9 References Committee Advisory to the U.S. Geological Survey, Board on Earth Sciences, National Research Council, 1988, Energy-Related Research in the U.S. Geological Survey, 95 p. Committee on Hydrocarbon Research Drilling, Board on Mineral and Energy Resources, National Research Council, 1988, Scientific Drilling and Hydrocarbon Resources, 89 p. Energy Research Advisory Board to U.S. Department of Energy, 1987, Geoscience Research for Energy Security, 53 p., Tables, Figures. National Petroleum Council, An Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Energy, 1987, Factors Affecting U.S. Oil & Gas Outlook, 179 p., Tables, Appendices. Wampler, J. Allen, Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1987, The Fossil Energy Geosciences Program, Testimony to the Subcommittee on Energy Research & Development, Committee on Science, Space and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, 20 p. MWL:2/15/89 pc4.2/dms: georesnd.rpt Mr. Chairman, Members of the Subcommittee, I value this opportunity to comment on appropriations for development of Continuous Fiber Ceramic Composites. Such a program is currently being assessed by the Office of Industrial Programs under the Department of Energy Assistant Secretary of Conservation and Renewable Energy. Development of fiber reinforced ceramic composites is vitally important to the long term interest of the U.S. Such materials are capable of performing as structural members in very high temperature environments and thus their use in engines, heat exchangers, filters, etc. will permit more efficient, cleaner generation and use of energy. These materials will also permit non energy producing processes, e.g. steel making, to be performed more efficiently. For such reasons, development of fiber reinforced ceramic composites has been recognized by many, including Georgia Tech, as an important thrust area. The DOE assessment of development of continuous fiber ceramic composites is particularly important since this fills a major gap in current U.S. technology. Efforts to develop composites for specific aerospace applications will not result, in my opinion, in adequate materials or processes for industrial applications. Also, recent work within DOE emphasizes short fiber and whisker (very small fibers) reinforcement i.e., development of continuous fiber ceramic composites is not being pursued with sufficient vigor. The program under consideration by DOE would fill this gap. Your providing support for this initiative Additional information could be provided if desired. Sincerely yours, W. J. Lackey W. J. Lackey is urged. Principal Research Scientist Sciences Laboratory Georgia Institute of Technology is an equal education/employment opportunity institution of the University System of Georgia Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee: Thank you for this opportunity to present testimony on behalf of the Florida Public Interest Research Group, the Florida chapter of the Sierra Club, the Florida chapter of the Audubon Society, 1000 Friends of Florida, Organized Fishermen of Florida, the Hoover Environmental Group, Reef Relief and Manasota ́88. concerns Our organizations are deeply concerned that the Department of the Interior offshore oil and gas program poses a significant threat to the environment and economic health of south Florida. While President Bush has indefinately postponed further leasing off the Everglades due to over the potential harm to the sensitive subtropical ecosystem and the potential ramifications on the south Florida economy, this ban does not appear to extend to drilling. Oil drilling will be allowed in the very same region as soon as a current drilling ban expires: September 30, 1989. The opportunity to protect south Florida will be lost if exploration of the 73 existing leases is allowed to proceed this year. Therefore, we are asking you to extend the current ban on drilling south of 26 degrees north latitude. We urge you to provide a minimum of a three year ban on drilling for the following reasons. First, documentation continues to mount in support of the conclusion that the region is not appropriate for offshore oil development at all. Second, a panel of scientists has identified a number of multi year studies which they feel are necessary to fill several significant gaps in their understanding of the potential impact of offshore development in the region. Third, such a ban is completely consistent with the terms under which these leases were originally offered. Fourth, such a ban in no way threatens the national security or energy future of our nation because the expected reserves in the region are minimal--less than one day's supply for the nation at 1987 supply consumption rates. Finally, this ban will allow time for necessary new information to be collected and assessed before the DOI or this committee is asked to readdress the issue. I. DOCUMENTATION MOUNTS THAT THE REGION IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT AT ALL Documentation that the region offshore of the Everglades and Florida Keys is not appropriate for offshore oil development at all continues to mount. The coastal and offshore region from Naples to the Keys (south of 26 degrees north latitude) is unique to the continental United States and particularly sensitive to offshore oil development. Small changes in light and turbidity, physical coating and low levels of toxicity can irreversibly damage the corals, segrasses and mangroves which protect and enrich the region. Corals off the Dry Tortugas have not yet recovered from a 1964 500 gallon oil spill. Most recently, scientists studying the subtropical ecosystem of Panama have documented unexpectedly severe damage from a single oil spill off the Panama coast in 1986. Smithsonian scientists studying the spill have witnessed widespread mortality and slow to non-existent recovery of corals, mangroves, seagrasses, algae and associated invertebrates such as oysters, Also, OFAMR wishes to urge that the U.S. Congress fully fund the state Abandoned Mine Land programs, and the federal Rural Abandoned Mine Program. There is still an enormous amount of abandoned mine land to reclaim, much of which that is endangering life, safety, health and water quality. I appreciate the opportunity to provide you this testimony of our situation and concerns for the record of the February 9 House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior Oversight Hearings. Sincerely, Dick Demuth Dick Demuth, President DD:nt Enclosure cc/enc: John H. Glenn, U.S. Senator Howard Metzenbaum, U.S. Senator Douglas Applegate, U.S. Representative Bob McEwen, U.S. Representative Clarence E. Miller, U.S. Representative Ralph S. Regula, U.S. Representative James A. Traficant Jr., U.S. Representative Malcolm P. Crooks, National Association of Conservation Districts |