established under
section 201.
TITLE III--CLIMATE CHANGE SCIENCE AND INFORMATION
Subtitle A--Amendments to the Global Change Research Act of 1990
SEC. 301. AMENDMENT OF GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH ACT OF 1990.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this subtitle
an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or
repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be
considered to be made to a section or other provision of the Global
Change Research Act of 1990 (15 U.S.C. 2921 et seq.).
SEC. 302. CHANGES IN DEFINITIONS.
Paragraph (1) of section 2 (15 U.S.C. 2921) is amended by striking
``Earth and'' inserting ``Climate and''.
SEC. 303. CHANGE IN COMMITTEE NAME.
Section 102 (15 U.S.C. 2932) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Earth and'' in the section heading and
inserting ``Climate and''; and
(2) by striking ``Earth and'' in subsection (a) and
inserting ``Climate and''.
SEC. 304. CHANGE IN NATIONAL GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH PLAN.
Section 104 (15 U.S.C. 2934) is amended--
(1) by adding at the end of subsection (c) the following:
``(6) Methods for integrating information to provide
predictive tools for planning and decision making by
governments, communities and the private sector.'';
(2) by inserting ``local, State, and Federal'' before
``policy makers'' in subsection (d)(3);
(3) by striking ``and'' in subsection (d)(2);
(4) by striking ``change.'' in subsection (d)(3) and
inserting ``change; and'';
(5) by adding at the end of subsection (d) the following:
``(4) establish a common assessment and modeling framework
that may be used in both research and operations to predict and
assess the vulnerability of natural and managed ecosystems and
of human society in the context of other environmental and
social changes.''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(g) Strategic Plan; Revised Implementation Plan.--The Chairman of
the Council, through the Committee, shall develop a strategic plan for
the United States Global Climate Change Research Program for the 10-
year period beginning in 2002 and submit the plan to the Congress
within 180 days after the date of enactment of the Global Climate
Change Act of 2001. The Chairman, through the Committee, shall also
submit a revised implementation plan under subsection (a).''.
SEC. 305. INTEGRATED PROGRAM OFFICE.
Section 105 (15 U.S.C. 2935) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (a), (b), and (c) as
subsections (b), (c), and (d), respectively; and
(2) inserting before subsection (b), as redesignated, the
following:
``(a) Integrated Program Office.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established in the Office of
Science and Technology Policy an integrated program office for
the global change research program.
``(2) Organization.--The integrated program office
established under paragraph (1) shall be headed by the
associate director for climate change and shall include a
representative from each Federal agency participating in the
global change research program.
``(3) Function.--The integrated program office shall--
``(A) manage, working in conjunction with the
Committee, interagency coordination and program
integration of global change research activities and budget requests;
``(B) ensure that the activities and programs of
each Federal agency or department participating in the
program address the goals and objectives identified in
the strategic research plan and interagency
implementation plans;
``(C) ensure program and budget recommendations of
the Committee
2000
are communicated to the President and are
integrated into the climate change action strategy;
``(D) review, solicit, and identify, and allocate
funds for, partnership projects that address critical
research objectives or operational goals of the
program, including projects that would fill research
gaps identified by the program, and for which project
resources are shared among at least 2 agencies
participating in the program; and
``(E) review and approve, in conjunction with the
Committee, all annual appropriations requests from
Federal agencies or departments participating in the
program.
``(4) Clearance required.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law to the contrary, no Federal agency or
department participating in the program may submit its annual
appropriations request for program-related activities to the
President without the approval of the Integrated Program
Office.
``(5) Grant authority.--The Integrated Program Office may
authorize 1 or more of the departments or agencies
participating in the program to enter into contracts and make
grants, using funds appropriated for use by the Office of
Science and Technology Policy for the purpose of carrying out
the responsibilities of that Office.
``(6) Funding.--For fiscal year 2002, and each fiscal year
thereafter, not less than $13,000,000 shall be made available
to the Integrated Program Office from amounts appropriated to
or for the use of the Office of Science and Technology
Policy.'';
(3) by striking ``Committee.'' in paragraph (2) of
subsection (c), as redesignated, and inserting ``Committee and
the Integrated Program Office.''; and
(4) by inserting ``and the Integrated Program Office''
after ``Committee'' in paragraph (1) of subsection (d), as
redesignated.
SEC. 306. CHANGES IN REFERENCE TO NATIONAL CLIMATE PROGRAM.
Section 108 (15 U.S.C. 2938) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Program'' in the heading for subsection
(a) and inserting ``Service''; and
(2) by striking ``Program, established by the National
Climate Program Act (15 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.),'' and inserting
`` Service, established by the National Climate Service Act (15
U.S.C. 2901 et seq.),''.
Subtitle B--National Climate Services and Monitoring
SEC. 351. AMENDMENT OF NATIONAL CLIMATE PROGRAM ACT.
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this subtitle
an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to, or
repeal of, a section or other provision, the reference shall be
considered to be made to a section or other provision of the National
Climate Program Act (15 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.).
SEC. 352. CHANGE IN SHORT TITLE OF ACT.
(a) In General.--Section 1 of the National Climate Program Act (15
U.S.C. 2901 nt) is amended by striking ``Program'' and inserting
``Service''.
(b) References to Act by Former Short Title.--Except when
inappropriate, any reference in any law, Executive order, or other
document--
(1) to the National Climate Program Act shall include a
reference to the National Climate Service Act; and
(2) to the National Climate Service Act shall include a
reference to the provisions of law formerly known as the
National Climate Program Act.
SEC. 353. CHANGES IN FINDINGS.
Section 2 (15 U.S.C. 2901) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Weather and climate change affect'' in
paragraph (1) and inserting ``Weather, climate change, and
long-term weather fluctuations affect public safety,
environmental security, human health,'';
(2) by striking ``climate'' in paragraph (2) and inserting
``climate, including seasonal and decadal fluctuations,'';
(3) by striking ``changes.'' in paragraph (5) and inserting
``changes and providing free exchange of meteorological
data.''; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) The present rate of advance in research and
development is inadequate and new developments must be
incorporated rapidly into services for the benefit of the
public.
``(8) The United States lacks adequate infrastructure and
research to meet national climate monitoring and prediction
needs.''.
SEC. 354. CHANGE IN PURPOSE.
Section 3 (15 U.S.C. 2902) is amended by striking ``program'' and
inserting ``service''.
SEC. 355. ``PROGRAM'' CHANGED TO ``SERVICE''.
(a) Definition.--Section 4 (15 U.S.C. 2903) is amended by striking
paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
``(3) The term ``Service'' means the National Climate
Service.''.
(b) Program in Department of Commerce.--In section 5 (15 U.S.C.
2904) insert ``in the Department of Commerce'' after ``Program''.
(c) Conforming Amendments.--The Act is amended--
(1) by striking `` Program'' each place it appears in
sections 5(b)(2), 5(b)(3), 5(c)(2)(B), 5(c)(4), 5(d), 5(d)(1),
5(d)(10) (as section 5(d) is amended by section 355 of this
Act), 5(e)(1), 5(e)(2)(A), 5(f)(1), 5(f)(2), 5(g), 7(a), 7(b),
7(c), 8(a), and 9 and inserting ``Service'';
(2) by striking ``program'' each place it appears in
sections 5(c)(2)(A) and 5(c)(3) and inserting ``Service'';
(3) by striking ``programs,'' in section 5(d)(10)(A) (as
section 5(d) is amended by section 355 of this Act) and
inserting ``Service'';
(4) by striking ``Program'' and inserting ``Service'' in
the headings for subsections (c), (d), and (e) of section 5;
and
(5) by striking ``PROGRAM'' in the heading for section 5
and inserting ``SERVICE''.
SEC. 356. TOOLS FOR REGIONAL PLANNING.
Section 5(d) (15 U.S.C. 2904(d)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (9) as
paragraphs (5) through (10), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) methods for improving modeling and predictive
capabilities and developing assessment methods to guide
national, regional, and local planning and decision-making on
land use, water hazards, and related issues;''
(3) by inserting ``sharing,'' after ``collection,'' in
paragraph (5), as redesignated;
(4) by striking ``experimental'' each place it appears in
paragraph (9), as redesignated;
(5) by striking ``preliminary'' in paragraph (10), as
redesignated;
(6) by striking ``this Act,'' the first place it appears in
paragraph (10), as redesignated, and inserting ``the Global
Climate Change Act of 2001,''; and
(7) by striking ``this Act,'' the second place it appears
in paragraph (10), as redesignated, and inserting ``that
Act,''.
SEC. 357. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
Section 9 (15 U.S.C. 2908) is amended--
(1) by striking ``1979,'' and inserting ``2002,'';
(2) by striking ``1980,'' and inserting ``2003,'';
(3) by striking ``1981,'' and inserting ``2004,''; and
(4) by striking ``$25,500,000'' and inserting
``$75,500,000''.
SEC. 358. NATIONAL CLIMATE SERVICE PLAN.
The Act (15 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.) is amended by inserting after
section 5 the following:
``SEC. 6. NATIONAL CLIMATE SERVICE PLAN.
``Within one year after the date of enactment of the Global Climate
Change Act of 2001, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit to the
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House
Science Committee a plan of action for t
2000
he National Climate Service.
The plan shall set forth recommendations and funding estimates for--
``(1) a national center for operational climate monitoring
and predicting with the functional capacity to monitor and
adjust observing systems as necessary to reduce bias;
``(2) the design, deployment, and operation of an adequate
national climate observing system that builds upon existing
environmental monitoring systems and closes gaps in coverage by
existing systems;
``(3) the establishment of a national coordinated modeling
strategy, including a national climate modeling center to
provide a dedicated capability for climate modeling and a
regular schedule of projections on a long and short term time
schedules and at a range of spatial scales;
``(4) improvements in modeling and assessment capabilities
needed to integrate information to predict regional and local
climate changes and impacts;
``(5) in coordination with the private sector, improving
the capacity to assess the impacts of predicted and projected
climate changes and variations;
``(6) a program for long term stewardship, quality control,
development of relevant climate products, and efficient access
to all relevant climate data, products, and critical model
simulations; and
``(7) mechanisms to coordinate among Federal agencies,
State and local government entities and the academic community
to ensure timely and full sharing and dissemination of climate
information and services, both domestically and
internationally.''.
SEC. 359. INTERNATIONAL PACIFIC RESEARCH AND COOPERATION.
The Secretary of Commerce, in cooperation with the Administrator of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, shall conduct
international research in the Pacific region that will increase
understanding of the nature and predictability of climate variability
in the Asia-Pacific sector, including regional aspects of global
environmental change. Such research activities shall be conducted in
cooperation with other nations of the region. There are authorized to
be appropriated for the purposes of this section $1,500,000 to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and $1,500,000 to the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
TITLE IV--CLIMATE CHANGE TECHNOLOGY
SEC. 401. NIST GREENHOUSE GAS FUNCTIONS.
Section 2(c) of the National Institute of Standards and Technology
Act (15 U.S.C. 272(c)) is amended--
(1) striking ``and'' after the semicolon in paragraph (21);
(2) by redesignating paragraph (22) as paragraph (23); and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (21) the following:
``(22) perform research to develop enhanced measurements,
calibrations, standards, and technologies which will enable the
reduced production in the United States of greenhouse gases
associated with global warming, including carbon dioxide,
methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, perfluorocarbons, hydro
fluorocarbons, and sulphur hexafluoride; and''.
SEC. 402. MEASUREMENT AND VERIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES.
The Secretary of Commerce shall initiate a program to develop, with
technical assistance from appropriate Federal agencies, innovative
standards and measurement technologies (including technologies for use
in the system established under section 201(a) to measure carbon
changes due to changes in land use cover) to calculate--
(1) greenhouse gas emissions and reductions from
agriculture, forestry, and other land use practices;
(2) non-carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions from
transportation;
(3) greenhouse gas emissions from facilities or sources
using remote sensing technology; and
(4) any other greenhouse gas emissions or reductions for
which no accurate or reliable measurement technology exists.
SEC. 403. ENHANCED ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS AND STANDARDS.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C.
271 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating sections 17 through 32 as sections 18
through 33, respectively; and
(2) by inserting after section 16 the following:
``SEC. 17. CLIMATE CHANGE STANDARDS AND PROCESSES.
``(a) In General.--The Director shall establish within the
Institute a program to perform and support research on global climate
change standards and processes, with the goal of providing scientific
and technical knowledge applicable to the reduction of greenhouse gases
(as defined in section 4 of the Global Climate Change Act of 2001).
``(b) Research Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Director is authorized to conduct,
directly or through contracts or grants, a global climate
change standards and processes research program.
``(2) Research projects.--The specific contents and
priorities of the research program shall be determined in
consultation with appropriate Federal agencies, including the
Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, and the National Science Foundation. The
program generally shall include basic and applied research--
``(A) to develop and provide the enhanced
measurements, calibrations, data, models, and reference
material standards which will enable the monitoring of
greenhouse gases;
``(B) to assist in establishing of a baseline
reference point for future trading in greenhouse gases
and the measurement of progress in emissions reduction;
``(C) that will be exchanged internationally as
scientific or technical information which has the
stated purpose of developing mutually recognized
measurements, standards, and procedures for reducing
greenhouse gases; and
``(D) to assist in developing improved industrial
processes designed to reduce or eliminated greenhouse
gases.
``(c) National Measurement Laboratories.--
``(1) In general.--In carrying out this section, the
Director shall utilize the collective skills of the National
Measurement Laboratories of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology to improve the accuracy of measurements that
will permit better understanding and control of these
industrial chemical processes and result in the reduction or
elimination of greenhouse gases.
``(2) Material, process, and building research.--The
National Measurement Laboratories shall conduct research under
this subsection that includes--
``(A) material and manufacturing processes which
are designed for energy efficiency and reduced
greenhouse gas emissions into the environment;
``(B) developing environmentally-friendly, `green'
chemical processes to be used by industry; and
``(C) enhancing building performance with a focus
in developing standards or tools which will help
incorporate low or no-emission technologies into
building designs.
``(3) Standards and tools.--The National Measurement
Laboratories shall develop standards and tools under this
subsection that include software to assist designers in
selecting alternate building materials, performance data on
materials, artificial intelligence-aided design procedures for
building subsystems and `smart buildings', and improved test
met
2000
hods and rating procedures for evaluating the energy
performance of residential and commercial appliances and
products.
``(d) National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program.--The
Director shall utilize the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation
Program under this section to establish a program to include specific
calibration or test standards and related methods and protocols
assembled to satisfy the unique needs for accreditation in measuring
the production of greenhouse gases. In carrying out this subsection the
Director may cooperate with other departments and agencies of the
Federal Government, State and local governments, and private
organizations.''.
SEC. 404. TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND DIFFUSION.
(a) Advanced Technology Program Competitions.--The Director of the
National Institute of Standards and Technology, through the Advanced
Technology Program, may hold a portion of the Institute's competitions
in thematic areas, selected after consultation with industry,
academics, and other Federal Agencies, designed to develop and
commercialize enabling technologies to address global climate change by
significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and concentrations in
the atmosphere.
(b) Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program for ``Green''
Manufacturing.--The Director of the National Institute of Standards and
Technology, through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program,
may develop a program to support the implementation of new ``green''
manufacturing technologies and techniques by the more than 380,000
small manufacturers, with particular emphasis on improving the energy
efficiency of electric motors.
SEC. 405. TRANSFER OF GREENHOUSE GAS REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY .
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Commerce shall establish a
technology transfer program for emissions reduction and energy
efficiency technologies. In selecting technologies for promotion
through this program, the Secretary shall consult with the Department
of Energy, the Agency for International Development, the Environmental
Protection Agency, and other appropriate Federal agencies.
(b) Focus Areas.--The program shall--
(1) promote the transfer of United States emissions
reduction technologies to developing countries and countries in
transition that are likely to have greenhouse gas emissions
increases over the next 20 years;
(2) promote the transfer of United States emissions
reduction technologies to clean development and technology
transfer programs established under the Framework Convention on
Climate Change and other international agreements;
(3) identify technology, policy, and market opportunities
for transfer and development of such technologies; and
(4) make recommendations to other appropriate Federal
agencies to improve Federal participation in the program.
(c) Advisory Committee.--The Secretary shall establish an advisory
committee composed of representatives of industry, academics, and other
interested groups to provide advice on the development, deployment, and
export of greenhouse gas reduction technologies.
TITLE V--CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND HAZARDS PREVENTION
Subtitle A--Assessment and Adaptation
SEC. 501. REGIONAL CLIMATE ASSESSMENT AND ADAPTATION.
(a) In General.--The President shall establish within the
Department of Commerce a National Climate Vulnerability and Adaptation
Program for regional impacts related to increasing concentrations of
greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and climate variability.
(b) Coordination.--In designing such program the Secretary shall
consult with the Climate Change Task Force to ensure involvement of,
and coordination with, appropriate Federal, State, and local government
entities.
(c) Regional Vulnerability Assessments.--The program shall--
(1) evaluate, based on predictions developed under this
Act, the National Climate Service Act (15 U.S.C. 2901 et seq.),
and the global climate modeling community, regional
vulnerability to phenomena associated with climate change and
climate variability, including--
(A) increases in severe weather events;
(B) sea level rise and shifts in the hydrological
cycle;
(C) natural hazards, including tsunami, drought,
flood and fire; and
(D) alteration of ecological communities at the
ecosystem or watershed level; and
(2) build upon predictions and other information developed
in the National Assessments prepared under the Global Change
Research Act of 1990 (15 U.S.C. 2921 et seq.).
(d) Preparedness Recommendations.--The program shall submit a
report to Congress within 2 years after the date of enactment of this
Act that identifies and recommends implementation and funding
strategies for short and long-term actions that may be taken at the
national, regional, State, and local level--
(1) to minimize threats to human life and property,
(2) to improve resilience to hazards,
(3) to minimize economic impacts; and
(4) to reduce threats to critical biological and ecological
processes.
(e) Information and Technology.--The Secretary shall make available
appropriate information and other technologies and products that will
assist national, regional, State, and local efforts to reduce loss of
life and property, and coordinate dissemination of such technologies
and products.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce $4,500,000 to implement the
requirements of this section.
SEC. 502. COASTAL VULNERABILITY AND ADAPTATION.
(a) Coastal Vulnerability.--Within 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the
appropriate Federal, State, and local governmental entities, conduct
regional assessments of the vulnerability of coastal areas to hazards
associated with climate change, climate variability, sea level rise,
and fluctuation of Great Lakes water levels. The Secretary may also
consult with the governments of Canada and Mexico as appropriate in
developing such regional assessments. In preparing the regional
assessments, the Secretary shall collect and compile current
information on climate change, sea level rise, natural hazards, and
coastal erosion and mapping, and specifically address impacts on Arctic
regions and the Central, Western, and South Pacific regions. The
regional assessments shall include an evaluation of--
(1) social impacts associated with threats to and potential
losses of housing, communities, and infrastructure;
(2) physical impacts such as coastal erosion, flooding and
loss of estuarine habitat, saltwater intrusion of aquifers and
saltwater encroachment, and species migration; and
(3) economic impact on local, State, and regional
economies, including the impact on abundance or distribution of
economically important living marine resources.
(b) Coastal Adaptation Plan.--The Secretary shall, within 3 years
after the date of enactment of this Act, submit to the Congress a
national coastal adaptation plan, composed of individual regional
adaptation plans that recommend targets and strategies to address
coastal impacts associated with climate change, sea level rise, or
climate variability. The plan shall be developed with the participation
of other Federal, State, and local government agencies that will be
critical in the implementation of the plan at the State and local
levels. The regional plans that will make up the national coastal
adaptation plan shall be based on the information contained in the
regional assessments and shall identify special needs associated with
Arctic areas and the Central, Western, and South Pacific regions.
2000
The
Plan shall recommend both short and long-term adaptation strategies and
shall include recommendations regarding--
(1) Federal flood insurance program modifications;
(2) areas that have been identified as high risk through
mapping and assessment;
(3) mitigation incentives such as rolling easements,
strategic retreat, State or Federal acquisition in fee simple
or other interest in land, construction standards, and zoning;
(4) land and property owner education;
(5) economic planning for small communities dependent upon
affected coastal resources, including fisheries; and
(6) funding requirements and mechanisms.
(c) Technical Planning Assistance.--The Secretary, through the
National Ocean Service, shall establish a coordinated program to
provide technical planning assistance and products to coastal States
and local governments as they develop and implement adaptation or
mitigation strategies and plans. Products, information, tools and
technical expertise generated from the development of the regional
assessments and the regional adaptation plans will be made available to
coastal States for the purposes of developing their own State and local
plans.
(d) Coastal Adaptation Grants.--The Secretary shall provide grants
of financial assistance to coastal States with Federally approved
coastal zone management programs to develop and begin implementing
coastal adaptation programs if the State provides a Federal-to-state
match of 4 to 1 in the first fiscal year, 2.3 to 1 in the second fiscal
year, 2 to 1 in the third fiscal year, and 1 to 1 thereafter.
Distribution of these funds to coastal states shall be based upon the
formula established under section 306(c) of the Coastal Zone Management
Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1455(c)), adjusted in consultation with the
States as necessary to provide assistance to particularly vulnerable
coastlines.
(e) Coastal Response Pilot Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 4-year
pilot program to provide financial assistance to coastal
communities most adversely affected by the impact of climate
change or climate variability that are located in States with
Federal-approved coastal zone management programs.
(2) Eligible projects.--A project is eligible for financial
assistance under the pilot program if it--
(A) will restore or strengthen coastal resources,
facilities, or infrastructure that have been damaged by
such an impact, as determined by the Secretary;
(B) meets the requirements of the Coastal Zone
Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.) and is
consistent with the coastal zone management plan of the
State in which it is located; and
(C) will not cost more than $100,000.
(3) Funding share.--The Federal funding share of any
project under this subsection may not exceed 75 percent of the
total cost of the project. In this administration of this
paragraph--
(A) the Secretary may take into account in-kind
contributions and other non-cash support of any project
to determine the Federal funding share for that
project; and
(B) the Secretary may waive the requirements of
this paragraph for a project in a community if--
(i) the Secretary determines that the
project is important; and
(ii) the economy and available resources of
the community in which the project is to be
conducted are insufficient to meet the non-
Federal share of the project's costs.
(f) CZMA Terms.--Any term used in this section that is defined in
section 304 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1453)
has the meaning given it by that section.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated--
(1) $5,00,000 annually for coastal adaptation grants under
subsection (d); and
(2) $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2003 through 2006
for the pilot program established under subsection (e).
Subtitle B--Pilot Programs; Grants
SEC. 551. FORECASTING PROJECTS.
(a) In General.--The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration shall establish, through the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration's Coastal Services Center, a program of
grants for competitively awarded pilot projects to explore the
integrated use of sources of remote sensing and other geospatial
information to address State, local, regional, and tribal agency needs
to forecast a plan for adaptation to coastal zone and land use changes
that may result as a consequence of global climate change or climate
variability.
(b) Preferred Projects.--In awarding grants under this section, the
Center shall give preference to projects that--
(1) focus on areas that are most sensitive to the
consequences of global climate change or climate variability;
(2) make use of existing public or commercial data sets;
(3) integrate multiple sources of geospatial information,
such as geographic information system data, satellite-provided
positioning data, and remotely sensed data, in innovative ways;
(4) offer diverse, innovative approaches that may serve as
models for establishing a future coordinated framework for
planning strategies for adaptation to coastal zone and land use
changes related to global climate change or climate
variability;
(5) include funds or in-kind contributions from non-Federal
sources;
(6) involve the participation of commercial entities that
process raw or lightly processed data, often merging that data
with other geospatial information, to create data products that
have significant value added to the original data; and
(7) taken together demonstrate as diverse a set of public
sector applications as possible.
(c) Opportunities.--In carrying out this section, the Center shall
seek opportunities to assist--
(1) in the development of commercial applications
potentially available from the remote sensing industry; and
(2) State, local, regional, and tribal agencies in applying
remote sensing and other geospatial information technologies
for management and adaptation to coastal and land use
consequences of global climate change or climate variability.
(d) Duration.--Assistance for a pilot project under subsection (a)
shall be provided for a period of not more than 3 years.
(e) Responsibilities of Grantees.--Within 180 days after completion
of a grant project, each recipient of a grant under subsection (a)
shall transmit a report to the Center on the results of the pilot
project and conduct at least one workshop for potential users to
disseminate the lessons learned from the pilot project as widely as
feasible.
(f) Regulations.--The Center shall issue regulations establishing
application, selection, and implementation procedures for pilot
projects, and guidelines for reports and workshops required by this
section.
SEC. 552. DATABASE ESTABLISHMENT.
The Center shall establish and maintain an electronic, Internet-
accessible database of the results of each pilot project completed
under section 551.
SEC. 553. DEFINITIONS.
In this subtitle:
(1) Center.--The term ``Center'' means the Coastal Services
Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(2) Geospatial information.--The term ``geospatial
information'' means knowledge of the nature and dis
1898
tribution of
physical and cultural features on the landscape based on
analysis of data from airborne or spaceborne platforms or other
types and sources of data.
SEC. 554. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to
carry out the provisions of this subtitle--
(1) $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
(2) $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2003;
(3) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(4) $22,500,000 for fiscal year 2005; and
(5) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
TITLE VI--OCEAN AND COASTAL OBSERVING SYSTEM
SEC. 601. OCEAN AND COASTAL OBSERVING SYSTEM.
(a) Establishment.--The President, through the National Ocean
Research Leadership Council, established by section 7902(a) of title
10, United States Code, shall establish and maintain an integrated
ocean and coastal observing system that provides for long-term,
continuous, and real-time observations of the oceans and coasts for the
purposes of--
(1) understanding, assessing and responding to human-
induced and natural processes of global change;
(2) improving weather forecasts and public warnings;
(3) strengthening national security and military
preparedness;
(4) enhancing the safety and efficiency of marine
operations;
(5) supporting efforts to restore the health of and manage
coastal and marine ecosystems and living resources;
(6) monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of ocean
and coastal environmental policies;
(7) reducing and mitigating ocean and coastal pollution;
and
(8) providing information that contributes to public
awareness of the state and importance of the oceans.
(b) Council Functions.--In addition to its responsibilities under
section 7902(a) of such title, the Council shall be responsible for
planning and coordinating the observing system and in carrying out this
responsibility shall--
(1) develop and submit to the Congress, within 6 months
after the date of enactment of this Act, a plan for
implementing a national ocean and coastal observing system
that--
(A) uses an end-to end engineering and development
approach to develop a system design and schedule for
operational implementation;
(B) determines how current and planned observing
activities can be integrated in a cost-effective
manner;
(C) provides for regional and concept demonstration
projects;
(D) describes the role and estimated budget of each
Federal agency in implementing the plan;
(E) contributes, to the extent practicable, to the
National Global Change Research Plan under section 104
of the Global Change Research Act of 1990 (15 U.S.C.
2934); and
(F) makes recommendations for coordination of ocean
observing activities of the United States with those of
other nations and international organizations;
(2) serve as the mechanism for coordinating Federal ocean
observing requirements and activities;
(3) work with academic, State, industry and other actual
and potential users of the observing system to make effective
use of existing capabilities and incorporate new technologies;
(4) approve standards and protocols for the administration
of the system, including--
(A) a common set of measurements to be collected
and distributed routinely and by uniform methods;
(B) standards for quality control and assessment of
data;
(C) design, testing and employment of forecast
models for ocean conditions;
(D) data management, including data transfer
protocols and archiving; and
(E) designation of coastal ocean observing regions;
and
(5) in consultation with the Secretary of State, provide
representation at international meetings on ocean observing
programs and coordinate relevant Federal activities with those
of other nations.
(c) System Elements.--The integrated ocean and coastal observing
system shall include the following elements:
(1) A nationally coordinated network of regional coastal
ocean observing systems that measure and disseminate a common
set of ocean observations and related products in a uniform
manner and according to sound scientific practice, but that are
adapted to local and regional needs.
(2) Ocean sensors for climate observations, including the
Arctic Ocean and sub-polar seas.
(3) Coastal, relocatable, and cabled sea floor
observatories.
(4) Broad bandwidth communications that are capable of
transmitting high volumes of data from open ocean locations at
low cost and in real time.
(5) Ocean data management and assimilation systems that
ensure full use of new sources of data from space-borne and in
situ sensors.
(6) Focused research programs.
(7) Technology development program to develop new observing
technologies and techniques, including data management and
dissemination.
(8) Public outreach and education.
SEC. 602. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
For development and implementation of an integrated ocean and
coastal observation system under this title, including financial
assistance to regional coastal ocean observing systems, there are
authorized to be appropriated $135,000,000 in fiscal year 2002,
$235,000,000 in fiscal year 2003, $315,000,000 in fiscal year 2004,
$390,000,000 in fiscal year 2005, and $445,000,000 in fiscal year 2006.
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