Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
october 2015
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congress
Congressman Honda introduces Earth Science Week Resolution
October 8, 2015
Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA) introduced a resolution designating October 11-17, 2015 as Earth Science Week. The resolution (H.Res.472) highlights the importance of studying the earth sciences and promotes better public understanding of the Earth’s natural systems. According to Honda, the resolution works to bring more attention to the impact earth science research and discoveries have on our daily lives.
The resolution currently has 36 cosponsors and widespread support among geoscience organizations. It has been referred to the House Committees on Science, Space, and Technology and Education and the Workforce.
Earth Science Week is a national and international event organized annually by the American Geosciences Institute. This year’s theme celebrated Visualizing Earth’s Systems.
Sources: honda.house.gov, congress.gov
House passes bill that allows for faster acquisition of mining permits
October 22, 2015
The House passed the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2015 (H.R. 1937) on October 22. The bill calls for faster permitting timelines for mines located on federal lands and for the development of domestic sources of strategic and critical minerals.
The bill endorses judicial review of mining permits, but would bar civil action against mineral exploration or mining permits filed more than 60 days after the federal agency request. It also requires courts to hear civil actions as promptly as possible.
H.R. 1937 will now be referred to the Senate so that the two chambers can agree a final version of the legislation. S. 883, The American Mineral Security Act of 2015, was introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) on May 12, 2015. Sen. Murkowski’s bill also calls for the acquisition of faster permitting with respect to the mining of critical minerals, but has a much narrower definition of which minerals qualify as critical.
Sources: congress.gov, eenews
Updated 11/11/2015
House Subcommittee addresses issues of abandoned mine cleanups by Good Samaritans
October 21, 2015
The House Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment held a hearing to gather information on abandoned mine sites in the United States and the opportunities for Good Samaritan cleanups. The hearing addressed the liability issues faced by Good Samaritans when cleaning up abandoned mines, which often causes the sites to sit untouched. It is estimated that there are about 500,000 abandoned hard rock mines throughout the United States, a large percentage of which present pollution threats to surface- and groundwater.
A Good Samaritan is defined as any person or entity that has no history with a specific abandoned mine site, including government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, or other private parties. Under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or SUPERFUND), any Good Samaritan responsible for the cleanup of an abandoned mine is also accountable for any new or continuing point-source discharge. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a guidance document to the permitting process in 2012.
During the hearing, witnesses called for federally supported liability protection for Good Samaritan groups involved in cleanups. Witnesses were either in support of amending the CWA to create new “Good Samaritan Permits”, or expanding CERCLA’s “Good Samaritan Program”, which currently does not take into account ongoing water discharge after a mine has been cleaned. Most of the witnesses called for a strong bipartisan bill to protect Good Samaritan efforts, and the idea that mining companies should be able to qualify as Good Samaritans to help with the cleanup processes.
Sources: congress.gov, house.gov
Senate Committee hearing on the nomination of Dr. Suzette Kimball for Director of the USGS
October 20, 2015
On October 20, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Dr. Suzette M. Kimball to be Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Dr. Kimball joined the USGS in 1998 and has held multiple important positions throughout her time at the agency, ranging from Regional Executive for Biology to Associate Director for Geology.
Dr. Kimball has served as the Acting Director of the USGS for the past two years. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved Dr. Kimball’s nomination last year; however her confirmation was never brought to a vote by the full Senate.
The Committee now has an opportunity to submit questions to Dr. Kimball for the record. It will then schedule another business meeting to vote on sending the nomination to the Senate for full approval.
Sources: senate.gov, americangeosciences.org, eos.org
Senate engages scientific community on America COMPETES bill
October 23, 2015
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee recently concluded an outreach effort seeking feedback from the scientific community on the Senate version of the America COMPETES bill, which authorizes funding for the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy Office of Science, and other federal science programs. The Innovation and Competitiveness Working Group, lead by Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Gary Peters (D-MI), is leading the effort to draft the bill and sought input on two focus areas: STEM education and workforce issues, and research commercialization and technology transfer.
The working group received more than 200 submissions regarding the importance of basic science research. Several requests were in favor of more federal investment in basic science research and STEM subjects. In addition, the stakeholder groups also called for the establishment of stronger partnerships between the government, private sector, and academia.
The community outreach effort concluded on October 30, 2015. The Innovation and Competitiveness Working Group will now consider all of the submitted comments before they release their version of the bill.
Sources: Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation press release, AIP Bulletin