AAPG has frequently been asked to provide testimony to state and national lawmakers. Listed here are the printed statements provided for the record before the United States Congress.
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.
Geoscience provides insights into many issues that are critical to America’s future prosperity and quality of life: water quality, energy resources, natural hazards, soils, oceans and air. In this report, the 51 geoscience associations that comprise the American Geosciences Institute summarize current and future earth issues and invite policy makers to draw on their members’ expertise in developing policies important to the nation.
This report is the third issued in advance of a presidential and congressional election. Use this as a resource in talking with election candidates about their policy positions.Additional insights into each critical need are at http://americangeosciences.org/policy/critical-needs.
For copies of the printed report email:Â [email protected].
AAPG and dozens of other scientific associations, universities and businesses sent this letter describing the benefits of federal geoscience research to Senators Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.). The senators are leading an effort by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committee to gather input from the science and research community on federal research and development policy priorities.
The comments will guide the development of a bill to reauthorize America COMPETES, the 2010 and 2013 law, now expired, that authorized basic research at the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute for Science and Technology and the Department of Energy. It also supported programs to enhance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education.
Scientists hope that the Senate’s deliberative process will counteract the House bill that contains an unprecedented attack on geoscience research at NSF.
AAPG has joined with other geoscience societies to brief congressional staff on basic scientific concepts on energy resources in a series of 1-hour congressional briefings highlighting the vital geoscience information needed for effective policy concerning energy, water, and land resources.