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.

40TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC WORKSHOP will be held March 10-12, 2010 at the Winter Park Mountain Lodge in Winter Park Colorado. The meeting is open to all interested in the Arctic, and will consist of a series of talks and poster sessions covering all aspects of high-latitude environments, past and present. Previous Arctic Workshops have included presentations on Arctic and Antarctic climate, archeology, environmental geochemistry, geomorphology, hydrology, glaciology, soils, ecology, oceanography, Quaternary history and more. For more information: http://instaar.colorado.edu/AW/

NEW NO2 EMISSIONS STANDARD: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a new national air quality standard for nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The agency set the new one-hour standard for NO2 at a level of 100 parts per billion (ppb). EPA also is retaining the existing annual average standard of 53 ppb. NO2 is formed from vehicle, power plant and other industrial emissions, and contributes to the formation of fine particle pollution and smog. Earlier this month, EPA proposed to tighten the nation’s smog standards to protect the health of all Americans, especially children. More information: http://www.epa.gov/air/nitrogenoxides

EARLY PLEISTOCENE TERRESTRIAL CLIMATE AND VEGETATION - THE ENVIRONMENT OF EARLY HUMANS at the 8th European Palaeobotany - Palynology Conference (EPPC) in Budapest, 6 to 10 July 2010. http://www.eppc2010.org/. GROUNDWATER FOR A THIRSTY WORLD: The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) and the Ground Water Protection Council (GWPC) will hold a joint meeting April 11-15 in Denver to explore the application of science and practice to the theme, “Groundwater for a Thirsty World.” The meeting is designed to bring together regulators, practitioners, natural resource managers, policymakers, municipal planners, banking industry representatives, remediation site owners, attorneys, climatologists, and those who supply knowledge and technology needed to address key water issues. To learn more about this conference, as well as the many other NGWA educational programs, visit www.ngwa.org or call 800 551.7379 (614 898.7791).

ALTERNATIVE COVERS FOR LANDFILLS: PROPOSING AND EVALUATING PROJECTS TOWARD REGULATORY ACCEPTANCE, Austin, TX, March 30-April 1, 2010. This 3-day workshop is intended to teach consultants and engineers how to design and submit quality proposals for ET covers, and to teach regulators how to evaluate those proposals. Participants will learn the hydraulic properties of these covers, how to optimize designs with models, and how to ensure that the final product is environmentally protective. Topics will include alternative cover design, construction, operation, and monitoring, including discussions of regulatory issues, soil physics, plant-soil-water relations, hydraulic balance, saturated/unsaturated water movement, and computer modeling. Regional case studies will be emphasized. Results and lessons learned from the USEPA Alternative Covers Assessment Program (ACAP) will be highlighted. For more information and to register, see http://reg.phytosociety.org .

GREEN REMEDIATION: ENVIRONMENT - ENERGY - ECONOMICS, Amherst, MA, June 15-17, 2010. The conference will address the full range of environmental, energy and economic aspects of green and sustainable remediation, taking into account the energy requirements of treatment systems, air emissions, water use requirements and impacts on water resources, land and ecosystem use and impacts, energy use and renewables, material consumption, reuse, and waste generation. The conference will provide a forum for scientists, regulators, managers, and other stakeholders from around the globe to interact and share new knowledge in both basic and applied research in green and sustainable remediation. Poster abstracts are encouraged in all areas of green and sustainable remediation, from basic to applied research, from case studies to demonstration projects. For more information and to submit a poster abstract, see http://www.umass.edu/tei/conferences/GreenRemediation/GreenCallForAbstracts.html .

NEW CLU-IN SEDIMENTS SECTION: EPA's Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation has released a new CLU-IN section that compiles available information related to contaminated sediments. Sediments are defined as the organic and inorganic materials found at the bottom of a water body. Sediments may include clay, silt, sand, gravel, decaying organic matter, and shells among other things, but exclude anthropogenic debris, such as vehicle tires. The classes of contaminants that are most common in sediment contamination are pesticides, PCBs, PAHs, and to a lesser extent dissolved phase chlorinated hydrocarbons. With the right geochemical conditions heavy metals and metalloids can also occur in sediments or precipitate into them. The most common sediment treatment technologies are monitored natural recovery, in situ capping, dredging, and excavation. EPA will maintain this section by adding new resources as they become available. View and use at http://www.clu-in.org/sediments .

25 YEARS OF GEOARCHEOLOGY: Geoarchaeology: An International Journal (published by Wiley-Blackwell) is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a series of events in 2010. The first issue of 2010 is now online and can be accessed via the link below. It includes an editorial reviewing the origins of the journal and some recent developments in geoarchaeology: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/36011/home

SECONDARY ARSENIC MINERALS IN THE ENVIRONMENT: Report at http://www.eoearth.org/article/Secondary_arsenic_minerals_in_the_environment

URANIUM MINING: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to define their cooperative working relationship in preparation of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documents related to the extraction of uranium and thorium on public lands administered by BLM. The MOU, finalized on November 30, 2009, will improve communications, facilitate the sharing of expertise and information, and coordinate the preparation of studies and reports. The MOU is available on the NRC’s Electronic Reading Room ADAMS at http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/adams.html under ADAMS Accession Number ML093430195. For more information about the NRC documents contact Carol Gallagher by phone: (301) 492-3668 or email: Carol.Gallagher@nrc.gov.

GRANT OPPORTUNITY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) requests proposals for special projects and programs associated with the NOAA strategic plan and mission goals that encourage research, education and outreach, innovative projects, or sponsorships that are not addressed through our competitive discretionary programs. See the full announcement on http://www.grants.gov under Funding Opportunity Number NOAA-NFA-NFAPO-2010-2002272 for information on the application and funding process, mission goals, and contacts. You must first register on grants.gov in order to submit to the site. Submit applications by 5pm EST on September 30, 2011.

LETTER REPORT ASSESSING THE USGS NATIONAL WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT PROGRAM'S SCIENCE FRAMEWORK: Prepublication released January 22, 2010 by the National Academy of Sciences. Following a request by the USGS, the National Research Council has submitted a letter suggesting guidance on the National Water Quality Assessment Program. It reviews current policy and makes recommendations about future goals based issues that could affect the U.S. in the next 10-15 years. http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12843

DEFENDING PLANET EARTH: NEAR-EARTH OBJECT SURVEYS AND HAZARD MITIGATION STRATEGIES: FINAL REPORT: Prepublication released January 26, 2010 by the National Academy of Sciences. In 2005, a Congress called for NASA to detect 90 percent of Near Earth Objects (NEOs) greater than 140 meters by 2020. This report says this needs to broaden to 30 to 50 meter NEOs. The book explores four main types of mitigation including civil defense, “slow push” or “pull” methods, kinetic impactors and nuclear explosions. It also asserts that effective response requires international cooperation. http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12842

RURAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE: IMPROVED COORDINATION AND FUNDING PROCESSES COULD ENHANCE FEDERAL EFFORTS TO MEET NEEDS IN THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER REGION: Released January 18, 2010 by the Government Accountability Office. Several federal drinking and wastewater programs exist for the U.S.-Mexico border region. However few programs actually assess, prioritize, or coordinate the needs of these regions. The report suggests better communication and needs assessment between the agencies when selecting projects for funding. http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-126

STATUS OF THE COPENHAGEN CLIMATE CHANGE NEGOTIATIONS: Released December 9, 2009 by the Congressional Research Service. The U.S. participated in the Copenhagen climate talks December 15-17, 2009, with approximately 200 other countries. This report highlights the U.S. stance on issues such as GHG emissions reduction, adapting to climate change and how to best aide developing nations monetarily and technologically versus the views of other developed nations. http://opencrs.com/document/R40910/

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT: FY2010 APPROPRIATIONS: Released January 5, 2010 by the Congressional Research Service. The FY10 budget included funding for several federal and independent agencies to be used for projects pertaining to ecosystem restoration, the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository, renewable energy development, and DOE environmental management. Further funding was provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). http://opencrs.com/document/R40669/

EARTHQUAKES: RISK, DETECTION, WARNING, AND RESEARCH: Released January 14, 2010 by the Congressional Research Service. The National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NHERP) was only appropriated 68 percent of the authorized amount for FY2005-2009 and is proposed to be cut by an initial $100 million more through FY 2014. Despite the difficulty in quantifying the utility of NEHRP in general and how these cuts will influence the program’s effectiveness, it is understood that a single catastrophic event could greatly exceed current annual totals for economic loss from earthquakes. http://opencrs.com/document/RL33861/

DISPLACING COAL WITH GENERATION FROM EXISTING NATURAL GAS-FIRED POWER PLANTS: Released January 19, 2010 by the Congressional Research Service. This report presents a possibility for reducing carbon emissions by having power plants, currently operating by burning coal, switch to burning natural gas. It lists several factors to consider, and suggests the government consider further, more rigorous analysis of this issue. http://opencrs.com/document/R41027/

IPCC REGRETS HIMALAYAN GLACIER ERROR: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a statement (PDF copy) expressing their regret for an error in its Fourth Assessment released in 2007. The report stated that the Himalayan glaciers were likely to melt by 2035 in error. The IPCC chairs and co-chairs regret the misrepresentation and explained that the conclusion was based on “poorly substantiated estimates of rate of recession and date for the disappearance of Himalayan glaciers. In drafting the paragraph in question, the clear and well-established standards of evidence, required by the IPCC procedures, were not applied properly.” However, the IPCC maintains that the overall conclusion that glaciers will melt at an accelerating rate through the 21st century, reducing seasonal freshwater availability from glacial melt, is still valid and substantiated by robust science.The press release from IPCC is available as a PDF: http://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/presentations/himalaya-statement-20january2010.pdf The Fourth Assessment is available from the IPCC: http://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/publications_and_data_reports.htm

GEOLOGISTS IN AFRICA AS PART OF AAAS ON-CALL SCIENTISTS: Geologists have volunteered to investigate the possible human rights abuses in Africa through the AAAS “On-Call” Scientists initiative. Since its launch in October 2008, “On-call” Scientists has been pairing up scientists and engineers interested in volunteering their skills with human rights organizations in need of their scientific expertise. The initiative has 350 scientists and engineers enrolled to offer their services on a pro bono basis.AAAS encourages scientists and engineers from all disciplines to consider volunteering. They want a diverse group to enroll to meet the wide variety of possible of scientific applications to human rights, including helping organizations integrate the scientific method into their data-collection and analysis to strengthen their results. Learn more about the On-Call Scientists initiative from AAAS: http://oncallscientists.aaas.org/default.aspx

HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE: On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7 earthquake struck Haiti causing significant devastation. The geoscience community, as individuals and organizations, has come together to provide information about the underlying geoscience and ways to help Haiti. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides continuing information about the earthquake, aftershocks, tectonics, structure and future risks. The National Science Foundation is sending a team of geoscientists led by Eric Calais from Purdue University to investigate the earthquake and provide future hazard assessments. See the NSF press release for some details. The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) has a Haiti Earthquake Clearinghouse web page with information about earthquake engineering issues and updates from a team of engineers who will investigate the damage and provide recommendations to reduce future risk.The American Geophysical Union (AGU) has a web page with information and links to useful resources. AGU will also organize a congressional briefing with several partners about the Haiti earthquake for policymakers in February. The Geological Society of America has made all published papers on the tectonics and seismicity of the Haitian area available for free on their web page. Additional resources on the Haiti earthquake are available from: USGS-http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010rja6.php NSF-http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=116282&org=NSF&from=news EERI-http://www.eqclearinghouse.org/20100112-haiti/ AGU-http://www.agu.org/news/features/2010-01-13_HaitiEQ.shtml GSA-http://www.gsapubs.org/site/misc/Haiti.xhtml

EPA WILL REGULATE FLORIDA’S WATER: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed pollution standards for nutrients in Florida waters. This is the first time that EPA has taken over pollution standards for a state. The proposal sets limits for nitrogen and phosphorous in lakes, rivers, streams, springs and canals. Standards for coastal waters will be set in January of 2011. Florida estimates charges for water and sewer services may double in some parts of the state. The enforcement stems from an EPA Inspector General report that found that the EPA failed to enforce federal nutrient pollution standards after Florida failed to do so on their own. Some environmental groups are pressing EPA to set nutrient standards in Wisconsin next.

CHU DEFENDS IPCC FINDINGS AND BLUE RIBBON TASK FORCE: At a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the research and development priorities to meet the challenges associated with climate change, Energy Secretary Steven Chu defended the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). In response to accusations of fraud and unreliability of climate change evidence brought about by the “Climategate” emails that erupted last year after a U.K. Climatic Research Center was hacked into, Chu indicated that the Department of Energy (DOE) would continue to rely on IPCC findings.The hearing also focused on nuclear energy development at DOE. Republican senators expressed impatience with Chu’s focus on “exotic technologies” instead of spending money on proven technologies like nuclear. In particular, senators questioned why Chu was taking so much time to appoint people to his blue-ribbon commission tasked with tackling the nuclear waste issue. Chu assured the committee that he was working hard on the commission and that the Obama Administration was dedicated to expanding nuclear energy. Within a week of the hearing, Chu announced the task force members.

CIA WILL SHARE SATELLITE DATA WITH SELECT SCIENTISTS: An old environmental surveillance program has been reopened for the benefit of science. The Measurements of Earth Data for Environmental Analysis (Medea) program at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has been reopened after unexpectedly being shut down by President George W. Bush in 2001 after nine years of operation. Medea gives 60 of the nation’s top scientists access to classified reconnaissance satellite data and other spy sensors. The scientists, mainly from academia with a few representatives from industry and federal agencies, conduct scientific research under the guidance of the National Academy of Sciences. The Medea program has little to no impact on regular intelligence gathering and is more or less free. What is does is release information already collected or utilizes already deployed sensors to gather environmental data while passing over wilderness areas. The images that have been declassified are released at a lower resolution to mask the true abilities of CIA satellites. So far the data scientists have received has allowed them to analyze Arctic sea ice to help with summer melt records. In addition to sea ice data, scientists hope to gather information on clouds, glaciers, deserts, and tropical forests.

MURKOWSKI FORMALIZES DISAPPROVAL OF EPA RULING: On January 21, 2010 Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced a disapproval resolution to block the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from being able to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The EPA independently ruled last December that GHGs are a danger to human health and therefore EPA could regulate them under the Clean Air Act. Murkowski and many others feel the EPA is wrong in circumventing Congress to make this decision, and that the Clean Air Act is ill suited to properly handle a regulation of this kind. Murkowski hoped to vote on her resolution in February, but a March vote is more likely given scheduling difficulties.The resolution has 36 Republican co-sponsors and endorsement from 3 Democrats. An additional two Democrats—Senators Byron Dorgan (ND) and Jim Webb (VA)—and two Republicans—Maine Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins—are considering co-sponsorship. Once a disapproval resolution is placed on the Senate calendar, it is then subject to expedited consideration on the Senate floor, and not subject to filibuster. It only takes 51 votes to pass a disapproval resolution as opposed to the 60 needed in Murkowski’s original plan of introducing an amendment. Read the full press release from Murkowski here: http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1aae649c-1682-4aab-b5fc-9421f8a7c625&Month=1&Year=2010

NEHRP RE-AUTHORIZATION UPDATE: The Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee of the House Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the re-authorization of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). A focus of the hearing was the lower authorization levels recommended for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2009 (H.R. 3820). Chairman Jim Costa (D-CA), Ranking Member Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Congressman Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) expressed support for the program and concern about the reduction in authorization levels. Two witnesses, David Applegate, Senior Advisor for Earthquakes and Geologic Hazards, USGS and Stuart Nishenko, Chair, Government Relations Committee, Seismological Society of America presented testimony explaining the importance and value of NEHRP.Letters of support from the American Geological Institute, the Seismological Society of America, the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists, the Association of American State Geologists, the Oregon State Geological Survey and others were acknowledged and included as part of the official record. A complete hearing summary is available from AGI: http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis111/nathazard_hearings.html#jan20 The full text of H.R. 3820 is available from Thomas: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.r.03820:

PRESIDENT’S SCIENCE COUNCIL MEETS: The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) met on January 7, 2010. The council focused on five topics: research and development at the Energy Department, health policy, environment activities of the Office of Science and Technology (OSTP), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Administration’s science, technology and innovation policy. The webcast is available for viewing online and all past meetings, including public comments are available at the PCAST web page. The next meeting of PCAST is scheduled for March 12, 2010 and public comments related to this meeting should preferably be submitted two weeks in advance of the meeting. Past PCAST meeting webcasts and documents are available from OSTP: http://www.ostp.gov/cs/past_meetings Information regarding the March 12, 2010 PCAST meeting is available here: http://www.ostp.gov/cs/meetings_agendas/future_meetings

ALL AT SEA? SYNERGIES BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT COASTAL PROCESSES AND ECOLOGY CONFERENCE, Loughborough University, UK, 22nd-23rd April 2010. This conference will be composed of four sessions: 1. The contemporary coastal zone: physical, biological and chemical impacts on ecology. 2. Assessment of the strength of climatic and environmental change inferences from palaeoecological investigations.3. Formation of the palaeo-record in high-energy environments: chronology, taphonomy and diagenesis 4. Integrating contemporary and palaeo datasets from the coastal zone: synthesis and visions for the future. For more information and registration details see: (http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/gy/allatsea/) or e-mail: allatsealboro@gmail.com

RENEWABLE FUELS STANDARD: EPA has finalized a rule implementing the long-term renewable fuels mandate of 36 billion gallons by 2022 established by Congress. The Renewable Fuels Standard requires biofuels production to grow from last year’s 11.1 billion gallons to 36 billion gallons in 2022, with 21 billion gallons to come from advanced biofuels. Increasing renewable fuels will reduce dependence on oil by more than 328 million barrels a year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than 138 million metric tons a year when fully phased in by 2022. For the first time, some renewable fuels must achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions - compared to the gasoline and diesel fuels they displace – in order to be counted towards compliance with volume standards. To read the rule: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/index.htm

GLOBE 2010 will be held in Vancouver, Canada on March 24-26, 2010. 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 in San Diego, CA on March 15-18, 2010. 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.

EPA RELEASES NEW WEB SITE FOR TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENTS: EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) released a new web site featuring assessments of environmental technologies. These assessments provide state-of-the-science knowledge on technologies that address priority environmental problems in air and energy, water, and solid/hazardous waste and remediation. Visit the new NRMRL State of the Science Technology Assessment Web Site at http://www.epa.gov/nrmrl/std/ta/index.html.