The Monthly Review is part of a continuing effort to improve communications about the role of geoscience in policy.

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December 2017

congress

• Senate Commerce Committee votes to advance earthquake and drought bills and NOAA nominee
• Congress ends session by passing tax reform and continuing federal funding into January, but delays disaster aid

education

• House passes three bipartisan bills to advance science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

energy

• USGS releases new assessment of oil and gas resources in Alaska’s North Slope, following annual lease sale
• Trump administration moves to revise Obama-era energy regulations through rulemaking process

federal agencies & administration

• Trump administration slashes 2 Utah monuments, with ongoing reviews to spur more reductions

natural hazards

• Congress reauthorizes U.S. Fire Administration and grant programs in wake of recent wildfire disasters

natural resources

• House lawmakers discuss Grand Staircase-Escalante during Natural Resources subcommittee hearing
• House Natural Resources hearing revisits U.S. dependence on foreign minerals
• President Trump and Secretary Zinke sign orders to advance domestic production of critical minerals

federal register

• Federal Register - December 2017

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Monthly Review prepared by: Maeve Boland, Geoscience Policy Director; Anna Normand, Geoscience Policy Associate; Michelle Barreto, Geoscience Policy Associate.

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Compiled January 5, 2018