Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
august 2017
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federal agencies
Scientific societies question red team/blue team climate debate
August 3, 2017
Earlier this year, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt proposed an initiative to challenge mainstream climate science’s consensus on human contributions to climate change through a red team/blue team debate--modeled after a military exercise in which the red team is designated to attack, and the blue team is put on defense. In the case of the proposed climate debate, the topic would be the research behind anthropogenic climate change. Several scientific societies, however, sent a letter to Administrator Pruitt, expressing their concern about the need for such an exercise.
The letter, signed by sixteen scientific societies, focuses on the peer review process and its role in ensuring the robustness of published science. The authors of the letter argue that the general idea of the red team/blue team debate is essentially an aspect of the peer review process which scientific papers must go through before they are published. The current scope of published climate science research reflects decades of ongoing review, with the testing and evaluation of research findings already an integral aspect of the process.
In the letter, the scientific societies noted that they would welcome further discussion and respond to any questions about existing climate research or the peer review process.
Source: American Association for the Advancement of Sciences, E&E News, Environmental Protection Agency
Senate confirms Federal Energy Regulatory Commission nominees
August 3, 2017
The Senate confirmed two new members for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on August 3. Neil Chatterjee, former aide to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and Robert Powelson from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission have joined Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur, bringing the number of empty FERC seats down to two.
Chatterjee was Senator McConnell’s energy policy advisor before his FERC nomination, and was integral to shaping the Senator’s energy-related legislation. Prior to working with Senator McConnell, Chatterjee worked in Government Relations for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and as an aide to former Representative Deborah Pryce (R-OH-15). Chatterjee will serve as the new FERC Chairman.
Powelson served on the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission from 2008-2017, acting as Chairman from 2011-2015. In 2011, Powelson served on Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale Advisory Commission, developing a comprehensive proposal for the energy development of the Marcellus Shale. Powelson is also a past president and former member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.
The three commissioners will work in tandem to regulate interstate energy transmission and review proposals for interstate energy development and permitting, as well as enforce FERC regulatory requirements. Chatterjee and Powelson’s confirmations give the commission a voting quorum, allowing it to issue major decisions.
President Trump has also nominated Richard Glick, senior Democratic Senate Aide to the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and Kevin McIntyre, an energy lawyer at the firm Jones Day, to fill the remaining two spots on the commission. Their confirmation hearings are set for September 7.
Sources: E&E News, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
USGS provides information for partnering with 3DEP in 2018
August 17, 2017
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hosted two informational webinars, one on August 10 and the other on August 17, about partnering with the 3-Dimensional Elevation Program (3DEP) for fiscal year (FY) 2018. Part of the National Map, 3DEP uses lidar data to provide high-resolution elevation data on the bare-earth as well as 3D imaging of both natural and constructed surfaces. The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), released August 16, awards funding to parties contributing lidar data to the National Map. While federal and non-federal groups may contribute to 3DEP, the BAA provides detailed information on how non-federal partners may request funding to collect the high-quality 3D elevation data.
Each year, 3DEP selects projects for awards based on priority areas determined to be most in need of new or updated lidar data. Using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) SeaSketch online mapping tool, stakeholders and agency partners may identify potential areas of interest for future mapping projects in all 50 states and proposed elevation projects for 2018, as well as areas with in-progress or completed projects. A new aspect of the FY 2018 BAA awards is multi-year funding, in which partners receive funding to support data collection in mission-specific, high priority areas beyond FY 2018.
Proposals are due by October 20, 2017, and selections will be announced between November 15, 2017 and February 15, 2018. Proposals submitted after October 20 may be considered based on funding availability.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey 3D Elevation Program