TWO NEW FOSSIL RODENTS DISCOVERED IN UTAH

A newly-published report describes the discovery of two new prehistoric rodents in Utah. The report also identifies two fossil rodents and a rabbit previously known from other states. All are from a site near Sevier in central Utah.

“In addition to identifying the new species, the findings are significant because until now, Utah has been a big hole in the Miocene map of western North America for fossil mammals,” said Don DeBlieux, report co-author and paleontologist with the Utah Geological Survey (UGS). “The uplift and erosion of the Colorado Plateau which makes Utah such a good place for finding dinosaur fossils means that younger rocks and fossils, such as those from the Miocene Epoch which lasted from 23 to five million years ago, have been washed way.”

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PUBLIC INFORMATION SERIES 95

UTAH’S ENERGY LANDSCAPE
Michael D. Vanden Berg

Did you know that Utah is one of only six states that generate electricity from geothermal sources? Did you know that Utah recently produced its one billionth ton of coal? Did you know that Utah has the second lowest price for home-heating natural gas in the nation? Did you know that Utah has been a net-exporter of energy since 1980?

These little known facts, along with many more interesting details, can be found in the Utah Geological Survey’s (UGS) new publication Utah’s Energy Landscape – a visual-based comprehensive description of Utah’s entire energy portfolio.

41p. booklet

PI-95……….$18.95

GET IT HERE

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IN THE MEDIA
Emery County Progress

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ENERGY EFFICIENCY FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR UTAH'S LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

About $8.5 million dollars are now available to local governments. The money represents a portion of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act -Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG), which was allocated in March 2009. The funds were directed to state energy programs, larger cities and counties, and federally recognized tribes.

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IN THE MEDIA
The Spectrum
Deseret News

RELATED LINKS

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Package)

Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant

Snake Valley Well Data Now Online

snake-valley-drillA new interactive map of Snake Valley with all of the well data, has recently been added to the Utah Geological Survey (UGS) Web site.  The West Desert Ground-Water Monitoring Network is almost complete and updates are available on a newly developed Google Earth™ interactive map.  The network will monitor ground water for more than 50 years in Snake Valley, western Millard County and adjacent areas.  The $3.5 million network is a response to planned ground-water development in east-central Nevada.  The Utah Geological Survey will upload data onto its Web site.

Objectives included: assessing the potential impacts of pumping on ground water and spring flow in Utah; evaluating flow patterns in the aquifer from Snake Valley to Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge; determining baseline water-level and chemical trends in local and regional ground-water flow systems; and, measuring the capacity of the aquifers to transmit and store ground water.

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RELATED LINKS

New Geologic Maps of Parts of Utah Valley and Adjacent Areas

The Utah Geological Survey’s newest geologic maps could prove useful in efforts to address geologic hazard and resource issues in Utah County. The maps cover parts of central and southern Utah Valley and surrounding areas.

The maps, each of which covers an area of about 55 square miles, include the Goshen Valley North (Map 230), Lincoln Point (Map 232), Provo (Map 233), Soldiers Pass (Map 235), and West Mountain (Map 234) 7.5’ quadrangles. Collectively, the maps include West Mountain, the southern part of the Lake Mountains, and parts of Goshen and Utah Valleys, as well as parts of the communities of Provo, Springville, Spanish Fork, and Payson.

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GET THEM HERE

M-230
M-232
M-233
M-234
M-235

A New Round of Grant Applications Sought for Energy Efficiency Efforts in Utah

The Utah State Energy Program (USEP) has issued a Request for Grant Applications for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Outreach, Education, and Marketing Campaigns. A total of $500,000 is available for this grant.

It is anticipated that the funds will be issued through two-to-six separate grants. Applicants are encouraged to seek partnerships with utilities, local governments or other resources to help leverage marketing and education.

The purpose of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Outreach, Education, and Marketing Campaigns is to increase the adoption of energy efficient and renewable energy technologies, and to increase participation in USEP programs.

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State Energy Program Announces Request for Grant Applications

The Utah State Energy Program (Utah SEP) has issued a Request for Grant Applications for an Energy Efficiency Education and Consultation for Industry program. Interested applicants should outline their plan for developing and providing a program to deliver the training and tools necessary for Utah’s industry sector to implement energy-saving practices.

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Fishing for Fissure Information

fissureThe Utah Geological Survey (UGS) needs your help in locating fissures in the Cedar Valley area of Iron County. The Central Iron Water Conservancy District has asked the UGS to study earth fissures in the Enoch area and adjoining parts of Cedar Valley in Iron County.

“Our hope is that by putting out the information on fissures and what they are, people might recognize them and direct us to where they are,” said Mike Lowe, UGS Ground-Water and Paleontology Program Manager.

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