Annual Report 2011: FY July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011
Geoscience and Energy Office (GEO-DC)
The Geoscience and Energy Office in Washington, D.C. (GEO-DC) was established by the AAPG Executive Committee in June 2005. It was subsequently reauthorized by EC to continue its mission in 2008 and 2011. GEO-DC is now a well-regarded and respected entity, which provides a host of services to AAPG members and government. The office is critically important to AAPG members. The concern about the lack of a coherent and comprehensive U.S. energy policy is very high. Volatile prices for oil and gas, energy security vs. energy independence, climate change, tax increases to support a myriad of government programs, and many other issues have skewed energy policy in the making. Proposals to award tax incentives to alternative energy are underscored, while plans to eliminate tax incentives for fossil fuels threaten the livelihood of both domestic and international AAPG members. One of the six purposes of the association as stated in the constitution is “to advance the professional well-being of its members.”
AAPG is not a trade association, but rather a scientific and professional association. As such, GEO-DC’s purpose is threefold: first, to communicate to policy makers and regulators the scientific knowledge and professional expertise of AAPG’s members – to inform the policy making process with science. Second, GEO-DC communicates to AAPG members policy issues of importance and professional interest to them. Third, GEO-DC equips and trains AAPG members to communicate effectively to policy makers and creates opportunities for members to engage in the policy process.
The GEO-DC Governance Board was created to provide effective member oversight of the office and its activities. The board consists of 11 Governors and 6 Observers (with participation rights except voting). In addition, the board has an Advisory Committee of three AAPG past-presidents.
The Division of Professional Affairs continued its close involvement with GEO-DC in 2010-11, providing significant programmatic support through the DPA Governmental Affairs Committee and financial support for on-going office operations.
GAC is responsible for the development of AAPG statements, which outline the current views of the association on a host of policy issues. AAPG statements are the principal touchstone for GEO-DC on policy issues. They are developed by GAC based on suggestions from AAPG members, and then forwarded through the GOVBD and DPA Leadership to the Executive Committee for approval and adoption. The statements are reviewed and updated periodically to reflect new scientific advancements, policy developments, or other changes. The GAC made great strides this year in undertaking a full review of all AAPG statements.
In 2009–10, the GAC with GEO-DC assistance developed a white paper entitled, “Research and Development Needs of the U.S. Independent Oil and Gas Producer.” This white paper continues to be used to communicate to U.S. policy makers the importance of a federal role in oil and natural gas research and development.
GAC issued several action and information alerts to interested AAPG members on issues ranging from access to the Outer Continental Shelf for exploration and production to proposed tax issues that would affect AAPG and DPA members, specifically independent producers.
This year GAC and GEO-DC hosted AAPG members in Washington, D.C. for two special Congressional outreach events. In September, AAPG joined with other earth science societies for Geosciences Congressional Visits Day 2010, and in May hosted members for AAPG Congressional Visits Day 2011. Participants at both events met with several key executive branch agencies and other policy groups in Washington,
D.C. Both events gave AAPG members the opportunity to meet with lawmakers and their staff in Congress to talk about policy issues.
GAC leadership and GEO-DC Director David Curtiss are developing a new short course to equip DPA and AAPG members to communicate effectively with policy makers and regulators. This course will be rolled out in the coming year, and will expand AAPG’s policy efforts at the local level.
GEO-DC regularly responds to inquiries from Congressional staff on a variety of scientific and policy issues. When appropriate the association nominates AAPG members to serve on various governmental or other panels. In 2010-2011 AAPG President David Rensink submitted written testimony and comment to both Congress and the Administration on a variety of issues, including federal appropriations, Alaskan and offshore oil and natural gas development. In addition, President Rensink submitted comments to the National Oil Spill Commission on the use of moratoria in the aftermath of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
The office expanded its outreach efforts this year, contributing a chapter on the importance of energy research and development for a Consumer Energy Alliance report titled, “Energy, Jobs and the Economy: Powering America’s Future.” GEO-DC Director Curtiss gave the Oklahoma City Geological Foundation Cronin Lecture in Edmond, Oklahoma; presented on oil and gas workforce issues to the National Research Council study committee on Emerging Workforce Trends in the U.S. Energy and Minerals Industry; engaged in outreach efforts to new Senators and Representatives; and participated in a Congressional briefing on unconventional oil and natural gas resources.
Curtiss continues to write a monthly column for EXPLORER, a column for the DPA Correlator, and updates AAPG members regularly through the GEO-DC blog.
Special thanks to the members of the Governance Board: Vice Chair Pete MacKenzie, Paul Britt, Jeff Eppink, Bill Goff, Lee Harvard, David Hawk, Jim Hill, Terry Hollrah, Deborah Sacrey, and Dan Tearpock, plus observers David Rensink, Mary Harris, Michael Campbell, Rick Fritz and John Lorenz. Thanks also to Advisory Committee members Pat Gratton, Will Green and Pete Rose.
Thanks are due to David Curtiss, who has been critical to the ongoing functioning of the GEO-DC office, to my predecessor Pat Gratton, the principal driver of GEO-DC, and to my Vice Chair and successor Peter MacKenzie. As chair, I have greatly appreciated the substantial assistance of Norma Newby, a very capable AAPG staffer.