Describes what has been happening since the 1980 eruption and what changes have occurred to the volcano.  From the U.S. Geological Survey

Describes confusion that resulted from unregulated distribution of mining rights in South Sudan and the effort to establish orderly regulation for equitable economic development of the nation’s mineral wealth.  From the United States Institute of Peace

Offers map of U.S. with estimates of potential volumes of undiscovered gas within shale-gas assessment units.  Also includes a historical perspective of shale gas activity in the U.S.  From the U.S. Geological Survey

Describes landscape disturbances from hydraulic-fracturing used to extract natural gas from the MarcellusShale located in the Allegheny Plateau.  From the U.S. Geological Survey

First U.S. report in a new international initiative in which governments, companies, and nongovernmental organizations lay out the principles that guide oil, gas, and mining companies in providing security for their operations in a manner which respects human rights.  From the State Department

Argues that more planning and training are needed to better prepare miners to escape in the event of a mine emergency.  From the National Research Council

Describes what gold is used for, how it’s price fluctuates, and the economic implications.  From the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Press release on issuance of final regulation strengthening safety in the most dangerous U.S. mines by requiring mine operators to monitor and correct the most hazardous problems in their mines.  From the U.S. Department of Labor

Private companies have been extracting valuable minerals from public lands with minimal return to the federal government.  This report, requested by a congressman, reports on the volume and dollar value of minerals extracted from federal lands and waters in FY 2010 and 2011, the amount the federal government collected from leases, and the availability of data on the volume/value of extracted minerals from 2010 and 2011.  From the Government Accountability Office

Report requested by the Governor regarding a regulatory framework that would be set up to protect citizens and the environment if the General Assembly should choose to lift the moratorium on uranium mining in Virginia.   From the Office of the Governor

Due to market factors and health/environmental concerns, the use of coal to generate electricity is expected to drop (in 2011, coal-fueled units generated 42% of U.S. electricity).  This report examines the future of coal-fueled electricity-generating units and factors that could affect its decline.  From the Government Accountability Office

Press release which announces details of proposed plan for allowing additional oil and gas development while protecting caribou herds and bird habitats in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.  The plan is scheduled to be released in November 2012.  Includes link to map of preferred alternative.  From the Interior Department

Estimated additions include 32 billion barrels of crude oil, 291 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, and 10 billion barrels of natural gas liquids.  Growth results from new discoveries, improved technology that enhances extraction from known sources, and recalculations based on changing economic /operation conditions.  From the U.S. Geological Society

Presents estimates of revenue that might be gained by the federal government if it immediately opened all federal lands, both onshore and offshore, for oil and gas development.  The estimates include lands where development is currently legally prohibited and where it is off-limits because of administrative policies.  From the Congressional Budget Office

Proved reserves of U.S. oil and natural gas in 2010 rose by the highest amounts ever recorded since reserves estimates began in 1977.  Increases in reserves were attributed to the expanded application of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in shale and price rises.  From the Energy Information Administration

This report examines the potential for newer energy technologies such as hydraulic fracturing, carbon capture/storage, shale gas recovery, and geothermal energy production to cause earthquakes.   From the National Research Council

Measures the proportion of watershed precipitation that becomes surface runoff as an aid to water resource managers who must plan allocation of groundwater and surface-water resources to multiple users.  From the U.S. Geological Survey

Carbon capture and storage has attracted Congressional interest as a measure for mitigating global climate change.  This report discusses CCS systems, how they work, the three main types of geological formations being considered for CO2 storage, current issues, and future challenges.   From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Discusses the types and purposes of permits issued by the Army Corps of Engineers for wetland development projects, the controversies connected with the permitting program, and Congressional problems in trying to revise wetlands regulatory law.  Recent interest has focused on regulation of surface coal mining activities in Appalachia.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by National Agricultural Law Center

Describes the nature and prevalence of mountaintop mining, the environmental damage caused by this type of mining, the arguments in its defense by mining companies, and the legal challenges and government administrative actions which act as constraints.  Virginia is one of six Appalachian states in which mountaintop mining occurs.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by National Agricultural Law Center

Warns that budget shortfalls, inflation, launch failures, and reductions in mission scope have left U.S. earth observation systems in a more precarious position than 5 years ago.  Follows a 2007 study, Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond.  From the National Research Council

Rare earth elements are a unique group of 17 metal elements that possess special properties important to a number of high technology industries.  China controls 97% of rare earth elements and its policies to limit exports have raised concern among U.S. policymakers.  This report examines the economic and trade implications of China’s rare earth policies for the U.S.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

As domestic  oil and gas production explores new techniques for recovery, increasing public concern has been expressed about the effects of such techniques on surface water and groundwater quality.  This report discusses one attempt to measure the effect on water quality of unconventional oil and gas development.  From the U.S. Geological Survey

Represents a complete reassessment of the world since the last report was published in 2000.  Covers 171 geologic provinces exclusive of those in the U.S.  From the U.S. Geological Survey

This report summarizes a statistical analysis of peak-flow data collected for Virginia streams from 1895 through 2007.  Basin and flow characteristics are presented for 476 stations throughout the state.  From the U.S. Geological Survey

This report summarizes a statistical analysis of low-flow characteristics, including magnitude, frequency, and duration, of Virginia streams using data collected from 1895 through 2007.  From the U.S. Geological Survey

Federal authorities have taken a step toward development of energy resources off the Atlantic Coast.  The Environmental Impact Statements assess the environmental effects of seismic studies and other geological activities related to  oil and gas exploration and development in the Mid- and South-Atlantic Planning Areas.  From the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

A report on the investigation of the culpability of  the Mine Safety and Health Administration in the mining disaster at the Upper Big Branch Mine which killed 29 workers in April 2010.  Blames federal MSHA regulators for failing to enforce mine safety standards and leaving in place conditions in the Massey Energy-owned mine that caused the explosion and fire.  From the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the U.S. Department of Labor

Recent concerns over energy supply and pricing have led some to look increasingly to federal lands as a potential energy source.  This report explains the legal framework for energy leasing /permitting for lands under the control of the federal government.  The report covers the laws and regulations affecting both leasing of federal land for exploration for fossil fuel  sources and for use of federal lands for renewable energy projects.  From the Congressional Research Service, posted by the Federation of American Scientists

Urges the U.S. Geological Survey to become more active in international projects to help mitigate worldwide problems such as climate change, natural disasters, the spread of invasive species, and diminishing natural resources.  From the Natural Research Council