Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Orlando) returned a phone call just a few minutes ago to let me know how he was going to vote on the Cap and Trade bill. Rep. Grayson will be voting in FAVOR of the bill.  The bill will create a $50 Million dollar Hurrican Research center in Central Florida.  When asked how many jobs that would create he responded “To early to tell”.

I asked if this was the primary reason he voted for the bill and he stated No.  He said “the bill will create green jobs, and punishes polluters.”  He also said that he is glad that for the first time in memory that a State of the Art facility will be built in Central Florida and it will be bringing Florida into 21^st century technology.

—– Statement from Alan Grayson on the House floor—–

COLLOQUY BETWEEN MR GRAYSON AND MR WAXMAN

Mr. Grayson: Mr. Chairman, I rise to enter into a colloquy with the Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, Mr. Waxman.

My intention today is to draw attention to the need for further research and work concerning the effect of ongoing changes in climate and on the frequency and intensity and effects of hurricanes.  As you know, damages from hurricanes—in terms of human lives, infrastructure, and property—have grown in scope and cost, and it is critical that we continue to make progress in furthering our understanding of the science behind hurricanes.  Doing so will ultimately help vulnerable communities in my district, in Florida, and elsewhere in the United States prepare for, and reduce the impacts from, hurricanes.

I ask that a portion of allowance value in H.R. 2454 be directed towards research on hurricanes at a new $50 million National Hurricane Research Center in my district in Orlando. The National Hurricane Research Center in Orlando will be a worldwide center of expertise in the 21st century science of meteorology.  In a world already affected by global warming, it will help develop both short-range and long-range hurricane forecasting, conduct practical research on mitigation of hurricane damage, disseminate to the public real-time information on hurricanes, advise policymakers and the public, and expand knowledge on what can and should be done to impact the intensity, duration, frequency, course and human and property consequences of hurricanes.

Mr. Waxman: I share the gentleman’s concern about the need for research on hurricane intensity and frequency and effects.  The harms from hurricanes are only going to increase with global warming, and we need to better understand the connections and impacts.

H.R. 2454 includes domestic adaptation provisions giving states substantial resources to study and adapt to climate change.  Based on our estimates, the bill will provide up to $1 billion per year from 2012, when the program starts, through 2021.  From 2022 through 2026, the amount will be over $2 billion annually.  Research on hurricanes is explicitly listed as an authorized use of these revenues.  The project the gentleman mentions is among the type of activities that would be eligible to receive funding under these provisions.

Mr. Grayson: Mr. Chairman, I understand that H.R. 2454 includes provisions directing allowance value towards state adaptation.  I hope that we will be able to work together as this bill moves forward to make certain that hurricane research receives full funding, and that we are able to ensure that the work of the National Hurricane Research Center will be supported.

Mr. Waxman:  The gentleman has discussed this project with me, and I think it is a very worthwhile project.  I look forward to working on it and making it a priority as the legislative process moves forward.

Mr. Grayson: I thank the Chairman for your support of our efforts to ensure that our hurricane research efforts are adequately supported.