Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Climate Change: The earth is a beautifully complex system From Science Blog: "NASA: We marginalized, mischaracterized climate change data." Here's the link to the NASA report [pdf]. More from Science Blog: The supporting evidence detailed in this report reveals that climate change scientists and the majority of career Public Affairs Officers strongly believe that the alleged actions taken by senior NASA Headquarters Public Affairs officials intended to systemically portray NASA in a light most favorable to Administration policies at the expense of reporting unfiltered research results. Senior NASA Headquarters Office of Public Affairs officials (political appointees3) deny such actions, claiming that many of the proposed news releases were poorly written or too technical in nature for meaningful broad public dissemination. With respect to NASA's climate change research activities, we found no evidence indicating that NASA blocked or interfered with the actual research activities of its climate change scientists. In contrast to our findings associated with the NASA Headquarters Office of Public Affairs, we found that NASA systematically distributed its technical climate change research throughout the scientific community and otherwise made it available through a variety of specialized forums, such as scientific journals, professional conferences, and public appearances by NASA scientists. Further, our recent audit of NASA's formal process for releasing scientific and technical data resulting from research conducted by its employees and contractors found no evidence that the process was used as a means to inappropriately suppress the release of scientific or technical data at the four NASA Field Centers reviewed.4 Of the 287 authors surveyed at those Field Centers, none indicated that they had experienced or knew of someone who had experienced actual or perceived suppression of their research by NASA management.5 In short, the defects we found are associated with the manner of operation of the NASA Headquarters Office of Public Affairs and are largely due to the actions of a few key senior employees of that office. grist: "A new report from the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, finds that strong climate policy is a driver for a healthy economy." "cc" 6:00:41 PM     Energy policy: Nuclear Here's an update on reaction to HB 08-1161 in northern Colorado from The North Forty News. From the article: A coalition of local legislators was critical to passage of a bill imposing stricter standards for developing and reclaiming uranium-mining operations, such as the one proposed in Weld County between Nunn and Wellington. Gov. Bill Ritter on May 20 signed into law House Bill 1161 following its passage by overwhelming margins in the state legislature. House co-sponsors were Fort Collins Democrats Randy Fischer and John Kefalas. Republican Steve Johnson and Democrat Bob Bacon carried the measure in the senate. The bill mandates that in-situ leach uranium mine operators meet stringent standards to prevent groundwater contamination and to assure that water remains at its original or better quality after they leave. "I think it does accomplish all or most of what we intended," said Fischer. "If not, we may be back next year or some time in the future." "Powertech can live with it," said company president Robert Clement... Organized as Coloradoans Against Resource Destruction, opponents recruited a diverse allegiance of allies including U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, the Larimer County Medical Society and the Fort Collins City Council--which passed a resolution opposing the project. The Wellington Town Board also passed resolutions opposing the nearby uranium mine and supporting House Bill 1161. Powertech in full-page newspaper advertisements challenged the credibility of the Fort Collins City Council resolution, insisting there was no substantiation for claims that in-situ extraction holds "inherent risks for groundwater contamination." CARD pressed legislators for the bill in concert with groups such as the Colorado Water Congress, Colorado Counties Inc., Denver Water, Environment Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, according to outreach chair Jackie Adolph. Although clearly directed at in-situ leach uranium mining, the bill also for the first time subjects conventional uranium mines to the same state oversight and standards applicable to other types of mines. Under the legislation, those seeking in-situ leach uranium-mining permits must inform property owners within three miles of the mine sites of their intentions. Previously notification was limited to neighboring property owners only. Applicants must present proof that similar mines have operated successfully in a contained manner without causing pollution of the groundwater. Existing site conditions must be documented along with a plan for continued monitoring of the affected land and groundwater. Mining companies would be required to restore that groundwater to original or even more demanding state standards. Permits would be denied to those who could not demonstrate that ability. Reclamation must be completed within five years after it begins... Powertech's Clement said his company and the Colorado Mining Association helped shape the legislation and offered some amendments that were adopted. "Originally it was not the quality of legislation that would be good for the state or the industry," he said. "They helped to make the bill better in some ways," Fischer acknowledged, but added, "I think they would have preferred weaker groundwater standards." "We can achieve the goals set forth in the legislation with the current technology," Clement said. He also said that meeting the conditions contained in the legislation would result in using 20 percent more water in the mining operation than originally expected. More Coyote Gulch coverage here and here. "2008 pres" 6:15:38 AM

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