administration

NOAA's Five Year Research & Development Plan

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published a five year plan that details their objectives for research and development. The plan’s main objectives focus on climate, weather, oceans, and coasts. NOAA plans to improve climate adaptation and mitigation by developing higher resolution models, improving communication and application of climate information tools and services, testing and strengthening climate vulnerability tests and increasing public awareness and understanding of climate change.

Pritzker and Foxx confirmations clear Senate

Following unanimous approval by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation to advance the nominations of Penny Pritzker for Secretary of Commerce and Anthony Foxx for Secretary of Transportation, the full Senate followed suit and smoothly confirmed both candidates this June. Pritzker, a prominent businesswoman and Hyatt Hotel heiress, succeeds John Bryson as the 38th Secretary of Commerce. Charlotte, North Carolina, Mayor Anthony Foxx succeeds Ray LaHood as the 17th Secretary of Transportation.

France Córdova nominated as NSF Director

U.S. Capitol with flag

President Barack Obama announced on July 31 his intent to nominate astrophysicist France Córdova as the next Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). Dr. France Anne Córdova served as President of Purdue University from 2007 to 2012 and is currently President Emerita. Prior to Purdue, she served as Chancellor of the University of California at Riverside, where she was also a Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy. The first female chief scientist ever hired by NASA, Dr.

Update: Senate EPW Committee approves McCarthy nomination

Gina McCarthy has been approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to succeed Lisa Jackson as the next head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The vote came a week late after Republicans on the committee boycotted the hearing over concerns regarding transparency issues.  McCarthy’s confirmation will now proceed to a full Senate vote.

USGS, NASA call for ideas to preserve earth observation data

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is seeking information on system concepts and innovative approaches for its Sustainable Land Imaging Architecture study which is examining how best to extend the Landsat data record. The Landsat program is the longest running continuous space-based record of earth observations, which is jointly managed by NASA and USGS. On September 18, NASA and the U.S.

Update: Senate CST Committee approves Foxx nomination

On May 22, 2013, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee held a hearing to confirm Anthony R. Foxx as the new Secretary of Transportation. Foxx, the current mayor of Charlotte, N.C., has been criticized by some Republicans for his lack of direct experience working in the transportation sector. Despite these reservations, Foxx faced few objections during the hearing and is expected to be confirmed without difficulty. A simple majority vote in the Senate is required to confirm his nomination - at the time of publication no vote had been scheduled.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - administration