^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AWG E-MAIL NEWS 20001-7, 28 February 2001 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ CONTENTS: 1) PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE,MATHEMATICS AND ENGINEERING MENTORING: CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 2) ENERGY INDUSTRY INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 3) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM SPECIAL UPDATE: 2-28-01 4) POSITIN OPENINGS 5) SUBMISSION, ADVERTISING, ADDRESS CHANGE & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 1) Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring: 2001 Call for Nominations: The Executive Office of the President of the United States has established the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM) program. The program, administered on behalf of the White House by the National Science Foundation, seeks to identify outstanding mentoring efforts/programs designed to enhance the participation of groups underrepresented in science, mathematics and engineering. The awardees will serve as exemplars to their colleagues and will be leaders in the national effort to more fully develop the Nation's human resources in science, mathematics and engineering. Nominations to honor individuals and institutions are invited for the 2001 competition of these annual awards. The deadline for nominations is April 26, 2001. The program announcement, NSF 01-54, is available electronically via NSF's Online Document System at . 222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222 2) Energy Industry International Conference John Mogford (Group VP - HSE, BP Amoco) and Aidan Murphy (VP- Global Climate Change, Shell) have just confirmed they will be joining a high-level speaker faculty at an Energy Industry International Conference "Developing a Sustainable Environmental Strategy" Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th April, London. This major conference will outline how the major players have evolved a more modern, pro-active environmental strategy. By attending the conference you will be able to assess the way the upstream oil and gas industry impacts upon the environment, and facilitate the development of strategies to mitigate these effects and lay the foundations for a sustainable future. If you need a hard copy or electronic copy of the conference agenda, please email me and I will send you an updated version. Samanda Davison davison@gbnuk.com Visit our website: www.gbnuk.com 333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333 33 3333333 3) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM SPECIAL UPDATE: 2-28-01 *** President Bush Releases Budget Blueprint IN A NUTSHELL: President Bush released his budget outline for fiscal year (FY) 2002. Entitled "A Blueprint for New Beginnings: A Responsible Budget for America's Priorities," the document only provides funding levels for broad budgetary categories and for agency totals -- for example, the only number for the National Science Foundation is its overall $4.5 billion allocation, and it does not provides any numbers for the U.S. Geological Survey. Detailed numbers will be provided on April 3rd. The document does specify a number of proposed changes, for example the elimination of the Project Impact hazard mitigation program at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This update includes excerpts from the budget document and comments on the president's proposals for key geoscience agencies. ********************** Addressing a joint session of Congress on February 27th, President George W. Bush made the case for his fiscal year (FY) 2002 budget. During the speech, Bush said: "Last year, government spending shot up 8 percent. That's far more than our economy grew, and far more than the rate of inflation. If you continue on that road, you will spend the surplus and have to dip into Social Security to pay other bills. Unrestrained government spending is a dangerous road to deficits, so we must take a different path." The budget blueprint released earlier today reflects that intention. All of the following quotes are taken directly from the budget document, which is available online at http://w3.access.gpo.gov/usbudget/index.html. *** Department of the Interior "The 2002 Budget provides DOI with $9.8 billion. This represents a four-percent reduction below 2001 but a 15-percent increase (almost $1.3 billion) over the 2000 level." Bush's budget would fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund at $900 million and provide support to eliminate the National Park Service maintenance backlog within five years. Funds would also be available to begin planning studies on oil and gas production in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. No specific numbers were provided for the U.S. Geological Survey, but the budget outline did state: "The budget also proposes to better target many U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) activities. The self-stated performance goal of USGS is 'to provide science for a changing world.' DOI is examining ways to focus USGS on providing sound science to support the Department's land management agencies in their decision-making processes." As reported in an AGI alert, previous reports indicated that cuts to the USGS could run as high as 22 percent. We have received copies of over 200 letters sent by concerned geoscientists to Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton and OMB Director Mitchell Daniels. The pressure to reduce the size of the cut to USGS appears to be making some headway, but the phrase "better target" in the budget outline does not bode well for eliminating the cut altogether. *** National Science Foundation The president's budget provides $4.5 billion for the National Science Foundation (NSF) of which approximately $1.5 billion is "for new research and education awards in 2002, to fund nearly 10,000 new competitively reviewed grants." The budget total represents a 1-percent increase over FY 2001 as reported by the Wall Street Journal last week. "The 2001 enacted level for NSF included a number of earmarked and lower-priority projects. While the majority of projects must be assessed in their merits through an extensive review process, many of these projects do not face such scrutiny and often address lower-priority areas or needs. The 2002 Budget does not renew funding for these projects, saving $45 million." "The budget also better focuses facility project resources by maintaining commitments for the Large Hadron Collider, the Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation, and Terascale Computing Systems. Facility project spending will be reduced by $13 million, reflecting no new starts or major facility projects in 2002." The "no new starts" pledge makes it very unlikely that the president's budget request will include the Earthscope project, which was recently endorsed by a new report from the National Research Council (Basic Research Opportunities in the Earth Sciences, available online at http://www.nap.edu). Many of the letters from geoscientists to OMB have stressed the value of this project and other geoscience programs at NSF. *** Department of Energy The budget provides $19.0 billion for the Department of Energy, a three- percent reduction from FY 2001 levels. No specific numbers are given for science programs within DOE, but the budget document does comment on the need for more aggressive cost-sharing requirements in DOE's applied R&D programs: "Subsidies to industry average 50 percent and exemptions are common. Federal R&D funds could be better leveraged and R&D projects would stay more focused on real market needs if the level and consistency of R&D cost-sharing requirements were increased." "Using a consortium of companies to direct research funding to address broad industry issues, a restructured 'clean coal' research program will spend more that $2 billion over 10 years for technology and efficiency improvements to reduce the environmental impact of the use of coal." "As part of the Administration's plan to allow oil and gas drilling in a small part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and other Federal lands, bonuses paid by winning ANWR bidders, up to $1.2 billion, will be set aside to help fund enhanced research on alternative energy technologies. Bidding bonuses are estimated to be received in 2004." The big increase for clean coal technology programs in a declining budget has many geoscientists worried about the fate of the petroleum and natural gas programs also located in the Office of Fossil Energy. Reductions to those programs could run over 50 percent. *** Department of Commerce "Within the more than $3 billion budgeted for the Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), increased funding of $83 million is provided to continue procurement of the next generation of weather satellites. The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System, which is being jointly developed with the Department of Defense, will provide advanced measurements to benefit both near-term weather and longer-range climatic analyses." "Funding is eliminated for the Coastal Impact Assistance Fund, which overlaps with the more general Coastal Zone Management Act grant program, as well as a number of unrequested projects." "The budget proposes to end the Emergency Steel and Oil and Gas Loan Guarantee programs after the second round of applications. Adequate funding would remain to address pending applicants for both programs. The oil and gas program was created when oil and gas prices were far below current levels, and demand for this program has been particularly limited." ***Environmental Protection Agency Following Bush's campaign promise to increase states' flexibility in meeting federal regulations, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) budget bestows $1 billion in grants to states for environmental programs. Core regulatory research, and enforcement activities would receive $3.7 billion. "EPA will also redirect resources to develop new, more effective methods to achieve environmental progress. EPA will set high standards for environmental protection, make those expectations clear, and focus on results and performance. To reach those goals, EPA will place greater emphasis on innovative approaches to environmental protection, such as market-based incentives. . . . The Federal Government will continue to play a crucial role in environmental protection, and EPA will seek higher levels of cooperation among stakeholders. . . . In addition, EPA intends to improve the role of science in decision-making by having scientific information and analysis help in directing policy and establishing priorities. The EPA will also enhance its approach to environmental information by making data collection and management more efficient and more accurate, reduce paperwork for regulated entities, and standardize business practices." *** Federal Emergency Management Agency The president's budget provides $2 billion for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) core operations. According to the budget document, savings within FEMA are made by eliminating the Project Impact disaster preparedness program, requiring public buildings to carry disaster insurance, reducing the federal share "for hazard mitigation grants from 75 percent to 50 percent," phase out the fire grant program, and reform the National Flood Insurance Program to end coverage for "repetitive loss" properties. The budget does maintain $140 million for the Emergency Food and Shelter Program, which will be "administered by a board of charitable, non-profit, and faith-based organizations." --Special update prepared by Margaret Baker and David Applegate, AGI Government Affairs Program Sources: White House Office of Management and Budget "A Blueprint for New Beginnings: A Responsible Budget for America's Priorities" 444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4) POSTION OPENINGS ***University of Tennessee, Knoxville-Hydrogeology Hydrogeology. The Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in hydrogeology at the Assistant Professor level. A Ph.D in hydrogeology, engineering, soil hydrology, or a related field is required at the time of appointment (in August 2001 or January 2002). Expertise in one of more of the following areas is desirable: numerical modeling; fractured soils and rocks; karst; vadose zone processes; wetlands; groundwater geochemistry and microbiology; colloid transport; multi- phase flow; and contaminant transport and remediation. The successful candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate and graduate courses, direct theses and dissertations, and develop a strong, externally funded research program that complements the Department's current strengths in contaminant hydrogeology, soils, stable isotopes and organic geochemistry.The Department of Geological Sciences has 15 tenure-track faculty, 12 research or adjunct faculty, and 6 post- docs. We have a wide range of laboratory facilities, and two field hydrogeology teaching and research sites. We also have access to world-class environmental laboratories through our strong ties with the multidisciplinary UT Center for Environmental Biotechnology (CEB at http://web.utk.edu/~cebweb/cebfinal.html) and nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL at http://www.ornl.gov). Applicants should send a resume, a letter describing research and teaching interests, copies of recent publications, transcripts or a list of university courses taken, and three letters of reference (references may be faxed or e-mailed) to Professor Kula Misra, Search Committee Chair, Dept. of Geological Sciences, 1412 Circle Drive, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-1410; Fax 865-974-2368; E-mail: . Applications and references are due by March 15, 2001. For additional information see: http://geoweb.gg.utk.edu and http://web.utk.edu/~hydro. UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer. ***Bowdoin College-Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology/Mineralogy Bowdoin College The Geology Department invites applications for a one-year appointment in mineralogy/petrology at the Assistant Profess or or Instructor level for the 2001-2002 academic year. We seek an individual with a strong commitment to teaching who also will supervise undergraduate majors in research. The selected applicant will teach Igneous/Metamorphic Petrology in the fall and will teach Mineralogy and another intermediate-level course in the spring.Bowdoin College (www.bowdoin.edu) is a highly selective undergraduate liberal-arts college on the Maine coast, about half an hour from Portland and two hours from Boston. Superb exposures of crystalline rocks near campus and a new SEM-EDS provide resources for teaching and research. Candidates should submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and statement of research and teaching goals, and arrange to have three letters of reference sent to the Search Committee, Geology Department, 6800 College Station, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME 04011. Review of applications will begin on March 26, 2001. Bowdoin College is committed to equal opportunity through affirmative action. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. ***Saskatchewan Research Council-Senior Hydrologist/Quaternary Geologist To complement its Hydrogeology Section, the Saskatchewan Research Council is looking for a Hydrogeologist with significant knowledge of Quaternary geology (or a Quaternary Geologist with relevant experience of applying Quaternary geology to hydrogeology). The candidate will participate in existing applied research projects, such as developing frameworks for groundwater management and the preparation of GIS based geology and groundwater maps, and pursue the development and delivery of her/his own projects. Applications deadline April 9, 2001 to: Staff Resource Services, Saskatchewan Research Council, 15 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, Sk. S7N 2X8 or fax: (306) 933-7446; or e-mail: wright@src.sk.ca SRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer ***Texas A&M University-Tenure Track Faculty Position, Siliciclastic Sedimentologist/Stratigrapher The Department of Geology and Geophysics at Texas A&M University invites applications for a tenure-track appointment at the Assistant Professor level in siliciclastic sedimentology/stratigraphy. Review of applicants will begin on 15 January 2001, with an anticipated starting date of August 2001. The successful candidate is expected to teach at both graduate and undergraduate levels and will develop and conduct an externally funded research program. A Ph.D. is required by the time employment begins. The specific research field of the successful candidate is open, although experience in petrographic and facies analyses, modern stratigraphic studies, and basin-scale studies is desirable. The ideal candidate should be interested in developing ties with the petroleum industry. Expertise with quantitative approaches to sedimentologic/ stratigraphic analysis is also desirable. We seek an individual who will complement existing departmental programs in basin studies, environmental studies, global change and paleoclimate, petroleum geosciences, reservoir characterization, sedimentary geochemistry, seismic interpretation, sequence stratigraphy, and tectonics and sedimentation. Significant opportunities also exist for the successful candidate to interact with colleagues in the Departments of Petroleum Engineering, Geography, and Oceanography and geoscientists at the Ocean Drilling Program. For additional information about the Department of Geology & Geophysics at TAMU and research facilities, please check our website at http://geoweb.tamu.edu. Submit a curriculum vitae, selected reprints, a statement of research and teaching interests, and a list of at least three references with postal addresses, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses to: Dr. Steven L. Dorobek, Chair, Siliciclastic Search Committee, Department of Geology & Geophysics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-3115. Women and members of minority groups are especially encouraged to apply. TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY 555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555 5) SUBMISSION, ADVERTISING & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ***Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of AWG E-Mail News. For submissions to AWG E-Mail News, contact Editor Joanne Kluessendorf at editor@awg.org. For advertising, contact the Ad Editor at ads@awg.org. PLEASE SEND AD COPY OR OTHER SUBMISSIONS AS RTF FILES OR AS PART OF AN E-MAIL MESSAGE ***For membership information or to join AWG, visit our website at or contact our business office at