Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/RL33528/2010-02-23/download/1013/ [From Summary] There is ongoing interest in the pace of U.S. technological advancement due to its influence on U.S. economic growth, productivity, and international competitiveness. Because technology can contribute to economic growth and productivity increases, congressional attention has focused on how to augment private-sector technological development. Legislative activity over the past … Continue reading »
Posted on April 19, 2010 …
Repairing and Reconstructing Disaster-Damaged Roads and Bridges : The Role of Federal-Aid Highway Assistance
Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/RS22268/2010-02-22/download/1013/ [From Summary] The major highways and bridges damaged during the June 2008 Midwest flooding and the 2005 Gulf of Mexico hurricanes, as well as the I-35W bridge, which collapsed in Minneapolis on August 1, 2007, are part of the federal-aid highway system and are therefore eligible for assistance under the Federal … Continue reading »
Changes in the Arctic : Background and Issues for Congress
Congressional Research Service http://opencrs.com/document/R41153/ [Summary] The diminishment of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has heightened concerns about the region’s future. The United States, by virtue of Alaska, is an Arctic country and has substantial interests in the region. On January 12, 2009, the George W. Bush Administration … Continue reading »
Deforestation and Climate Change
Congressional Research Service http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41144.pdf [Summary] …Policies aimed at reducing deforestation are central points of a strategy to decrease carbon emissions, reflected in pending legislation in Congress (e.g., H.R. 2454 and S. 1733) as well as in international discussions, such as the December 2009 negotiations in Copenhagen…Congress and international bodies are discussing various policies to reduce … Continue reading »
Extended Range Forecast of Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity and Landfall Strike Probability for 2010
Colorado State University, Dr. William Gray, Professor of Atmospheric Science http://tropical.atmos.colostate.edu/forecasts/2010/april2010/apr2010.pdf [Abstract] Information obtained through March 2010 indicates that the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season will have significantly more activity than the average 1950-2000 season. We estimate that 2010 will have about 8 hurricanes (average is 5.9), 15 named storms (average is 9.6), 75 named storm … Continue reading »
Fifth Climate Action Report to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
US Dept. of State http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/rpts/car5/index.htm [Docuticker] The Department of State has issued a Federal Register Notice notifying interested members of the public of the opportunity to submit comments on the draft fifth National Communication on U.S. climate change actions. This document, also called the U.S. Climate Action Report 2010, is a requirement for all Annex … Continue reading »
Extreme Allergies and Global Warming
National Wildlife Federation http://tinyurl.com/y3x7t4j [From Press Release] A new report says many allergy triggers are worsening as a result of climate change unless action is taken to curb global warming pollution and prepare communities for the changes to come. Tree pollen is the most common trigger for spring hay fever allergies. With spring arriving 10 … Continue reading »
Increasing Energy Efficiency : A Key Step in Securing America’s Energy Future
U.S. Chamber of Commerce http://www.energyxxi.org/images/efficiencypaperfinal.pdf [Docuticker] Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the Institute for 21st Century Energy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, today told lawmakers that while targeted tax incentives can play a role in fostering deployment of clean energy, there are other instruments that may prove to be more impactful and less … Continue reading »
Ten Thousand Commandments : An Annual Snapshot of the Federal Regulatory State
Competitive Enterprise Institute http://cei.org/10KC [Docuticker] Federal regulations cost a whopping $1.187 trillion last year in compliance burdens on Americans. That’s the finding of a new report, Ten Thousand Commandments: An Annual Snapshot of the Federal Regulatory State, from the Competitive Enterprise Institute that examines the costs imposed by federal regulations. “Trillion-dollar deficits and regulatory costs … Continue reading »
Guidance for Industry: Prevention of Salmonella Enteritidis in Shell Eggs During Production, Transportation, and Storage; Small Entity Compliance Guide
US FDA http://tinyurl.com/y3hwc4a [Docuticker] [The FDA has] published guidance for small egg producers to help them comply with a 2009 federal egg safety regulation designed to prevent Salmonella Enteritidis in shell eggs during production, transportation, and storage. The FDA published the egg safety regulation in July 2009. It requires egg producers to have preventive measures … Continue reading »
