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• NN/LM Earthquake Summit Report

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  "The NN/LM [National Network of Libraries of Medicine] Earthquake Summit was designed to develop a greater understanding of earthquake risks, promote partnerships with emergency planners, explore potential roles for libraries and librarians before and after a disaster, and to share best practices." Key takeaways from the summit include: "1. NN/LM is active in facilitating partnerships among libraries and community emergency responders. […] 2. The most important actions to remember in responding to an earthquake are: DROP, COVER and HOLD ON! 3. The reason for not running outside of a building during an earthquake is that most injuries and fatalities associated with earthquakes are caused by parts of buildings falling off the outside. 4. The incidence of earthquakes is increasing due to human activity, or 'induced seismicity.' 5. 'Sudden onset' disasters have an enormous impact on the physical and mental/emotional health of survivors; a quick recovery should not be expected. 6. Disasters bring profound change and prolonged challenges. 7. The Disaster Information Management Research Center provides many free and downloadable tools to assist emergency responders and health care professionals. […] 8. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides structure and training for emergency/disaster preparedness response on the national level and through regional, state and county agencies, as well as assistance to individuals. […] 9. Public libraries prepare for disasters by developing Continuity of Operations Plans (COOPs). Their plans cover preparedness and response for staff, facilities, collections and patrons. Public libraries function as community centers, especially following a disaster, and must be prepared to maintain as many of their services and locations as possible."

  National Network of Libraries of Medicine (U.S.)

  Wilson, Dan; Yowell, Susan

  2012-04-06
• Chile: Political and Economic Conditions and U.S. Relations [April 6, 2012]

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  "Since its transition back to democracy in 1990, Chile has consistently maintained friendly relations with the United States. Serving as a reliable but independent ally, Chile has worked with the United States to advance democracy, human rights, and free trade in the Western Hemisphere. Chile and the United States also maintain strong commercial ties. Total trade has nearly tripled to over $17.9 billion since the implementation of a bilateral free trade agreement in 2004, and the countries signed an income tax treaty designed to boost private sector investment in February 2010. Additional areas of cooperation between the United States and Chile include investigating dictatorship-era human rights abuses, promoting clean energy technologies, and supporting regional security and stability. […] Congress has expressed interest in a number of issues in U.S.-Chile relations in recent years. During the 111th Congress, both houses passed resolutions (S.Res. 431 and H.Res. 1144) expressing sympathy for the victims of the Chilean earthquake, and the House passed a resolution (H.Res. 1662) commending the rescue of the country's trapped miners. The 112th Congress could take up issues such as the U.S.-Chile bilateral income tax treaty that was signed in 2010 and is awaiting submission to the U.S. Senate for ratification. This report provides a brief historical background of Chile, examines recent political and economic developments, and considers current issues in U.S.-Chilean relations."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Meyer, Peter J.

  2012-04-06
• Effects of Radiation from Fukushima Dai-ichi on the U.S. Marine Environment [April 2, 2012]

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  "The massive Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, caused extensive damage in northeastern Japan, including damage to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power installation, which resulted in the release of radiation. Some have called this incident the biggest manmade release ever of radioactive material into the oceans. Concerns arose about the potential effects of this released radiation on the U.S. marine environment and resources. Both ocean currents and atmospheric winds have the potential to transport radiation over and into marine waters under U.S. jurisdiction. It is unknown whether marine organisms that migrate through or near Japanese waters to locations where they might subsequently be harvested by U.S. fishermen (possibly some albacore tuna or salmon in the North Pacific) might have been exposed to radiation in or near Japanese waters, or might have consumed prey with accumulated radioactive contaminants."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Buck, Eugene H.; Upton, Harold F. (Harold Frank)

  2012-04-02
• Shake Out Earthquake Exercise Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region VIII and Utah ESF 11 After Action Report

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  "On 17th April, FEMA Region VIII and Utah exercised their response to a 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Salt Lake City. Notification of the earthquake happened by the Emergency Notification System in FEMA Region VIII. Upon activation, the ESF 11 [Emergency Support Function] Coordinator submitted a Resource Request Workbook for initial staffing to include: ESF 11 desk officer at the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Emergency Operations Center in Salt Lake City, ESF 11 desk officer at the FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center in Denver, and ESF 11 liaison officer attached to the FEMA Incident Management Assistance Team in Salt Lake City. In addition, subject matter experts for household pets and congregate feeding were requested for desk officer support. For APHIS [Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service] resources, western region dispatch created a Shake Out Exercise incident in the Resource Ordering Status System (ROSS), attached employees to the incident in ROSS, and sent dispatched employees a Resource Order. For partner agency resources, FEMA Region VIII partner agency contacts identified resources for deployment. FEMA utilized Action Request Forms to simulate Mission Assignment (MA) authority utilized during a presidential disaster declaration under the Stafford Act. Beyond the Federal Operations Support MA for activation, two additional MAs were discussed with FEMA in response to state requests for assistance with livestock feeding and stray animal recovery. Resources were demobilized by 19th April."

  United States. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

  2012-04
• All Hazards Plan Validation Table Top Exercise-Puerto Rico Earthquake and Tsunami Hazard After Action Report

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  "The Puerto Rico Earthquake and Tsunami Plan Validation Tabletop Exercise was the culmination of many months of planning for the Commonwealth and Federal Partners in FEMA Region II. It was part of the Catastrophic Planning Tabletop (TTX) Series consisting of FEMA Regional-level exercises to validate catastrophic planning efforts. The plan provides a tactical framework for decision making relating to a catastrophic earthquake occurring on-shore in Puerto Rico and a catastrophic earthquake off-shore resulting in a tsunami on Puerto Rico. The scope of the annex and TTX related to the first 72 hours, defining the resources to support 14 pre-defined response core capabilities necessary to stabilize response operations, while providing for inputs into long-term recovery decision making, given the geographic separation from the continental US. In addition, FEMA and its Federal Partners' capabilities were tested, to provide support to the government of Puerto Rico in order to save lives, protect property and the environment, and meet basic human needs in a post-catastrophic incident environment. The scenario for the TTX was a major earthquake impacting Puerto Rico and causing catastrophic and major damage throughout the central and eastern parts of the island. Thousands of homes and commercial buildings were destroyed or were severely impacted, resulting in over 450,000 people that needed sheltering and feeding. The San Juan harbor was filled with damaged cruise ships, pleasure boats, fishing boats, containers and other debris. The San Juan airport was severely damaged and planes were unable to land/take off with navigational aids down."

  United States. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

  2012-04
• National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program: FEMA Accomplishments in Fiscal Year 2011

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  "This report describes a cross-section of selected FEMA NEHRP [Federal Emergency Management Agency National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program] accomplishments (HQ and Regional), followed by highlights from the States and U.S. territories and organizations which received FEMA support for NEHRP activities in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011. Each year, FEMA provides cooperative agreement funds to eligible States and U.S. territories with moderate to high seismic risk to mitigate those risks and reduce future losses from earthquakes. In FY 2011, FEMA awarded more than $2 million to 34 States and territories to support the effective implementation of earthquake risk reduction activities: earthquake training and awareness, seismic mitigation plans, property inventory, seismic safety inspections, building codes adoption, and the development of multi-state groups. Organizations receiving FEMA support included the four regional earthquake consortia and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI). The following accomplishments showcase how FEMA and its partners, working in collaboration, are continuing to make progress toward earthquake loss-reduction nationwide. Work completed in FY 2011 will have applications immediately or in the near term in reducing earthquake risk, and also will help to create a strong foundation for realizing similarly effective outcomes in future years."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (U.S.)

  2012-04
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission: Natural Hazard Assessments Could be More Risk-Informed, Report to Congressional Requesters

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  "On March 11, 2011, an earthquake triggered a tsunami wave that exceeded the seawall at Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, leading to the release of radioactive material into the environment. The disaster raised questions about the threats that natural hazards, such as earthquakes and floods, may pose to U.S. commercial nuclear power reactors. NRC [Nuclear Regulatory Commission] licenses and regulates U.S. nuclear power reactors. NRC criteria for licensees to assess natural hazards were developed using an approach that required reactors to be designed according to a set of potential accidents using deterministic analysis. Since the 1990s, NRC has been encouraging the use of PRA [Probabilistic Risk Assessment] as part of a risk-informed, performance-based approach. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to (1) determine the extent to which PRA is applied to natural hazards at operating U.S. reactors and (2) describe expert views on and suggested changes, if any, to NRC processes for assessing natural hazards at such reactors. GAO reviewed documents; analyzed responses from 15 experts in assessing nuclear reactor risks and/or natural hazards; visited five selected nuclear power plants; and interviewed NRC officials and industry and public interest group representatives. […] GAO recommends that NRC analyze whether licensees of operating reactors should be required to develop PRAs that address natural hazards. NRC agreed with the recommendation and stated it will conduct the analysis in the context of ongoing initiatives."

  United States. Government Accountability Office

  2012-04
• Exercise LANTEX12: Participant Handbook: An Atlantic/Gulf of Mexico Tsunami Warning Exercise: March 28, 2012

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  From the Summary: "The US NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]/National Weather Service and the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program will be conducting a tsunami exercise on March 28, 2012 to assist tsunami preparedness efforts along the U.S. and Canadian east coasts, the Gulf of Mexico, and in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The LANTEX12 [Large AtlaNtic Tsunami Exercise 12] tsunami exercise consists of two separate scenarios. Scenario 1 simulates a Gulf of Mexico earthquake west of Florida which generates a tsunami by triggering a submarine slump on the continental slope. The second scenario consists of an earthquake located east of South Carolina which also generates a tsunami by triggering a slump along the continental slope further to the east."

  United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (U.S.)

  2012-03-28
• Exercise PACIFEX 12: Participant Handbook: A Pacific Tsunami Warning Exercise: March 28, 2012

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  From the Background: "This tsunami exercise is being conducted to assist tsunami preparedness efforts along the U.S. and Canadian Pacific coasts. Historical tsunami records from sources such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) show that approximately 85% of the world's oceanic tsunamis occur in the Pacific Basin and surrounding seas. Tsunamis have impacted U.S. and Canadian Pacific coasts several times in the past century with devastating results. Preparing and exercising emergency response plans throughout this region is an important part of tsunami preparedness. The PACIFEX12 [Pacific Exercise 12] exercise simulates an earthquake located 70 miles east of Kodiak City, Alaska which generates a major tsunami, similar in nature to Alaska's March 27, 1964 9.2 magnitude earthquake." From the Purpose: "The purpose of this exercise is to improve the effectiveness of the tsunami warning system along the U.S. and Canadian Pacific coasts. The exercise provides an opportunity for emergency management organizations along these coasts to exercise their operational lines of communications, review their tsunami response procedures, and promote tsunami preparedness. Regular exercising of response plans is critical to maintain readiness for an emergency. This is particularly true for tsunamis which are infrequent, but high impact events. Every coastal U.S. and Canadian Pacific emergency management organization (EMO) is encouraged to participate."

  United States. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (U.S.)

  2012-03-28
• Role of Military Forces in Disaster Response: Remove the Impediments

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  From the thesis abstract: "Hurricane Katrina and the events that unfolded on 11 September 2001 continue to raise the issue of timely responses to disasters by the state and federal government. Two recent natural disasters-the devastating tornadoes that struck multiple states in April 2011 and the recent earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan affirm that catastrophes strike unexpectedly and can quickly overwhelm the capabilities of local and state authorities to respond. Since 2005 Congress has passed and amended laws to improve the military's responsiveness to disasters, including better structures for command and control. However, some restrictions and command and control issues still impede defense support to civil authorities (DSCA). This SRP [Strategy Research Project] recommends two further changes that will facilitate better military responses to domestic crisis: amend the Posse Comitatus (PCA), and allow federal forces to serve in a tactical control (TACON) relationship under the governor of a state while supporting civil support operations inside of the United States."

  Army War College (U.S.)

  Bentley, Michael

  2012-03-08
• Examining the Need for Standardization of the Initial Damage Assessment Process in Louisa County, Virginia

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  "A recent earthquake centered in Louisa County, Virginia, required County officials to undertake an extensive and prolonged initial damage assessment process. The problem was that the Louisa County Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) did not have an established system for conducting these assessments initially caused errors in the process. The action research method was used to fulfill the purpose of this research, which was to develop a tool for Louisa County to conduct consistent and accurate initial damage assessments in the future. Literature review, a questionnaire and personal interviews were used to answer the following questions: 1) Why should localities perform initial damage assessments? 2) What tools are other localities using? 3) What elements do these tools have in common? and 4) What tools would benefit Louisa County in future damage assessment techniques? Results demonstrated why departments should perform initial damage assessments, that standardized policies, procedures and forms are used by other departments, with some elements in common, and that Louisa County would benefit from adopting such policies and procedures. Based upon the research results, a recommendation was made for Louisa to implement a standardized process for initial damage assessment, to include standardization of paperwork and data intake."

  United States Fire Administration

  Keim, Scott

  2012-03?
• All Hazards Plan Validation Table Top Exercise U.S. Virgin Islands Earthquake and Tsunami Hazard After Action Report

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  "The USVI Earthquake and Tsunami Plan Validation Tabletop Exercise was the culmination of many months of planning for all of the Territorial and Federal Partners in FEMA Region II. It was part of the Catastrophic Planning Tabletop (TTX) Series consisting of FEMA Regional-level exercises to validate catastrophic planning efforts. In addition, a purpose was to test the capability of FEMA and its Federal Partners to provide support to the territorial government of the USVI in order to save and sustain human life, minimize suffering, stabilize critical infrastructure, ensure the continuity of government, and set the conditions for long-term recovery. The response focus of the plan, and the exercise were only centered on addressing ten critical core capabilities-based objectives within the first 72-hours of the event and what FEMA Region II could 'push' out to assist the Territory. The ESF11 Coordinator for FEMA Region II focused planning and exercise play with Mass Care. The scenario for the TTX was a major earthquake and an accompanying series of tsunami waves impacting the USVI and causing major damages throughout the eastern Caribbean. Hundreds of homes and commercial buildings collapsed throughout St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, resulting in over 55,000 people that needed sheltering and feeding. The harbors were filled with damaged cruise ships, pleasure boats, fishing boats, containers and other debris. The airports were severely damaged and planes were unable to land or take off and navigational aids around the territory were down. Major roads were damaged or inaccessible. Utilities' infrastructures were severely impacted and were made inoperable."

  United States. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

  2012-03
• Seismic Waves: FEMA Spearheading NEHRP Implementation Efforts

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  Seismic Waves is a newsletter published by the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program. "The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) primary role within the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) is to work with state governments and other partners to strengthen the resilience of communities vulnerable to earthquakes. This critical 'implementation' mission focuses on putting to use knowledge developed through research on seismic hazards and on reducing risks presented by such hazards. Several major components of this work are explored below."

  National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (U.S.)

  2012-03
• Japan's Self Defense Forces After the Great East Japan Earthquake: Toward a New Status Quo

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  From the thesis abstract: "The Great East Japan Earthquakes unique scope and the actors involved in the ensuing disaster dispatch has the potential to significantly impact four areas influencing the SDFs [Self Defense Force] trajectory security interests, economic interests, norms, and actors and institutions. Retrenchment, status quo, and remilitarization are all plausible outcomes for the SDFs trajectory. Understanding what the disasters changed in these four areas is critical in determining the most probable SDF trajectory. This thesis finds that the SDF will not likely embark on a retrenchment or rapid remilitarization trajectory. Japans security and economic interests have not fundamentally changed but rather economic trends in place prior to the disasters were aggravated and its security policy was validated. Japans norms were the most fundamentally changed as the SDF emerged from the disasters as the most trusted institution in Japan. Changes will be limited to the fringes of the status quo bordering remilitarization as numerous disincentives restrain the SDF from rapidly moving toward remilitarization. These changes will come about from a growing sense of economic and security pragmatism that results in engaging rather than containing the SDF. Improved civil-military relations, more public support for the SDFs expanding domestic and international roles, and more deference for the SDF as a useful tool of the state will characterize this new status quo."

  Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)

  Hiscock, Kyle W.

  2012-03
• Air Force Priorities for a New Strategy with Constrained Budgets

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  "Innovation and adaptability are essential strengths the United States Air Force has sharpened during our last two decades of continuous combat operations. We have become increasingly intertwined with the successful operation of the Joint Force, which has evolved to a point where no other Service operates independently of the Air Force. Since September 11, 2001, operating as part of the Joint team, the Air Force has met every expectation to deliver decisive air, space, and cyber power to combat commanders; flexed to meet unforeseen contingencies such as the relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti, and the tsunami in Japan; and quickly shifted to more complex counter-terror operations and contingencies such as the recent U.S. support to NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] operations over Libya. […] At the same time, however, the Air Force budget, excluding contingency funding, has been essentially flat since 2004. Since 2001, we have reduced our inventory by over 500 aircraft and have added new missions, while end strength has come down by thousands of Airmen, leaving us next year with the smallest force since our inception in 1947. Meanwhile, the average age of Air Force aircraft has risen dramatically: fighters stand at 22 years; bombers, 35 years; and tankers, 47 years. Now a changing and more complex security environment is emerging against a backdrop of fiscal crisis and diminishing resources, which has driven the need for new strategic guidance. As the Air Force approaches further reductions, our fleets are already smaller and older than at the end of the post‐Cold War downsizing."

  United States. Department of the Air Force

  2012-02
• HAZUS Hot Zone [February 2012]

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  This edition of the HAZUS Hot Zone contains the following articles: "Pacific Disaster Center Uses Hazus For Hurricane Irene," "Northeast States Emergency Consortium Uses Hazus For Hurricane Irene," "Hazus User Group Update," "Hazus For Floodplain Managers," "Tsunami Model Update," "Hazus Used To Measure Earthquake Risks In Schools," and "Hazus Goes To Singapore."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency

  2012-02
• Effects of Radiation From Fukushima Dai-ichi on the U.S. Marine Environment [January 20, 2012]

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  "The massive Tohoku earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011, caused extensive damage in northeastern Japan, including damage to the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power installation, which resulted in the release of radiation. Some have called this incident the biggest manmade release ever of radioactive material into the oceans. Concerns have arisen about the potential effects of this released radiation on the U.S. marine environment and resources. Both ocean currents and atmospheric winds have the potential to transport radiation over and into marine waters under U.S. jurisdiction. It is unknown whether marine organisms that migrate through or near Japanese waters to locations where they might subsequently be harvested by U.S. fishermen (possibly some albacore tuna or salmon in the North Pacific) might be exposed to radiation in or near Japanese waters, or might consume prey that have accumulated radioactive contaminants. High levels of radioactive iodine-131 (with a half-life of about 8 days), cesium-137 (with a halflife of about 30 years), and cesium-134 (with a half-life of about 2 years) were measured in seawater adjacent to the Fukushima Dai-ichi site after the March 2011 events. EPA rainfall monitors in California, Idaho, and Minnesota detected trace amounts of radioactive iodine, cesium, and tellurium consistent with the Japanese nuclear incident, at concentrations below any level of concern. It is uncertain how precipitation of radioactive elements from the atmosphere may affect radiation levels in the marine environment. Scientists have stated that radiation in the ocean very quickly becomes diluted and should not be a problem beyond the coast of Japan. The same is true of radiation carried by winds. Barring a major unanticipated release, radioactive contaminants from Fukushima Dai-ichi should be sufficiently dispersed over time that they will not prove to be a serious health threat elsewhere, unless they bioaccumulate in migratory fish or find their way directly to another part of the world through food or other commercial products."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Upton, Harold F. (Harold Frank); Buck, Eugene H.

  2012-01-20
• Fukushima Nuclear Disaster [January 18, 2012]

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  "The huge earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station on March 11, 2011, knocked out backup power systems that were needed to cool the reactors at the plant, causing three of them to undergo fuel melting, hydrogen explosions, and radioactive releases. Radioactive contamination from the Fukushima plant forced the evacuation of communities up to 25 miles away and affected up to 100,000 residents, although it did not cause any immediate deaths. […] The United States and other countries, as well as the International Atomic Energy Agency, are providing assistance to Japan to deal with the nuclear disaster. U.S. assistance has included transport of pumps, boron, fresh water, remote cameras, use of Global Hawk surveillance drones, evacuation support, medical support, and decontamination and radiation monitoring equipment. Studies of the Fukushima disaster have identified design changes, response actions, and other safety improvements that could have reduced or eliminated the amount of radioactivity released from the plant. As a result, Fukushima has prompted a reexamination of nuclear plant safety requirements around the world, including in the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Holt, Mark; Campbell, Richard J.; Nikitin, Mary Beth Dunham

  2012-01-18
• Nuclear Power Plant Design and Seismic Safety Considerations [January 12, 2012]

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  "The earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station and the earthquake that forced the North Anna, VA, nuclear power plant's temporary shutdown have focused attention on the seismic criteria applied to siting and designing commercial nuclear power plants. Some Members of Congress have questioned whether U.S nuclear plants are more vulnerable to seismic threats than previously assessed, particularly given the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's (NRC's) ongoing reassessment of seismic risks at certain plant sites. The design and operation of commercial nuclear power plants operating in the United States vary considerably because most were custom-designed and custom-built. Boiling water reactors (BWRs) directly generate steam inside the reactor vessel. Pressurized water reactors (PWRs) use heat exchangers to convert the heat generated by the reactor core into steam outside of the reactor vessel. U.S. utilities currently operate 104 nuclear power reactors at 65 sites in 31 states; 69 are PWR designs and the 35 are BWR designs."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Andrews, Anthony; Folger, Peter (Peter Franklin)

  2012-01-12
• Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate: H.R. 3479: Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2011

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  "H.R. 3479 would reauthorize federal programs aimed at developing methods to reduce damage caused by earthquakes and windstorms. The bill also would reauthorize an interagency advisory committee to coordinate those programs. Assuming appropriation of the authorized and necessary amounts, CBO [Congressional Budget Office] estimates that implementing the legislation would cost $285 million over the 2012-2017 period and $10 million after 2017. Enacting H.R. 3479 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. H.R. 3479 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments."

  United States. Congressional Budget Office

  2012-01-10
• S. Hrg. 112-532: Induced Seismicity from Energy Technologies, Hearing Before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Second Session, June 19, 2012

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  From the opening statement of Jeff Bingaman: "Welcome everyone to the hearing. This is on the potential for inducing manmade earthquakes from energy technologies. Many of the current and next generation energy technologies that are vital to our country's future require the injection of fluids like water and carbon dioxide or other mixtures deep into the Earth's subsurface. Geothermal energy extraction, geological carbon sequestration, the injection of waste water from hydraulic fracturing and enhanced oil recovery all require the injection and movement of fluids deep underground. Scientists have known for many decades that one potential side effect of pumping fluids in or out of the Earth is the creation of small to medium sized earthquakes. Though only a small number of recent seismic events here and abroad have been definitely linked to energy development, public concern has been raised about the potential for manmade earthquakes after seismic events that were felt in Arkansas and Oklahoma and Ohio and other places in the country. Those events in some cases were located near energy development and waste disposal sites." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jeff Bingaman, Murray W. Hitzman, William Leith, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Petty, and Mark D. Zoback."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• Energy and Water Development Appropriations for 2012, Part 7, Department of Energy, Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, March 15. 2011

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  This is the March 15, 2011 hearing "Energy and Water Development Appropriations for 2012" held before a Subcommittee of the House Committee on Appropriations. From the opening statement of Rodney P. Frelinghuysen: "This has been a tragic weekend. I know all of our hearts and prayers are with the people of Japan as they struggle to recover from the devastations they have suffered, a huge loss of life and livelihoods. Mr. Secretary, we all recognize that you do not control the energy sector of the United States--no one person does. But your voice, and the actions of this Administration, have the power to shape opinion and markets. Above all, you have the ability to put our country on a path to a sound, science-based energy policy. This was true even before Friday's earthquake and tsunami off the coast of Japan. […] Whether natural or manmade, we must be able to confront disasters or political realties in the Middle East by having a diversity of supply that doesn't leave us hostage to any one source. This nation is blessed with many energy options: unlimited coal supplies, natural gas, oil on shore and off shore, and companies and workers that are willing to tap them for us. Other companies and entrepreneurs are increasing our renewable footprint and we have, as a country, sun and wind resources and the ingenuity to develop them further. To the Administration's credit, after a 30 year hiatus, we are now committing more resources to a new generation of nuclear power."

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• Directory of FEMA Earthquake Partners [January 2012]

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  "Developing and strengthening partnerships for building safer communities underlies all of the initiatives and activities carried out by FEMA [Federal Emergency Management Agency] in support of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP). This Directory of FEMA Earthquake Partners supports those partnerships by providing contact information for more than 300 organizations and individuals involved in earthquake mitigation at the federal and state levels and in the non-governmental sector. Section II, FEMA Earthquake Partners, provides contact information (organization, web page link, name and title of key staff, staff email, and staff telephone number, when provided) for the following groups: the NEHRP Agencies; the Advisory Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction (ACEHR); FEMA Regional and Headquarters (HQ) Earthquake Program Managers; State and Territorial Earthquake Program Managers; Regional Earthquake Consortia; Seismic Safety Commissions, Committees, and Councils; Universities and Academic Research Centers; and Non-Governmental Partners. Not every organization listed under Non-Governmental Partners has a mission based on earthquake mitigation. Some of the organizations are included because their constituents, such as homeowners, school children, and property insurers, will benefit from or have a significant interest in earthquake mitigation."

  United States. Federal Emergency Management Agency; National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (U.S.)

  2012-01
• Review of Nuclear Safety in Light of the Impact of Natural Disasters on Japanese Nuclear Facilities, Hearing Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, Special Hearing March 30, 2011

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  From the opening statement of Dianne Feinstein: "Japan has now suffered two earthquakes in the past 4 years that were larger than the Japanese thought possible and each devastated a nuclear power plant that was not designed to endure a quake of that size. The lesson is that we need to think carefully about whether our country has properly estimated the threats to our nuclear facilities and designed the facilities to endure them. An independent review of the design basis for all U.S. plants, I believe, should be a priority. The nuclear R&D [Research and Development] program currently funds work related to existing plants, future reactor designs and waste issues. The question becomes: Do we have the right focus and balance to promote increased safety? The spent fuel at Daiichi posed a significant problem, contributing to at least one of the hydrogen explosions. So, what can our R&D programs do to address issues of remaining spent-fuel energy and hydrogen? [...] This hearing is not focused on nuclear waste, but I think it is hard to look at the other aspects of nuclear power and not recognize our lack of appropriate, permanent, retrievable storage. So, we will be exploring these issues today." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Dianne Feinstein, Lamar Alexander, Frank R. Lautenberg, Gregory B. Jaczko, Peter B. Lyons, Ernest J. Moniz, William Levis, David Lochbaum, and Mary L. Landrieu.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• ShakeCast: How the Los Angeles Unified School District Uses Technology to Prepare for and Respond to Earthquakes

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  "In 1994, the Northridge, Calif., region was struck by a 6.7 magnitude earthquake that damaged nearly 100,000 houses and buildings, including a number of Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) schools. The entire school district was closed for five days to allow first responders and facilities personnel adequate time to assess damage and determine whether buildings were safe to reenter. In the years subsequent to this incident, the LAUSD forged a partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) allowing the district to use two USGS tools at no cost: ShakeCast (an earthquake notification program) and ShakeMap (a companion product that provides users a map of the distribution of earthquake shaking). ShakeCast, a free online tool, delivers notification of shaking levels at userselected facilities affected by an earthquake; this information also may be superimposed on to a geographical map, or ShakeMap created by USGS."

  Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center (U.S.)

  2012
• FEMA Reauthorization and Cutting the Red Tape in Recovery, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, July 14, 2011

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  From the opening testimony of Jeff Denham: "At our hearing in March, we focused on how prepared we are to respond to a catastrophic disaster in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Today we will look at what happens next. After the initial response, how do we help communities pick up the pieces and recover quickly? So far this year, we have had 48 major disaster declarations, from tornadoes hitting communities in States like Missouri, Alabama, and Tennessee, to flooding in Vermont and Mississippi and wildfires in Texas." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jeff Denham, Craig Fugate, Jerome Hatfield, Cline Griggs, Phyllis Little, Chad Berginnis, the BuildStrong Coalition, and the U.S. Travel Association.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• Catastrophic Preparedness: How Ready is FEMA for the Next Big Disaster? Hearing Before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, March 17, 2011

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  From the opening statement of Joseph I. Lieberman: "We convened this hearing, which had been long planned, long scheduled on the ability of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to respond to a major catastrophe against the compelling backdrop of the tragically catastrophic events unfolding in Japan, an earthquake and tsunami in rapid succession that have already resulted in twice as many deaths as al-Qaeda's attack on America on September 11, 2001. And, of course, no one believes that the deaths and the finding of the dead is over yet. The earthquake and tsunami have also caused fires and explosions at nuclear power plants that could have nightmarish consequences for Japan and perhaps other countries as well. Japan has been considered the gold standard of earthquake preparedness because they have had repeated experience with earthquakes, but this earthquake registered 9.0 on the Richter scale." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: W. Craig Fugate, Richard L. Skinner, William O. Jenkins, Jr., Joseph I. Lieberman, Susan Collins, Scott P. Brown, Daniel K. Akaka, and Mary L. Landrieu.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• CRCL Newsletter (January 2012)

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  "The Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) supports the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as it secures the nation while preserving individual liberty, fairness, and equality under the law." This issue of the CRCL Newsletter contains the following articles: "Message from the Officer"; "DHS Issues Draft Environmental Justice Strategy for Public Comment"; "CRCL Participates in Civil Rights Listening Session"; "CRCL Launches a Facebook Page"; "ICE Announces New Hotline and Detainer Form for Immigrant Detainees"; "ICC [Interagency Coordinating Council on Individuals with Disabilities and Emergency Preparedness] Distributes Federal Survey Regarding 2011 East Coast Earthquake"; "White House Releases Strategic Implementation Plan to Prevent Violent Extremism"; "CRCL Engages with Somali-American Communities in the Twin Cities"; "CRCL Third Quarter Report"; "Fourth Periodic Report of the ICCPR [International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights]"; "TSA Cares"; and "CRCL on the Road".

  United States. Department of Homeland Security

  2012-01
• Facing Floods and Fires: Emergency Preparedness for Natural Disasters in Native Communities, Hearing Before the Committee on Indian Affairs, United States Senate, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, First Session, July 21, 2011

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  From the opening statement of Daniel K. Akaka: "This is an incredibly important issue to Tribes and Native peoples. In just the past few months, Native communities in New Mexico, Montana, Washington, Nebraska, and South Dakota have faced floods, fires, tornadoes, and severe storms. Lives were lost, homes destroyed, and sacred sites endangered. Pertinent to the hearing, the monitor displayed pictures of disasters. A map displayed also shows many of the natural disasters in Native communities over the past 10 years. I think we can all agree that these visuals are very, very moving. I have a lifetime of experience in dealing with effects of natural disasters. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Hawaii can be affected by disasters all around the Pacific Rim. Hawaii was reminded of its vulnerability in March when a tsunami warning and evacuations were issued following the devastating earthquake in Japan. Small tropical storms can quickly turn into hurricanes and devastate whole communities and islands. Hawaii also experiences thousands of earthquakes from volcanic activity every year. They can cause loss of life, property, and electricity throughout the islands. Disasters like these can have lasting effects on people and can undermine our sense of community and safety." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Daniel K. Akaka, John Barrasso, John Hoeven, Mike Johanns, Tim Johnson, Lisa Murkowski, Jon Tester, Tom Udall, Michael S. Black, Walter Dasheno, Craig Fugate, Randy Grinnell, John R. McMahon, Fred Tombar, Mary Wagner, Clifford Cultee, Randy King, Perry Martinez, Kent Paul, Robert Pecos, Chad Smith, and Arch Super.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012
• Review of Building Codes and Mitigation Efforts to Help Minimize the Costs Associated with Natural Disasters, Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, Second Session, July 24, 2012

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  From the opening statement of Jeff Denham: "Today's hearing will focus on building codes and mitigation efforts to help minimize the cost associated with disaster. [...] Why encourage mitigation in building codes? As a Member from California, I know firsthand the difference building codes can have in saving lives and reducing costs. With the threats of wildfires and earthquakes, good building code can mean the difference between life and death or whether homes remain standing or are completely destroyed." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Jeff Denham, Mario Diaz-Balart, David Miller, Jim Mullen, James J. Gianato, Hank C. Clemmensen, Chad Berginnis, Julie A. Rochman, Rod Matthews, Billy Long, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Nick J. Rahall II, Diane Linderman, International Code Council, National Association of Home Builders, and Henry L. Green.

  United States. Government Printing Office

  2012