PDF versionAGI policy news briefs summarize geoscience policy activities and related events in Washington, D.C. as part of an effort to keep AGI member societies and other audiences informed about relevant federal policy and legislative updates.
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A list of notices from the federal register for November 2016 from agencies including the Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, USGS, NOAA, NASA, and more.
A list of notices from the federal register for December 2016 from agencies including the Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, USGS, NOAA, NASA, and more.
Both chambers of Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) that will fund the federal government through April 28, 2017.
The House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a hearing on December 6, 2016, to investigate instances of data manipulation at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) held a briefing on outcomes from the 22nd Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 22) in Marrakech, Morocco, which took place November 7-18, 2016.
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-MT) for Secretary of the Interior.
President Obama designated two new National Monuments this December: Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah and Gold Butte National Monument in southern Nevada.
The National Science Foundation has chosen former Pennsylvania State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Department dean, William E. Easterling, to serve as the new head of the NSF Directorate for Geosciences (NSF GEO).
A list of notices from the federal register for January 2017 from agencies including the Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, USGS, NOAA, NASA, and more.
On January 6, President Obama signed the “American Innovation and Competitiveness Act” (AICA), (S.3084), into law.
The House passed the “Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act” (H.R. 353), on January 9.
On January 10, the House passed two bipartisan bills to increase the number of women in the science workforce.
Representatives David Trott (R-MI-11), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-12), and Jack Bergman (R-MI-1) introduced the “Preserve Our Lakes and Keep Our Environment Safe Act” (H.R. 458) on January 11.
House Committee on Appropriations Republicans announced subcommittee chairs on January 11.
This January, House Democrats released the names of new chairs and ranking members on the House Committee on Natural Resources and House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the Digital Coast Act (S.110) on January 12.
On January 24 the House passed H.R. 589, the “Department of Energy Research and Innovation Act."
On January 30, the House passed Joint Resolutions H.J.Res.38 and H.J.Res.36, expressing disapproval of the Stream Protection Rule and a rule regulating natural gas leaks.
Department of Energy Secretary nominee, former Texas Governor Rick Perry, was questioned in a hearing by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on January 19.
The Obama Administration released the National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy on December 30.
The National Global Change Research Plan 2012-2021: A Triennial Update was released by the U.S. Global Change Research Program on January 1.
Scott Pruitt, nominee to head the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was questioned by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee during a confirmation hearing on January 18.
Following his inauguration on January 20, President Trump’s administration released the America First Energy Plan.
On January 24, President Trump signed an executive order to advance “high priority infrastructure projects.”
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1) introduced the Tsunami Warning, Education, and Research Act (HR 312) on January 10.
The Gulf Islands National Seashore will be the site of the largest coastal sand restoration project in U.S. history.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a confirmation hearing for Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary nominee, Representative Ryan Zinke (R-MT) on January 17.
Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY-17) of the House Committee on Appropriations announced Subcommittees’ Ranking Members and Democratic members on February 1.
On February 1, the Chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Congressman Lamar Smith (R-TX-21), announced the committee’s priorities for the 115th Congress.
Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) introduced the Ocean Acidification Research Partnerships Act (H.R.845) to investigate ocean acidification on February 3.
On January 30, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) introduced a House resolution (H.J.Res.44) to invoke the Congressional Review Act to recall an Obama administration land management planning rule.
On February 7, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced a bill (S.338) to establish scientific integrity policies within all federal research agencies.
A list of notices from the federal register for February 2017 from agencies including the Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, USGS, NOAA, NASA, and more.
Senators Tom Udall (D-NM) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) introduced bills to designate portions of national monuments in New Mexico as national wilderness areas.
On February 13 Representative Scott Tipton (R-CO-3) introduced a resolution (H.J. Res. 71) to use the Congressional Review Act to remove the Office of Natural Resources Revenue's (ONRR) rule for calculating the value of oil, gas, and coal extracted on public lands.
Organizers announced that the March for Science is scheduled for April 22, or Earth Day.
Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) introduced the Federal Land Freedom Act (S.335) and the Hydraulic Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands Act (S.334) on February 7.
On February 7, Rep. Sam Johnson (R-TX-3) introduced the Wasteful EPA Programs Elimination Act (H.R.958) which will eliminate multiple programs at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
On February 7, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee held the “Making EPA Great Again” hearing.
Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) introduced the Sensible Environment Protection Act (S.340) on February 7.
Rep. Keith Rothfus (R-PA-12) introduced legislation (H.R.1119) to modify existing regulations applying to coal-refuse-to-energy power plants on February 16.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) hosted an event on Capitol Hill on February 15 to highlight the national economic benefits of basic research.
Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) introduced a bill to establish a National Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring System (S.346) on February 8.
Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL-8) introduced the Reasserting American Leadership in Space Act (H.R.870) on February 3.
The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing on the future of NASA on February 16, 2017.
On February 17, the Senate unanimously passed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Transition Authorization Act (S.442).
On February 15, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-6) introduced an amendment (H.R.1068) to the Safe Drinking Water Act, which was last amended in 1996.
The House passed the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017 (H.R.5) on January 11.