Science Policy Report

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19 January 2011

In This Issue:

International Corner

Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities

Conferences, Meetings and Reports

Congressional/Administration News

International Corner

This fall, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) launched the Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification, an effort to protect and preserve drylands, currently under threat from desertification, land degradation, and drought (DLDD).Drylands, defined as arid, semiarid, and dry sub-humid areas, are home to one in three people, 90 percent of whom live in the developing world. These threatened areas support half the world’s livestock and make up 44 per cent of the world’s cultivated systems. IFPRI researchers Ephraim Nkonya and Alex De Pinto joined Luc Gnacadja, the Executive Secretary of the UNCCD, December 14-15 in Bonn, Germany for a meeting to discuss the economic scope of DLDD, and its impact on economic growth and food security. Titled the Partnership Meeting on the Assessment of the Economics of Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (E-DLDD), the event hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) was designed to inform the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) or Rio+20 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. In his presentation, Nkonya argued for increased investment in the prevention or mitigation of DLDD. He cited studiesthat show that in the past 50 years, 60 percent of the earth’s ecosystem services were degraded largely due to man-made causes—racking up US$66 billion in damages each year. Nkonya pointed out that though the benefit cost ratio of protecting ecosystem services is 100:1, global investment in biodiversity conservation is only a third of the required investment. 

Rice bred to perform well in the toughest conditions where the poorest farmers grow rice is a step away from reaching farmers thanks to a major project led by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). Green Super Riceis actually a mix of more than 250 different potential rice varieties and hybrids variously adapted to difficult growing conditions such as drought and low inputs, including no pesticide and less fertilizer, and with rapid establishment rates to out-compete weeds, thus reducing the need for herbicides. More types of Green Super Rice that combine many of these traits are in the pipeline.  As reported in the latest issue of Rice Today, Green Super Rice is already in the hands of national agricultural agencies in key rice-growing countries for testing and development. Green Super Rice is an example of what is needed as part of a “Greener Revolution,” which is called for by rice scientists around the world and is one of the driving concepts behind the Global Rice Science Partnership (GRiSP) – a plan to improve international partnerships in rice research, its delivery, and impact that would also ensure that rice is grown in an environmentally sustainable way.

USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah will deliver a major address today at 2pm at an event hosted by the Center for Global Development on The Modern Development Enterprise, addressing the current state of development and formally announcing the Agency's 50th anniversary. "We have worked tirelessly to build a better path to the world we seek. Now we must have the courage to follow it," said Dr. Shah. "The vision for the modern development enterprise is to create conditions where our assistance is no longer needed, replaced over time by efficient local governments, thriving civil societies and vibrant private sectors." USAID will observe a major milestone in 2011 with November 3 marking 50 years since the agency was established by President John F. Kennedy, and to commemorate the occasion, Dr. Shah announced the launch of an anniversary microsite - http://50.usaid.gov- dedicated to celebrating USAID's 50 years of progress, and the visionaries whose spirit of innovation has improved millions of lives in the developing world.

Research, Education, Extension Funding Opportunities

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) this week released the first request for applications (RFA) to the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) funding opportunity to support research, education and extension in fundamental and applied food and agricultural sciences. Details: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/newsroom/news/2011news/01071_afri_rfa.html. Projects funded through this program address the six AFRI priority areas to continue building a foundation of knowledge in fundamental and applied food and agricultural sciences critical for solving current and future societal challenges. The six priority areas include: *Plant health and production and plant products; *Animal health and production and animal products; *Food safety, nutrition and health; *Renewable energy, natural resources and environment; *Agriculture systems and technology; and *Agriculture economics and rural communities.  AFRI is NIFA’s flagship competitive grant program and was established under the 2008 Farm Bill. In FY 2011, approximately $262 million is available to support the AFRI program. Approximately $78 million will be made available to support the Foundational Program. During the next several months, NIFA will release six more RFAs through the AFRI program. Five RFAs will continue to support societal challenge areas where research, education, and extension can achieve significant and measurable outcomes. These challenge areas include: childhood obesity prevention, agricultural adaptation to climate variables, sustainable bioenergy, food safety and global food security. In addition, a seventh RFA will fund opportunities for pre- and postdoctoral fellowship grants. All AFRI program information, including the anticipated release date of the challenge area RFAs and the NIFA Fellowships Grant Program RFA, is available online at www.nifa.usda.gov/afri.

This NASA Research Announcement (NRA) solicits proposals for supporting basic and applied research and technology across a broad range of Earth and space science program elements relevant to one or more of the following NASA Research Programs. Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics. This ROSES NRA covers all aspects of basic and applied supporting research and technology in space and Earth sciences, including development of advanced technologies relevant to SMD missions; development of techniques for and the laboratory analysis of both extraterrestrial samples returned by spacecraft, as well as terrestrial samples that support or otherwise help verify observations from SMD Earth system science missions; determination of atomic and composition parameters needed to analyze space data, as well as returned samples from the Earth or space; Earth surface observations and field campaigns that support SMD science missions; development of integrated Earth system models; development of systems for applying Earth science research data to societal needs; and development of applied information systems applicable to SMD objectives and data. Awards range from under $100K per year for focused, limited efforts (e.g., data analysis) to more than $1M per year for extensive activities (e.g., development of science experiment hardware). Contact: sara@nasa.gov; Phone: 202-358-0879. Deadline 15 March. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=62853

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have awarded a large share of bachelor's degrees to African American students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and HBCUs are the baccalaureate origins of one-quarter to one-third of black science and engineering (S&E) doctorate recipients. To meet the Nation's accelerating demands for STEM talent, more rapid gains in achievement, success and degree production in STEM for underrepresented minority populations are needed. The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) provides awards to develop, implement, and study innovative models and approaches for making dramatic improvements in the preparation and success of underrepresented minority students so that they may participate in STEM graduate programs and the workforce. Support is available for Implementation Projects (including Achieving Competitive Excellence), Broadening Participation Research Projects, Targeted Infusion Projects, Planning Grants, Research Initiation Awards, and other funding opportunities. Deadline 6 April. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=63035

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Educational Programs Office is releasing a Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) for the 2011 SUMMER OF INNOVATION PROJECT. This web-based system supports NASA research from the release of solicitation announcements through the peer review and selection processes. The full Notice of Intent is available at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/or the full text announcement link provided with this synopsis. Institutions eligible to respond to this CAN are limited to accredited US schools, school districts or state departments of education, colleges and universities, non-profit organizations subject to 501(C3) of the US tax code, foundations, trade associations, and state and local governmental associations. Direct questions specifically regarding this solicitation to: Nikki D. Brown NASA GRC Contracting Officer E-mail: grc- 2011summerofinnovation@mail.nasa.gov. Deadline 18 Feb. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=63193

NRCS Oregon requests applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Applications are requested from eligible government or non-government organizations or individuals for competitive consideration of grant awards for projects between one to three years in duration. This notice identifies the objectives for Oregon CIG projects, the eligibility criteria for projects and associated instructions needed to apply to CIG. To participate in the Oregon CIG sign-up, project proposals should request federal funds of $75,000 or less and must be implemented within the state of Oregon. Proposals that request more than $75,000 or are multi-state in scope should be submitted under the National CIG competition: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/cig/index.html. Deadline 31 Mar. Contact:  Phone: (503) 414-3292 E-mail: dennis.kimberlin@or.usda.gov. Details: http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=63253

To promote and strengthen the ability of Hispanic-Serving Institutions to carry out higher education programs that attract, retain, and graduate outstanding students capable of enhancing the nation’s food, agricultural, and natural resource scientific and professional work force. Proposed projects should strengthen the ability of HSIs to enhance their Hispanic-serving capacity and attract, retain, and increase the number of Hispanics that graduate in food, agriculture, nutrition, and natural resources. Deadline 15 Mar. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=63273

The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches into NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides, and references or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. Projects intended to formulate hypothesis do not qualify. CIG is intended to apply proven technology which has been shown to work previously. It is a vehicle to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success, and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer or institutionalization. CIG promotes sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Deadline 11 Feb. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=63233

NRCS is announcing availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovation conservation approaches and technologies within the State of Virginia. Funds will be awarded through a two-phase statewide competitive grants process which will include a pre-proposal for all applications, and a full application package only for competitively selected pre-proposal applicants, pursuant to notification by NRCS/VA. Deadline 18 Feb. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=63673

The purpose of this program is to support Extension Agents who establish Extension education programs on the Indian Reservations and Tribal jurisdictions of Federally-Recognized Tribes. To the extent practicable, priorities should reflect the following national critical needs areas:1) Development of sustainable energy; 2) Increased global food security; 3) Adaptation /mitigation of agriculture and natural resources to global climate change; 4) Reduction of childhood and adolescent obesity; and 5) Improved food safety. Deadline 31 Mar. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=63753

This program was initiated in FY 2000 to assist 1994 Land-Grant Institutions (Tribal Colleges) to conduct agricultural research that addresses high priority concerns of tribal, national, or multistate significance. Awards are to be made on the basis of a competitive process. Grants shall support investigative and analytical studies in the food and agricultural sciences. Eligible institutions may propose projects in any discipline(s) of the food and agricultural sciences. Deadline 23 Feb. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=63773

The North Carolina NRCS requests applications for Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies. Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process. Projects must begin implementation within 12 months of the grant award and must be completed within 36 months of the grant award. Applications will be accepted from eligible individuals and entities including Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, State and local governments, and non-governmental organizations. This notice identifies the North Carolina program objectives and eligibility criteria for projects, and provides the associated instructions needed to apply to CIG. Deadline 4 Mar. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=63774

The Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program makes resources available to enhance the research capabilities of minority-serving institutions through the establishment of centers that effectively integrate education and research. CREST promotes the development of new knowledge, enhancements of the research productivity of individual faculty, and an expanded presence of students historically underrepresented in STEM disciplines. HBCU-RISE awards specifically target HBCUs to support the expansion of institutional research capacity as well as an increase in the production of doctoral students at those institutions. This solicitation requests proposals for: (1) CREST centers; (2) partnership supplements applied to existing CREST awards; (3) HBCU Research Infrastructure for Science & Engineering (HBCU-RISE) awards; and (4) supplements applied to SBIR/STTR Phase IIA awards for diversity collaboration with existing CREST and HBCU-RISE projects. Deadline 11 Apr. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=63794

The purpose of Pest Management Alternatives Program (PMAP) is to provide support for the development and implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) practices, tactics, and systems for specific pest problems while reducing human and environmental risks. This purpose addresses the broad goals outlined in the "National Roadmap for Integrated Pest Management," developed by federal and non-federal IPM experts, practitioners, and stakeholders in 2004. The successful management of pest problems in commercial production is facing severe challenges due to regulatory changes, emergence of new pest problems, and the development of pest resistance to present management technologies. The greatest impact on current management technologies is in the production of specialty crops; however, other crops, including grain, forage and fiber, as well as animal health, are also being impacted by these changes. Deadline 3 Mar. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=63953

The Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Scientific Leadership Awards (SLA) support the development of a coordinated program of education in Homeland Security-related Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (HS-STEM) to prepare students for careers in research and development of the technology needed to secure our nation. Moreover, DHS S&T strongly supports the development of a workforce that reflects the population of the United States of America. The DHS Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate, Office of University Programs solicits applications from eligible Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) granting graduate degrees to support early career faculty and to establish homeland security–related scientific leadership programs in areas critical to homeland security. Deadline 8 Mar. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=64273

The intent of this program is to build and strengthen institutional capacity through stimulating the development of high quality Education, Research and Extension programs at the 1890 Land-Grant Universities to produce baccalaureate and higher level degree graduates capable of strengthening the Nation‘s food and agricultural scientists and professionals, developing strong research that addresses current challenges in today‘s agriculture, and delivering needed help to communities, small farms and other clients. Deadline 15 Mar. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=64593

This RFP is seeking cost-effective proposals from eligible applicants for technical analysis and programmatic evaluation support for non-federal organizations that are members of the CBP partnership. While the Chesapeake Bay Partnership is comprised of federal and non-federal organizations, any activities funded under this RFP shall only support the non-federal partners. Deadline 25 Feb. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=64653

The purpose of this grant program is to support potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) research programs that focus on varietal development and testing and potato varieties for commercial production. As used herein, varietal development and testing is research using traditional and biotechnological genetics to develop improved potato varieties. Aspects of evaluation, screening and testing must support variety development. Deadline 1 Mar. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=64813

The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies, while leveraging the Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS policy, technical manuals, guides, and references or to the private sector. CIG does not fund research projects. Projects intended to formulate hypothesis do not qualify. CIG is to apply proven technology which has been shown to work previously. It is a vehicle to stimulate the development and adoption of conservation approaches or technologies that have been studied sufficiently to indicate a likelihood of success, and to be candidates for eventual technology transfer or institutionalization. CIG promotes sharing of skills, knowledge, technologies, and facilities among communities, governments, and other institutions to ensure that scientific and technological developments are accessible to a wider range of users. CIG funds projects targeting innovative on-the-ground conservation, including pilot projects and field demonstrations. Deadline 28 Jan. http://www07.grants.gov/search/search.do?&mode=VIEW&oppId=64934

The Department of Defense (DoD), through the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program(ESTCP), supports the demonstration of environmental technologies that address priority DoD environmental requirements.The goal of ESTCP is to transition environmental technology projects through the demonstration phase, thereby enabling promising technologies to receive regulatory and DoD end-user acceptance and to be fielded and commercialized more effectively and more rapidly. ESTCP is seeking innovative environmental technology demonstrations as candidates for funding.  This solicitation requests pre-proposals via Calls for Proposals to DoD organizations and Federal (Non-DoD) organizations, and via a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Private Sector organizations. March 8th pre-proposal deadline. Detailed instructions for DoD, Non-DoD Federal, and BAA proposers are available on the ESTCP web site: http://www.serdp-estcp.org/Funding-Opportunities/ESTCP-Solicitations.

Conferences, Meetings and Reports

The House Agriculture Committee will hold a "Public Forum" on January 20, 2011 on the biotechnology product regulatory approval process. http://agriculture.house.gov/singlepages.aspx?NewsID=1266&LSBID=23&RBSUSDA=T

The USDA Economic Research Service, the Farm Foundation NFP, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are jointly sponsoring a free public workshop on carbon market design for January 31 and February 1, 2011 in Washington, DC to bring together policymakers, industry participants, NGO's, and academics to discuss issues facing the establishment of efficient market(s) for carbon in the United States and to consider the lessons learned from existing carbon/environmental markets in order to inform policymakers about potential hurdles to the design of domestic carbon markets. Details on "Carbon Market Design: Issues and Opportunities" can be viewed at: http://www.ers.usda.gov/ConferenceCenter/CarbonWorkshop/. Contact: Nathaniel Higgins, 202 694 5602; e-mail: NHiggins@ERS.USDA.gov

 The USDA Economic Research Service has released its monthly report, titled "World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates" (WASDE), which provides the most current USDA forecasts of U.S. and world supply-use balances for major grains and commodities. Details:http://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde/  and http://www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde/latest.pdf

Congressional/Administration News

The House of Representatives returned to work this week with Republicans preparing to aggressively pursue their agenda of cutting spending, and set to vote on a repeal of last year’s health care overhaul law. Republicans, using last week’s policy retreat to lay out their plan to cut spending along with an upcoming vote to raise the debt limit, also will strive to extend the continuing resolution funding the government, and start the fiscal 2012 budget process. Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) emphasized to his GOP colleagues that the debt ceiling will have to be raised. He also promised that House Republicans will “use the leverage” of their new GOP majority to enact spending cuts. Republicans this week take their next step in efforts to cut spending for the current fiscal year as House Rules takes up a measure calling for a return to fiscal 2008 levels. Meanwhile, the House on Tuesday takes up another of its weekly GOP bills to cut spending: this week, a proposal to end mandatory printing of all bills and resolutions.

Under increasing pressure from Senate Democrats and industry, the EPA last week announced that it would exempt biomass facilities from new greenhouse gas rules for the next three years as the agency works to sort out a festering dispute over how to count emissions. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson in the statement said that the delay will provide the agency the opportunity to determine greenhouse gas emissions that result from biomass combustion. “We are working to find a way forward that is scientifically sound and manageable for both producers and consumers of biomass energy,” she said. For some time, the Obama administration has been under enormous pressure from the biomass industry, which burns agricultural by-products to generate electricity, over its decision to include carbon dioxide emissions from the facilities in new greenhouse gas regulations that took effect Jan. 2. The new rules require reductions of greenhouse gases from large industrial sources, such as power plants and refineries, when new facilities are built or major expansions occur at existing plants.

This week the GOP announced that Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson (R) has been named chairman of the House Interior and the Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, a position he said he would use to gut U.S. EPA funding. In addition, House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) rolled out the names of the 11 other subcommittee leaders who will serve among 29 Republican members on the committee. Nine new Republicans, including three freshmen, will join the committee thanks to six new GOP seats and three departures.  Simpson, having served as the ranking Republican during the past two years, will now take the reins of the subcommittee responsible for funding the Interior Department, U.S. Forest Service and EPA, and some smaller related agencies. Not surprising, Simpson will use his new post to lead Republican efforts to smother new regulatory programs at EPA, an agency he said has seen exponential growth in its budget since the Obama administration took office. Said Simpson in a statement, “The EPA is the scariest agency in the federal government, an agency run amok. Its bloated budget has allowed it to drastically expand its regulatory authority in a way that is hurting our economy and pushing an unwelcomed government further into the lives of Idahoans." Simpson will also wield power over Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service lands that make up nearly two-thirds of his home state.

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) will continue to lead GOP efforts on the Energy and Water Subcommittee, where he formerly held the ranking member position. Frelinghuysen must also face a challenge as chairman to balance energy research and development needs with Republicans' budget cutting goals. In the past he was responsible for sending significant funding to New Jersey projects in past appropriations bills, but has recently joined with all House Republicans in supporting a moratorium on earmarks this year. In addition the GOP elected, *Rep. Jack Kingston of Georgia as chairman of Agriculture; *Rep. Frank Wolf of Virginia as chairman of Commerce, Justice and Science; *Rep. Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri as chairwoman of Financial Services; *Rep. Tom Latham of Iowa as chairman of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development; *Rep. Kay Granger of Texas as chairwoman of State and Foreign Operations; *Rep. Robert Aderholt of Alabama as chairman of Homeland Security; *Rep. Bill Young of Florida as chairman of Defense; *Rep. Denny Rehberg of Montana as chairman of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education; *Rep. John Culberson of Texas as chairman of Military Construction and Veterans Affairs; and *Rep. Ander Crenshaw of Florida as chairman of Legislative Branch.

On 7 Jan, eight House Democrats were informed that they’d lose their seats on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee in the new Congress. Meanwhile, Democratic leaders appointed members to three top committees: Energy and Commerce, Appropriations, and Ways and Means. Twenty-three seats were allotted by Republicans for Democrats on the Energy panel, which resulted in Democrats losing eight of the 30 returning members. In all, Republicans will likely have 31 seats on the panel, raising their numbers up by one from the roster decided on last month. Serving as ranking member will be Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA). Seats lost include those of Democratic Delegate Donna Christensen of the Virgin Islands and Reps. Kathy Castor of Florida, John Sarbanes of Maryland, Christopher Murphy of Connecticut, Jerry McNerney of California, Betty Sutton of Ohio, Bruce Braley of Iowa and Peter Welch of Vermont. Completing the Democratic roster are: Reps. Waxman, John Dingell (Mich.), Ed Markey (Mass.), Frank Pallone Jr. (N.J.), Bobby Rush (Ill.), Anna Eshoo (Calif.), Eliot Engel (N.Y.), Gene Green (Texas), Dianna DeGette (Colo.), Lois Capps (Calif.), Mike Doyle (Pa.), Jane Harman (Calif.), Janice Schakowsky (Ill.), Charles Gonzalez (Texas), Jay Inslee (Wash.), Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Mike Ross (Ark.), Anthony Weiner (N.Y.), Jim Matheson (Utah), G.K. Butterfield (N.C.), John Barrow (Ga.), Doris Matsui (Calif.) and Towns. The Republican roster currently includes: Chairman Fred Upton (Mich.) and Reps. Joe Barton (Texas), Cliff Stearns (Fla.), Ed Whitfield (Ky.), John Shimkus (Ill.), Joe Pitts (Pa.), Mary Bono Mack (Calif.), Greg Walden (Ore.), Lee Terry (Neb.), Mike Rogers (Mich.), Sue Myrick (N.C.), John Sullivan (Okla.), Tim Murphy (Pa.), Michael Burgess (Texas), Marsha Blackburn (Tenn.), Phil Gingrey (Ga.), Steve Scalise (La.), Robert Latta (Ohio), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (Wash.), Pete Olson (Texas), Brian Bilbray (Calif.), Brett Guthrie (Ky.), Gregg Harper (Miss.), Bill Cassidy (La.), Charlie Bass (N.H.), Cory Gardner (Colo.), Mike Pompeo (Kan.), Adam Kinzinger (Ill.), David McKinley (W.Va.) and Morgan Griffith (Va.).

As the 112th Congress gets settled, Dems in the Senate are beginning to show life; they are preparing to fight off House/Senate GOP efforts to block EPA’s implementation of climate regulations. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), announced to the new House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman that she would "use every tool available to me" to prevent a derailing of carbon emissions regulations by Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI). Boxer's fighting words drew dismay from House and Senate Republicans alike, but her fellow upper-chamber Democrats echoed her desire to go on offense in protecting EPA. Perhaps late in the game, nevertheless Senate Democrats' willingness to take on the new House majority represents a notable shift from the previous Congress, when the president's party spent more time calming internal tensions.  Once an afterthought, new House Speaker John Boehner's (R-OH) regime appears to have catalyzed Senate Democrats, who held a press conference last week dedicated to accusing lower-chamber Republicans of budget gimmickry in their opening-day rules package.

While the House this week prepares to vote on the top priority of its Republican leadership, the Democratic majority in the Senate has yet to offer a specific agenda. Moving quickly, House Republicans are intent on passing a bill calling for repeal of the 2010 health care law, and they promise a session full of votes to cut spending and curtail regulation. Still, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has to date only outlined an intention to address the economy, education and energy under a theme of promoting competitiveness in a global economy. Back in early Jan, Reid said, “We’re focused as Democrats on creating jobs by investing in education so our kids can compete in this new international economy that we have, and we want to move off oil, which is now approaching $100 a barrel. And we need to give the middle-class Americans the tools they need to get ahead.” Nevertheless, pitted now against a Republican-led House, Reid and his Dems do not appear in a hurry to lay out their legislative agenda.

Sources: Congressional Quarterly; E&E Publishing; Food Industry Environmental Network, LLC; International Union of Soil Sciences

Vision: The Societies Washington, DC Science Policy Office (SPO) will advocate the importance and value of the agronomic, crop and soil sciences in developing national science policy and ensuring the necessary public-sector investment in the continued health of the environment for the well being of humanity. The SPO will assimilate, interpret, and disseminate in a timely manner to Society members information about relevant agricultural, natural resources and environmental legislation, rules and regulations under consideration by Congress and the Administration.

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