March 27, 2008 According to API's 2007 Quarterly Well Completion Report: Fourth Quarter, estimated 52,731 oil wells, natural gas wells, and dry holes were completed in 2007. Natural gas remained the main driver of U.S. exploration and production activity. Estimated all-time high of 30,625 natural gas wells were completed in 2007, about 7,785 of those in fourth quarter. API also reported that total estimated footage drilled in 2007 was highest in more than 2 decades.

March 27, 2008 Through funding from H.L. Harvill foundation, NADCA has produced 52 minute Spanish version of video to assist die casters in learning proper techniques at melting and handling furnaces. Video is broken down into variety of key topics including metal melting safety, storage and pre-heating materials, types of furnaces, metal handling and transport, metal quality, casting defects, and specific alloy groups.

March 27, 2008 Based on requirements found in ISO 14065:2007, ANSI launched pilot accreditation program for bodies facilitating inventory, reduction, and removal of greenhouse gases. Initiative will support efforts of greenhouse gas programs across U.S. by providing accredited network of independent third parties that verify and validate nationwide effort to reduce emissions and complete carbon credit inventories.

March 27, 2008 In February of 2008, ANSI welcomed 15 new members. Federation represents more than 125,000 companies and over 3.5 million professionals. Under Institute's umbrella, diverse constituency works to strengthen competitiveness of businesses operating in global marketplace and to improve quality of life by developing, implementing, and promulgating voluntary consensus standards and related conformance assessment systems. List of new members is available in press release.

March 27, 2008 On March 31, 2008, ANSI will convene follow-up meeting for U.S. stakeholders interested in international standardization issues in biotechnology arena. Meeting will build upon issues discussed during Jan 10 biotechnology strategy session and Jan 21-22 meeting of ISO CSC/STRAT. As ISO takes these issues under consideration, ANSI's meeting will further the dialogue with U.S. biotechnology experts and offer follow-up information on status and next steps of proposed standardization activities.

March 27, 2008 During ICC Code Development Hearings on Feb 18, 2008, AAMA recommended modifications to S141 code proposal for exterior side-hinged doors, which would require exterior doors to be tested and labeled according to AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S. 2/A440. AAMA recommended exceptions to S141 requirement including door assemblies in high wind areas, non-habitable spaces, and protective overhangs with overhang ratio equal to or greater than 1.

March 26, 2008 The 2nd edition of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, NAFS - North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights is now available for download from the AAMA. It eliminates window and door performance Classes C and HC and adds class identified as CW. Structural pressure caps have been revised for the R and LC classes and standards for tubular daylighting devices have been added. It is expected to be referenced in the 2009 versions of the ICC Building Codes.

March 26, 2008 The IEEE launched IEEE memberNet, an online member directory that connects its 375,000 members worldwide. An exclusive benefit of IEEE membership, the directory enables members to discover others with similar technical and engineering interests. It is driven by member participation and includes member profile with name and membership grade. Members can indicate by check mark to include additional information such as technical interests, local Section, or IEEE Society affiliation.

March 26, 2008 Addressing industry's need for qualified communications professionals, IEEE WCET Certification Program lets professionals demonstrate their competency, practical knowledge, and skills of wireless communications technologies. To qualify for IEEE WCET designation, engineers with bachelor's degree from accredited institution and at least 3 years of wireless engineering experience must pass exam developed by more than 100 industry experts and experienced wireless practitioners.

March 26, 2008 Comprised of U.S. and international petroleum statistics beginning in 1947, first edition of API's 2008 Basic Petroleum Data Book provides historical data on worldwide oil and natural gas reserves, exploration and drilling, production, refining, transportation, historical prices, product demand, imports, exports, and environmental information. Glossary and source list with names and telephone numbers are also included in nearly 600-page book.

March 26, 2008 APICS announced that the 2009 APICS International Conference & Expo will be held in Toronto, Ontario at the Metro Toronto Convention Center, October 4-6, 2009. The event showcases the latest best practices in the field of operations management and supply chain management. More than 3,000 professionals from around the world gather each year to participate in educational sessions, presentations from industry leaders, and networking events.

March 26, 2008 Scheduled for launch in 2011, Machine Tool Experience-Las Vegas will combine best features and strengths of corporate open house, customer training sessions, client appreciation events, and new product announcements. AMTDA and SME will have equal representation on planning and operational committees, and will work with representatives of builders, distributors, and customers to develop MTELV 2011.

March 24, 2008 Kennedy Space Center has awarded Rede-Critique of Metairie, La., contract for Kennedy institutional support services. They will include non-technical administrative support such as technical training, clerical support, financial management support, personnel program activity, and employee development and training, as well as employee benefits, personnel action processing, procurement acquisition and administration support, business systems support, and records management.

March 24, 2008 Selected by NASA's Constellation Program, 5 space-related companies will receive contract awards for 210-day study to independently evaluate NASA's in-house design concept for lunar lander that will deliver 4 astronauts to surface of moon by 2020. Companies will also propose safety improvements and recommend industry-government partnering arrangements.

March 21, 2008 According to Rich Walker, AAMA president and CEO, Sigi Valentin will retire at the end of March 2008. Since he started as executive director in July of 2002, Valentin has been an advocate of both AAMA national and regional member interests in southeastern states. Valentin helped protect southeastern fenestration markets and paved the way for higher performing products through development of consensus code change proposals and testimony in support of these proposals on code floor.

March 21, 2008 NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale will present the keynote address to launch the Saint Louis Future Forum at the Saint Louis Science Center, celebrating the agency's 50th birthday. Focusing on how space exploration benefits Missouri's economy, the forum will feature astronaut Carl Walz providing an overview of the agency's plans to return to the moon and explore beyond. The event will also include a panel with Mark Wrighton, Gregg Maryniak, Daryl G. Pelc, Willem Bakker, and Tom Jones.

March 21, 2008 FRA Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced a federal rule that requires 2-way communication systems to help train crews and passengers during emergency situations. Emergency evacuation and rescue access windows are required at all levels with passenger seating and all new passenger rail cars must be equipped with emergency roof access locations. The rule includes minimum requirements for inspection, testing, maintenance, and repair of these systems.

March 21, 2008 U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Mary E. Peters announced that states will be directly eligible for federal funding to support intercity passenger rail service. The $30 million capital grant program is designed to support state efforts to improve intercity passenger rail service and requires a 50-50 funding match. Eligible projects include upgrading existing track, adding or lengthening passing tracks, improving track switches and signaling systems, and purchasing new rail cars.

March 21, 2008 U.S. DOT Secretary Mary E. Peters announced that the number of train accidents has declined for the 3rd consecutive year, down 13.7% in 2007. The number of highway-rail grade crossing incidents fell by 6.9% and grade crossing fatalities decreased by 8.1%, while trespass fatalities decreased by 6.2%. FRA Administrator Joseph H. Boardman said that the two leading causes of train accidents, human error and track, have declined 28.8% and 15.7%, respectively, since 2004.

March 20, 2008 According to Joseph Acker, President and CEO of SOCMA, association supports Congressman Albert Wynn's legislation to make chemical site security standards a permanent and enforceable law under jurisdiction of U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This legislation would eliminate sunset provisions to existing standards and, importantly, does not include highly impractical and controversial inherently safer technology provisions.