At the request of the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Academies released a report this August examining the role of federal education and training programs in fostering the next generation of Earth scientists. The report focused on underrepresented groups in the geosciences, such as women and minorities, in fields associated with energy, mineral, and water resources, the environment, and geologic hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes; but excluded ocean, atmospheric and space sciences.

New trade routes and untapped mineral deposits are just a couple things being revealed by the ever-thinning ice in an increasingly warm Arctic. This year alone nearly 400 ships passed through Russia’s exposed Northern Sea Route, an Arctic waterway along the country’s northern coast, and that number is expected to grow substantially in the coming years.

A new methodology could lead to improved monitoring of geologic carbon sequestration. Although not yet commercially viable, underground sequestration of carbon dioxide is being explored as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels that contribute to global warming.

After months of indignation and stand-offs between Senate Democrats and Republicans, Gina McCarthy has been confirmed as the new Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in a 59 to 40 vote this July. Senate Republicans boycotted McCarthy’s Environment and Public Works confirmation hearing back in May over transparency concerns aimed at the EPA. Gina McCarthy succeeds Lisa Jackson as head of the EPA. 

Multiple sources reveal the White House is expected to nominate Janice Schneider as the Department of Interior’s assistant secretary for land and minerals management. Schneider is currently a partner at the law firm Latham & Watkins LLP in Washington, D.C. and was a senior aide to former Interior Deputy Secretary David Hayes. Schneider’s experience and specialization is in the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Water Act, and tribal and cultural resource issues. The appointment awaits nomination and approval.

This August the National Research Council (NRC) released a report, sponsored by the Department of Energy, that examines the relationship between induced seismicity and energy technologies.

On June 5, 2013, the House Science, Space and Technology Subcommittees on Research and Technology held a joint hearing on federal efforts to reduce the impacts of windstorms. The hearing reviewed the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2013 (H.R. 1786), highlighted the role of science and engineering research in mitigating windstorm impacts, and explored ways of implementing research results to create more resilient communities.

Witnesses:
Laurance Doyle
Principal Investigator, Center for the Study of Life in the Universe, SETI Institute
John Grunsfeld
Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA 
James Ulvestad
Director, Division of Astronomical Sciences, National Science Foundation

Committee Members Present
Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Space Subcommittee Chairman
Donna Edwards (D-MD), Space Subcommittee Ranking Member

Witnesses:
Laurance Doyle
Principal Investigator, Center for the Study of Life in the Universe, SETI Institute
John Grunsfeld
Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA 
James Ulvestad
Director, Division of Astronomical Sciences, National Science Foundation

Committee Members Present
Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Space Subcommittee Chairman
Donna Edwards (D-MD), Space Subcommittee Ranking Member

Witnesses: 
Admiral Robert Papp Jr.
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
The Honorable Kathryn Sullivan 
Acting NOAA Administrator, Acting Undersecretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere

Committee Members Present: 
Mark Begich (D-AK), Subcommittee Chairman
Marco Rubio (R-FL), Subcommittee Ranking Member
Roger Wicker (R-MS)
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Mo Cowan (D-MA)
Bill Nelson (D-FL)