113th congress

Wildfires: Policy, Science, Mitigation, and Response

Gregory Bald Wildfire 1992

The National Fire Protection Association, the University of California at Riverside and San Diego, and the Western Governors’ Association in conjunction with the Hazards Caucus Alliance are pleased to host a briefing on the challenges to the nation that wildfires pose. Experts will discuss advances in the science and understanding of wildfires, the impact of federal and state policies, mitigation strategies for communities, and new technologies for first responders.

Speakers

Expanding Natural Gas Production: Opportunities and Constraints

Natural gas pump

Speakers:

  • Adam Brandt, Department of Energy Resources Engineering, Stanford University
  • John Browning, Senior Research Fellow, Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas at Austin
  • Chris McGill, Vice President, Policy Analysis, American Gas Association, and Member of the Potential Gas Committee
  • Tom Temples, Past President of AAPG Division of Environmental Geosciences, and Technical Director of Geoscience and Petrophysics, PetroSkills

Oil and Gas Development: How Geoscience Makes a Difference

Oil rig

Speakers:

  • Scott Tinker, Professor and State Geologist of Texas, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin
  • Rex Buchanan, Senior Policy Advisor, Environmental Defense Fund
  • Scott Anderson, Interim Director, Kansas Geological Survey, University of Kansas
  • Nick Tew, State Geologist and Oil and Gas Supervisor, Geological Survey of Alabama and State Oil and Gas Board of Alabama

In this briefing, the speakers will address key questions that the geosciences help to address:

Exploring Earthquakes: Analyzing the Past to Protect Lives and Property Today

Fissuring of an earthquake, Peru 1970

In March 1964, the largest earthquake ever recorded in North America struck Alaska, shaking Anchorage and an area larger than the state of California for more than 4 minutes and causing landslides and tsunamis that took lives in Alaska, Oregon, and California. In the 50 years since, earthquakes in the United States and worldwide have cost billions of dollars of economic loss in addition to countless lives.  Advances in science and engineering have made people safer – but the job is not done.

Geothermal Energy Transformations: Nationwide Resources and Value Chains

A geothermal power plant at The Geysers near Santa Rosa, California. Some areas of The Geysers have been important test beds for enhanced geothermal systems. Image credit: USGS/Photo by Julie Donnelly-Nolan

Speakers:

  • Brian Anderson, Director of Strategic Research in Energy and Professor, West Virginia University
  • Patrick Dobson, Staff Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
  • Chad Augustine, Geothermal Analysis Team Lead, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

In this briefing, speakers will highlight recent successes in geothermal research and address questions, including:

Critical Minerals: Ensuring Americas Future

Mexico City Earthquake, 1985

Rare-earth elements (REE) and other critical mineral resources are essential to daily life, jobs, and national security. From cell phones to renewable energy to jet fighters, these resources are the building blocks of modern civilization. World population growth and rising standards of living in countries like China, India, and Brazil have increased the demand for mineral resources – raising the potential for supply disruptions and international conflict. Pending Congressional legislation and daily news headlines indicate a pressing need for action.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - 113th congress