Earth Systems and Resources Program Area
Addresses connections between people, place, and the Earth system – land surface and deep Earth, atmosphere, cryosphere, water, and oceans – with a focus on resources, hazards, conservation, and basic and applied science.
In progress
News and Updates
Best Practices, Opportunities for Plugging Orphan Wells Identified in New Report
News Release
Potentially hundreds of thousands of orphaned oil and gas wells across the U.S. remain unplugged or were sealed before modern standards existed, and pose risks to public health, the environment, and nearby communities. A new National Academies report examines technologies and best practices for plugging and remediating orphan wells.
New Technologies and Approaches Needed to Shore Up Interconnected U.S. Energy and Water Systems, Says New Report
News Release
As demands on the nation’s deeply interconnected energy and water systems grow, potential disruptions can have far-reaching consequences for communities, the economy, and national security. A new National Academies report examines how the systems’ interdependencies create both risks and opportunities and how collaborative, coordinated approaches can strengthen resilience and reliability.
