April 1, 2008 According to U.S. EPA's 2006 Toxics Release Inventory Public Data Release Report, average release of toxic emissions per NACD member facility was lowest in reporting history at 2,650 lb. Average release per non-NACD facility was 3,275 lb, almost 24% higher than average release per NACD facility. Average toxic emissions per NACD member has consistently decreased since EPA began requiring chemical distributors to report in 1998.

April 1, 2008 NASA has awarded a 5 yr, $49 million contract to L3 Communications - Titan Group of Niceville, FL, to provide simulation and software technology support at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. Supporting the development and operations of the Space Shuttle, International Space Station, and Constellation programs, the cost-plus-fixed-fee contract has a performance period beginning May 1, 2008 and will be completed on April 30, 2013.

April 1, 2008 OSHA announced that it has issued notice to confirm the effective date of March 13, 2008 for its direct final rule on updated OSHA standards based on National Consensus Standards. In the rule, OSHA is eliminating several references to standards that have requirements which duplicate or are comparable to other OSHA rules and also removes a reference to A3.0-1969. It also updates standards such as 29 CFR part 1910, subpart H; 29 CFR part 1910, subpart Q; and 29 CFR part 1910, subpart R.

April 1, 2008 OSHA announced in the Federal Register that it is seeking applications for Susan Harwood Training Grants. With approximately $6.7 million available, 18 training topics were selected for grants that will be awarded for a 12-month project performance period. Nonprofit organizations that are not state or local government agencies are eligible to apply. The application deadline is May 23, 2008

April 1, 2008 Featuring expert industry and business presenters, the AEM product safety seminar, on April 21-23, 2008, will include topics such as essentials of an effective product safety program, safety sign and decal development, fire prevention design guidelines, CE Mark and European Union directives, and new ANSI standards for warning materials in owner manuals. The product liability seminar, on April 24, will explore the preparation required to present a successful courtroom defense.

April 1, 2008 Douglas R. Oberhelman, Group President of Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria, Illinois, has been named to the Board of Directors of the AEM. As a director, he will help set guidelines and operating policies of the association on behalf of its members in areas including technical and safety services, market information and equipment statistics, global public policy, trade shows, international support services, education and training, workforce development, and worksite safety/educational materials.

March 31, 2008 Developed by AAMA's Glass Material Council, "The Right Choice" course is accredited through AIA and covers uses of glass in commercial buildings as well as functionality and performance. Manufacturing and fabrication processes used to produce different types of glass are addressed, as are fabricated glass solutions to enhance glass performance, such as insulating units, safety glass, and fire-rated glass. Course wraps-up with methods of measuring and evaluating glass performance.

March 28, 2008 Designed for riggers and signalpersons, certification programs are geared towards ensuring that crane operators are given safely rigged loads to lift, along with accurate visible or audible directions on where to place them. Task forces designing programs are made up of 60 volunteers, representing all facets of industries that use cranes and identified as subject matter experts. Both certification programs will include written and practical examinations.

March 28, 2008 Intended to provide firmer scientific foundation for regulatory decisions, Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program encourages submissions of hazard and other information, including risk management practices, for nanoscale materials. ACC's Nanotechnology Panel worked closely with EPA in development of NMSP to help ensure program is successful and yields information EPA needs. Panel urges all developers, producers, importers, processors, and users of manufactured nanomaterials to participate.

March 28, 2008 Proponents for federal chemical security regulations, ACC members have voluntarily invested more than $5 billion to enhance security through Responsible Care® Security Code. According to DHS, facilities will need to invest $8 billion in human, physical, and cyber security resources to meet security requirements under CFATS. As legislation moves forward, ACC remains committed to working with Congress to ensure effective federal regulations are in place to protect nation's chemical facilities.

March 28, 2008 Elected to serve as Association's President, Charles T. Drevna has more than 35 years of technical, business, and public policy management experience in refining, petrochemical, and coal industries. Prior to joining NPRA in May 2002, he had served as Director, State and Federal Government Affairs for Tosco Corporation. Previously, Drevna held variety of government affairs and public policy positions with Sun Company (now Sunoco) and its affiliates.

March 28, 2008 Applying to ANSI for industry accreditation, 4 groups hope to become Accredited Elevator/Escalator Certification Organizations. AECO distinction recognizes credible, not-for-profit organizations and grants them ability to certify elevator and escalator equipment for safety under requirements of Performance Based Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, ASME A17.7/CSA B44.7. Applicants include Liftinstituut Holding BV, TUV Rheinland of North America, TUV SUD America, Inc., and UL Inc.

March 28, 2008 Elected to office of President for further 1-year term is John Kennedy, Manitowoc Crane Group. Prior to being elected President in 2005, Kennedy served 2 terms as Secretary/Treasurer. Garry M. Higdem, CH2M Hill, was elected to 1-year term as Vice President, while Ronald Schad, Essex Crane Rental, continues as Immediate Past President, and J. Chris Ryan, Boh Bros. Construction, has been again elected to position of Secretary/Treasurer.

March 28, 2008 With deadline for entries of July 16, 2008, Polyurethane Innovation Awards will include Polyurethane Chemicals, Processing Equipment, and Finished Product categories. Panel of judges representing cross section of polyurethanes experience and knowledge, and representing industry and industry associations, will evaluate all submissions and choose finalists for each category. Winners will be announced at Polyurethanes 2008 Technical Conference, held Sept 29 to Oct 1 in San Antonio, TX.

March 27, 2008 Scheduled for Wednesday, April 9 at 2:00 pm EDT, webinar titled "InP Photonic Integrated Circuits for Fiber-Optic Communications" will be taught by IEEE Fellow Christopher R. Doerr. It will provide overview of technology behind InP PICs, focusing on devices for fiber-optic communications that monolithically integrate 2 or more functions. Webinar will highlight how InP-based photonic ICs can simplify system designs, reduce space and power consumption, and improve reliability.

March 27, 2008 According to API's Monthly Statistical Report, deliveries of all petroleum products in February slipped 1.3% from same month one year ago. Gasoline and jet fuel deliveries rose but increases were offset by declines in distillate fuel and residual fuel oil. Year-to-year demand increase for gasoline of 1.7% came despite retail gasoline selling at highest nominal February prices ever. Domestic crude oil production averaged 5.04 million barrels per day in February, down 3.8% from 1 year ago.

March 27, 2008 According to API's Monthly Statistical Report, deliveries of all petroleum products in January were flat compared with deliveries for same month 1 year ago. While both gasoline and distillate deliveries rose, increases were offset by declines in both jet fuel and residual fuel oil deliveries. Year-to-year demand increase for gasoline of 1.6% came despite gasoline selling at highest nominal January prices ever at over $3 per gallon.

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.