Policy Concentrates FOOD RESEARCH FUNDING
▸ Spending down for federal R&D centers Support for federally funded research and development centers has been flat or falling since 2011, according to a new NSF analysis. These 41 research labs include sites supported by NASA, the Department of Energy, the Department of Defense, and other agencies. In 2014, spending at these centers was flat from 2013, rising less than 1% to $17.7 billion. These research labs received 98% of their support from the federal government, with small amounts coming from businesses, universities, foreign governments, nonprofits, and state or local governments. Not all centers fared the same, however. Of the top six biggest sites, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and DOE’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory got 9% more funding in 2014 than in 2013. Spending on Sandia and Los Alamos national labs increased around 3%, whereas Oak Ridge and Lawrence Livermore national labs saw 11% declines. Overall in 2014, applied research received the most support at the research centers with 39%, followed by development with 38%. These centers spent just 24% of their funding on basic research in 2014.—ANDREA WIDENER
Senate debates labeling of genetically modified products The Senate is caught up in debate over labeling genetically modified foods. By a vote of 14-6, the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee on March 1 approved a Republican-backed draft bill that would stop states from requiring labels on genetically modified (GMO) foods. It would also establish a voluntary federal standard for labeling. A day later, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and other Democrats released competing legislation that would require labels on GMO foods sold in the U.S. Food safety and consumer groups favor the Democrats’ bill, saying consumers have the right to know what is in their food. The Republican-led measure, drafted by committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), has broad support from the food and agriculture industries. Food manufacturers are pushing for Roberts’s bill to be passed by the Senate, merged with a companion House bill (H.R. 1599), and enactCongress is considering whether to ed before July 1, when a Vermont override state laws that require labels law will take effect that requires on genetically modified foods. labels on GMO foods sold in the state. Other states are considering similar laws. The food industry claims that having food labeling requirements that vary from state to state will harm producers and lead to higher food prices. Roberts’s draft measure now moves to the full Senate, where it is likely to face further debate.—BRITT ERICKSON
ENERGY
STEPHEN LAM/REUTERS/NEWSCOM
▸ Nuclear research bill passes in House The House of Representatives last week passed nuclear energy research and development legislation intended to boost private investment in advanced nuclear reactor technology. The bill (H.R. 4084), designed to expand theoretical and practical knowledge of nuclear physics, chemistry, and materials science, passed unanimously. The legislation would establish a National Reactor Innovation Center through the Department of Energy. The center would lend the expertise of federal laboratories to the private sector. These partnerships are intended to speed the development of advanced nuclear reactor prototypes and technologies. “Advanced nuclear energy technology is the best opportunity to make reliable, emission-free electricity available throughout the modern and developing world,” says Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), chairman of the House Science & Space
Committee and a cosponsor of the bill. “The ability to move innovative technology to the market has been stalled by government red tape.” The bill prioritizes supercomputing for R&D efficiency and makes way for a new fast-neutron source facility. The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.—JESSICA MORRISON
CLIMATE CHANGE
▸ U.S. chemical expansion would boost emissions Spurred by the shale revolution and low natural gas prices, the petrochemical and energy sectors proposed or received permits in 2015 to construct or expand 44 plants across the U.S. But this increase in production would boost greenhouse
gas emissions by about 78 million metric tons per year, a watchdog group warns. Although natural gas is often touted as an environmentally friendly fuel, a report by the Environmental Integrity Project says the projects could potentially emit as much carbon dioxide as 19 new coal-fired power plants. “This growing greenhouse gas pollution from the petrochemical industry suggests that the fracking and natural gas boom is not as good for the climate as people think,” says the group’s executive director, Eric Schaeffer. The American Chemistry Council, an industry association, says the U.S. expansion may actually lower overall greenhouse gas emissions by drawing market share away from other parts of the world where production is less energy-efficient. The report examined 23 planned facilities for processing liquefied natural gas, 14 chemical and fertilizer manufacturing plants, and seven petroleum refineries.—GLENN HESS, special
to C&EN MARCH 7, 2016 | CEN.ACS.ORG | C&EN
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