In this issue:
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE! APPLY FOR AN ASME FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FELLOWSHIP, INCLUDING A NEW OPPORTUNITY AT USAID!
ASME is currently accepting applications for participation in its Federal Government Fellowship Program through which ASME members provide engineering and technical expertise to policy-makers in Congress. Federal Fellows provide a valuable public service to the nation, while at the same time providing engineers with a unique opportunity to participate directly in the public policy making process.
ASME Congressional Fellowships
ASME is seeking individuals interested in serving as a 2012-2013 Congressional Fellow, who would spend one year in Washington, D.C. working with the staff of a congressional committee, U.S. Senator or U.S. Representative. Congressional Fellowships are designed to demonstrate the value of engineering-government interaction, bring technical backgrounds and external perspectives to the decision making process in Congress and provide a unique public policy learning experience to the Fellow. Because of the limited number of Congressional Fellowships available, the process is very competitive. The following credentials are encouraged: at least five years of professional experience; an advanced engineering degree; professional engineer registration; and, some public policy experience.
United States Agency for International Development
This year, ASME is also pleased to announce a Federal Government Fellowship opportunity with the USAID, the principal federal agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms.
USAID is currently developing Grand Challenges for Development in rain-fed agriculture and off grid, renewable energy for agriculture. The Office of Science & Technology seeks a fellow who can help drive the development of these two challenges, ensure that the problem statement is scientifically valid and rooted in the most current data and information, and liaise with the necessary and appropriate parties – both within and outside of USAID. The Fellow will be expected to provide scientific, technical, and intellectual leadership, and analytical support contributing to the advancement of the Grand Challenges effort. The Fellow will serve as a liaison with internal and external partners, helping USAID enhance its network of development solution providers. The Fellow will also serve as an engineering adviser to the Director of the Office of Science & Technology.
All ASME Fellows will be awarded a stipend of $60,000 for the one year Fellowship. ASME Federal Fellows typically serve from September through August, but a January through December term is sometimes an option. Applications are accepted annually from December 1st through March 31st. All Fellows must be U.S. citizens and ASME members at the time of application.
To apply for an ASME Congressional Fellowship, fill out the online application at: https://secure.asme.org/fedgovfellows/appform.cfm and provide the requested materials. The application deadline is March 31, 2012.
For additional information about the ASME Federal Government Fellowship Program, visit: http://www.asme.org/NewsPublicPolicy/GovRelations/Programs/Federal_Government.cfm
or contact Patti Jo Snyder, ASME Government Relations, at
snyderp@asme.org
PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PROPOSED HIGHER EDUCATION CHANGES IN SOTU
In his State of the Union address and a follow-up speech at the University of Michigan, President Barack Obama announced a major new higher education initiative, “a new, $1 billion version of his signature Race to the Top competition aimed at encouraging states to improve their higher education systems—while requiring that they maintain adequate levels of funding for higher education if they hope to win one of the grants.”
In addition, the Administration would create a $55 million grant contest, called the "First in the World" competition, to help institutions scale up promising strategies in areas such as technology and early-college preparation.
During his speech, President Obama warned universities that they might be in “danger of losing key federal student financial aid if they don't keep tuition in check and are unable to graduate higher numbers of students, including those eligible for Pell Grants, which help low-income students pay for college.” Specifically, the Administration would like to rethink the formula for distributing campus-based aid, such as that in the Perkins Loan Program, to reward institutions that keep tuition costs down while graduating higher numbers of low-income students.
To implement both proposals, Congressional approval would be needed, and to date, the reaction on Capitol Hill has been mixed.
Interestingly enough, the President did not address much of his K-12 agenda during his speech, specifically the Race to the Top program or the Administration’s recent decision to consider granting states NCLB waivers. An analysis from Education Week said that this could due to Congressional Republicans’ recent criticisms and efforts to de-fund these initiatives—or the President was concerned about alienating teachers, many of whom have not been supportive of the aforementioned initiatives.
To review the entire Education Week analysis, please visit: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/02/01/19obama.h31.html?tkn=MWYF9HY9AjCE5aSYLfx9eODaJPyHJ4yT2Frv&cmp=clp-edweek
The full text of the President’s State of the Union can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/24/remarks-president-state-union-address
Melissa Carl handles public policy-related science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education issues for ASME. She can be reached at:
carlm@asme.org
SENATE ENERGY COMMITTEE EXAMINES ENERGY OUTLOOK FOR 2012
On January 31st, the full Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the U.S. and global energy outlook for 2012. The discussion focused on the January 23rd release of the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) 2012 Annual Energy Outlook (AEO2012) Early Release Reference case, which provides updated projections for U.S. energy markets through 2035.
In his opening statement, Chairman Jeff Bingaman stated “The oil market outlook in the U.S. is brighter than we would have thought possible, even a few short years ago. Our oil production is up, our production of alternative liquid fuels is up by about the same amount, and our reliance on imported petroleum is down. At the same time, our cars and trucks are using that oil more efficiently than before. The United States has successfully reversed what seemed to be an inevitable trend of becoming ever more dependent on imported oil. This is an accomplishment we can all be grateful for.”
“However, it is important to note that in part because of this enhanced U.S. security, we, the United States, are no longer the primary driver behind the world oil markets and prices. As our oil production has gone up in the past few years, oil prices have gone up as well. The U.S. became a net exporter of refined products in recent months; yet consumers are still paying higher prices at the pump.”
In his testimony, Ambassador Richard H. Jones, Deputy Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, elaborated on Senator Bingaman’s remarks by saying, “Many have pointed to the apparent paradox of prices at or above $100/bbl when the world apparently faces the prospect of economic slow-down and therefore diminishing levels of likely oil demand growth. The invisible hand of market speculators is often referred to as having held oil prices artificially high. And yet detailed research has so far failed to identify a smoking gun in the commodities
derivatives markets:
- there is no clear link between futures market activity and oil price moves;
- market volatility has declined from 2008 highs and is not out of line with
historical levels or compared with that in other commodity markets;
- evidence is slim surrounding so-called ‘excessive speculation’;
- and indeed, both price levels and volatility for exchange-traded
commodities have been less exaggerated than they have for their nonexchange-traded counterparts.”
For more information about the hearing, please visit: http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_ID=f6a77ac0-c30d-ed7b-4fa0-9646db7cfb11
An archived web cast of the hearing is also available at: http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?Fuseaction=Hearings.LiveStream&Hearing_id=f6a77ac0-c30d-ed7b-4fa0-9646db7cfb11
Additional information about the AEO2012 Early Release Case can be found in the January 30th Edition of Capitol Update. To review the case, please visit: http://www.eia.gov/forecasts/aeo/er/pdf/0383er(2012).pdf.
Robert Rains handles public policy-related energy issues for ASME. He can be reached at:
rainsr@asme.org
ENERGY AND COMMERCE SUBCOMMITTEE HOLDS HEARING ON BLUE RIBBON COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS
On February 1st, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy held a hearing on “Recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future.”
The new report, presented to Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu on January 26th, outlines a series of recommendations to help improve the nation’s nuclear waste program, including the need for a permanent waste disposal site.
The strategy outlined in the Commission report contains three crucial elements. First, the Commission recommends a consent‐based approach to siting future nuclear waste storage and disposal facilities, noting that trying to force such facilities on unwilling states, tribes and communities has not worked. Second, the Commission recommends that the responsibility for the nation’s nuclear waste management program be transferred to a new organization, one that is independent of the DOE and dedicated solely to assuring the safe storage and ultimate disposal of spent nuclear waste fuel and high level radioactive waste. Third, the Commission recommends changing the manner in which fees being paid into the Nuclear Waste Fund, about $750 million a year, are treated in the federal budget to ensure they are being set aside and available for use as Congress initially intended.
The report also recommends immediate efforts to commence development of at least one geologic disposal facility and at least one consolidated storage facility, as well as efforts to prepare for the eventual large‐scale transport of spent nuclear fuel and high‐level waste from current storage sites to those facilities. The report also recommends the U.S. continue to provide support for nuclear energy innovation and workforce development, as well as strengthening its international leadership role in efforts to address safety, waste management, non‐proliferation and security concerns.
The report did not evaluate Yucca Mountain or any other location as a potential site for the storage of spent nuclear fuel or disposal of high level waste, nor did it take a position on the Administration’s request to withdraw the Yucca Mountain license application.
Additional background information on the hearing can be found at: http://republicans.energycommerce.house.gov/Media/file/Hearings/Environment/020112/HMTG-112-HHRG-IF18-20120201-SD001.pdf
The opening statement of Chairman John Shimkus is available at: http://republicans.energycommerce.house.gov/Media/file/Hearings/Environment/020112/HHRG-112-IF18-MState-S000364-20120201.pdf
To review the complete 180-page DOE report, please visit: http://brc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/brc_finalreport_jan2012.pdf
Robert Rains handles public policy-related energy issues for ASME. He can be reached at:
rainsr@asme.org
SCIENCE PANEL EXAMINES EPA'S APPROACH TO GROUND WATER RESEARCH
Also on February 1st, the House Science Energy and Environment Subcommittee held a hearing entitled “Fractured Science – Examining EPA’s Approach to Ground Water Research: The Pavillion Analysis.” On December 8, 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft analysis of data from its Pavillion, Wyoming ground water investigation. EPA’s analysis of samples taken from the Agency’s deep monitoring wells in the aquifer “indicates detection of synthetic chemicals, like glycols and alcohols consistent with gas production and hydraulic fracturing fluids, benzene concentrations well above Safe Drinking Water Act standards and high methane levels. Given the area’s complex geology and the proximity of drinking water wells to ground water contamination, EPA is concerned about the movement of contaminants within the aquifer and the safety of drinking water wells over time.”
Witnesses highlighted a number of concerns with EPA’s December 8, 2011 draft findings, including the failure of the Agency to adequately consult with state and federal experts, the release of conclusions prior to adequate peer review, lack of adherence to information quality guidelines, a lack of data transparency, and sampling and monitoring well issues that call into question many of the results.
Chairman Andy Harris’ opening statement, as well as the written testimony of the witnesses, may be found at: http://science.house.gov/sites/republicans.science.house.gov/files/documents/hearings/HHRG-112-SY20-20120201-SD001.pdf
For more information about the hearing, please visit: http://science.house.gov/press-release/witnesses-say-epa-ground-water-research-report-requires-further-scrutiny
A summary of EPA’s aforementioned analysis may be reviewed at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/0/ef35bd26a80d6ce3852579600065c94e?OpenDocument
The complete 121-page draft analysis is available at: http://www.epa.gov/region8/superfund/wy/pavillion/EPA_ReportOnPavillion_Dec-8-2011.pdf
The hearing also addressed the findings of a recent Congressional Research Service (CRS) study, “The EPA Draft Report of Groundwater Contamination Near Pavillion, Wyoming: Main Findings and Stakeholder Responses,” released on January 25th. The report is available at: http://wyofile.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/R42327-2.pdf
The hearing was webcast live in its entirety at: www.science.house.gov, and an archived version of the webcast is publicly available on that website.
Robert Rains handles public policy-related energy issues for ASME. He can be reached at:
rainsr@asme.org
NEW GAO REPORT ANALYZES THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S STEM PROGRAMS
In mid-January, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report analyzing the federal efforts, funded at more than $3 billion in total, to improve STEM education across thirteen agencies. While the report found most of the programs identified "overlapped to some degree with at least one other program,” the report said this overlap should not automatically be interpreted as redundancy. However, the report also notes that a majority of these programs have not been subject to comprehensive effectiveness evaluations since 2005. In addition, those programs with evaluations were not always in alignment with program objectives. The report was requested by House Education and Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN).
Elaborating on the potential duplication, the GAO report continues, "Many programs have a broad scope, serving multiple target groups with multiple services. However, even when programs overlap, the services they provide and the populations they serve may differ in meaningful ways and would therefore not necessarily be duplicative. Nonetheless, the programs are similar enough that they need to be well coordinated and guided by a robust strategic plan."
The conclusion of the GAO report calls on the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to lead a government-wide STEM education strategic planning effort, working with the other federal agencies “to better align their activities with a government-wide strategy, develop a plan for sustained coordination, identify programs for potential consolidation or elimination, and assist agencies in determining how to better evaluate their programs.”
OSTP is already drafting such a STEM strategic plan, which is slated to be released in conjunction with the Administration’s FY 2013 budget. In addition, the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) recently released its own report, which was described as "the most detailed inventory of the federal STEM education portfolio ever compiled.” Regarding duplication, the NSTC said, "There is only modest overlap in investments and no duplication among the STEM education investments. That does not mean that there are not opportunities for better alignment and deployment of STEM resources."
In responding to the findings of the GAO report, Chairman Kline released the following statement, "The federal government has dedicated significant resources to developing STEM programs, yet taxpayers have seen little evidence that these programs are actually working. According to the GAO, only about a quarter of the 209 federal STEM programs have been evaluated for efficacy since 2005, and nearly 90 percent overlap with at least one other program. Investing in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is a worthwhile endeavor—but pumping billions of dollars into programs that may be duplicative or unproductive is just plain foolish."
Also of interest, Chairman Kline’s draft bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that was released in early January would eliminate the $150 million Math and Science Partnerships program at the U.S. Department of Education.
For more analysis about the GAO report, please visit: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/curriculum/2012/01/gao_overlap_in_stem_programs_n.html
The GAO report itself can be found at: http://gao.gov/products/GAO-12-108
Melissa Carl handles public policy-related science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education issues for ASME. She can be reached at:
carlm@asme.org
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER RESIGNS
Aneesh Chopra, the first Chief Information Officer of the U.S., has announced his resignation effective February 8th. In a blog posting, John P. Holdren, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), made the following observations on Chopra’s contribution to the nation:
“When President Obama came into office in January 2009, the Administration found a Federal government relying too heavily on 20th century technology. On his first day on the job, the President created the position of ‘Chief Technology Officer’ to modernize our government while helping the country meet its goals from job creation, to reducing health care costs, to protecting the homeland.”
Holdren continued, “Aneesh has led that charge in an energetic, innovative, and amazingly effective manner, and sowed the seeds necessary to bring our government into the 21st century. Working with Aneesh for nearly three years has been an invigorating experience. Among a dizzying array of accomplishments, Aneesh helped design the President’s National Wireless Initiative, including the development of a nationwide public safety broadband network, establish a set of Internet Policy Principles including the call for a Consumer Privacy Bill of Rights, and led the implementation of the President’s open government strategy focused on unlocking the innovative potential of the federal government to solve problems and seed the jobs and industries of the future. I want to personally thank him for his leadership, friendship, and—most importantly—for his dedication and work on behalf of the American people.”
There is speculation that Chopra may run for lieutenant governor of Virginia, where he was the secretary of technology before moving to the White House.
Paul Fakes handles public policy-related research and development issues for ASME. He can be reached at:
fakesp@asme.org
THE ARTICLES CONTAINED IN CAPITOL UPDATE ARE NOT POSITIONS OF ASME OR ANY OF
ITS SUB-ENTITIES, UNLESS SPECIFICALLY NOTED AS SUCH. THIS PUBLICATION IS DESIGNED
TO INFORM ASME MEMBERS ABOUT ISSUES OF CONCERN BEING DEBATED AND DISCUSSED IN
THE HALLS OF CONGRESS, IN THE STATES, AND IN THE FEDERAL AGENCIES.
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