May 25, 2021 Dear ESA Members: The US House of Representatives may be considering the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Future Act (H.R. 2225) soon. The bill would reauthorize landmark legislation for the National Science Foundation (NSF), provide steady, increasing funding levels for NSF and also create a new Technology and Engineering Solutions Directorate. The bill contains provisions for…
In this issue: Katherine S. McCarter Graduate Student Policy Award Recipients Virtually Visit the Hill to Advocate for Science Funding and Research Relief Students requested $10.2 billion in federal funding for the National Science Foundation in FY 2022. House and Senate Committee Approve Competing Proposals to Increase Funding for the National Science Foundation NSF for the Future and Endless Frontiers…
In this issue: Biden administration unveils 10-year plan to conserve one-third of U.S. land Plan follows up on Biden’s commitment to conserve 30% of lands and waters by 2030. Congress Senate holds confirmation hearing for OSTP nominee, House Science Committee holds NSF hearing. Executive Branch President Biden announces NOAA, BLM and DOE science nominees. States International Scientific Community NSF releases…
In this issue: Biden administration requests 16% increase in domestic spending, $4 billion for climate and sustainability research Budget request includes $10.2 billion for NSF. Interior creates climate taskforce, rescinds Trump-era secretarial orders The taskforce will “coordinate work across the [Interior] Department, including accelerating renewable energy development and identifying actions to foster investments in energy communities.” Congress Senate confirms…
President Joe Biden released a 58-page discretionary “Skinny Budget” request April 9 totaling $1.5 trillion to fund the federal government for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY2022). The budget request calls for a 16% increase to $769 billion in non-defense discretionary spending and a 1.7% increase to $753 billion for defense spending. It would increase funding for federal science agencies and there…
In this issue: Biden Infrastructure Plan Includes Funding for Natural Infrastructure, Scientific Infrastructure $2 trillion plan includes $50 billion to create a new technology directorate for NSF. Lawmakers Introduce Competing Proposals to Increase Science Funding House Science Committee bill crease a new Science and Engineering Solutions directorate at NSF. Senate Confirms Biden’s Pick for Deputy Secretary of Energy, Biden…
In this issue: Biden Picks Ecologist to Lead Climate Science Work, Senate Confirmed EPA administrator and Interior Secretary Former NOAA administrator and ESA president Jane Lubchenco joins the Biden administration. National Academies: U.S. climate research must target urgent risks, consequences Report calls on the U.S. government to shift the focus of climate change research from long-term natural consequences to how…
In this issue Senate Confirms Agriculture, Energy and Commerce Secretaries, Advances Interior Nomination Tom Vilsack, Jennifer Granholm and Gina Raimondo join Biden’s cabinet. Rep. Deb Haaland (D-NM)’s confirmation appears likely. House Democrats Introduce Bill to Reach Net-Zero Emissions by 2050 The legislation is similar to a bill introduced in 2020. Congress Congress passed $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package including…
In This Issue: White House National Climate Task Forces Meets for the First Time New Climate Innovation Working Group will work towards an Advanced Research Projects Agency – Climate Congress House Science Committee and House Natural Resource Committee announces Committee leadership. Executive Branch Acting U.S. Geological Survey Director rescinded memo restricting how agency scientists use climate change models and data….
Special Policy News 2: The Transition In This Issue: Biden Cabinet Nominees Advance Through the Senate Senate Environment and Public Works Committee holds confirmation hearing for EPA administrator nominee. Biden Administration Tackles Climate Change, Issues Scientific Integrity Memorandum, Pledges to Conserve 30% of Lands and Waters by 2030 and more Orders create the White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy…
Following his day-one actions committing the U.S. to rejoining the Paris Agreement, cancelling the KeystoneXL pipeline and more (see ESA Policy News, Jan. 25, 2021), President Joe Biden signed another executive order “tackling the climate crisis at home and abroad” Jan. 27, as part of a series of ‘Climate Day’ announcements. The order creates the White House Office of Domestic…
Jan. 25, 2021 “The Ecological Society of America is in full support of President Joe Biden’s bold actions to restore the central role of science in guiding policy and decision making that is research and evidence-based. As a country, we face many challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating impacts of climate change, and racial, economic and environmental injustice to name but…