January 16, 2008 As a result of NMMA's comments, EPA made significant changes to rule regulating Area Source Emission Standards for paint stripping and surface coating. As originally proposed in Sept 2007, rule would have regulated area sources including boatyards, marinas, and small boatbuilders with emissions of HAPs under 10 tons. Final rule should not impact recreational marine industry as it defines "HAPs of concern" and exempts adhesives, caulks, sealants, maskants, and coatings from aerosol cans.

January 15, 2008 Titled Structural and Vibration Guidelines for Datacom Equipment Centers, publication enables datacom design teams and equipment manufacturers to learn how to prevent degradation of equipment resulting from shock and vibration. To control internal and external sources of vibration, equipment centers must consider performance of building structure; building infrastructure such as power, cooling, flooring, and ceiling systems; and equipment itself.

January 15, 2008 Consumer Specialty Products and Natural Resources Defense Council called the Pesticide Registration Improvement Renewal Act (S 1983) a win for public health, environment, and responsible government regulation. Passed in 2003, but scheduled to expire in 2008, original PRIA provided approximately $200 million in fees to increase and stabilize funding for U.S. EPA Office of Pesticide Programs. Renewal legislation extends assessment of fees in industry through 2012.

January 15, 2008 During business session of 94th Annual Meeting in Fort Lauderdale, FL, representatives of 262 member companies elected 2008 Officers and Directors. Members include Kelly Semrau as Chairman of the Board, Frank Jusich as First Vice-Chairman of the Board, Adam Selisker as Second Vice-Chairman of the Board, David Beaham as Treasurer, Chris Cathcart as CSPA President, and Bill Mordan as Immediate Past Chair.

January 15, 2008 The CSPA announced that Gretchen Schaefer has joined the Association's staff as vice president of communications. Schaefer has represented the business community on legislative, regulatory, and educational initiatives for more than 15 years. According to Chris Cathcart, president, she has a strong background in brand-building through aggressive media relations and other external communications programs that will enable CSPA to more effectively represent the interests of its members.

January 15, 2008 Released by AAMA, 25-page AAMA 103-07 details process for certification of windows and doors for air-water-structural and thermal product certification, and includes sections on administration, labeling, waiver of retest, engineering design rules, plant quality control requirements, abbreviated guide for accredited labs, and auxiliary test procedures. Section 1.8 requires that AAMA Certification Policy Committee specify dates of implementation for all revisions to program policy.

January 15, 2008 According to press release and study by American Public Power Association, growth of renewable energy projects in organized electricity markets is not related to market structure. In response, EPSA's president and CEO, John Shelk, stated that conclusions about renewable energy and organized electricity markets bear no relation to reality. Organized electricity markets provide ease of access to grid; clear market signals to encourage investment; and large land area to compensate for variability.

January 15, 2008 Available in English and Spanish, OSHA's Cold Stress Card provides reference guide and recommendations to combat and prevent cold weather-related illnesses and injuries. Some tips include: encouraging employees to wear proper clothing for cold, wet, and windy conditions; scheduling work for warmest part of day; using buddy system; making sure employees take frequent, short breaks; and learning signs and symptoms of cold-induced illnesses and injuries.

January 15, 2008 Announced in Federal Register, OSHA is accepting public comments on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on General Working Conditions in Shipyard Employment. Rule aims to reduce hazards and provide greater protection for shipyard employees. Proposed updates include establishing minimum lighting for certain worksites, accounting for employees at end of work-shifts if they work in confined spaces or alone in isolated spaces, and ensuring shipyards have adequate number of trained first aid providers.

January 15, 2008 IEEE Engineering Management Society was changed to IEEE Technology Management Council and all IEEE Engineering Management Technical Chapters have been renamed IEEE Technology Management Chapters. Group will continue to publish Transactions on Engineering Management, Engineering Management Review, and Engineering Management, the society's newsletter.

January 15, 2008 The IEEE announces that the last day to nominate a colleague for a 2009 IEEE Technical Field Award is January 31, 2008. For descriptions of the awards and nomination forms, visit the IEEE Awards Web site at www.ieee.org/portal/pages/about/awards/index.html.

January 15, 2008 The ICS 14 Application Guide for Electric Fire Pump Controllers provides technical information related to the installation of the controllers, which are devices that activate and manage engine-driven fire pumps, providing optimal water volume and pressure for proper operation. The guide reflects the latest revision to NFPA 20 Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection and includes the addition of variable speed pressure limiting controllers.

January 15, 2008 NEMA Application Guide for AC Adjustable Speed Drive Systems was produced by the 1IS Industrial Automation Control Products and Systems Section, SC7 Subcommittee on Adjustable Speed Drives. According to James E. Armes, the revision includes updated terminology and information on motor terminal voltage transients, fundamental contributors to peak voltages, and single-phase input for 3-phase drives as well as modification of the information on overload capability for motor selection.

January 15, 2008 The AWWA will hold the biannual Inorganic Contaminants Workshop from January 27-29 in Alburquerque, NM. Specialty conferences include Sustainable Water Sources: Conservation and Resource Planning from February 10-13 in Reno, NV, the Utility Management Conference from February 24-27 in Tampa, FL, IMTech and the Customer Service Conference & Exposition from March 30 - April 2 in Detroit, MI, and the Water Security Congress from April 6-8 in Cincinnati, OH.

January 15, 2008 Micro- and Ultra-filtration Membrane Technologies seminar, from January 28-29, will feature Paul Mueller and Robert Huehmer discussing the fundamentals of low-pressure membrane practices. To be held from January 30-31, Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration will include Scott Freeman and Tom Pankratz walking attendees though preliminary considerations, design, construction, cost, and a startup sequence for high-pressure membrane practices, with several applications to be addressed.

January 15, 2008 The Standard 62.1-2007 User's Manual provides users with a better understanding of the design, installation, and operation requirements in ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2007, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality. According to Roger Hedrick, Vice Chair of the 62.1 committee, it provides guidance for designers and contractors to clarify the requirements, explains why the requirements are included, and how to comply.

January 15, 2008 Scheduled for 4 p.m. EDT on April 16, satellite broadcast and Webcast titled Integrated Building Design: Bringing the Pieces Together to Unleash the Power of Teamwork explains what members of building team must do to advance high-performance buildings with optimized design, construction, and operations processes. Buildings that meet needs of occupants and achieve sustainability objectives can only be created if building community shares knowledge and experiences.

January 15, 2008 ASHRAE is seeking papers focused on sustainable urban design, with a deadline for submittal on April 4. Papers and programs should present the latest developments in sustainability as applied to systems and equipment, application of their use in different types of buildings, and the impact on urban settings. Topics include energy conservation, indoor environmental quality, application of ASHRAE guidance, and international sustainability efforts.

January 15, 2008 William E. Gaskin, president of PMA expressed disappointment at U.S. International Trade Commission's decision to continue anti-dumping and countervailing duties on hot-rolled steel. ITC voted to continue AD/CVD duties on China, India, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Ukraine, and to terminate duties for Argentina, Kazakhstan, Romania, and South Africa. This decision provides another blow to American metalformers and other manufacturers struggling to compete in global marketplace.

January 15, 2008 Published by NEMA Lighting Systems Division, LSD39-2007 white paper discusses potential systems issues that may arise when some 4-pin spiral compact fluorescent lamps are operated in luminaires that are neither specifically approved nor 3rd party safety-listed for use with such lamps. Paper discusses industry plans to include emerging lamp type in proposed American national consensus standards for industry, and summarizes current recommendations to minimize potential field issues.