ESA Policy News October 14: Republican speaker search continues, OSTP seeking interns, White House signs STEM bill
Here are some highlights from the latest ESA Policy News by Policy Analyst Terence Houston. Read the full Policy News here. 
HOUSE: MCCARTHY DROPS OUT OF SPEAKERSHIP RACE
On Oct. 8, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) dropped his bid to succeed John Boehner (R-OH) as Speaker of the House. With no clear successor in place, Boehner postponed the speakership election until further notice.
McCarthy had undergone criticism for statements that linked the creation of the House Select Committee on Benghazi with an effort to damage 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) also announced his intent to run against McCarthy for speaker. The House Freedom Caucus, which consists of over 40 far-right conservatives, had also endorsed Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL) for speaker. Collectively, these alternative candidates raised doubt on whether McCarthy could easily secure the 218 majority votes necessary to win among the 247 member House Republican conference.
Much of the media speculation for alternative candidates for speaker has centered on Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), who currently chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, one of the most sought-after committees in the House. To date, Ryan has declined interest in the role. Other House members reportedly mulling a run include Michael Conaway (R-TX), Bill Flores (R-TX), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Lynn Westermoreland (R-CA).
INVASIVE SPECIES: COURT RULES FOR STRONGER BALLAST WATER REGULATIONS
In a 3-0 ruling, the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit sided with environmental groups who contended that existing US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations did not go far enough to reduce the spread of invasive species through cargo ship ballast water.
Environmental groups sued EPA in 2008 seeking stronger regulations related to the spread of aquatic invasive species through cargo transport vessels. While EPA eventually finalized ballast water rules in March 2013, the groups argued that the standards did not sufficiently protect waterways from future species invasions.
As a result of the ruling, the agency will reconsider its technology decisions and its exemption for certain older vessels. The existing standards will remain in place until the agency can finalize stricter regulations.
Click here to view the full ruling.
EPA: COURT STAYS OBAMA ADMINISTRATION WATER RULE
On Oct. 9, the US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued an order granting the request of eighteen states to place a nationwide stay on the Obama administration’s rule clarifying Clean Water Act jurisdiction over US waterways. The US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers had finalized the rule in May.
In a 2-1 ruling the court decided that the rule, which specifies that streams and wetlands qualify for federal protection, is far-reaching enough to warrant stay, which the judges argue will help deter confusion as the judges decide whether or not they have adequate jurisdiction to review the EPA rule.
Until the court issues a final determination on the constitutionality of the rule, smaller waterways will not enjoy federal protection. The lone dissenting judge argued it was “not prudent” for the court to act to block the rule before making a final determination over whether it has jurisdiction over the rule.
Click here to view the full ruling. Click here for more information on the Clean Water Rule.
CLIMATE: IPCC SELECTS CLIMATE ECONOMIST AS NEW CHAIR
South Korean climate economist Hoesung Lee has been selected as the new leader of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). He succeeds Rajendra Pachauri, an Indian engineer and economist who served as IPCC chair from April 2002 until Feb. 2015.
As chair, Lee stated he will strive to make the IPCC’s work more policy relevant. His career includes past service as president of the International Association for Energy Economics, Council member of the Global Green Growth Institute and board member of the Korean Academy of Environmental Sciences. He has also led research studies focusing on the economic consequences of climate change.
CLIMATE: CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR SIGNS LANDMARK ENERGY BILL
On Oct. 7, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a comprehensive bill that will address climate change by making investments in renewable energy and improve building energy efficiency.
The Clean Energy and Pollution Reduction Act of 2015 will require California to get half its energy from renewable energy sources by 2030. State buildings must become twice as energy-efficient by the same year under the new law.
Click here to view the law.
WHITE HOUSE: STEM EDUCATION ACT SIGNED INTO LAW
President Obama signed the STEM Education Act of 2015 (P.L. 114-59) into law on Oct. 7, 2015.
House Science, Space and Technology Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan bill that strengthens National Science Foundation efforts to award competitive, merit-reviewed grants that promote Science, Technology, Mathematics and Engineering (STEM) education programs and activities. It expands the types of STEM programs that can be run and funded by federal government agencies to include computer science. The bill also instructs the National Science Foundation to continue to fund out-of-school and informal education programs in STEM subjects, which is beneficial to museums and other organizations that conduct informal science education.
For more information, follow this link.
WHITE HOUSE: OSTP OPENS INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS FOR SPRING 2016
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy announced it is accepting internship applications for Spring 2016. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2015. Eligibility is open to students who are US citizens and will be actively enrolled during the spring semester.
Click here for additional information.