March 5, 2008 On March 25-27, 2008, CMAI will host 23rd Annual World Petrochemical Conference, which will focus on critical macro issues for chemicals, plastics, and fiber industries on day one. Day 2 will include concurrent sessions for Aromatics and Fiber Intermediates, Olefins and Derivatives, Polyolefins, and Chlor-Alkali and related products. Complementing conference, two 1-day workshops will bring business people up to speed with language, concepts, and key issues in industry.

March 4, 2008 John E. Shelk, president and CEO of EPSA, commends Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for thoughtfully examining wholesale electricity market issues. EPSA is encouraged that FERC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting competitive wholesale electricity markets with focus on demand response, long-term power contracts, market monitoring units, and responsiveness of regional transmission organizations to stakeholders.

March 4, 2008 According to comments filed by EPSA at FERC, estimated Cost of New Entry in organized regional electricity markets should reflect significant increased costs of materials and labor needed to build new electricity generation and should be adjusted on regular basis. PJM factors calculated Cost of New Entry into formula it uses to estimate available future resources. CONE must be set at realistic level in order to incent participation in market and PJM capacity auctions.

March 4, 2008 Hosted by AWWA and scheduled for 1 p.m. EST on March 5, 90-minute "Disinfection of Pipelines and Storage Facilities" webcast will provide water professionals with working knowledge of standards for disinfection and discuss how to plan, conduct, and verify proper disinfection of water distribution system components from operations perspective. Attendees will also learn how to maintain water quality and meet public health requirements.

March 4, 2008 NEMA has published ANSI/ICEA T-26-465/NEMA WC 54-2008 Guide for Frequency of Sampling Extruded Dielectric Power, Control, Instrumentation, and Portable Cables for Test. Developed by the Insulated Cable Engineers Association (ICEA), the guide provides a combination of plans for the frequencies at which cable samples may be obtained for tests to determine conformance to the appropriate requirements of ICEA.

March 4, 2008 NEMA, on behalf of the ANSLG, has published ANSI_NEMA_ANSLG C78.377-2008 American National Standard for Electric Lamps - Specifications for the Chromaticity of Solid State Lighting Products. Specifying the range of chromaticities recommended for general lighting with solid state lighting (SSL) products, it applies to LED-based SSL products with control electronics and heat sinks incorporated and covers fixtures incorporating light sources as well as integrated LED lamps.

March 4, 2008 NEMA's Lighting Systems Index fell sharply to close out 2007, contracting 6% between Q3 and Q4. Sales were seasonally weak for fixtures and miniature lamps, but contracted significantly for large lamps as a result of shrinking incandescent demand. The U.S. housing market downturn is having a very noticeable impact on demand for lighting equipment. However, nonresidential construction activity by comparison continues to increase at a solid rate.

March 4, 2008 NEMA's Motors Shipments Index contracted 7.3% quarter-to-quarter during the last 3 month period of 2007. The weakness stems largely from a decline in fractional horsepower motor shipments, likely related to the U.S. housing market recession, but demand of integral horsepower motors has remained strong throughout the recent slippages in the top-line index. Further declines are likely as NEMA/BIS anticipates conditions underlying the fractional horsepower segment will worsen.

March 4, 2008 NEMA's Electroindustry Business Confidence Index (EBCI) for current North American conditions lagged the critical 50-point threshold for a 3rd straight month in February. However, the index climbed to 41.7 and the mean degree in change in current conditions climbed to -0.1. The results imply that, while the business environment facing electrical equipment manufacturers continued to weaken in the latest month, the pace of deterioration was considerably slower than a month earlier.

March 4, 2008 Addressing concerns in Entergy region, EPSA filed comments calling for FERC technical conference to examine persistent, troubling delays and errors recorded by Southwest Power Pool as Independent Coordinator of Transmission it its annual performance report on Entergy's transmission system operations. Entergy's transmission system serves 2.7 million customers in 4 states and includes 15,500 miles of high-voltage transmission lines to which power generators require access.

March 3, 2008 The AEM, at its main Booth L 3224, will feature the final competitions in the AEM Construction Challenge as well as a Congressional letter-writing campaign promoting industry political action. Association safety materials will be available for review at AEM Booth L 3218, along with the latest additions to the Pictorial Database. The organization will also hold the Industry Investor Conference and global technical and statistics meetings in conjunction with the event.

March 3, 2008 Admiral Woody Sutton, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services, will join AEM at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2008. Sutton will tour the show floor and meet with exhibiting companies at the Las Vegas show. AEM officials will discuss with him the challenges that equipment manufacturers face competing in world markets, and the importance of increased diligence to advance free trade agreements and other trade-friendly legislation.

March 3, 2008 New AEM member companies include CASECO Manufacturing; Cherne Industries; Combi Wear Parts, Inc.; Comet, Inc.; Elliott Machine Works, Inc.; HYCO International, Inc.; Kor-It, Inc.; KT Pro Tools; ReachMaster; Rhea + Kaiser; and Wynne Systems. The international trade group provides business-development resources for companies which manufacture and market agriculture and construction-related equipment, products, and services.

March 3, 2008 U.S. exports of agricultural-related machinery increased more than 13% in 2007, according to the AEM. South America recorded the largest gains, up by 46%, followed by Africa up 28% and Europe up 24%. Exports dropped to Australia/Oceania and exports to Central America were flat. The 10 countries buying the most U.S.-made farm machinery in 2007 were Canada, Mexico, Germany, Australia, Russia, France, Belgium, United Kingdom, Brazil, and Ukraine.

March 3, 2008 According to AEM, market for exports of U.S.-made construction machinery closed out 2007 with gain of more than 26% compared to previous year. Africa, Asia, and Europe showed most growth in their export purchases, while Canada recorded smallest gains for year-end 2007. Positive export data underscores importance of global trade to American manufacturers as they face slowdown in U.S. business, as well as continued need for free and fair trade across borders.

March 3, 2008 In petition submitted to NHTSA, Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association, Transportation Safety Equipment Institute, and Motor Vehicle Lighting Council asked National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to reconsider certain changes made to FMVSS No. 108, which specifies requirements for motor vehicle lighting and represents significant departure from current law. Petition also requested correction of minor clerical errors and omissions.

March 3, 2008 On January 10, 2008, Messe Frankfurt, Inc. and MEMA signed agreement to expand existing partnership to include promotion of Automechanika Shows in Moscow, Dubai, and Shanghai. Messe Frankfurt will offer MEMA members special turnkey packages in USA Pavilions at shows, giving MEMA members access to these important growth markets.

March 3, 2008 Sponsored by Automotive Public Relations Council, Excellence Awards honor communications professionals who have approached automotive-related PR issue with exemplary skill, creativity, and resourcefulness. Awards also recognize complete PR programs that incorporate sound research, planning, execution, and evaluation. All entries must be received at APRC headquarters by Friday, March 28.

February 29, 2008 A call for abstracts has been issued for Materials Science & Technology (MS&T '08). Organized by the American Ceramic Society (ACerS), AIST, ASM, and TMS, it will be held October 5-9 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. Themes to be addressed include electronic and magnetic materials, environmental and energy issues, fundamentals and characterization, iron and steel, materials and systems, nanotechnology, processing and product manufacturing, and special topics.

February 28, 2008 BSA, in collaboration with the Kuwaiti Lawyers Association, has announced the conclusion of the Kuwait Judicial Round Table, part of a series of initiatives encouraging authorities in the region to protect their economies against software piracy. Key recommendations included plans to impose stiffer penalties and conduct more aggressive enforcement initiatives against illegal resellers, hold regular round tables with regional judiciary and media, and conduct awareness and educational campaigns.