ASU's SESE recruiting video

ASU's School of Earth & Space Exploration was formed almost five years ago and it's still getting the message out about who they are. A new video explains the learning opportunities, "from Earth and Environmental Studies to Astrophysics, Geology, Engineering and Science Education."

Tucson as Science City

A proposal by UA Dean of Science (and Geosciences professor) Joaquin Ruiz to brand Tucson as "Science City" got a lot of attention in today's special newspaper section on jobs in southern Arizona in the Arizona Daily Star. The idea of using "UA's status as a top-20 U.S. research university to foster business growth and economic development" has been around for years, but there is growing business and community interest in the concept.

And it's not just research and technology jobs. A companion story by Alex Dalenberg points out that Biosphere 2 will draw 100,000 visitors this year, and Kitt Peak Observatory attracts 45,000 visitors annually, contributing to southern Arizona's science tourism economy.

S. AZ consensus: We need science-based jobs

'Science City' fits Tucson's image

UA a driving force for jobs in science

High-tech employment presents mixed picture

Phoenix utility proposes 20% renewable energy by 2020

The non-profit Salt River Project is not bound by state rules to produce electricity from renewable sources, but the utility announced plans on Friday to ramp up its voluntary goals of renewable energy and energy efficiency from 15% in 2025 to 20% by 2020. Ryan Randazzo writes in the Arizona Republic that management is taking the plan to its board of directors for approval. [right, credit SPR]

The Arizona Corporation Commission had previously set a goal of a 15% Renewable Portfolio Standard, that includes distributed generation - ie, renewable energy generated at customers homes or businesses - which has encouraged utilities to subsidize these systems to limit the need for building large, centralized power plants.

The new RPS approved by ACC included geothermal energy for the first time, and we assume SRP will also include geothermal in its program. The company's renewable energy web page says,

SRP has signed a 30-year agreement to purchase the entire output of the Hudson Ranch 1 project, a new 49-megawatt (MW) geothermal power generation project located in the Imperial Valley of Southern California. Construction of the plant is underway. The builder of the facility, EnergySource LLC, expects it to become commercially operational in early 2012.

Changes in Mineral Resources management at USGS

Kate Johnson, who has been manager of the USGS Mineral Resources Program since 1998, has moved into a new job as the Senior Management Advisor for the Energy and Minerals, and Environmental Health Mission Area at USGS.

Jeff Doebrich is serving as the Acting Program Coordinator for the USGS Mineral Resources Program beginning March 28, 2011. We're told that a vacancy announcement for the Mineral Resources Program Coordinator position will be posted in the next few weeks.

The announcement to staff in USGS said:

Kate has very ably led the Mineral Resources Program (MRP) since December 1998. Notable accomplishments under her leadership include: serving geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and mineral locality data for the Nation via MRP’s innovative internet data source, MRDATA; collecting the 14,400 soil samples required for a comprehensive new database of soil geochemistry of the lower 48 States; the first-ever global mineral resource assessment; and establishing the USGS Mineral Resources External Research Program, which has awarded over $2.6 million in research grants to 44 State agencies, academic institutions, and private research companies in an annual peer review process since 2004. Kate also participated in developing and sustaining the USGS Human Health Coordinating Committee, and fostered a strong collaboration with the Energy Resources Program on uranium research. She has actively supported the growth of mineral resource knowledge and exploration in Afghanistan, Iraq, and numerous other developing countries.

Jeff has been an economic geologist with the USGS for the past 28 years and the Associate Coordinator for the USGS Mineral Resources Program since 2006. Jeff holds a BSc in Geological Engineering and MSc in Economic Geology, both from the Colorado School of Mines. His research has focused on deposit genesis and understanding regional geologic controls on the distribution of nonfuel mineral resources, in the Great Basin of the western U.S., in Central Asia, and in the Middle East. He has held postings in Denver, Reno, and Reston, and served two tours of duty with the USGS Saudi Arabian Mission, including one as Mission Chief Scientist. Jeff has coordinated large regional mineral resource assessments in the Great Basin and Central Asia, including initiation of the USGS mineral resource assessment of Afghanistan. Most recently, Jeff led the overall USGS effort in Iraq, a multidisciplinary effort involving mineral and water resource studies, establishment of an Agro-meteorological network, and creation of a national spatial data infrastructure.

Mining jobs lead southern Arizona recovery

The annual review of southern Arizona's top 200 employers by the Arizona Daily Star reports that "mining and agriculture added more than 1,000 jobs in 2010, an increase of 13.5 percent, as Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold added more than 800 jobs and Asarco LLC added another 140 as copper prices rallied."

In a companion story, Freeport is said to be trying to fill 500 positions at 4 southern Arizona sites while Asarco is adding 100 workers at 3 locations. [right, copper mines south of Tucson. Credit NASA, image ISS022-E26137]

Freeport is considering reopening the Twin Buttes mine south of Tucson and major mines are proposed at Rosemont and Resolution, which would all add jobs if they go forward.

The Star reports that "Of Southern Arizona's top 200 employers, 91 companies reported adding jobs in 2010, including 76 that added at least 10 full-time-equivalent positions. Seventy-six employers reported cutting jobs, while 24 employers reported no change."

Why dust is a big deal

High winds across northern and eastern Arizona prompted dust and air pollution warnings yesterday and today. In addition to the possible health concerns from high dust levels, they can also trigger federal regulations and cost Arizona federal highway funds. [right, windborne dust plumes in northeast Arizona from MODIS satellite. Credit, NASA]

I was in a conference on Friday where AZ Dept. of Environmental Quality Henry Darwin talked about EPA Clean Air rules. If I understood it all, Maricopa County is in nonattainment and is engaged in a developing "5% plan" where dust is being reduced 5% per year until the area is in compliance.

Rather than tracking average air quality, exceeding the national standards more than 3 times in 3 years at any single air quality monitor is a violation. However, 'exceptional' events triggered by natural causes such as high winds, are not counted as violations.

Rejection of the plan by EPA could lead to loss of federal highway funds.

Henry and other members on the conference panel called the EPA "exceptional event" a terrible rule and said EPA agrees but is bound by Congressional mandates.

The major sources of dust are from traffic on unpaved roads and windblown dust from undeveloped lands. Other sources are each minor compared to these.

The TriValley Central paper recently listed complaints filed by citizens in 2010 with authorities in Pinal County over dust sources. You can see the challenges in controlling dust from possibly thousands of sites.

Grand Canyon sold to China

Arizona officials announced that the state budget was balanced today as a result of selling the Grand Canyon to a Chinese company. When asked how the state could sell a national park, a spokesperson said "Possession is nine tenths of the law. The park is inside the state boundary, so we own it. And we sold it. Simple."

Fern Willow, Director of the National Park Service, responded to reporter inquiries with "Say what?"

At the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, Hao Yurong, President of Chengdu University and Manufacturing Company, said they plan on making the transaction profitable by bottling the Colorado River water for sale to Las Vegas and Los Angeles one pint at a time instead of the bulk deal on water those communities now receive. He said the company is still considering what to do with the canyon itself. "This was just too good a deal to pass up. You know what they say - location, location, location."

Reported this April 1st, 2011