Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
january 2015
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natural hazards
House passes bills on tsunami and windstorm research
January 7, 2015
On January 7, the House passed two bills that focus on research and preparedness for tsunami and windstorm hazards. The Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act (H.R.34) introduced by Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) reauthorizes programs that support tsunami forecasting and coastal mitigation efforts. This legislation authorizes a new area of tsunami research—the development of a test near-field warning system for the Northwest U.S., where tsunami waves generated by an offshore earthquake could reach the coast in as little as 15 to 30 minutes. Most previous tsunami forecasting has focused on “far-field” tsunamis in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, particularly since the devastating Banda Aceh tsunami of 2004.
The National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization (H.R.23) introduced by Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) also reauthorizes an older program that aims to reduce the impact of major storms like hurricanes and tornadoes, through interagency collaborations on research, mitigation techniques, and public outreach. It also shifts responsibility for the program from the Office of Science and Technology Policy to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Both pieces of legislation were previously introduced in the 113th Congress and passed the House but were not taken up in the Senate, despite bipartisan support. The current bills will now go to the Senate for consideration.
Sources: Congress.gov, E&E News, House.gov
Updated 2/11/15
Wildfire funding bill reintroduced by Sen. Wyden and Crapo
January 26, 2015
Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) reintroduced a bill to help fund wildfire suppression operations. If enacted, the bill would allow budget overruns incurred from fighting wildfires to be paid for with money earmarked to natural disasters rather than non-fire allocated accounts or fire prevention funding. President Obama’s budget request included similar language for fiscal year 2015. While the previous measure gained some traction in the Senate in the 113th Congress, it was rejected by the House. The current bill will now go to the Senate Committee on the Budget for consideration.
Source: E & E News, Senator Ron Wyden’s Office, Congress.gov
Updated 2/11/15