Environmental Geoscience Program

WHAT'S NEW

UNESCO WATER PORTAL NEWSLETTER NO. 227: SUDAN: To access the newsletter, please go to: http://www.unesco.org/water/news/newsletter/227.shtml

MORAL HEAT: ETHICAL DIMENSIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION AND ECONOMICS IN THE 21ST CENTURY, NEW YORK, NY, APRIL 20, 2010. With presentations from a number of distinguished and well-known academics, business leaders, regulatory officers, and ethics scholars, this multidisciplinary conference will explore the intersections and tensions between the ethics of environmental sustainability, the workings of markets, and the roles of government and civil society in protecting and advancing an ecologically-responsible common good in the 21st century. For more information and to register, see http:// www.fordham.edu/MoralHeat .

TECHNOLOGY NEWS AND TRENDS (EPA 542-N-10-001). This issue highlights the use of compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA), an environmental forensics technique used to characterize contaminated sites and the progress of bioremediation and natural attenuation. CSIA measures and compares the ratios of stable isotopes found in compounds of suspected contaminant sources or plumes as well as the feedstock or manufacturing process of materials historically used in a site's vicinity. Isotopic analysis can help discern the potential for multiple spills of the same compound based on their different isotopic "signatures." An isotopic signature can be used to associate a contaminant plume with a particular spill or potentially responsible party. It also can be used to evaluate the extent of contaminant degradation caused by microbes during natural attenuation (February 2010, 6 pages). View or download at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm .

TECHNOLOGY PERFORMANCE REVIEW: SELECTING AND USING SOLIDIFICATION/STABILIZATION TREATMENT FOR SITE REMEDIATION (EPA 600-R-09-148). Solidification/Stabilization (S/S) is a widely used treatment technology to prevent migration and exposure of contaminants from a contaminated media (i.e. soil, sludge and sediment). Solidification refers to a process that binds a contaminated media with a reagent changing its physical properties. Stabilization refers to the process that involves a chemical reaction that reduces the leachability of a waste. S/S treatment and application is primarily used at hazardous waste sites. This Technology Performance Review (TPR) includes a discussion on several sites, and addresses important factors to consider in the selection of S/S treatment. Each S/S case study has a brief project description, regulatory status, S/S treatment process that includes binder materials used, and a summary of the performance data. Estimated treatment costs and maintenance activities are also included when available. Estimated costs must be adjusted for inflation and current material price increases (November 2009, 28 pages). View or download at http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/pubs/600r09148/600r09148.pdf .

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS FOR INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON ENVIRONMENTAL NANOTECHNOLOGY: APPLICATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS (EPA 905-R-09-032). This conference was held October 7-9, 2008 in Chicago and was attended by almost 200 scientists and engineers from 5 continents. Attendees were from governments, universities, non-government organizations, and the private sector. One of the primary goals for the conference was to assemble people from around the world who are working on the broad swath of environmental nanotechnology applications and implications, in order to advance the robust and prudent multidisciplinary approach needed for this new area. Volume 1 covers environmental applications (remediation, sensing & monitoring, and pollution control) of nanotechnology whereas volume 2 covers implications (toxicity, fate & transport, and risk assessment) of the release of nanomaterials into the environment. The proceedings contain papers based on the presentations provided during the conference and written by the presenting authors. Thus, this treatise presents cutting edge environmental nanotechnology research and development and should serve as a reference on the topic for years to come (November 2009, 611 pages). View or download at http://www.epa.gov/osp/hstl/stlworkshops.htm .

EPA GRANT WEBINAR: EPA's Office of Grants and Debarment is hosting a webinar for the EPA grants community on April 1st, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. EST. If you are interested in applying for EPA grants or are currently managing an EPA grant, please consider attending this one hour webinar. The webinar will cover grants topics, including: how to find and apply for grant opportunities, an update on the status of Grants.gov, and preparing a proper budget detail. If you have any questions, please email them to ogdweb.gad@epa.gov with the subject line "April Grants Webinar" in advance of the call.

REVIEW OF METHANE HYDRATES AS AN ALTERNATIVE FOSSIL FUEL SOURCE Released January 29, 2010. This report reviews the progress of research projects hosted by the DOE Methane Hydrate Research and Development Program evaluating the potential for commercial production in a safe and environmentally responsible way. 20-25 percent of U.S. energy consumption comes from natural gas, which releases 25-50 percent less carbon than traditional fossil fuels. The DOE Methane Hydrate Research and Development Program, established in 2000, was reauthorized by congress in 2005.

OVERSIGHT OF STATE SURFACE COAL MINE RECLAMATION BY OSM, EPA AND CORPS Released January 14, 2010. The GAO gathered information from state and federal agencies about their financial assurances practices for mine reclamation, long-term monitoring, and use of federal laws to address environmental impacts at former mine sites. Voluntary monitoring of sites by mine managers, states governments, and federal agencies have revealed that (1) reforestation efforts at some reclaimed surface coal mine sites needed improvement; (2) surface coal mine sites have contaminated streams and harmed aquatic organisms; (3) valley fills may affect water flow; and (4) mine operators have not always returned mine sites to their approximate original contour when required to do so under Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act.

THE GOVERNMENT’S ROLE IN ADDRESSING CLEAN DRINKING WATER ISSUES Released January 13, 2010. This report explores the cost and complexity of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) legislation, and issues with regulation of SDWA geological research that could compromise the safety of underground water reserves. Developing technologies for carbon capture sequestration (CCS) and hydraulic fracturing have prompted the EPA to begin establishing protective measures regulating these geologic procedures. Both CCS and hydraulic fracturing have the potential to contaminate and damage underground water reserves. Complexities arise from the detection of unregulated contaminants and updating existing laws. SDWA authorization ended in 2003, however subsequent funds are still allocated by Congress. Most recently $2 billion was allocated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, $829 million from the 2009 Omnibus Allocations bill and $1.387 billion from the Department of the Interior.

IMPLEMENTING LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE E.U.’S EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME (ETS) Released January 26, 2010. While cap-and-trade emissions reduction policies are being debated in congress, this report analyzes the successes and challenges faced by the European Union’s (E.U.) ETS program; mandated in 2005 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. Under ETS, emissions data improved, implementation mechanisms were developed and refined, and corporate behavior for pricing allowances was influenced. Comparing the U.S. policy to E.U.-ETS policy highlights several areas which may help implement a cap-and-trade policy.

IPCC REQUESTS HELP: The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has begun work on the preparation of its next assessment report (AR5) and is currently looking for experts who can act as authors and review editors for the contributions of the three Working Groups to the AR5. Please visit the Fifth Assessment Report Nomination page for more details and instructions.

USGS URANIUM REPORT FOR LANDS ADJACENT TO THE GRAND CANYON: On February 18, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a report on uranium resources and uranium mining impacts on about one million acres of federal land adjacent to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. The report, Hydrological, Geological, and Biological Site Characterization of Breccia Pipe Uranium Deposits in Northern Arizona, found the proposed site contains about 12 percent of the total undiscovered uranium estimated to be in northern Arizona. In July 2009, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the two-year study of these one million acres to decide whether or not to withdraw these lands from new mining claims for an additional 20 years. The lands, managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, are within portions of the Grand Canyon watershed and contain significant environmental and cultural resources as well as substantial uranium deposits. Read more in the full USGS press release.

CLIMATE CHANGE WEB PORTAL: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) launched a new web site prototype in an effort to provide the public with a single location to access climate information. The web site was developed because of increasing demand for climate information for use in a wide variety of sectors. NOAA hopes the new climate portal will provide a hub where climate science can be easily delivered to the public and be incorporated into business and community plans. This prototype will need congressional approval before it is finalized. The portal will be accessible by the general public, has links to “hot topic” articles, and images. It also provides users with access to data and climate maps for the past 30 years, and regional climate and hazards predictions. Included with the data are educational materials for non-experts, giving examples about how climate data is successfully used to create climate policy, and provides the user with access to fact sheets and downloadable presentations which summarize how to interpret the data. There is an interactive “Global Climate Dashboard,” where the user can adjust interactive charts showing climate variability for the past 100 years. Visit http://www.climate.gov/ to access the portal prototype.

EPA GREENHOUSE GAS ENDANGERMENT RULING: After the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ruled that greenhouse gases (GHGs) fall under the jurisdiction of the Clean Air Act in December 2009, Congress and industry groups have been fighting to overturn the ruling. As of the filing deadline in mid-February, 16 lawsuits have been submitted to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by industry groups. In Congress, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) continues to oppose EPA’s decision with the backing of 40 Democratic and Republican senators. Murkowski is suggesting a Congressional Review Act, which only requires 51 votes to pass the Senate and would essentially veto the EPA ruling. She feels a permanent halt to the EPA ruling is better than alternatives presented by her colleagues to halt the regulation for only 2 to 5 years. Murkowski and many others feel the EPA is wrong to circumvent Congress to make this decision, and that the Clean Air Act is ill-suited to properly handle a regulation of this kind. Regulating GHGs under the Clean Air Act may have adverse effects on the economy and jobs. Murkowski hopes for a floor vote in mid-March. Eight Senate Democrats sent EPA a letter asking for details on how it plans to implement the greenhouse gas rules, how the rules will affect the coal, natural gas, oil and petroleum refining industries, and the agency’s proposed timeline, cautioning that the rising costs could hurt their states and further diminish support. EPA responded that it will take action by April to ensure that no large stationary sources would be required to account for greenhouse gases in their Clean Air Act permits this year. In the first half of 2011, large facilities that must already apply for Clean Air Act permits will need to address GHG emissions in their permit applications and other large sources will be included in the latter half of 2011.

HYDRAULIC FRACTURING INQUIRY: House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Subcommittee Chairman Edward Markey (D-MA), have sent additional letters to eight oil and gas companies requesting more information about the chemicals they use in their hydraulic fracturing fluids. Hydraulic fracturing took center stage at a hearing last summer, as it has the potential to unlock large natural gas reserves in U.S. shale beds. There are concerns that increased use of chemical-based fluids during hydraulic fracturing may contaminate local water sources and harm the environment.

CONGRESSMAN CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION OF MESSAGING TO METEOROLOGISTS: Representative Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) has written letters to the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asking about federal funding going towards what he calls a “one-sided message to meteorologists on global warming.” The letters specifically ask about federal funds for Earth Gauge, an initiative of the American Meteorological Society and the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF). On their webpage Earth Gauge states their purpose is to “facilitate the evolution of broadcast meteorologists – highly trusted public figures – into ‘station scientists’ who can expertly cover and relate basic environmental information to their viewers. Sensenbrenner is the ranking member of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. More information about his letters and his concerns are available from the committee web site.

HOUSE PASSES HAZARDS LEGISLATION: By a vote of 335 to 50, the House passed the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2009 (H.R. 3820) on March 2. The measure re-authorizes the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) with two significant changes. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) would become responsible for organizing post-earthquake investigations, a task currently performed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). A new Interagency Coordinating Committee on Natural Hazards Risk Reduction, chaired by the Director of NIST would oversee the NEHRP, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP) and other federal research for natural hazard mitigation. The NEHRP coordinating committee would be eliminated and the external advisory committees for NEHRP and NWIRP would report to the new Interagency Committee. The Interagency Committee would include NIST, USGS, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. The measure will now be referred to the Senate for consideration.

NEW NEPA GUIDELINES DRAFT INCLUDES GREENHOUSE GASES: The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) proposed new guidelines for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including guidance on when and how federal agencies must consider greenhouse gases. In addition, CEQ proposed three other areas for modernization: clarifying the appropriate use of “Findings of No Significant Impact” or FONSI, clarifying use of categorical exclusions, and enhancing the public tools for reporting NEPA activities. The guidelines are open for public comment for 45-90 days after their release on February 18, 2010. Read the draft guidance and submit your comments on the CEQ site.

INTERAGENCY CARBON CAPTURE/STORAGE TASK FORCE: On February 3, 2010 President Obama called for an Interagency Task Force on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to define a coordinated federal strategy to fast-track the development of clean coal technologies. The 14-member task force will be comprised of a senior officials designated to represent their respective cabinet level offices or executive office of the president. It will be co-chaired by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency representatives. The task force will be named within 180 days of this announcement and then begin developing a comprehensive plan to develop cost-effective CCS within 10 years, with 5-10 commercial demonstration projects online by 2016. The task force will look at coordinating existing administrative authorities and programs, including building international collaboration on CCS.

FACULTY POSITIONS –QUATERNARY RESEARCH: The Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam aims to stimulate increased diversity in its research institutes. For this reason we are initiating a new recruitment programme for top level female talent, named after the ground breaking crystallographer Carolina MacGillavry, an UvA alumnus. In the first round of this programme the Faculty offers 5 MacGillavry Fellowships (tenure track). We offer among other things a suitable start-up package, and assistance in finding a job for your partner, child care and accommodation. Fellows can also count on excellent guidance. Additional information: http://www.science.uva.nl/vacancies/mgf

THE WORLD ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER RESOURCES CONGRESS 2010, hosted by the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Environmental and Water Resources Institute, will be held May 16-20, 2010 in Providence, RI. The theme of this year’s Congress is “Challenges of Change”—the event will provide an opportunity for professionals in the environmental and engineering communities to participate in technical and plenary sessions on topics such as climate change; groundwater; hydraulics and waterways; innovative and emerging technology; water distribution systems; water, wastewater, and stormwater; and watersheds and watershed management. For more information, visit http://content.asce.org/conferences/ewri2010/index.html.

GLOBE 2010 will be held March 24-26, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. The conference will focus on the following topics: corporate sustainability, climate change, carbon management, clean energy, sustainable finance, and greener cities. For more information, visit http://www.globe2010.com/.

THE 20TH ANNUAL ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SCIENCES (AEHS) MEETING AND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SOILS, SEDIMENTS, WATER, AND ENERGY will be held March 15-18, 2010 in San Diego, CA. This conference provides a forum for the environmental science community to exchange information on technological advances, new scientific achievements, and the effectiveness of standing environmental regulation programs. For more information, visit http://www.aehsfoundation.org/20th-Annual-Conference.aspx.