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Creating an Interoperable Public Safety Network, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology of the Committee on Energy and Commerce House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, May 25, 2011
From the opening statement of Greg Walden: "We are here this morning to have a productive discussion of how spectrum policy can advance public safety, promote broadband, generate revenue for the U.S. Treasury, and create jobs. This hearing will focus on how we can bring new and innovative tools to our Nation's first responders. Look, we all share the goal of providing America's first responders with a state-of-the-art communications network. We are by no means the first Congress to attempt to bring public safety these tools. Interoperable public safety communication has been an objective of this country since even before the tragic events of September 11 of 2001. Yet even though Congress and the FCC [Federal Communications Commission] have tried time and again to provide the tools and impetus to make this a reality, today's public safety users are only marginally closer to the interoperable communications they need. We are here to get it right this time. Now, what we are not here to do is to point fingers for past failures. Nobody doubts the good intentions and the hard work of those who have worked on this issue in the past. But the fact remains we have not been successful. Today's hearing gives us an opportunity to hear the lessons of the public safety community, the wireless sector, and the engineers who make wireless networks work. Taking the innovation and expertise of the wireless industry alongside the bravery and knowledge of the public safety community, we can all work to provide needed resources to both. The successful creation and management of an interoperable public safety network will need to focus on four elements: spectrum, equipment, governance, and funding." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Greg Walden, Anna G. Eshoo, Fred Upton, Joe Barton, Henry A. Waxman, Cliff Stearns, John D. Dingell, Joseph R. Hanley, Chris Imlay, Paul Steinberg, Dennis Martinez, Jeffrey D. Johnson, and Joseph L. Hanna.
United States. Government Printing Office
2011
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Charleston, West Virginia, Chemical Spill, Field Hearing Before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, February 10, 2014
This is the February 10, 2014 field hearing on "The Charleston, West Virginia, Chemical Spill" held before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. From the testimony of The Honorable Joe Manchin III, "On January 9, as has been said, a month ago yesterday, thousands of gallons of crude MCHM [4-Methylcyclohexanemethanol] leaked from a storage tank into the Elk River contaminating the drinking water of 300,000 West Virginians. In the immediate aftermath and the days since, I have been in continual contact with the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency], trying to assist and help the State. I know the State has been in contact with them also, and I appreciate that. We will be hearing your testimonies on that today also. The CDC has determined that the water is appropriate--and I say the word 'appropriate'--to drink. I am not sure of the definition of 'appropriate,' but I am trying to get into that more, and I am sure you will be able to clear that up today also. […] The spill should have never have happened. There is no excuse for it. It really shouldn't have happened. And as Congress, it is our responsibility to do everything we can to keep it from happening again, not just in West Virginia, but anywhere in the United States of America. This is a wakeup call for this country. We were on the front end of this, but it is a wakeup call for the country." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Joe Manchin III, Rafael Moure-Eraso, Mike Dorsey, James A. Gianato, Letitia E. Tierney, Gordon Merry, Dale A. Petry and Jeffrey L. McIntyre.
United States. Government Printing Office
2014
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Whistleblower Reprisal and Management Failures at the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, Hearing Before the Committee on Oversight And Government Reform, House of Representatives, One Hundred Thirteenth Congress, Second Session, June 19, 2014
This is the June 19, 2014 hearing, "Whistleblower Reprisal and Management Failures at the U.S. Chemical Safety Board" before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. From the opening statement of Darrell E. Issa: "Today we are here to perform one of the committee's most basic core functions: to identify and root out waste and mismanagement in the Federal bureaucracy. Usually, when we talk about waste and mismanagement, we talk in terms of dollars and cents. Today we are going to discuss waste and mismanagement at the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, or the CSB, in terms of public safety and lives that can be lost. CSB's mission is to independently investigate significant chemical incidents and hazards, and effectively advocate for implementation that results in recommendations to protect workers and the public and the environment." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Rafael Moure-Eraso, Arthur A. Elkins, Jr., Carolyn N. Lerner, and Beth Rosenberg.
United States. Government Printing Office
2014
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Managing Unexploded Ordnance on Federal Lands, Oversight Hearing Before the Committee on Natural Resources, House of Representatives, One Hundred Third Congress, Second Session, May 2, 1994
This is the May 2, 1994 hearing on "Managing Unexploded Ordnance on Federal Lands" held before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources. From the opening statement of George Miller: "For decades, military bases and public lands have been used for weapons testing and training. Many of these bases and test areas are now closing and must be shifted to broader public use. Lands strewn with unexploded ordnance, once thought to be remote, are now in demand. For years, we gave little thought as to future use of these lands. It is now time for us to take a close look at this issue. Today's hearing will discuss how much Federal land is contaminated with unexploded ordnance and the effectiveness of existing cleanup technologies." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: David Nawi, Lewis D. Walker, James M. Souby, Jim Austreng, Julie Anderson, Lester K. Rosenkrance, Ralph Way, Andrew E. Hooper, Lora Lee Martin, Thomas F. Ellzey, Robert Beehler, David Wang, Walter Wong, Thomas J. Hendricks, and Joseph A. Cavanaugh.
United States. Government Printing Office
1994
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Mind Over Matter: Strategies to Combat the Coronavirus Blues, A Resource Guide
From the About: "[This is a] catalog of links to information and graphics aimed at college and university campus communities. The goal of this guide is to provide ideas for students, faculty, staff and administrators to help manage the challenges of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] during school, work and daily life. [...] [We are a] joint COVID-19 Schools Task Force, made up of staff from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) offices in Kansas City, Missouri. The focus of the task force since its inception in July 2020, has been to provide information to colleges and universities that will improve individual preparedness and general well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. [...] In the late fall of 2020, we noticed an increasing trend in mental health fatigue across the country associated with the pandemic, including at colleges and universities. So we aimed to collect a variety of strategies to help combat that fatigue and promote general wellness that can be used right now during the pandemic, and carried forward into the future. [...] The information [in this guide] is themed into 6 categories: [1] 'Top Guns' (Tools for Faculty and Leadership); [2] 'Why These Feelings?' (How to Manage a Gamut of Emotions); [3] 'Takin' a Break' (Fun Things to Do During the Pandemic); [4] 'Lullaby and Goodnight' (Tips for Better ZZZs); [5] 'Stomping Stress' (Surviving and Thriving thru Adversity); [and 6] 'Getting your Groove Back' (Winning @ Wellness)[.]"
United States. Department of Health and Human Services; United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2021-09
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Cameroon: Key Issues and U.S. Policy [September 22, 2021]
From the Overview: "Congressional interest in Cameroon has grown since 2017, when separatists claiming to represent the Anglophone minority in largely French-speaking Cameroon launched a rebellion against the government. Activism by Cameroonians living abroad has helped draw international attention to that conflict, including from some Members of Congress representing constituencies with Cameroonian diaspora communities. Human rights abuses by Cameroonian security forces in the course of the Anglophone conflict have raised challenges for U.S.-Cameroon security cooperation, which is primarily focused on efforts to combat the Nigerian-origin Boko Haram and an Islamic State-affiliated splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (IS-WA), which are active in northern Cameroon. The United States has restricted some security assistance for Cameroon due to human rights concerns, though some counterterrorism programs and other assistance continue."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Husted, Tomas F.
2021-09-22
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White House Report: Vaccination Requirements Are Helping Vaccinate More People, Protect Americans from COVID-19, and Strengthen the Economy
From the Executive Summary: "Since January, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken aggressive actions to make vaccinations free and convenient, executed a robust campaign to educate Americans about the importance of getting vaccinated, and deployed hundreds of millions of dollars in resources for states, localities, Tribes, and community organizations to encourage vaccinations. These efforts have led to tremendous success. At the start of the year, only 34% of adult Americans were eager to get vaccinated. Today, 78% of adults have at least their first shot. Overall, more than 185 million Americans are fully vaccinated--up from just 2 million when the President took office. [...] This is significant progress, but after months of education and incentives, additional actions needed to be taken in order to reach the tens of millions of people who remained unvaccinated. The strain on our hospital systems, our economy, and the risk to our children was too great not to use every tool available. To that end, last month, the President laid out a six-part plan to accelerate our path out of the pandemic. Central to that plan is getting remaining Americans vaccinated, and to do so, the President announced vaccination requirements that in total will cover approximately 100 million people. As this report demonstrates, it is clear that vaccination requirements result in millions more people getting vaccinated. Without vaccination requirements, we face endless months of chaos in our hospitals, further detrimental impacts on our economy, and anxiety in our schools. With them, we will accelerate our path out of the pandemic."
United States. White House Office
2021-10-07
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Clean Energy Standards: Selected Issues for the 117th Congress [Updated September 14, 2021]
From the Introduction: "Congress continues to study and discuss a range of policies to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the Biden Administration has made reducing GHG emissions a priority. Several legislative and executive actions could achieve such a goal. One legislative option, targeting the U.S. electricity system, is a clean energy standard. A clean energy standard (CES), sometimes called a clean electricity standard, aims to increase the share of U.S. electricity generated from qualified clean energy sources. No agreed-upon definition of 'clean energy' exists, so the exact set of energy sources supported by a CES proposal is one of its defining characteristics. Members of Congress have introduced legislation to establish a national clean energy standard in every Congress since at least the 105th (1997-1998). [...] Experts disagree about the extent to which achieving a 100% CES presents cost or feasibility challenges. Assessing the cost and feasibility of a 100% CES is beyond the scope of this report. This report provides some analysis and discussion to inform potential CES policy debate in the 117th Congress, including a summary of CES proposals to date in the 117th and 116th Congresses."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lawson, Ashley J.
2021-09-14
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Safeguarding America's Seniors: What We Can Do to Prepare for National Emergencies
From the Introduction: "Last September, our nation reeled from the tragic and shameful
images of seniors abandoned during the aftermath of Hurricane
Katrina. We must never again leave our parents and grandparents
to face an emergency alone.
This report compiles the recommendations made to the U.S.
Senate Special Committee on Aging during and following the
hearing, 'Caring for Seniors in a National Emergency: Can We Do
Better?,' held on May 18, 2006. The report does not point fingers
for past tragedies; it looks forward. Hurricane season is an annual
event, the threat of terrorism remains, and the potential for an
avian flu pandemic looms. We all agree, we let our seniors down
after Hurricane Katrina. But, as sorry as we all are, are we any
more prepared for the next hurricane, attack, or disaster?
We know now that one-size-fits-all emergency plans are of little
use to seniors, especially those who depend on other for assistance
in their daily lives. When we plan for emergencies, we must also
plan for the unique challenges of keeping seniors safe.
Our lack of preparation for seniors after last summer's hurricane's-and
the terrible price we paid in lives and suffering-was
a national tragedy. That tragedy is compounded if we ignore the
painful lessons of the past. We need specific plans, programs, and
information for seniors facing emergencies.
This report is intended to inform decision makers on all levels-Federal,
State and local emergency planners, first responders, law
enforcement, advocates, seniors, and their families and friends. We
believe all will find information they can use to prepare to care for
seniors when the next emergency occurs."
United States. Government Printing Office
2006
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 550, Immunization Infrastructure Modernization Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on July 21, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 550 would authorize $400 million for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to improve and expand immunization information systems (IIS). The bill instructs the Secretary to award grants to state, local, tribal, and territorial public health departments for IIS improvements, to designate data and technology standards for IIS, and to submit a Congressional report. For this estimate, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] assumes H.R. 550 will be enacted near the beginning of fiscal year 2022. Based on historical spending on similar activities, CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 550 would increase federal spending by $396 million over the 2022-2026 period, subject to the availability of appropriated funds."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-21
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After Action Report/Improvement Plan: Plume Exercise, Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station [March 21, 2013]
From the Executive Summary: "On March 21, 2013 a full-scale plume exercise was conducted in the 10-mile plume emergency planning zone (EPZ) around the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station (PNPS) by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region I. Out-of-sequence demonstrations of local schools, daycares, Medical Service (MS-1) Hospitals and special facilities were conducted on various dates from June through September, 2012. The purpose of the exercise and the out-of-sequence demonstrations was to assess the level of State and local preparedness in responding to a radiological emergency. The exercise and out-of-sequence demonstrations were held in accordance with FEMA's policies and guidance concerning the exercise of State and local radiological emergency response plans (RERP) and procedures. [...] This report contains the final evaluation of the biennial exercise[.]"
United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency
2013-03-21
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Legal Framework of the National Environmental Policy Act [Updated September 22, 2021]
From the Document: "The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321 'et seq.', requires federal agencies to identify and evaluate impacts of 'major Federal actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.' Although an agency must consider these impacts, it need not elevate these environmental concerns above others. Instead, NEPA requires agencies to 'take a 'hard look' at environmental consequences' of their proposed actions, consider alternatives, and publicly disseminate such information before taking final action. 'Robertson v. Methow Valley Citizens Council', 490 U.S. 332, 350 (1989) (emphasis added). NEPA also established the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), which issues regulations and guidance detailing how federal agencies must implement NEPA. 40 C.F.R. pts. 1500-1518. Through these actions, CEQ has defined and interpreted some of NEPA's broad procedural mandate. In 2020, CEQ finalized revisions to its 1978 NEPA regulations, which apply to all proposals subject to NEPA reviews after September 14, 2020, although agencies may choose to apply them to ongoing reviews. 85 Fed. Reg. 43,304 (July 16, 2020) (2020 Rules). These regulations are being challenged by a number of states and other stakeholders, and are currently stayed by the courts pending CEQ's review and revision of them. This In Focus describes the legal obligations that NEPA and the 2020 Rules impose on federal agencies. It also highlights some changes that these rules made to the 1978 regulations and CEQ's plans for revising them."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Hart, Nina M.; Tsang, Linda
2021-09-22
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Jamaica [Updated September 23, 2021]
From the Document: "Jamaica, the most populous English-speaking Caribbean nation, has had a relatively stable parliamentary political system stemming from its history of British colonial rule, though extensive political violence often marred elections in the 1970s and 1980s. Two political parties--the center-left People's National Party (PNP) and the center-right Jamaica Labour Party (JLP)--have dominated the political system since before the country's 1962 independence. [...] The Jamaican economy, which is heavily dependent on services, especially tourism, has been hard hit by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Even before the pandemic, the World Bank characterized Jamaica as an upper-middle-income country struggling due to low growth; high public debt; exposure to natural disasters, such as hurricanes and flooding; and the effects of climate change. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the economy contracted an estimated 10.2% in 2020 and is projected to grow 1.5% in 2021 and 5.7% in 2022. Tourist arrivals fell significantly because of the pandemic. Remittances from Jamaicans abroad are an important source of income and, despite the pandemic, grew nearly 20% in 2020 to about $2.9 billion."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sullivan, Mark P.
2021-09-23
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Mexico: Evolution of the Mérida Initiative, FY2008-FY2022 [Updated September 20, 2021]
From the Document: "Prior to FY2008, Mexico did not receive large amounts of U.S. security assistance, partially due to Mexican sensitivity about U.S. involvement in the country's internal affairs. In March 2007, then-Mexican President Felipe Calderón asked for more U.S. cooperation to fight criminal organizations and their cross-border trafficking operations. In response, the Mérida Initiative, a package of U.S. antidrug and rule of law assistance to Mexico (and Central America), began. As part of the Mérida Initiative's emphasis on 'shared responsibility', the Mexican government pledged to tackle corruption. The U.S. government pledged to address drug demand and the illicit trafficking of firearms and bulk currency to Mexico. Both governments have struggled to fulfill those commitments. Impunity for public corruption continues in Mexico, and record U.S. drug overdoses in 2020 reveal challenges in addressing U.S. drug demand."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2021-09-20
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El Salvador: Authoritarian Actions and U.S. Response [Updated October 1, 2021]
From the Document: "On September 3, 2021, the Salvadoran Supreme Court's Constitutional Chamber ruled [hyperlink] that a president could serve two consecutive terms, despite constitutional prohibitions on reelection. The justices who issued the ruling were installed in May 2021 after the Salvadoran National Assembly, aligned with President Nayib Bukele, unconstitutionally dismissed [hyperlink] the previous Constitutional Court magistrates, along with the attorney general. These developments, combined with other Bukele-backed measures to erode the separation of powers and repress dissent, have led the Biden Administration, some Members of Congress, and other observers to express concerns about democratic backsliding in El Salvador."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Seelke, Clare Ribando
2021-10-01
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FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation: The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program [Updated September 17, 2021]
From the Document: "The majority of funding for hazard mitigation [hyperlink] comes from FEMA, which administers three Hazard Mitigation Assistance [hyperlink] (HMA) programs and also funds Public Assistance [hyperlink] mitigation measures funded under Section 406 of the Stafford Act. The 6% BRIC set-aside has increased pre-disaster mitigation funding significantly; however, post-disaster mitigation [hyperlink] still receives far more resources. Because the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and PA [public assistance] mitigation funds are only available to states following a major disaster declaration, they cannot be targeted at areas with greater risk of future losses. As a result, disasters determine to a great extent where the federal government invests in disaster resilience, and this may not correlate with the greatest risks."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2021-09-17
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National Flood Insurance Program Borrowing Authority [Updated September 17, 2021]
From the Document: "Funding for the NFIP [hyperlink] is primarily maintained in an authorized account called the National Flood Insurance Fund [hyperlink] (NFIF). The NFIP [National Flood Insurance Program] is funded from receipts from the premiums of flood insurance policies, including fees and surcharges; direct annual appropriations for specific costs of the NFIP [hyperlink] (only for flood mapping); and borrowing from the Treasury when the NFIF's balance has been insufficient to pay the NFIP's obligations (e.g., insurance claims). Since the end of FY2017, 16 short-term NFIP reauthorizations have been enacted. For further details of these reauthorizations, see CRS [Congressional Research Service] Insight IN10835, 'What Happens If the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Lapses?' The current reauthorization is set to expire on September 30, 2021. These extensions did not increase the NFIP's borrowing limit or provide additional funds to the NFIP."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Horn, Diane P.
2021-09-17
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Fact Sheet: Opioid Abuse in the United States
The purpose of this document is to provide a comprehensive image of the abuse of opioid substances in the United States. This fact sheet provides empirical data of the rate of deaths as a result of opioid overdose in comparison to that of other illegal/controlled substances. Additional information covers the disease of addiction and the avenues users explore to obtain further illicit substances as well as the use of Naloxone as a remedy for overdoses that have not yet resulted in death.
United States. Office of National Drug Control Policy; United States. Government Printing Office
2014-02-11
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 1297, Air America Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on May 25, 2021. From the Document: "H.R. 1297 would establish the service of certain former employees of Air America (or specified affiliated companies) between January 1, 1950, and December 31, 1976, as creditable toward a federal civil service retirement annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that the additional retirement annuity payments authorized by the bill would increase direct spending by $9 million over the 2021-2031 period. That estimate is based on data collected in 2014 by the Air America Association (the most recent data available) and was adjusted for expected mortality. CBO estimates that there are about 80 former Air America employees still living who would be eligible under H.R. 1297 to begin receiving a federal retirement benefit based on their Air America (or related) service, provided that the period of service meets the eligibility requirements for a CSRS benefit. (There are several tiers of eligibility based on age and years of service that can confer eligibility for a CSRS annuity; five years of service is the minimum requirement.)"
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-24
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 2520, State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act of 2021
This is the Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on August 4, 2021. From the Document: "S. 2520 would authorize the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate with state, local, tribal, and territorial governments to enhance the cybersecurity of their information systems. Under the bill, DHS would continue to assist those governments by conducting cybersecurity exercises, providing training, and notifying them of cybersecurity threats. The bill also would require the department to report to the Congress on the effectiveness of its efforts."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-09-24
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Department of Homeland Security Climate Action Plan: Integrating Climate Adaptation into the Department to Strengthen Mission Operations and Infrastructure
From the Introduction: "The Department of Homeland Security's ('Department' or 'DHS') mission is to safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values. [...] According to the Fourth National Climate Assessment, 'global climate is changing rapidly compared to the pace of natural variations in climate that have occurred throughout Earth's history.' Sea-level rise, extreme weather events, drought, changes in migration patterns, workforce health, and other direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of climate change will affect essential functions and supporting infrastructure across the United States. Simply put, the world is facing an existential climate crisis that is a current and growing threat to our way of life. Climate change endangers national security and DHS's mission of safeguarding the American people, our homeland, and our values. The Intelligence Community recently stated that a changing climate will create a mix of direct and indirect threats, including risks to the economy, heightened political volatility, human displacement, and new venues of geopolitical competition that will play out during the next decade and beyond. Climate change has already contributed to instability in strategically important areas; it is a 'threat multiplier.' To adapt, focused solutions are needed. Investing in action now saves lives, conserves resources, and provides long-term cost savings. The Department is committed to establishing adaptation strategies and increasing resilience today so we will be better able to meet the challenges of a changing climate tomorrow while continuing to meet mission requirements."
United States. Department of Homeland Security
2021-09
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 39, September 30, 2021
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "POINTER [Precision Outdoor and Indoor Navigation and Tracking for Emergency Responders] location-tracking tech from DHS S&T [Science and Technology Directorate] and NASA is tested by Virginia fire department, scheduled for commercial release next year"; "Securing houses of worship with community partnerships, the Power of Hello and suspicious activity reporting"; "Guidance on preparing for the upcoming Assistance to Firefighters grant application period"; "CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency] holds virtual Cybersecurity Summit in October"; "CISA and NSA [National Security Agency] release guidance on selecting and hardening VPNs [Virtual Private Networks]"; "#NITAM [National Insider Threat Awareness Month]"; "Mitigating non-malicious insider risk"; "CISA releases new tool to help organizations guard against insider threats"; "Cyberespionage implant delivered via targeted government DNS [Domain Name System] hijacking"; and "CISA warns of Hikvision camera flaw as U.S. aims to rid Chinese gear from networks."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2021-09-30
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EMR-ISAC: InfoGram, Volume 21 Issue 40, October 7, 2021
The Emergency Management and Response Information Sharing and Analysis Center's (EMR-ISAC) InfoGram is a weekly publication of information concerning the protection of critical infrastructures relevant to members of the Emergency Services Sector. This issue includes the following articles: "NVFC [National Volunteer Fire Council] and IAFC [International Association of Fire Chiefs] release update to Lavender Ribbon Report on 11 best practices to prevent firefighter cancer"; "DHS S&T [Science and Technology Directorate] field tests FirstNet push-to-talk app for communications interoperability among DHS components and first responders"; "FEMA releases major update to Comprehensive Preparedness Guide 101, final webinar on Oct. 13"; "REMINDER: Deadline to request FEMA Exercise Support is Nov. 1"; "Blockchain technology could provide secure communications for robot teams"; "Coinbase says hackers stole cryptocurrency from at least 6,000 customers;" "DHS issues roadmap to help organizations prepare for quantum computing threat"; "Conti gang threatens to dump victim data if ransom negotiations leak to reporters"; and "GAO [Government Accountability Office] flags six agencies on telework security measures."
Emergency Management and Response-Information Sharing and Analysis Center (U.S.)
2021-10-07
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Cyber Threats in the Pipeline: Lessons from the Federal Response to the Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack, Joint Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation and the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, House of Representatives of the Committee on Homeland Security, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress, First Session, June 15, 2021
This is the June 15, 2021 hearing on "Cyber Threats in the Pipeline: Lessons from the Federal Response to the Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack," held before the House of Representatives of the Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation and the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security. From the opening statement of Bonnie Watson Coleman: "The impacts of the May 7 ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline were far-reaching. As we all know now, nearly half of the East Coast's fuel is supplied by the Colonial Pipeline. When the pipeline was shut down, Americans struggled to fill up their gas tanks, and the incident threatened to cause major disruptions to the economy and well-being of our country. That is why it is so important for us to have a conversation today about the Federal Government's response to the Colonial incident and its role in ensuring the cybersecurity of our critical infrastructure. [...] Today, we will hear from TSA and CISA [Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency], the DHS components that are charged with ensuring the cybersecurity of our Nation's pipelines and responding to cyber incidents. I am looking forward to learning, not only about TSA and CISA's engagement with Colonial before and after this incident, but also about their plans to ensure we are better prepared next time." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Sonya T. Proctor and Eric Goldstein.
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021
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H. Rept. 117-130: Build Back Better Act, Report of the Committee on the Budget, House of Representatives, to Accompany H.R. 5376, Together with Minority Views, September 27, 2021 (Book 3 of 3)
Froom Book 1 of the Report: "The Build Back Better Act makes the transformative investments at the scale necessary to meet the needs of the American people, address dangerous deficits in our society, improve our economic outlook, and set America up to compete and win in the decades ahead. With the Build Back Better Act, we will: 'Cut taxes for the middle class'. [...] 'Create jobs'. [...] 'Lower costs for working families'. [...] 'Tackle the climate crisis and strengthen resilience'. [...] 'Ensure Fiscal Responsibility'." Book 1 of this report can be accessed here: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=859475]. Book 2 can be accessed here: [https://www.hsdl.org/?abstract&did=859477].
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021-09-27
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Council on Environmental Quality: Guiding Principles for Sustainable Federal Buildings and Associated Instructions
From the Purpose: "Since 2002, the Federal Government has outlined its intent to advance sustainable building principles and practices throughout its portfolio established through a number of statutory and executive policies that every Federal agency has integrated and utilized. These sustainable principles and practices have been incorporated into six Guiding Principles for sustainable Federal buildings (Guiding Principles), outlined below, to guide agencies in designing, locating, constructing, maintaining, and operating Federal buildings in a sustainable manner that increases efficiency, optimizes performance, eliminates unnecessary use of resources, ensures the health of occupants, protects the environment, generates cost savings, and mitigates risks to assets, consistent with Agency and Department missions."
Council on Environmental Quality (U.S.)
2020-12
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S. Rept. 117-40: Artificial Intelligence Training for the Acquisition Workforce Act, Report to Accompany S. 2551, Including Cost Estimate of the Congressional Budget Office, October 5, 2021
From the Purpose and Summary: "S. 2551, the Artificial Intelligence [AI] Training for the Workforce Act, or the 'AI Training Act,' requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to establish or otherwise provide a training program on artificial intelligence (AI) for the federal acquisition workforce, in order to ensure that the workforce has knowledge of the capabilities and risks associated with AI. The bill defines artificial intelligence and the covered workforce members targeted for the training, including program and procurement personnel, and others as designated by the head of the executive agency to participate. The Director of OMB, in coordination with the Administrator of General Services and others determined relevant by the Director, must develop and provide the training program to the covered workforce not later than one year after the date of enactment."
United States. Government Publishing Office
2021-10-05
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Guidance for Federal Agency Implementation of Workplace Charging Pursuant to the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act: Level 1 Charging Receptacles
From the Introduction: "Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) and other Federal agencies to install, operate and maintain plug‐in electric vehicle (PEV) charging stations for privately owned PEVs in parking areas used by Federal employees and authorized users, and requires the collection of fees to recover these costs. The provision of PEV charging stations at the workplace can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by encouraging the displacement of commuters' petroleum fuel with lower‐emission electricity. Executive Order 13693 section 7(f) instructs the Federal government to consider the development of policies to promote sustainable commuting and work related travel practices including workplace vehicle charging for Federal employees, where consistent with agency authority and Federal appropriations law."
Council on Environmental Quality (U.S.)
2016-06
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Interim Guidance for Calculating Federal Compliance with Executive Order 13693 Waste Diversion Goals
From the Introduction: "The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is issuing this interim guidance document pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13693, 'Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade'. This interim guidance will be reviewed and updated by CEQ as appropriate. E.O. 13693 calls for the Federal government to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 40 percent by 2025 relative to a 2008 baseline. Diversion is an important waste management practice and in addition, reduces GHG emissions from landfill waste. Landfills are a significant source of methane, a potent GHG with a global warming potential 25 times greater than carbon dioxide. Methane accounts for approximately 10 percent of all U.S. GHG emissions, and landfills are one of the largest sources of anthropogenic methane in the United States, at around 20 percent of all anthropogenic methane releases."
Council on Environmental Quality (U.S.)
2016-12-23
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Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: S. 1894, Regional Ocean Partnership Act
This is the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Cost Estimate as ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on June 16, 2021. From the Document: "S. 1894 would authorize the appropriation of specific amounts totaling $57 million over the 2022-2026 period for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide grants to regional ocean partnerships. Those partnerships would consist of coastal states that share a common ocean or coastal area. Under the bill, a partnership would coordinate conservation efforts and other related activities of state, federal, and tribal governments and work with international counterparts to conserve shared coastal resources. The bill would designate four current partnerships under the program and create a process for other groups of two or more coastal states to apply for recognition as such a partnership. Based on historical spending patterns for similar activities, and assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates that implementing S. 1894 would cost $49 million over the 2022-2026 period and $7 million after 2026 (about 1 percent of the authorized amounts would not be spent)."
United States. Congressional Budget Office
2021-10-12
