08 Dec, 2017

The Wise Report

Geologic guidebooks tell stories about the history of our continent’s beautiful natural landscapes, but to date they have not been easily obtained by today’s researchers. To facilitate greater access to these guidebooks, the American Geosciences Institute (AGI) and the Geoscience Information Society (GSIS) have jointly launched a free database, which catalogs decades of these guidebooks from across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Geologic Guidebooks of North America Database – as it is called – fills a significant gap in existing geoscience information. Many parts of North America are not sufficiently mapped by geological surveys, so guidebooks from university field trips and amateur excursions can contain some of the richest information available – or in some cases, the only information available – for a given location. Now, anyone can explore more than 10,000 of these guidebook references with ease using the geographic search option, which was previously not possible.

06 Dec, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

President Wise Announces two New Councilors-at-Large

Henry M. Wise, P.G., C.P.G. announced today the appointment of Roger W. Lee, P.G., Ph.D., Austin, Texas and John L. Berry, P.G., C.P.G., Austin, Texas as Councilors-at-Large for the Texas Section of the AIPG. Mr. Wise indicated that he was particularly pleased about the new Councilors joining the Officers and other Councilors-at-Large and Members-at-Large, and District Representatives of the AIPG Texas Section Board. They will help us move forward into the future with new programs for the benefit of the members of the Texas Section of the AIPG. Summaries of their backgrounds are presented below:

27 Nov, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

An Update: Nuclear Power and Uranium Markets, Ownership and Uranium One

This is a brief update produced by Henry Wise (President-AIPG Texas Section) and Michael D. Campbell (VP-Eastern Texas-AIPG-Texas Section) since the 2017 Annual Report from the Chair, Uranium (Nuclear and Rare Earth) Committee of the Energy Mineral Division (AAPG) was released April 1, 2017. Some 99 nuclear power plants in the U.S. remain in operation, a few are scheduled for retirement, two new reactors are being built in Georgia. Japan is slowly upgrading and re-starting its fleet of nuclear power plants after Fukushima. China is rapidly building some 25 new plants and hundreds more are planned, along with financially underwriting the construction of more than 40 projects in joint ventures with other countries.

Russia too is building new nuclear plants at home, and they are testing a “fast breeder” design that consumes most waste. Russia is building nuclear plants on behalf of other countries as well, and providing financing in competition with China. India has turned to nuclear to ramp up electricity production to match population growth rates and is also working on “fast breeder” designs. Other countries are also building nuclear plants funded from a variety of sources. For the details on the above topics and more, see: (more).

12 Nov, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

Environmental Issues and the Railroad Commission of Texas

The stewardship of natural resources and the environment is an important part of the Railroad Commission of Texas’ (RRC) mission. On the evening of November 8, 2017, Mr. Peter Fisher and Mr. Peter Pope discussed the environmental issues and regulations related to activities under the jurisdiction of the RRC, with a focus on regulation of oil and gas exploration and production activities, as well as such related topics as reclamation, remediation, the EPA hydraulic fracturing study, and seismicity, among other topics during their presentation during the Houston Geological Society Environmental & Engineering Dinner Meeting & Seminar. The HGS announcement (here). See PDF of presentation (here).

16 Oct, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

AIPG-TX Arranges Deal for Members with Midwest Geosciences Group for Continuing Education

The Texas Section of the American Institute of Professional Geologists and Midwest GeoSciences Group have partnered to provide discounted continuing education webinars to AIPG-TX members on important topics such as groundwater and karst, hydrogeology, soil and rock mechanics, seismic hazards, Google Earth PRO, engineering geology, drones, geologic issues with risk assessment, environmental site characterization and remediation, and geologic resource management.

Hydrogeologic and geotechnical webinars available 24/7 via prices reduced for AIPG-TX members. See upcoming webinars.

12 Oct, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

Michael D. Campbell, AIPG-TX VP, Eastern Texas and the I2M Team Publishes Paper on Gold and Silver Mining Potential in North Vietnam

Members of the the I2M Natural Resources Group, led by Michael D. Campbell, I2M’s EVP and Chief Geologist and Chief Hydrogeologist, just published a paper on the mining potential in the mountains southwest of Hanoi, Vietnam in the Đồi Bù District, Hòa Bình Region (here). The area was visited during January, 2014. The key conclusions of the assessment were that subject area has not been explored in any detail for many decades.

01 Oct, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

The SMU Geothermal Lab is hosting our 9th international energy conference, Power Plays: Drilling into Geothermal Energy Applications

SMU Power Plays Conference

January 10-11, 2018 on the SMU Campus in Dallas, Texas

The SMU Geothermal Lab is hosting our 9^th international energy conference, Power Plays: Drilling into Geothermal Energy Applications, January 10-11, 2018 on the SMU campus in Dallas, Texas.

Power Plays will advance the understanding of geothermal resources in conjunction with waste-heat and direct-use applications, providing attendees with strategies for developing clean energy. Join others with expertise in field operations, project development, technology, finance, engineering, and resource assessment from the geothermal, oil & gas, and renewable energy sectors to explore economic solutions for geothermal energy at the 2018 SMU Power Plays conference.

30 Sep, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

Due to Hurricane Harvey, the Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) has implemented the following for PG licenses, GIT certifications, and Geoscience Firm registrations in a Governor-designated disaster county that were scheduled to expire between August 31, 2017 and November 30, 2017 shall expire on December 31, 2017.

25 Sep, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

AAPG Total Solar Eclipse Seminar and K-T Boundary/Impact Crater Field Trip Guide, Casper, Wyoming – August 18-22, 2017

This Seminar and Field-Trip Guide was compiled by Doug Cook who gathered the materials discussed during this Seminar and Field Trip. The primary objective of the seminar was to observe the total solar eclipse that passed over the Casper, Wyoming area. Side field trips were also taken to observe impact craters and K-T boundary in outcrop.

23 Sep, 2017

By AIPG-TX News

The Wise Report

The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) adopts amendments to 22 TAC §§851.10, 851.20, 851.23, 851.25, 851.30, 851.80, 851.157, and 851.203; adopts the repeal of §851.158; and adopts new rules §§851.158, 851.159, and 851.220 concerning the licensure and regulation of Professional Geoscientists. The amendments to §§851.10, 851.20, 851.23, 851.25, 851.30, 851.80, 851.157, and 851.203; the repeal of §851.158; and new rules §851.159 and §851.220 are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the July 7, 2017 issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3549). New rule §851.158 is adopted with changes to the proposed text. The repeal of §851.158 will be effective as of the date the new §851.158 takes effect.

Adopted amendments to §851.10 and §851.30 clarify the definition and role of an “Authorized Official of a Firm” (AOF). Adopted amendments to §851.80 amend language to establish a proctored review of a Texas Geophysics Examination for a fee, and provide a reduction of the renewal fee to half price for a person who has a medical disability. Adopted amendments to §851.20 clarify that an applicant who is not a citizen of the United States must provide a copy of a current visa or something equivalent.