{"id":7294,"date":"2012-05-18T14:45:32","date_gmt":"2012-05-18T19:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/?p=7294"},"modified":"2012-05-18T14:45:32","modified_gmt":"2012-05-18T19:45:32","slug":"esa-policy-news-may-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/2012\/05\/18\/esa-policy-news-may-18\/","title":{"rendered":"ESA Policy News: May 18"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here are some highlights from the latest ESA Policy News by Science Policy Analyst Terence Houston.\u00a0 Read the full Policy News\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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APPROPRIATIONS: HOUSE CJS BILL CUTS NOAA, RESEARCH INITIATIVES<\/strong><\/p>\n

On May 10, the House passed H.R. 5326, the Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2013, which includes funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), among other agencies.<\/p>\n

The bill passed by a vote of 247-163 with 23 Democrats joining all but eight Republicans in supporting the measure. Democrats supporting the measure included House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Norman Dicks (D-WA) and House Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Chaka Fattah (D-PA). In total, the bill provides $51.1 billion in funding for FY 2013, $1.6 billion below FY 2012 and $731 million below the president\u2019s FY 2013 budget request.<\/p>\n

The White House has released a statement of administration policy declaring that President Obama will veto the bill, if it is presented to him in its current form. The administration asserts that the bill\u2019s overall funding level violates those set by the Budget Control Act (P.L. 112-25), agreed to in August of last year, and says \u00a0that the cuts included in the bill will be a detriment in furthering \u201ceconomic growth, security, and global competitiveness\u201d for the nation. While applauding the funding for the Office of Science and Technology Policy as well as the $7.3 billion funding level for NSF, the White House says that significant funding cuts to NOAA would adversely affect the agency\u2019s ability to implement the nation\u2019s fisheries and oceans stewardship programs.<\/p>\n

The House bill must be reconciled with the Senate CJS bill approved in committee last month.\u00a0 For additional background on the House and Senate CJS appropriations bills, see the April 20 edition<\/a> of ESA Policy News.\u00a0To view the full White House statement of administration policy on the House CJS appropriations bill, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

HOUSE: SCIENCE SUBCOMMITTEE CONSIDERS POTENTIAL OF OIL SHALE DEVELOPMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

On May 10, the House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittee on Energy and Environment convened for a hearing entitled \u201cAmerican Jobs and the Economy through Expanded Energy Production:\u00a0 Challenges and Opportunities of Unconventional Resources Technology.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe amount of energy under own soil is striking.\u00a0 With continued technological advances and the right policies to enable access to these resources, America could become the global leader in energy production for the next generation and beyond,\u201d stated Subcommittee Chairman Andy Harris (R-MD). \u201cThe Green River Basin, located in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, may contain up to three trillion barrels of oil, more potential oil than the rest of the world\u2019s current oil reserves combined. If this energy, which is overwhelmingly on Federal lands, is made available, I am confident American ingenuity will find ways to responsibly explore and produce this resource.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY), serving as the Ranking Member due to Rep. Brad Miller\u2019s (D-NY) absence, asserted that Republicans demonstrate discrepancy in their support for oil shale over alternative sources of energy. \u201cI have listened as many of my Republican colleagues questioned the wisdom and need for public investments in renewable energy resources either through support of research or through tax incentives,\u201d he said.\u00a0 \u201cBut when it comes to offering subsidies to one of the wealthiest and most profitable industries in the world \u2013 the oil industry \u2013 their generosity knows no bounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

Representing the Obama administration were Charles McConnell,<\/strong> the Department of Energy\u2019s \u00a0Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy and Anu Mittal, Director of Natural Resources and Environment at the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). While noting that oil and gas production has increased annually since 2008, McConnell urged that energy development be implemented with safety and environmental protections and guided by the best available science.\u00a0View the full hearing here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SENATE: SUBCOMMITEE REVIEWS CORPORATIONS\u2019 ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICES<\/strong><\/p>\n

On May 16, the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Children\u2019s Health and Environmental Responsibility convened for a hearing that examined how large companies have taken steps that both save money and protect the environment. During the hearing, witnesses representing businesses including FedEx Corp, Intel,\u00a0Eastman Chemical Co. and Procter & Gamble\u00a0discussed various steps they were implementing that take advantage of new technologies and reduce energy costs for business and consumers.<\/p>\n

There was a consensus among the subcommittee leadership that investment in corporate sustainability will have multi-faceted benefits for the nation. \u201cBusinesses need water, energy and raw materials, and they will need them on an ongoing basis, even after those of us in this room are gone,\u201d said Subcommittee Chairman Tom Udall (D-NM). \u201cIf businesses harness market forces to reduce energy use, raw materials, emissions and waste, they will improve their own future and future generations\u2026More and more businesses like the ones here today are recognizing that competitive advantage, market share and innovation lie in doing more with less.\u201d\u00a0View the full hearing here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

ENDANGERED SPECIES: REPORT TOUTS SUCCESS OF FEDERAL RECOVERY EFFORTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

On May 17, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) released a report entitled\u00a0\u201cOn Time, On Target: How the Endangered Species Act Is Saving America\u2019s Wildlife,\u201d documenting the successful recovery of federally protected species.<\/p>\n

The CBD report concludes that 90 percent of species listed under the Endangered Species Act are on track to meet recovery goals set by federal scientists. The study analyzed population data for 110 species from the year each was placed on the endangered species list through 2011. CBD reports that each species\u2019 actual population trend and trajectory was compared to the timeline for recovery set out in government plans and that nearly all the animals and plants are recovering on time to meet federal goals.<\/p>\n

The report notes that 80 percent of species have not been listed long enough to determine whether they will recover in the predicted time frame. Current species have been listed for an average of 32 years \u00a0but their recovery plans have a typical expected recovery period of 46 years.\u00a0Additional information on the report can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

EPA: COLLEGE STUDENTS ENCOURAGED TO ENGAGE IN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

On May 16, the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) Office of Water announced a new design competition called the Campus RainWorks Challenge to encourage student teams on college and university campuses across the country to develop innovative approaches to stormwater management.<\/p>\n

EPA intends for the competition to raise awareness of green design and planning approaches at colleges and universities and train the next generation of landscape architects, planners, and engineers in green infrastructure practices. The project seeks to advance the idea that green infrastructure provides multiple environmental, social and economic benefits on college and university campuses.<\/p>\n

EPA particularly encourages Minority Academic Institutions (MAIs) to apply.\u00a0Registration for the Campus RainWorks Challenge opens September 4, and entries must be submitted by December 14, 2012 for consideration. Winning entries will be selected by EPA and announced in April 2013. Winning teams will earn a cash prize of $1,500 \u2013 $2,500, as well as $8,000 \u2013 $11,000 in funds for their faculty advisor to conduct research on green infrastructure.\u00a0Additional information can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

GREEN JOBS: EPA, COMMERCE ANNOUNCE ENVIRONMENTAL TECH EXPORTS INITIATIVE<\/strong><\/p>\n

On May 14, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Commerce announced a new effort to invest in environmental technology exports. The Environmental Technologies Export Initiative builds on President Obama\u2019s National Export Initiative, which aims to double U.S. exports by the end of 2014 and support millions of American jobs.<\/p>\n

The web-based tool, scheduled to be launched this fall and hosted on export.gov, will offer U.S. environmental companies detailed information on federally supported activities including market research, scientific analysis, regulatory information and financial support programs. When launched, the online service will provide a more systematic approach for U.S. companies looking to expand markets for their environmental products and services abroad.<\/p>\n

The new initiative will build on the Obama administration\u2019s efforts to help companies market more of their goods and services abroad, particularly in the area of renewable energy, where the United States faces stiffening competition from China. According to EPA, the U.S. environmental industry generates approximately $312 billion in revenues each year, with a global market of more than $800 billion. The industry employs nearly 1.7 million Americans and includes over 60,000 small businesses across the country.\u00a0For additional information, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

INTERIOR: CHEMICAL DISCLOSURE RULES ANNOUNCED FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURING<\/strong><\/p>\n

On May 4, the Department of Interior released a plan to require companies to report the chemicals they use to stimulate oil and gas production. The rules would apply only to federal and tribal land although the vast majority of fracking operations occur on private land.<\/p>\n

According to the Department of Interior, existing regulations governing hydraulic fracturing operations on public lands are more than 30 years old and were not written to address modern hydraulic fracturing activities. Currently, there is no specific requirement for operators to disclose these chemicals on federal and Indian lands, where approximately 90 percent of the wells drilled use hydraulic fracturing to greatly increase the volume of oil and gas available for production. The proposed rule would require public disclosure of chemicals used during hydraulic fracturing within one month after fracturing operations have been completed.<\/p>\n

Interior officials state that they plan to finalize the rules by the end of the year. Click here<\/a> for further information on the rule as well as directions how to submit public comments.<\/p>\n

POLICY ENGAGEMENT: ESA SPONSORS EXHIBIT AT CAPITOL HILL SCIENCE EVENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

On May 15, the Ecological Society of America participated in the Coalition for National Science Funding\u2019s 18th Annual Exhibition and Reception entitled \u201cSTEM Research and Education: Underpinning American Innovation.\u201d<\/p>\n

ESA\u2019s exhibit featured the research of ESA graduate student Sarah Roley of the University of Notre Dame. She spoke with numerous attendees, including federal agency and congressional staff, about her work on mitigating nutrient pollution in the agricultural Midwest. Roleyalso met \u00a0with congressional staff from the state of Indiana earlier that day to discuss her research and its application to Indiana. Nearly 40 exhibit booths presented a wide range of topics to policymakers including robotic sensors for monitoring water quality, social media and tweens, nanomaterials and environmental interactions and gender in STEM fields.<\/p>\n

Read more at ESA\u2019s blog, EcoTone\u00a0<\/a>or view the photo album on ESA\u2019s Facebook page<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here are some highlights from the latest ESA Policy News by Science Policy Analyst Terence Houston.\u00a0 Read the full Policy News\u00a0here. APPROPRIATIONS: HOUSE CJS BILL CUTS NOAA, RESEARCH INITIATIVES On May 10, the House passed H.R. 5326, the Commerce, Justice and Science (CJS) Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2013, which includes funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":43,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,91],"tags":[158,134,342,135,96,63,136,92,93,473,1039,1210,1214,66,962,113,67,68,910,903,598,1110,375,104,401,296,1412],"class_list":["post-7294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ecology-in-policy","category-policy-news","tag-budget","tag-congress","tag-department-of-energy","tag-economy","tag-education","tag-endangered-species","tag-endangered-species-act","tag-environment","tag-epa","tag-esa","tag-house","tag-hydraulic-fracturing","tag-infrastructure","tag-national-science-foundation","tag-natural-resources","tag-noaa","tag-nsf","tag-obama-administration","tag-oceans","tag-policy-engagement","tag-public-comment","tag-public-land","tag-senate","tag-species","tag-stem","tag-sustainability","tag-university-of-notre-dame"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/43"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7294"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7294\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esa.org\/esablog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}