Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
july 2014
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federal agencies & administration
House holds contentious hearing on EPA's proposed changes to Clean Water Act
July 9, 2014
The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing on July 9 to discuss proposed changes to the Clean Water Act. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers have proposed a rule to clarify which waters are protected under the act. According to the EPA, the new rule reduces confusion about Clean Water Act protection and makes the permitting process faster and more cost-efficient.
Deputy Administrator of the EPA Robert Perciasepe served as the only witness, countering claims that the rule expands EPA regulatory jurisdiction, and affirming that the rule will undergo rigorous scientific review before it is finalized. He repeatedly refuted allegations that the EPA would regulate ponds, ditches or seasonal floodplains.
Republican Committee members were largely opposed to the rule; Rep. Collins (R-NY) accused Mr. Perciasepe of being arrogant and charged that “the public doesn’t trust you.” Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) claimed that the EPA is on a “regulation rampage.” Despite these comments, Mr. Perciasepe maintained the EPA’s position that the proposed change will reduce confusion, increase efficiency, and provide better protections from floods and pollution.
The EPA has extended the comment period for the proposed rule until October 20, 2014.
Source: House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
Interior Department reports impacts of FY 2013 activities and lands
July 11, 2014
The Department of the Interior (DOI) released their fifth annual economic report on July 11. The report, which provides information on fiscal year (FY) 2013, was released in advance of the House Appropriations Committee markup that reviews the Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill for FY 2015. The report finds that DOI contributed $360 billion to the U.S. economy and supported about 2 million jobs in FY 2013.
This report, compiled by DOI’s Office of Policy Analysis, estimates the impact of DOI land usage and activities in FY 2013. Interior lands received roughly 407 million visits in 2013, resulting in an economic benefit of $41 billion. DOI suggests that renewable energy activities, including hydropower, wind, and solar, contributed about $5 billion in economic output and supported more than 20,000 jobs. The report estimates that oil, gas, and coal from Interior lands created an estimated economic output of $220 billion and roughly 1 million jobs. Non-fuel producing minerals, like gold, created an estimated economic output of $12.5 billion and supported roughly 45,900 jobs.
The DOI report addresses impacts of the FY 2013 budget sequestration spending cuts, which resulted from the Budget Control Act of 2011 and which cut $828 million from the Interior. The report estimates that due to sequestration, DOI issued 300 fewer onshore oil and natural gas leases in Western states, which hurt revenue intake.
Sources: Department of the Interior, E&E News
Updated 8/8/14
Energy and Commerce Committee examines constitutionality of EPA regulations
July 11, 2014
On July 11, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy held a hearing to discuss constitutional considerations of federal environmental policy. The hearing focused on the Clean Power Plan, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued on June 2.
Subcommittee Chairman John Shimkus (R-IL) expressed disapproval of recent EPA guidelines, such as the Clean Power Plan, suggesting that the federal government should allow states to be the primary regulators on matters of health and the environment. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) held that there are situations in which the federal government must become involved in regulation. Rep. Waxman highlighted downwind pollution from power plants, saying that pollution does not adhere to state boundaries and, therefore, falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
Ranking Member Paul Tonko (D-NY) highlighted the benefits of cooperative federalism in areas of environmental policy. In this situation, the states work with the federal government to implement federal regulations. Rena Steinzor, Professor at University of Maryland School of Law, added that this allows states to more specifically choose which regulations to stress, and would enable states to tailor the laws to their needs and avoid a one-size-fits-all approach.
Source: House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy
Updated 8/8/14
Department of Energy announces funding to establish FORGE project
July 17, 2014
On July 17, the Department of Energy (DOE) allocated up to $31 million in funding for the beginning phases of the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE). The FORGE facility will be a field laboratory dedicated to the science and technology of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS).
EGS, as opposed to natural geothermal systems, uses hot, relatively impermeable rock and small amounts of water. Engineers create a man-made reservoir and inject fluids into the rock in order to open up pathways for the fluids to travel and bring heat to the surface to generate electricity. EGS technology would allow engineers to develop geothermal systems in any area with hot rock below the surface, rather than relying exclusively on rock formations with high permeability.
Ultimately, FORGE seeks to understand how to best create and maintain fracture networks in rock formations through cooperation with industry and academic partners. DOE hopes this effort will lead to a commercially-viable method of EGS that is easily adapted to other sites.
More information on FORGE can be found on the Department of Energy website. Full applications are due by 1 October 2014.
Source: Department of Energy
Updated 8/8/14