Arctic Update for April 10-21, 2017
Report Contains:
ARCUS Research Seminar Series Talk by Mia Bennett on Social and Economic Impacts of Arctic Transportation Infrastructure – Arctic Research Consortium of The U.S
Russian Foreign Policy – Council on Foreign Relations
Carbon Pricing and the future of global climate cooperation – Brookings Institute
Arctic News Roundup
Authorization of Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Programs- Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee
Hearing on King Cove Land Exchange Act – House Committee on Natural Resources
Are We Heading for a Crisis in Russia? – Brookings Institute
The North American Arctic: Building a Vision for Regional Collaboration – The Wilson Center
hearing to Examine the United States’ Increasing Dependence on Foreign Sources of Minerals and Opportunities to Rebuild and Improve the Supply Chain in the United States – Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources
Oversight Hearing on ESA Consultation Impediments to Economic Development – House Committee on Natural Resources
Hearing to Examine the Potential for Infrastructure Improvements to Create Jobs and Reduce the Cost of Living Through All-Of-The-Above Energy and Mineral Production in Alaska – Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
Broadband: Deploying America’s 21st Century Infrastructure – Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
Report: Arctic Imperative, Reinforcing U.S Strategy on America’s Fourth Coast – Council on Foreign Relations
State of the Coast Guard: Ensuring Military, National Security, and Enforcement Capability and Readiness – Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard
Climate Change and the Corporate Interest: Catherine McKenna – Center for Strategic and International Studies
Roundtable Discussion – Infrastructure in Indian Country – Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Oversight Hearing Examining the Creation and Management of Marine Monuments and Sanctuaries – House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Power, and Oceans
Oversight Hearing on Identifying Innovate Infrastructure Ideas for the National Park Service and Forest Service – House Committee on
Dr. John Farrell, Executive Director of the U.S Arctic Research Commission, spoke at ARCUS headquarters in Washington, DC on Feb. 22, providing an overview of Arctic science and how science fits with policy and the new administration.
Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), chairman of the House Environment Subcommittee, called the hearing on environmental laws to discuss their impacts on economic growth and how environmental regulations could be modernized.
In his opening statement, Rep. Shimkus said he wants to remove EPA’s barriers to development and accelerate infrastructure growth. He said EPA’s slow pace on regulation and permitting prevents realistic project timelines, and the uncertainty leads to lost investments.
Modernizing and improving the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was the subject of a hearing in the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee on Feb. 15. The hearing focused mostly on streamlining the act and removing inefficiencies in the act with the listing and de-listing process.
The policies and practices of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency came under full scrutiny at a hearing held by the House Science, Space & Technology Committee on Feb. 7. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX), the chairman, said that the EPA has pursued a political agenda that wasn’t based on science during President Barack Obama’s administration, and the agency proposed regulations that had no significant impact on the environment.
The dramatic changes in Arctic environmental conditions and their effect on lower latitude weather patterns was the subject of a public lecture hosted by the U.S. Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) Program on Feb. 2. Stephen J. Varcus of the University of Wisconsin Madison discussed his recent work with Jennifer Francis of Rutgers University that asked the question: Is the Arctic meltdown contributing to extreme weather events around the world?