American Medical Isotopes Production Act of 2011 (S. 99)

Witnesses
Dr. Parrish Staples
Director, Office of European and African Threat Reduction, Global Threat Reduction, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, National Nuclear Security Administration, U.S. Department of Energy
Mr. Roy W. Brown
Federal Affairs Senior Director, The Council on Radionuclides and Radiopharmaceuticals (CORAR)

Senator Blunt introduces REE bill

Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) recently introduced the National Rare Earth Cooperative Act of 2014 (S. 2006), which was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

EPA releases assessment on mining in Bristol Bay

On January 15, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a report on the potential environmental impact of a major open pit mining operation in Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed.

Down to EARTH: Interview with Department of the Interior Secretary, Sally Jewell

EARTH Magazine sits down with Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell to discuss the role of geoscience at the Department of the Interior, including the National Park Service, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which oversees offshore development of both renewable and conventional energy resources.

2014 NDAA includes critical mineral provisions

On December 27, President Obama signed into law the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act.

Hearings held on controversial land swap in Arizona

Federal lawmakers and mining representatives in Arizona are attempting to trade 2000 acres of federal land for 5000 acres of company-held land.

Obama expected to designate more national monuments

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell recommended that President Obama take executive action to create new national monuments . In the next few months, Jewell said she will be meeting with communities to locate public lands deserving of protection as national monuments.

House hearing on impacts of regulations on US mining

On October 10, The House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing on what Chairman Doug Lamborn (R-CO) called "abusive actions" by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) against U.S. mining operations, including EPA’s watershed assessment of Bristol Bay, Alaska. The goal of the hearing was to offer solutions to create jobs and grow the economy by bolstering America’s mining industry. Due to the government shutdown, no representatives from the EPA were able to attend.

President signs helium bill

On October 2, following the government shutdown on October 1, President Obama signed H.R. 527, the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act, averting the shutdown of the federal helium reserve in Texas. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) federal helium reserve, which supplies the U.S. with 40 percent of its helium supply, was in danger of shutting down due to a lapse in funding.

Murkowski, Wyden introduce bipartisan critical minerals bill

Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, along with 15 other senators have submitted the latest round of legislation outlining a comprehensive minerals policy for the United States. The new bill, S.___ the Critical Minerals Policy Act of 2013, calls for the Department of the Interior to establish a list of critical minerals for the U.S.

American Geosciences Institute

natural resources