Environmental Geoscience Program

WHAT'S NEW

HOUSE ADVANCES KEYSTONE XL BILL: On May 22, 2013 the House voted 241-175 to approve H.R. 3: The Northern Route Approval Act, which seeks to approve the construction, operation, and maintenance of the Keystone XL Pipeline. If enacted, the bill would allow for the construction of the pipeline without a presidential permit, and would greatly streamline other permitting processes normally required by the Secretary of Interior and the Army. The bill still needs to be approved by the full Senate and the President before it can be enacted into law. Signs from the White House indicated that President Obama would likely veto the bill because of the language exempting the pipeline from a presidential permit.

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.

WILSON INTRODUCES NATURAL HAZARDS REDUCTION ACT OF 2013: This May, Frederica Wilson (D-FL), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Technology, introduced the Natural Hazards Reduction Act of 2013 to reauthorize the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) and the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program (NWIRP). NEHRP was established in 1977 to help monitor and mitigate the effects of earthquakes. NEHRP has been reviewed and reauthorized 11 times since its inception. It was last reauthorized in 2004. NWIRP was established in 2004 to help monitor and mitigate the effects of windstorms and other wind hazards such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe storms. Four federal agencies are responsible for different programs under NEHRP: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). FEMA, NSF, NIST and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) oversee programs for NWIRP. NIST is the lead agency in charge of planning and coordination for both NEHRP and NWIRP.

SENATE COMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON PROPOSED HELIUM LEGISLATION:
On May 7, 2013, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing to discuss the proposed Helium Stewardship Act of 2013 (S. 783) which was introduced on April 23, 2013 by Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). During the hearing, Wyden, Murkowski, and the witnesses emphasized the urgent need to address the impending early closure of the Federal Helium Reserve in October 2013, which would cut off 42 percent of the domestic and 35 percent of the global helium supply.  S. 783 allows the reserve to continue current operations through September 30, 2014, then begins auctioning off 10 percent of the helium available for sale each year, and eventually provides helium solely to federal users. Tim Spisak of the Bureau of Land Management stated that the Department of the Interior supports S.783. If the bill passes the Senate, the Senate and House will need to reconcile differences between S.783 and the recently passed House version of the helium legislation (H.R. 527). The major difference between the bills is in the auction set-up: S.783 proposes a phased implementation process for auctioning an increasing amount of helium per year while H.R. 527 proposes conducting all sales through biannual auctions. Walter Nelson, of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., testified that the "wisdom" of a phased auction "contrasts" with the "uncertainty" for contracts that the House bill would create.

NEW RULE PROPOSED BY THE FOREST SERVICE REGARDING PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES: On May 23, 2013 the United States Forest Service (USFS) proposed a rule under the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-011) that would clarify regulations for the management and protection of paleontological recourses on Forest Service lands. The proposed rule includes regulations for the management and curation of paleontological resources, consequences for breaking paleontological law, and clarifies that science would be the primary tool for managing paleontological resources. The proposed rule would not affect the casual collection of common fossils. The draft legislation is open for public comment from experts and stakeholders until July 22, 2013.

HOUSE NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE HOLDS MARKUP OF PROPOSED MINING LEGISLATION: On May 15, 2013, the House Committee on Natural Resources held a markup of 18 proposed bills, including three on critical and strategic minerals (H.R. 761, H.R. 981, and H.R. 1063), and one on soda ash production (H.R. 957). Of the critical and strategic minerals legislation, H.R. 761, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act of 2013, received the most debate. The bill was introduced by Mark Amodei (R-NV) and seeks to streamline the hard rock mine permitting process and boost domestic critical and strategic mineral resources development. Three amendments were proposed during the hearing. Amodei's amendment making technical changes was approved. Rush Holt (D-NJ) offered two amendments, one to narrow the definition of critical and strategic minerals and another to assess a 12.5 percent royalty on materials mined on federal lands. Both amendments failed. H.R. 761 was reported to the full House by a vote of 24-17. H.R. 981 or the Resource Assessment of Rare Earths (RARE) Act of 2013 was passed by the committee unanimously without additional action. The bill, introduced by Hank Johnson (D-GA) and Ed Markey (D-MA), mandates that the U.S. Geological Survey, "in coordination with the heads of national geological surveys where available," conduct a global assessment of rare earth elements within three years. H.R. 1063, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Policy Act of 2013, was also passed by unanimous consent without amendment. Introduced by Doug Lamborn (R-CO), it mandates that the Department of the Interior (DOI) assess the nation's ability to supply current and future demands for critical and strategic minerals.  H.R. 957 or the American Soda Ash Competitiveness Act, introduced by Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), would reduce the royalty on sodium produced on federal lands from the current rate of six percent to two percent for five years. Two amendments were discussed. The first amendment, offered by Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), would prevent the royalty reduction during any year when there is a federal budget deficit. The second amendment, offered by Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), stated that if the reduced royalty rate failed to increase domestic production or employment then the reduction would cease. Both amendments were rejected, and H.R. 957 was reported to the full House with a vote of 28-13.

BIPARTISAN BILL TO CREATE SCIENCE LAUREATE POSITION INTRODUCED BY SMITH AND LOFGREN:  On May 8, 2013, Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) introduced the Science Laureates of the United States Act of 2013 (H.R. 1891). This bill would authorize the President to appoint up to three Science Laureates of the United States who would serve 1- or 2-year terms. The Science Laureate would honor scientists who have excelled in their research careers and in enhancing public interest in science. The position would be an unpaid honorary position, and the nominee would be able to continue research during this time.

HOUSE SCIENCE MAJORITY STAFF HOLD SESSION TO DISCUSS THE DRAFT HIGH QUALITY RESEARCH ACT:  On May 21, 2013, the majority staff of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held an open discussion with members of the scientific community to provide information on the draft High Quality Research Act. The committee hoped to address concerns, resolve misconceptions, and take suggestions for improvement. The majority staff member stated that the act was leaked to the public while still in draft form and that, at that time, he had not been prepared to discuss the draft. According the staff member, the draft had been sent to the Democratic members for consultation and input, contrary to some claims. The bill is aimed, he stated, at the funding level and is "not touching" the merit review process for approving grants. He argued that the bill's intent was to add a layer of accountability by requiring that the National Science Foundation (NSF) director, or someone they designate, to approve the final funding of a grant. He indicated that this approval would be based on a short summary of why the peer review panel believed the grant should be funded and would not be "overly burdensome."  He also clarified that duplicative research referred only to preventing funding of the exact same grant proposal by multiple agencies. The discussion focused mainly on explaining intent, but there were few suggestions on improving the draft. Additionally, the staff member did not indicate that any changes had been made to the original draft. The discussion appeared to do little to assuage the concerns and objections of the members of the scientific community present. Currently, the draft legislation from Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) would require that the NSF director certify that each funded study benefits the nation's "health, prosperity, or welfare, and…national defense;" be of the highest quality; be "ground breaking;" resolve issues of the "utmost importance to society at large;" and not duplicate other federally funded research. The draft has received significant backlash from the Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), former NSF directors and assistant directors, 110 scientific organizations, and members of the broader scientific community.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES CONSIDERS WATER BILLS :  The House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power held a hearing on May 23, 2013 to discuss two bills pertaining to water resources.  H.R. 745 would reauthorize the Water Desalination Act of 1996 and extend funding for it through the 2018 fiscal year. Representative Grace Napolitano (D-CA) introduced the bill, which awards research grants for projects looking into best practices for water desalination techniques. H.R. 1963, the Bureau of Reclamation Conduit Hydropower Development Equity and Jobs Act, was introduced by Congressman Steve Daines (R-MT) and would authorize non-Federal organizations to develop hydroelectric power generators in existing federally owned canals and pipelines.

HAZARDOUS WASTE CLEANUP: OBSERVATIONS ON STATES’ ROLE, LIABILITIES AT DOD AND HARDROCK MINING SITES, AND LITIGATION ISSUES – The Government Accountability Office (GAO) summarizes its most recent findings on the role and responsibilities of states and federal agencies in cleaning up hazardous waste sites.

NOAA – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced additional proposed future restoration projects and environmental reviews to continue the use of early restoration funding to restore natural resources, ecological services, and human use services damaged by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. [Monday, May 6, 2013 (Volume 78, Number 87)]

EPA – The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a notice responding to comments on the proposed Actions that EPA Regional Offices Are Taking to Promote Meaningful Engagement in the Permitting Process by Overburdened Communities and Promising Practices for Permit Applicants Seeking EPA-Issued Permits: Ways to Engage Neighboring Communities, which EPA is publishing. [Thursday, May 9, 2013 (Volume 78, Number 90)]

EPA – The Environmental Protection Agency announced the issuance of a draft titled Technical Guidance for Assessing Environmental Justice in Regulatory Analysis, which will assist EPA analysts in considering environmental justice in regulatory analyses. Comments should be submitted by July 8, 2013. [Thursday, May 9, 2013 (Volume 78, Number 90)]

USGS – The U.S. Geological Survey is requesting nominations of persons to serve as members or alternates on the Advisory Committee on Water Information. [Monday, May 13, 2013 (Volume 78, Number 92)]

EPA – The Environmental Protection Agency announced a final rule regarding the National Priorities List in The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980. Detailed information is available in the notice. [Thursday, May 24, 2013(Volume 78, Number 101)]

CEQ – The Council on Environmental Quality announced the comment period on the Economic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studies will be extended by 30 days. Comments are now due June 27, 2013.  [Thursday, May 24, 2013(Volume 78, Number 101)]

14 ITRC PROJECTS IN THE REMEDIATION AREA. The Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) requests proposals for 2014 ITRC projects in the remediation area only. ITRC would like to focus proposals on the following topical areas: site characterization, sampling, and monitoring; soil and groundwater contamination, specifically groundwater or contaminant fate and transport modeling; and long term stewardship, land use controls, and institutional controls. Proposals on other topics will be considered, but preference will be given to those that address one of the areas above. Proposals are due by 5:00 pm Eastern time on Friday, June 14, 2013. For more information and instructions, see http://www.itrcweb.org/About/ITRC-Requests-Proposals-Remediation-Area .

INTERNET SEMINAR: THE CLEAN UP INFORMATION NETWORK - JUNE 10 AND JULY 22, 2013, 2:00PM-3:00PM EDT (18:00-19:00 GMT): Technology Innovation and Field Services Division (TIFSD) staff will cover new changes and additions to the Clean Up Information Network (CLU-IN) website. Participants will also learn about expanded features and new platforms that are being considered for CLU-IN and our internet seminar offerings. For more information and to register, see http://clu-in.org/live .

INTERNET SEMINAR: ITRC DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS FOR SOLIDIFICATION/STABILIZATION - JUNE 25, 2013, 2:00PM-4:15PM EDT (18:00-20:15 GMT). The ITRC technical and regulatory guidance document Development of Performance Specifications for Solidification/Stabilization (S/S-1, 2011) and associated Internet-based training provide an approach to assist practitioners and regulators with measuring and determining acceptable S/S performance. This approach developed by the ITRC Solidification/Stabilization Team provides information for developing, testing, and evaluating appropriate site-specific performance specifications and the considerations for designing appropriate long-term stewardship programs. In addition, the approach provides useful tools for establishing an appropriate degree of treatment and regulatory confidence in the performance data to support decision-making. This training and guidance is intended to be beneficial to anyone involved with CERCLA, RCRA, Brownfields, UST or any other regulatory program where S/S has been selected or implemented as a remedial technology. For more information and to register, see http://www.itrcweb.org or http://clu-in.org/live .

INTERNET SEMINAR: ITRC BIOFUELS: RELEASE PREVENTION, ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOR, AND REMEDIATION - JUNE 27, 2013, 11:00AM-1:15PM EDT (15:00-17:15 GMT). This training, which is based on the ITRC's Biofuels: Release Prevention, Environmental Behavior, and Remediation (Biofuels-1, 2011), focuses on the differences between biofuels and conventional fuels specific to release scenarios, environmental impacts, characterization, and remediation. The trainers will define the scope of the potential environmental challenges by introducing biofuel fundamentals, regulatory status, and future usage projections. Participants will learn how and when to use the ITRC biofuels guidance document for their projects. They will understand the differences in biofuel and petroleum behavior; become familiar with the biofuel supply chain, potential release scenarios and release prevention; be able to develop an appropriate conceptual model for the investigation and remediation of biofuels; and select appropriate investigation and remediation strategies. For more information and to register, see http://www.itrcweb.org or http://clu-in.org/live .

TECHNOLOGY NEWS AND TRENDS (EPA 542-N-13-002). This issue highlights vapor intrusion (VI), which generally refers to migration of hazardous vapors from any subsurface contaminant source such as contaminated soil or groundwater through the vadose zone and into indoor air. Vapor intrusion can occur in a broad range of land use settings, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties, and can affect buildings with virtually any type of foundation such as basement, crawl space, or slab on grade. The VI pathway has become a standard consideration during investigations at hazardous waste sites, especially those subject to the Superfund, underground storage tank (UST), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act programs operated by federal or state agencies. The U.S. EPA currently is finalizing its guidance on subsurface VI. In addition, 24 states issued draft or final VI guidance as of April 2013, and other state guidance continues to evolve (May 2013). View at http://clu-in.org/tnandt/0513 .

USE OF AMENDMENTS FOR IN SITU REMEDIATION AT SUPERFUND SEDIMENT SITES (OSWER DIRECTIVE 9200.2-128FS). This document introduces the most promising amendments for in situ remediation of sediments and summarizes some of the information on contaminated sediment sites that have already employed these amendments. This document is not a guidance or design document and provides information on the state of the practice of the use of amendments for in situ remediation of contaminated sediments, as well as three case studies where these amendments have been used. This document also focuses on the use of amendments either by themselves or in conjunction with a conventional isolation cap or a thin layer cap and enhanced Monitored Natural Recovery (EMNR). The amendments discussed are designed to treat hydrophobic organic contaminants, metals, or both. Some of these amendments may also be effective in reducing risks from NAPL (April 2013, 61 pages). View or download at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm .

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION NEWS SURVEY CORNER. The Technology Innovation News Survey contains market/commercialization information; reports on demonstrations, feasibility studies and research; and other news relevant to the hazardous waste community interested in technology development. Recent issues, complete archives, and subscription information is available at http://clu-in.org/products/tins/ .

JEWELL CONFIRMED AS SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR: The Senate confirmed Sally Jewell on April 10, 2013 as the 51st Secretary of the Interior with a vote of 87-11. She was sworn in on April 12, 2013 by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

HOUSE PASSES HELIUM BILL, SENATE INTRODUCES HELIUM BILL: On April 26, 2013, the Responsible Helium Administration and Stewardship Act (H.R. 527) passed the House in a vote of 394-1. On April 23, 2013, the Helium Stewardship Act of 2013 (S. 783) was introduced in the Senate. Both bills aim to prevent the impending early closure of the Federal Helium Reserve in October 2013. The reserve provides 42 percent of the domestic and 35 percent of the global helium supply.

BIPARTISAN COALITION ATTEMPTS TO TACKLE NUCLEAR WASTE:  A group of bipartisan senators has come together to draft the first comprehensive nuclear waste legislation since the Yucca Mountain discussions were tabled last year. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, along with Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Ranking Member Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the draft legislation on April 25, 2013.

HOUSE SCIENCE CHAIRMAN DRAFTS HIGH QUALITY RESEARCH ACT:  Lamar Smith (R-TX), chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, is drafting legislation titled the High Quality Research Act. The bill aims to alter the criteria that the National Science Foundation (NSF) uses to determine grant awards. The act would require that the NSF director certify that each funded study benefits the nation's "health, prosperity, or welfare, and…national defense;" be of the highest quality; be "ground breaking;" resolve issues of the "utmost importance to society at large;" and not duplicate other federally funded research. During recent hearings on the proposed fiscal year 2014 budget levels for science agencies, Smith discussed a number of NSF funded studies he deemed questionable. He argued that his bill seeks to make NSF more accountable to taxpayers and prioritize research that will "change our world, expand our horizons and save lives." Smith also requested that acting NSF Director Cora Marrett make available information on the review process for select grants. Committee Ranking Member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) responded to Smith's request to Marrett, stating that initiating such an inquiry and involving politics in the peer review process risks "destroy[ing] the merit-based review process at NSF and intrudes political pressure into what is widely viewed as the most effective and creative process for awarding research funds in the world." She argued that no one on the committee is a scientific expert qualified to participate in the peer review process. She noted that no single study can accomplish every goal listed in NSF's selection criteria; rather, it is the collection of studies as a whole that ensures NSF advances all of their goals. Other objections noted that the lack of duplicative research is contrary to the foundations of the scientific method.

HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES TWO EPA BILLS:  The House Committee on Science, Space and Technology voted on April 11, 2013 in approval of H.R. 875 and H.R. 1422. The former, approved 18-17, was introduced by James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and would require that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdraw approval of gasoline mixed with 15 percent ethanol (E15) in order to conduct further research into potential impacts on car engines. The latter, approved 21-16, aims to reform the EPA's Science Advisory Board and introduce a peer-review system.

2012 CARBON EMISSIONS LOWEST SINCE 1994, EIA: The U.S. Energy Information Administration announced that the total combined carbon dioxide emissions from petroleum, natural gas, and coal sources in the U.S. in 2012 reached their lowest recorded annual levels, 5.3 billion metric tons, since 1994. This reduction in emissions is partially attributed to the increased use of natural gas over coal for electricity generation. Low natural gas prices in 2012 allowed it to better compete with coal. Emissions have decreased four out of the last five years with 2010 being the exception.

DROUGHT TASK FORCE REPORTS 2012 DROUGHT NOT RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Drought Task Force released a report documenting the severe drought that hit the U.S. during 2012. The report titled An Interpretation of the Origins of the 2012 Central Great Plains Drought, concluded that the drought had no significant link to climate change or ocean conditions. Rather, the drought was a natural but unpredictable "sequence of unfortunate events." According to the report, May through August 2012 marked the driest summer in the U.S. since record keeping began in 1895, eclipsing even the summers of 1934 and 1936 – the driest summers of the Dust Bowl. Lead author Martin Hoerling cites the lack of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, high pressure over the Great Plains, and a jet stream set farther north in Canada as the causes of the drought. These rare conditions, he explained, prevented the formation of thunderstorms in the Great Plains. Hoerling, however, is careful to state that these findings do not discount the validity of climate change, but show instead that events on a short time scale may represent natural rather than man-made variation. Some climate scientists disagree with the report's findings, including Kevin Trenberth, head of the Climate Analysis Section at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Trenberth argues that the report fails to account for the effect of climate change on the region's snowpack and high pressure system.

USGS REPORT: TOWARD ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF WATER AVAILABILITY & USE: In compliance with the SECURE Water Act, the USGS released a report to Congress outlining their progress toward creating a National Water Census (Water Census). Once completed, the Water Census will serve as a comprehensive source to assess the availability, quality, and usage of the nation's water supply.

JUDGE RULES IN BLM MONTEREY SHALE HYDRAULIC FRACTURING CASE:  A U.S. District Court Judge for the Northern District of California, Paul Grewal, ruled that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in exempting two oil and gas leases in Monterey County from producing a full environmental impact statement. Grewal stated that BLM incorrectly assumed that only a single well would be drilled, failed to account for technological advances, and needed to address potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on the lease sites. The leases were approved in September 2011.

USGS REPORTS SOME PACIFIC ISLANDS INUNDATED BY END OF CENTURY: On April 11, 2013, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a report which found that low-lying Pacific Islands may face inundation due to sea-level rise earlier than previously predicted. The report projects that significant washover and inundation could impact infrastructure and agriculture during the 21st century. As opposed to examining only the impacts of sea-level rise, this report accounts for both sea-level rise and the subsequently higher wave action that it induces.

NEW INSTITUTE FOR NATURAL GAS RESEARCH:  Pennsylvania State University announced the establishment of their new Institute for Natural Gas Research (INGaR). Research will concentrate on four main areas: discovery and exploration; extraction and stimulation; infrastructure and water; and utilization and chemical conversion.

BUSINESS IS BEGINNING TO BACK CLIMATE CHANGE: Big-time businesses are beginning to back measures to mitigate climate change. 33 firms, including Intel Corp.,General Motors, Nestle SA, eBay Inc., Starbucks Corp., and Nike Inc., among others, implored Congress in a "Climate Declaration" to act fast against the threat of climate change. The declaration, authored by the Business for Innovative Climate & Energy Policy (BICEP) coalition, a subsidiary of Ceres, hopes to pressure Congress to tighten restrictions against greenhouse gases.

AN EVALUATION OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S MARINE AND HYDROKINETIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENTS:  At the request of the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Research Council evaluated DOE's assessment of marine and hydrokinetic resources in the U.S., including tidal, wave, ocean current, ocean thermal, and in-stream hydrokinetic resources. NRC noted that DOE needed a "conceptual framework" that outlines theoretical, technical, and practical resource levels as well as "coordination and consistency" in their methodology and terminology. Assessments should also account for a region's socioeconomic and environmental leanings while making information publicly accessible. The report critiques the choice to represent total resource as a single number as opposed to breaking down the value into individual locations for more practical use.

ENERGY: FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR RENEWABLE AND ADVANCED ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES:  In 2012, 22 percent of U.S. energy production came from nonfossil fuel resources. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued two reports: Wind Energy: Additional Actions Could Help Ensure Effective Use of Federal Financial Support, and Department of Energy: Status of Loan Programs. This statement provides the key points of each report.  During fiscal year 2011, nine federal agencies implemented 82 wind initiatives with seven duplicating support for the same project. Regarding loan programs, the Department of Energy (DOE) offers that Title XVII Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program (LGP) and Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program. DOE has $34.8 billion in loan guarantee authority and $170 million in credit subsidies. $15.1 billion of the former is proposed to be applied to 13 active LGP projects and all of the latter to active energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

COMMERCIAL SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL: OBSERVATIONS ON THE KEY ATTRIBUTES AND CHALLENGES OF STORAGE AND DISPOSAL OPTIONS:  The almost 70,000 metric tons of commercial spent nuclear fuel in the U.S. currently resides at 75 reactor sites across 33 states. This report updates information on the Department of Energy's (DOE) spent nuclear fuel disposal and storage efforts and largely builds on information from previous Government Accountability Office (GAO) testimonies. GAO outlines the history and challenges of the Yucca Mountain project, citing particularly the lack of support at the state level for the project. The report also examines prospects of interim storage and developing an alternate geologic repository.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS: NRC NEEDS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND LIKELY PUBLIC RESPONSE TO RADIOLOGICAL INCIDENTS AT NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS:  In the aftermath of the March 11, 2011 Japanese tsunami and ensuing nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reviewed the emergency preparedness of U.S. nuclear power plants. In the U.S., the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) assists with emergency preparedness of a plant while the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) helps with preparedness of the surrounding local and state authorities. Preparedness plans extend to a 10-mile area around the plant, GAO recommends that the NRC and FEMA should take into account areas outside this 10-mile zone in planning responses and evacuations.

INTERNET SEMINAR: EPA'S METHODOLOGY FOR UNDERSTANDING AND REDUCING A PROJECT'S ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT - MAY 22, 2013, 1:00PM-3:00PM EDT (17:00-19:00 GMT). The process of cleaning up a hazardous waste site uses energy, water and other natural or materials resources and consequently creates an environmental footprint of its own. In February 2012, the U.S. EPA released a methodology for quantifying the environmental footprints. The information obtained helps prioritize efforts to reduce the footprint and improve the outcome of cleanups under any regulatory program. This two-hour seminar will: (1) briefly discuss the regulatory framework; (2) summarize the methodology for estimating or quantifying the footprint and the associated metrics; (3) walk participants through the steps of performing an environmental footprint analysis; (4) present some questions for discussion and share lessons learned from early adopters. An open forum will be held after the presentations, during which participants will be able to submit questions and feedback to the speakers. For more information and to register, see http://clu-in.org/live .

ENGINEERING ISSUE PAPER: SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS MANAGEMENT IN SITE CLEANUP (EPA 542-F-13-001). Sites undergoing cleanup provide opportunities for reducing waste and diverting it from landfills. Many of the opportunities involve reusing onsite materials, reusing or recycling materials offsite, and procuring construction materials with recycled content. Site-specific examples of applying these and other strategies and an extensive compendium of related tools and resources are now available in this issue paper compiled by the Engineering Forum of the U.S. EPA's Technical Support Project (March 2013, 12 pages). View or download at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm .

LNAPLS: SCIENCE, MANAGEMENT, AND TECHNOLOGY ITRC 2-DAY CLASSROOM TRAINING OFFERED TWO MORE TIMES IN 2013: SPRINGFIELD, IL (JUNE 4-5, 2013) AND GARDEN GROVE, CA (OCTOBER 1-2, 2013). Led by internationally recognized experts, this 2-day ITRC classroom training will enable you to develop and apply an LNAPL Conceptual Site Model (LCSM), understand and assess LNAPL subsurface behavior, develop and justify LNAPL remedial objectives including maximum extent practicable considerations, select appropriate LNAPL remedial technologies and measure progress, and use ITRC's science-based LNAPL guidance to efficiently move sites to closure. Interactive learning with classroom exercises and Q&A sessions will reinforce these course learning objectives. For local, state, and federal government; students; community stakeholders; and tribal representatives, ITRC has a limited number of scholarships (waiver of registration fee only) available. For more information and to register, see http://www.itrcweb.org/training .