The Wise Report

The State Legislature is still in session.
The following is a list of bills of potential interest to geologists.
There is one new bill of interest this week.
New information is listed in bold:

House Bills:

HB 484, by Spring, Relating to training required to qualify for or renew a license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The TCEQ must provide a location within 100 miles of the place of employment of a person who is required to receive the training, reimbursement for travel and lodging expenses incurred if training isn’t available within 100 miles, or online training. 3/14/2017 Left pending in committee. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB484

HB 815, by Burkett, Dale, Rick Miller, and Paul, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. “Before adopting an environmental rule, the commission shall conduct a regulatory analysis that considers the costs and environmental effects and benefits expected to result from implementation of and compliance with the rule.” 3/14/2017 Withdrawn from schedule. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB815

HB 1515, by Elkins, Relating to the expiration of the dry cleaner environmental response program. “A corrective action, including any administrative duties associated with the action, for which remediation of a contaminated site has begun before September 1, 2050, shall be completed in accordance with this chapter using money from the fund, to the extent possible, but money may not be collected for or added to the fund on or after that date.” 4/20/2017 Committee report sent to caneldars.  For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB1515

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The Wise Report

The State Legislature is still in session.

The following is a list of bills of potential interest to geologists. There is one new bill of interest this week. New information is listed in bold:

HB 484, by Spring, Relating to training required to qualify for or renew a license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The TCEQ must provide a location within 100 miles of the place of employment of a person who is required to receive the training, reimbursement for travel and lodging expenses incurred if training isn’t available within 100 miles, or online training. 3/14/2017 Left pending in committee. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB484

HB 815, by Burkett, Dale, Rick Miller, and Paul, Relating to the regulatory analysis of rules proposed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. “Before adopting an environmental rule, the commission shall conduct a regulatory analysis that considers the costs and environmental effects and benefits expected to result from implementation of and compliance with the rule.” 3/14/2017 Withdrawn from schedule. For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB815

HB 1515, by Elkins, Relating to the expiration of the dry cleaner environmental response program. “A corrective action, including any administrative duties associated with the action, for which remediation of a contaminated site has begun before September 1, 2050, shall be completed in accordance with this chapter using money from the fund, to the extent possible, but money may not be collected for or added to the fund on or after that date.” 4/20/2017 Committee report sent to caneldars.  For more information go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/history.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB1515

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AIPG Texas-Section Strikes a Training Deal

AIPG-Texas Section Strikes a Deal with the Midwest Geosciences Group to Offer Member Discounts in their Training Webinars

AIPG-Texas Section Members:

I am pleased to announce that based on your encouragement expressed in the recent survey of Texas Section Membership (more), the American Institute of Professional Geologists – Texas Section is collaborating with Midwest GeoSciences Group in a recently announced 5-part webinar series dedicated to EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES IN HYDRAULIC TESTING FOR FRACTURED ROCK. 

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2017 AIPG Texas Section Field Trip Postponed to Spring, 2021 – Planning Underway

Final Announcement of the 2017 AIPG Texas Section Field Trip to Uranium Country in South Texas / West Texas to Visit REE Mine

Henry M. Wise, P.G., C.P.G., President of AIPG Texas Section, announced today that after detailed discussions with the five uranium mining companies having exploration/recovery operations in south/west Texas,  the AIPG Texas Section Board has decided to postpone the uranium field trip to south Texas indefinitely (circa spring of 2022?). The companies and Board concluded that it would be more interesting to field trip participants if all of the companies’ operations were in production of yellowcake, or the REE mine is ready to provide visit to their mine operations. Other geological sites in west Texas are also being considered.

Invitations will be extended to the Chair, Vice-Chairs, and Advisory Group of the Uranium (Nuclear and Rare Earth) Committee of the Energy Minerals Division (AAPG) to join us in sponsoring and participating in the field trip. Invitations will also be extended to the members of the  South Texas Geological Society and other local geological societies.

HMW

 

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Recent Survey Brings Response to Membership: Sources of Training for the Big Three Fields of Interest in Texas

In December, 2016, the Texas Section of AIPG began an online survey of Texas membership about career opportunities and choices. We asked Texas members to tell us what subjects they needed most to improve/broaden their careers. We indicated that we would then search for online resources addressing the top three areas of interest. For more on the survey, click here.

The results of the survey indicated the top three interest areas were:

  • Petroleum Geology – Principally concerned with the evaluation of seven key elements applicable in the search for hydrocarbons: source, reservoir, seal, trap, maturation and migration.
  • Hydrogeology / Groundwater Resource Evaluation – Groundwater quality and availability issues. Before water resources can be developed and managed, they must be evaluated, i.e., what portion of those resources can be sustainably developed for various uses, after setting aside a proportion for environmental or ecological needs.
  • Unconventional Hydrocarbon Resources – Distribution and production of oil and gas from shale (fracking) and gas from coal bed methane. Unconventional hydrocarbon deposits are very diverse and difficult to characterize overall, but in general are often lower in resource concentration, dispersed over large areas, and require well stimulation or additional extraction or conversion technology.

We generated a list of online courses (with links), webinars and resources, all of which address the above three career paths.

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AIPG Texas Section Survey Results

AIPG-Texas Section Membership:

A survey was conducted of the Texas Section membership during December, 2016 through January, 2017. The attached survey results contain the actual survey questionnaire form, the tabulated data, and the individual responses with comments (Survey with Results).

The survey returned a response of approximately 23% from the total 451 members surveyed in Texas.

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Texas Section of AIPG Announces Availability of Scholarships to Texas Students in 2017

Once again, the American Institute of Professional Geologists in Texas (AIPG-TX) is pleased to announce the availability of geology scholarships to student members of the AIPG. Ted Foss Undergraduate Scholarships of $1,000.00 each will be awarded to three undergraduate majors and $2,500.00 to one outstanding graduate student as a recipient of a Gene Shoemaker Graduate Scholarship for geological students enrolled in a Texas university. Applications should be received by email no later than February 15, 2017 for consideration of one of these four scholarships. For detailed information, see (more).

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Report on the Tax Day Flood of April 17-18, 2016 in the Houston, Texas Area

December 14, 2016, Jeff Lindner Meteorologist/Director Hydrologic Operations Division, Harris County Flood Control District presented an outstanding report entitled: “Tax Day Flood of April 17-18, 2016, Houston and Harris County, Texas,” at the Houston Geological Society Environmental & Engineering Dinner Meeting & Seminar, HGS Announcement (here), The PDF was just made available of the presentation slides (more).

Have you Responded Yet to our Survey? Please Do.

Your AIPG Texas Section Board is conducting a survey of the Texas membership regarding how the Board may be able to help you.

The survey period will be closing soon so be sure to fill out and complete the survey sent to your e-mail addresses.

Whether you are a professional or student, let us know you opinions on the questions asked.

If you didn’t received the survey, let us know and we’ll get one out to you ASAP.

Our best to you all,

Henry M. Wise, P.G., C.P.G.
President
AIPG Texas Section

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Last Minute Alert: Proposed Changes to the Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills Guide.

Matthew R. Cowan, P.G., District IV Representative to the AIPG Texas Section Boardspoke last night to the Houston Geological Society’s Environmental and Engineering Group about proposed changes to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills guide. He noticed that there were a few critical changes that the general public and specifically the geological community, should be aware of that affect the middle-school (6-8 grades) TEKS on topographic maps, and High School Courses with regards to fossil significance, etc.  These areas are fundamental components of Earth Science (Geology).

We have just been made aware of the proposed changes. Comments are due by the end of day of Friday, December 16, 2016.

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