Though the Boy Scouts of America have more than 130 different merit badges, they haven’t had one for Mining since 1937. It was long since replaced by the more general Geology badge, which teaches scouts the importance of mineral resources and their relationship to water, energy, and the environment.
Today, however, the Boy Scouts of America launched a new merit badge called “Mining in Society,” which is a part of the broader move in the organization to highlight Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math topics among its members.
According to John Murphy, chair of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc badge advisory panel, this new merit badge will “[ensure] that…members of the next generation will be introduced to the importance of mining and minerals in their daily lives and have the opportunity to learn about careers in the industry.”
U.S. Gas Exports
We’ve been hammering on the natural gas boom in the United States since it started, and though our energy relationship with Canada has been a major topic of argument and legislation, it could be more important to consider the relationship with Mexico. Last year, the U.S. Exported 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas to Mexico every day. This amount is expected to double by 2016.
