Senate Commerce Committee votes to advance earthquake and drought bills and NOAA nominee

At an executive session on December 13, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation approved the nomination of Barry Myers as Administrator of NOAA, the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Reauthorization Act of 2018 and the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Reauthorization Act of 2017.

Texas 21st District Representative Lamar Smith will not seek re-election in 2018

Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX-21) announced in a statement shared on Twitter on November 2 that he will not seek re-election in 2018 for his seat representing the 21st district of Texas. Representative Smith has served as a member of Congress since 1987, and will complete his six-year term as Chairman of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology at the end of the 115th Congress, which will conclude on January 3, 2019.

Senate hearings on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bill canceled

The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations has four major appropriation bills remaining to consider during the current Congressional session, including an appropriations bill for the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, which will determine the FY 2018 budget for the U.S.

Climate Solutions Caucus hits 60 members

On October 4, 2017 the Climate Solutions Caucus hit a record 60 members, with the addition of California representatives Mimi Walters (R-CA-45) and Pete Aguilar (D-CA-31).

Congress passes $36.5 billion aid package for recent natural disasters; more funds needed

Responding to the widespread destruction from three catastrophic hurricanes, massive wildfires, and a bankrupt federal flood insurance program, the House passed a $36.5 billion disaster aid package on October 12.

Legislative deadlines loom as August recess comes to an end

After Congress returns from the August recess, the Senate will have 17 legislative days and the House will have 12 legislative days remaining before the September 30 deadline to agree upon and pass all discretionary appropriations legislation in order to avoid a government shutdown.

House holds oversight hearing on Abandoned Mine Lands Program

On June 7, the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held an oversight hearing about the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) Program. The AML Program is set to expire in 2021.

Building the Modern World: Geoscience that Underlies our Economic Prosperity

Wednesday, August 2, 2017

Geoscience information is integral to the strength and growth of communities and provides the resources for economic growth. All building materials, energy resources, construction projects, and hazard mitigation efforts are fundamentally based on geoscientific data and the geoscience workforce.

Our speakers are:

Emily W. Coyner, PG, Director of Environmental Policy, National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association | Slides Video
Brian K. Banks, PG, Principal, Schnabel Engineering | Slides Video
Austin Becker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Coastal Planning, Policy, and Design, University of Rhode Island | Slides Video

Key topics to be addressed include:

The industrial materials and minerals used to construct buildings/infrastructure
The importance of readily available construction materials and the resulting demand for mines and quarries throughout the U.S.
How geoscience is used to determine whether or not sites are suitable for infrastructure development
How geoscience is used to help guide design and construction to enhance the quality of life, economic strength, and physical security of coastal areas

Webinar Co-sponsors:
American Association of Petroleum Geologists; American Geophysical Union; Consortium for Ocean Leadership; Geological Society of America; National Ground Water Association; National Science Foundation; Soil Science Society of America

Resources to Learn More

View this webinar's Question & Answer session
U.S. Geological Survey: Aggregates Publications & Data Products
U.S. Geological Survey: Aggregate Resource Availability in the Conterminous United States
Federal Highway Administration: Wherefore Art Thou Aggregate Resources for Highways?
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine: Characterization, Modeling, Monitoring, and Remediation of Fractured Rock
National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine: Committee on Geological and Geotechnical Engineering
National Research Council: Underground Engineering for Sustainable Urban Development
Environmental Protection Agency: Green Infrastructure: Coastal Resiliency
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit: Coastal Resilience Tools
U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit: Coastal Infrastructure (Hawai'i and Pacific Islands)

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about geoscience and the economy.

Building the Modern World: Infrastructure is made of ROCKS

BuildingModernWorld_Webinar_Flyer.pdf

AGI_BuildingModernWorld_Aug2017_Coyner.pdf

AGI_BuildingModernWorld_Aug2017_Banks.pdf

AGI_BuildingModernWorld_Aug2017_Becker.pdf

23 science organizations urge Congress to continue funding the USGS Library

U.S. Geological Survey library in Hooe Building, Washington DC. Note rotating bookcase at left, next to card catalogs, left to right: J.M. Nickles, J.L.V. McCord original Survey librarian, J.E. Latimer, and Mary Coats. 1917.

Twenty-three science organizations, including AGI and 16 Member Societies, have signed a letter urging Congress to provide continued funding to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Library, "one of the world’s largest and most important Earth and natural resources libraries." Read the full letter here.

Senate passes Digital Coast bill authorizing NOAA’s Digital Coast program

On May 25, the Senate passed the Digital Coast Act (S.110) to help coastal communities prepare for storms, adapt to rising sea levels, and strengthen economic planning efforts.

American Geosciences Institute

congress