The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) held an educational seminar for members of the media on September 24 on how to accurately report on earthquakes following an event.
Representatives from the USGS, the NPS, and the U.S. FWS presented a congressional briefing on the science behind efforts to help rebuild shorelines, ecosystems, and communities after Hurricane Sandy.
The House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing on September 17 to discuss legislation to reauthorize the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (NGGDPP).
On September 18, Democrats and Republicans on the House Natural Resources Committee approved three bills that help to create and expand surface storage water projects.
On September 9, a majority of House Republicans united with 35 Democrats to successfully pass H.R. 5078, a bill blocking the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed changes to the Clean Water Act (CWA).
On September 20, NASA announced the Mars Balance Mass Challenge, a new contest seeking design ideas for spacecraft payloads entering the atmosphere on Mars.
On September 23, NASA announced that they have contracted two private companies, Boeing and SpaceX, to transport American astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).