AAPG just had its fiscal year’s end and we are happy to report that we had a good year financially.
Fiscal year 2005-06 was very productive and we had numerous milestones. I thank Pete Rose and his Executive Committee for their support and leadership.
We are looking forward to working with new president Lee Billingsley and his Executive Committee: Will Green, president-elect; John Dolson, vice president; Randi Martinsen, treasurer; Michael Party, secretary; Ernie Mancini, editor; and Larry Jones, chair of the House of Delegates (page 6).
I also am executive director for the AAPG Foundation, and I want to thank Jack Threet and the Foundation Trustees for their support of programs that help members and the general public. Jack Threet is stepping down as chairman of the Trustees to become the co-chair, with Larry Funkhouser, of the Foundation Campaign Committee. Bill Fisher accepted his election as the new chairman of the AAPG Foundation Trustees.
During the last three years we have added a significant number of new programs, including the Geoscience and Energy Office in Washington, D.C. (GEO-DC), and several new conferences. This year we plan to focus on improving the products and services we already provide.
One of the goals set by new AAPG President Billingsley this year is to update the numerous position papers developed over the past few years by the Division of Professional Affairs Governmental Affairs Committee and approved by the Executive Committee and the boards for the three AAPG Divisions. This year we will be asking for member comments as we update the papers.
The first position paper that we will review is global climate change. In Washington, D.C., and elsewhere AAPG is often asked its position. The recent debate about AAPG’s Journalism Award to Michael Crichton for writing Jurassic Park and State of Fear sparked a healthy debate inside and outside of AAPG.
AAPG, through DPA, has established a comprehensive position paper on global climate based on sound science. AAPG members have the unique ability to place global climate change in the context of geologic history. Admittedly, most geologists are not experts in climate, but many are experts concerning the environs and climates in the strata they are working. There are a few who do work on global climate change and provide excellent scientific data.
Timing is another factor that needs to be considered. The reality is that hydrocarbon usage probably is a temporary phenomena in the world’s history. In the next 100 years hydrocarbon usage should plateau unless we are able to tap the huge resources trapped in methane hydrates. What will the anthropogenic effect be during those years and what will happen when we decrease usage over time?
As a result of these discussions, AAPG is considering a conference in the future on global climate change.
Another area for discussion is reserves evaluation. AAPG and the Division of Professional Affairs are in the process of developing courses for reserves evaluation. A conference on “Reserves and Resources” is planned in Washington, D.C., in the spring of 2007, held jointly with several sister societies.
There are a number of other position papers that will be reviewed this year. These include:
- United States and Canadian Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf Resources.
- Preservation of Geological and Geophysical Data.
- Licensure.
- National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska Access.
- Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Access.
- United States National Energy Supply.
- U.S. Land Withdrawals.
- Tax Reform.
- Natural Gas Supply Concerns.
- Reformation of the Endangered Species Act.
- Reformation of the Clean Water Act -- Wetlands Access.
- Offshore OCS Access.
- Research and Development Needs of the Domestic Petroleum Industry in the 21st Century.
The current papers are available at http://dpa.aapg.org/gac/index.cfm. We will establish a response area on the Web as each paper is reviewed.
We welcome your future input.
Clearly, this is going to be another busy year, and we are excited about the opportunties.
Happy New Fiscal Year!