Geoscience and Energy Policy Office

The House Natural Resources Committee recently held a hearing to discuss energy development in the Mancos shale formation of the Piceance basin, which is a geographic area that spans Colorado and Utah and much of the resource is located on federal lands. The purpose of the hearing was to highlight the release of a recent U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assessment which found that the Mancos shale has a large volume of recoverable energy resources.

AAPG, with dozens of other scientific associations, research institutes and universities, wrote to House and Senate appropriation subcommittees in support of a robust portfolio of geoscience research for the National Science Foundation (NSF). The letter describes the economic and security benefits of basic research, including examples of the value of improved weather forecasting and oil and gas production from hydraulic fracturing. The scientific community hopes the letter will help counter congressional interests in selectively cutting geoscience funding at NSF.

AAPG also joined with scientific associations and universities in the USGS coalition to tell Congress of the importance of U.S. Geological Survey activities that include mapping, energy and mineral assessments, core preservation, and land and water monitoring.

Letters to House appropriation committees are shown. Similar letters went to Senate appropriators.