Press Releases

Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18), Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Environment Subcommittee, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing entitled, To the Depths, and Beyond: Examining Blue Economy Technologies.  This is Franklin’s first hearing as Environment Subcommittee Chairman since assuming the gavel in the 119^th Congress.

Subcommittee Chairman Franklin’s opening statement:

“Good morning and thank you to our witnesses for being with us today.

“Today's hearing is on a topic that impacts hundreds of millions of Americans daily: the technological advancements of the Blue Economy. For years, NOAA has set ambitious goals mapping and surveying the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, the EEZ. It's the largest in the world, spanning over 13,000 miles of coastline and containing 3.4 million square nautical miles of ocean – larger than the combined land of all 50 states.

“NOAA cannot meet these mapping goals all on its own, and private-public partnerships are key to getting this done by the target goal of 2030. Furthermore, a robust private sector contributing all types of technologies and techniques is critical to our advancement in all things related to ocean science. 

“In my home state of Florida, we know that the health of our economy is directly connected to the strength of our waterways and ports. The innovations we're discussing here today will result in a thriving Blue Economy, which benefits all Americans. Floridians are no strangers to the direct impact of weather and climate patterns. There are other indirect impacts, such as energy, production, international trade routes that ship our exports, as well as recreation and tourism opportunities that are part of the daily life in Florida. 

“Making sure our critical infrastructure is protected is key to this continued success as bad actors like China and Russia will seek to undermine the United States.

“As we continue to innovate, it is important that the investments we make have the best path to commercialization. Combining NOAA's ocean science expertise with private innovation allows the federal government to operate efficiently and have the greatest possible impact. Through our conversations like this one, we can ensure all Americans are moving in the right direction together.

“I look forward to working with Members of the committee to establish a well-rounded approach to growing our Blue Economy.

“Again, I want to thank our witnesses for being here, and I look forward to each of your testimonies.”

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