Environmental Geoscience Program

WHAT'S NEW

EPA FUNDING OPPORTUNITY: EXPLORING LINKAGES BETWEEN HEALTH OUTCOMES AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS, EXPOSURES, AND INTERVENTIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH TRACKING AND RISK MANAGEMENT: http://epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2009/2009_star_ephi.html Open Date: 05/07/2009 - Close Date: 08/05/2009 . The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, is seeking applications to develop new or improved environmental public health indicators (EPHIs) to build linkages between environmental hazards, human exposures, and public health outcomes. The aim of the research is to develop indicators that can be used for long-term tracking and surveillance of environmental public health, making better informed decisions, and assessing the actual impacts of environmental risk management decisions. Proposed projects should capitalize on existing knowledge bases, data sources, or cohorts to develop EPHIs that reflect a better understanding of the relationships between environmental conditions, human exposure, and/or public health outcomes. Novel application of statistical methods or models may be needed to establish probable relationships between existing datasets or investigate the consequences of environmental actions and policy changes.

QUATERNARY RESEARCH ASSOCIATION'S 8TH INTERNATIONAL POSTGRADUATE SYMPOSIUM TEAM at The University of Manchester, 25th to 28th August, 2009. We welcome students from any area of Quaternary research, and this friendly postgraduate conference is a great way for students to network and discuss their research in a relaxed and diverse environment. The website below provides all the relevant registration details (registration closes 29th May). http://www.sed.manchester.ac.uk/QRA/ For any queries please email the conference team at:qramanchester@hotmail.co.uk

NATIONAL GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION EDUCATIONAL EVENTS slated for the remainder of the year listed in chronological order inclusive of title, location, a brief description, and the event’s URL. Contact phone numbers are 800 551.7379 and 614 898.7791, e-mail is customerservice@ngwa.org, and Web site is www.ngwa.org. For example, on August 17-18 a course titled Isotopic and Hydrogeological Characterization of Fractured Rock Settings (#395) will be givin at the Drury Hotel Inn & Suites Columbus Convention Center, 88 East Nationwide Blvd., Columbus, Ohio 43215. This course focuses on understanding the hydrology of coupled ground water/surface water systems in fractured rock settings using a watershed approach.

PRESIDENT OBAMA ANNOUNCES NATIONAL FUEL EFFICIENCY POLICY: On May 19, President Obama set in motion a new national policy aimed at both increasing fuel economy and reducing greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks sold in the United States. The new standards, covering model years 2012-2016, and ultimately requiring an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg in 2016, are projected to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the life of the program with a fuel economy gain averaging more than 5 percent per year and a reduction of approximately 900 million metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions. This would surpass the CAFE law passed by Congress in 2007 required an average fuel economy of 35 mpg in 2020.

OCEANOGRAPHY IN 2025: PROCEEDINGS OF A WORKSHOP: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12627 Released May 7, 2009. This report discusses the “Oceanography in 2025” workshop held by the Ocean Studies Board of the National Research Council tasked with exploring the future directions in oceanography over the next 16 years, with an emphasis on physical processes.

SEVERE SPACE WEATHER EVENTS--UNDERSTANDING SOCIETAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS: A WORKSHOP REPORT-EXTENDED SUMMARY: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12643 Released May 15, 2009. This volume addresses the questions of space weather risk assessment and management and follows a workshop that brought together representatives from industry, academia, and government to discuss the current state of the space weather services infrastructure in the U.S. as well as topics that need to be better explored to benefit space weather risk management.

TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE AND SECURE WATER FUTURE: A LEADERSHIP ROLE FOR THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12672 Prepublication released May 19, 2009. This report commends the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Water Resource Discipline for its past leadership in water science, particularly in light of the increasing number of water resource issues facing the nation. It also calls on the USGS to refocus its vision on critical national water priorities and to integrate its programs within this vision to meet the nation’s needs.

LIQUID TRANSPORTATION FUELS FROM COAL AND BIOMASS: Technological Status, Costs, and Environmental Impacts http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12620 Released May 21, 2009. This book addresses the importance of non-oil-based liquid fuel options as the U.S. strives to become independent of foreign oil and the questions surrounding their economic viability, carbon impact, and technology status. It discusses the potential costs of liquid fuels from biomass by biochemical conversion and from biomass and coal by thermochemical conversion.

EIA RELEASES 2009 ENERGY OUTLOOK REPORT: The Annual Energy Outlook 2009 (AEO2009) report from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) was released in March 2009, with supplemental reference material released in April 2009. The AEO2009 analyzes U.S. energy supply and demand and makes projections on energy supply and demand through 2030. The economic forecasts were updated to incorporate the stimulus effects and the recent, rapid fluctuations in U.S. and global economies. Overall, though, the projections focus on what drives the energy markets in the long-term. The key issues covered are: higher but uncertain world oil prices, growing concern about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and its impacts on energy investment decisions, the increasing use of renewable fuels, the increasing production of unconventional natural gas, the shift in the transportation fleet to more efficient vehicles, and improved efficiency in end-use appliances.The key projections note that world oil prices could swing from $50 to $200 per barrel of oil through to 2030; there might be no growth in U.S. oil consumption because of increasing oil prices, fuel efficient vehicles and the use of biofuels; and there might be more limited growth in coal-fired power plants and much higher growth in natural gas-fired power plant than previously predicted because of greenhouse gas emission reductions. Overall energy consumption is projected to increase by 0.5 percent per year through 2030 and fossil fuels will account for more than 75 percent of all consumption with nuclear, biofuels and renewables accounting for about 25 percent. Overall electricity demand is projected to increase by 1 percent annually from 2007 to 2030 and the demand will be met by nearly the same proportion of energy resources for electricty with the most noticeable increase from renewable energy resources (47 percent from coal, 18 percent from nuclear, 14 percent from renewables and 20 percent from natural gas for the 2030 reference case). The full report, summaries, and supplemental material are all available online: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/

ASBESTOS HEALTH CARE AND CLEAN UP IN MONTANA: Senators Jon Tester (D-MT) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) want the environmental and health problems associated with the former asbestos mine in Libby, MT addressed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). On May 13, 2009 Tester asked the two agencies to collaborate to help the citizens affected by asbestos exposure through site clean up and health care provisions. The announcement came one week after the mine executives were acquitted of conspiring to shield the public from the health risks of asbestos. Libby, Montana is home to the W.R. Grace and Co. vermiculite mine, which shut down in 1990. Over that past 40 years, nearly 200 people have died and more than 375 others have been diagnosed with asbestos-related fatal diseases. This spurred numerous environmental investigations and lawsuits. The EPA added the site to the National Superfund Priorities list in 2002, and was about to declare it a public health emergency when the Bush Administration stopped the declaration according to a report released by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT). Senator Baucus has asked the new EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to reconsider the declaration and other plans related to Libby. A press release from Senator Baucus about the interference with clean-up and health care provisions for those affected by the asbestos mine is available from the Senator’s web page at: http://baucus.senate.gov/newsroom/details.cfm?id=303823&&

HOUSE AND SENATE INTRODUCE OCEAN ENERGY LEGISLATION: At the very end of April, the House and Senate introduced legislation that will promote ocean energy research. The aim is to bring ocean energy technology up to par with other clean energy sources like wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. The Marine Renewable Energy Promotion Act of 2009 (H.R. 2148 and S. 923) was introduced in the House by Jay Inslee (D-WA) with companion legislation introduced by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The legislation would authorize up to $250 million a year for ocean research, something that the Obama Administration is also promoting. The Electric Power Research Institute estimates that the U.S. oceans could generate 6.5 percent of the nation’s electricity if ocean energy is funded at the same levels as other forms of renewable energy. The full text of H.R. 2148 is available from Thomas: http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:H.R.2148: The full text of S. 923 is available from Thomas: http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:S.923:

BIPARTISAN GROUP SUPPORTS BLACK CARBON EMISSIONS BILL: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the Black Carbon Emissions Act of 2009 (S. 849). The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to study the climate and health-related impacts of black carbon and to identify the most effective control strategies for the pollutant. The bill co-sponsors included Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator James Inhofe (R-OK), the leaders of the committee, who often disagree on policies and legislation, but have come together with other committee members from both parties in support of this measure. The full text of the bill is available from Thomas at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:s.00849:

MASSIVE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE BILL PASSES COMMITTEE: The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the Water Infrastructure Financing Act of 2009 (S.1005). The bill would increase the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) to $20 billion and the Drinking Water SRF to $14.7 billion, provides $1.8 billion in grants to address sewage overflows, $60 million for grants to reduce lead in drinking water, $50 million for grants to address agriculture-related water quality, $50 million for watershed restoration projects and $20 million for grants for research and development on technologies to improve water quality or supplies. These amounts would be authorized over a five-year period. Other water projects would be supported in the measure, but are not listed here. The full text of the bill is available from Thomas at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:s.01005:

WEATHER MITIGATION RESEARCH BILL APPROVED: On May 20, 2009, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved the Weather Mitigation Research and Development Policy Authorization Act of 2009 (S. 601). The bill, sponsored by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) would establish a weather mitigation research program within the National Science Foundation (NSF), establish a working group composed of representatives from state and academic institutions, and establish a weather mitigation grant program to fund research at state agencies, academic institutions and non-profit organizations. The bill would authorize $25 million per year over five years for these programs. The bill is based on recommendations of a 2003 National Academies report entitled “Critical Issues in Weather Modification Research”. The report is available at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=10829 The full text of the bill is available from Thomas at: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:s.00601:

NATIONAL CLIMATE SERVICE PROGRAM PROPOSED: A National Climate Service, housed within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is proposed to be the primary portal for climate information. The climate service would supply usable climate data to federal agencies, state and local governments, researchers, and private citizens. Under this bill, NOAA would improve the coverage and resolution of its climate data and modeling to provide the best monitoring capabilities. The bill also mandates an advisory board to give input on how to best serve the users. Some argue that creating a separate office within NOAA will just duplicate the work of the National Weather Service, while others predict this will be the most user-friendly way to integrate local, national, and international data to meet the growing demand for climate services. The full text of H.R. 2407 is available from Thomas: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:HR2407:/ The full text of H.R. 2454 is available from Thomas: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.r.02454:

SENATE ENERGY BILL PROCEEDS SLOWLY: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee continues work on a massive energy bill in bits and pieces. Sections on appliance efficiency; the energy and water nexus; the manufacturing sector's efficiency; work force training; a clean energy bank administration; transmission siting, planning and financing; grid cybersecurity; and a refined petroleum product reserve have been completed. Amendments on a renewable energy standard (RES) and building efficiency will be considered in the first week of June. Still to come is language on oil and gas provisions including possible funds for an inventory of outer continental shelf resources. Another part of the energy bill is a measure limiting liability for carbon capture and sequestration projects. The Department of Energy Carbon Capture and Sequestration Program Amendments Act of 2009 (S. 1013) would authorize the Secretary of Energy to carry out a program to demonstrate commercial application of integrated systems for long-term geological storage of carbon dioxide (more than one million tons of carbon annually) without liability. Parties must obtain certification that they are complying with state and federal drinking water protection requirements and conduct tests to verify carbon is not escaping. The bill would also allow the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to authorize projects on federal lands. Please visit the Senate Energy and Commerce’s Energy Bill 2009 web page for the full text and drafts of the different parts of this legislation at: http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=EnergyBill.2009

HOUSE CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION UPDATE: On May 21, 2009, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (H.R. 2454) passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee and has been reported in the House for a possible vote. The committee was able to compromise on many issues to get the bill passed, but many believe additional changes will be needed before the bill has a real chance of garnering enough votes in the full House. The bill calls for emission reductions of 17 percent by 2020 and 83 percent by 2050 and uses a rather complex cap and trade system to secure such reductions. The full text of H.R. 2454 is available from Thomas at: http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:H.R.2454:

11TH INTERNATIONAL PALEOLIMNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM is announcing that the new dates for the meeting will be from the 15th to the 18th of December 2009. We apologize to all the paleolimnology community for the inconveniences caused by the postponement of the symposium but we hope you understand we were forced by the circumstances related with the Influenza outbreak in Mexico. We do hope that most of you will be able to make the necessary arrangements to fit the new dates for the meeting in your agenda. More information regarding new deadlines, cancellations, etc. is in the Third Circular that is at the symposium´s web page (www.geofisica.unam.mx/paleolimnologia ).

STORMCON 2009 will be held August 16-20 in Anaheim, CA. This conference serves stormwater and environmental services professionals and will include technical sessions, non-technical sessions and case studies presented by municipal professionals, engineering consultants, contractors, researchers, and others on the frontlines of implementing stormwater programs, best management practices (BMPs), sediment and erosion control techniques, low-impact development approaches, research and testing of BMPs, and water quality monitoring programs. For more information, visit http://www.stormcon.com/.

THE AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION (AWWA) ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXPOSITION (ACE09) will be held June 14-18 in San Diego, CA. ACE09 will feature the latest, innovative developments in technologies, processes, and products to improve water quality worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.awwa.org/ace09/.

WASTEEXPO 2009 will be held June 8-11 in Las Vegas, NV and will highlight the latest trends and topics in the solid waste industry. This year’s topics include: Green Management, Green Technology, Business of Energy, Safety, Compliance Issues, and others. For more information, visit http://wasteexpo.com/wasteexpo2009/public/enter.aspx.