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January 2018

budget

• Three-day government shutdown ends with fourth continuing appropriations bill for 2018

congress

• Second session of 115th Congress begins with new members and shifting committee assignments

education

• NSF report on the state of U.S. science shows America in the lead as China rapidly advances
• Directors of NSF and NIST testify regarding progress on implementing the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act

energy

• FERC rejects Department of Energy proposal to subsidize coal and nuclear plants
• Interior Department announces plans for U.S. Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program
• House oversight hearing looks at DOI burdens to onshore energy production
• House energy subcommittee holds oversight hearing to discuss permitting for offshore seismic surveys
• Politicians debate efforts to improve the nation’s electrical grid

federal agencies & administration

• Department of the Interior mandates political review for grants of at least $50K to universities and nonprofits
• White House announces intent to nominate Director of the U.S. Geological Survey and re-nominates heads of key science agencies
• President Trump briefly covers energy and infrastructure issues in 2018 State of the Union address

natural hazards

• Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee holds hearing on natural hazards programs

water

• Senate passes bipartisan ocean monitoring and research act
• Two-year delay to WOTUS applicability date finalized after the Supreme Court ruled that challenges belong in federal district courts

federal register

• Federal Register: January 2018

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Monthly Review prepared by: Michelle Barreto, Geoscience Policy Associate; Anna Normand, Geoscience Policy Associate; Cecilia Lopez-Gamundi, Geoscience Policy Intern; Maeve Boland, Geoscience Policy Director.

Compiled February 6, 2018.

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