February 1, 2008 "Economic Impact of Measurement in the Semiconductor Industry" shows that investment in measurement science has and will continue to have a dramatic effect on innovation, productivity, growth, and competitiveness in and among high technology sectors. It found that the focus on measurement technologies pursued by the ITRS allowed a reduction of defect rates and the miniaturization of feature size. It also highlights several areas that need further improvement for the industry to stay on pace.

January 31, 2008 Presented during Miami International Boat Show Media Breakfast, 2008 Miami Innovation Awards will recognize up to 9 new products, plus 1 Environmental Award. Judges' committee is comprised of Boating Writers International members who perform product testing throughout year and have specific expertise in marine accessories. Zuzana Prochazka, chair of BWI Innovation Awards Committee and staff writer for Latitudes and Attitudes magazine, will serve as Miami Innovation Awards Chair.

January 31, 2008 The FRA announced that the Columbia Basin Railroad Company, Inc. (CBRC) is receiving a $3 million loan under the Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program. It will use the loan funds to purchase 73 miles of track it currently leases from the BNSF Railway between Connell and Moses Lake in eastern Washington State. The acquisition will allow the CBRC to upgrade track to handle heavier carloads, benefiting customers and various communities.

January 31, 2008 FRA Administrator Joseph H. Boardman announced that the BNSF Railway has launched its first revenue service train fully equipped with electronically controlled pneumatic (ECP) brakes. BNSF, along with the Norfolk Southern Railway (NS), received FRA waiver approval last year to install and begin demonstrating ECP brake technology. The BNSF ECP-equipped train will operate over the 1,500 mile run between Wyoming's Powder River Basin coal fields and a power plant near Birmingham, AL.

January 30, 2008 Scheduled for April 26-29 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Arizona, 2008 Annual Convention will feature lineup of speakers selected for ability to discuss diverse needs of business marketplace. Jim Cathcard will address purpose-driven leadership, while Jeffrey J. Fox will discuss concept of Dollarization, which calculates monetary gain customer receives in exchange for price paid. Frank Miles will illustrate ways people can free themselves from self-imposed fears that prevent success.

January 30, 2008 Scheduled for March 11-15, 2008 at Las Vegas Convention Center, The International Exposition for Power Transmission will include NFPA booth, which will serve as gathering place for NFPA members and other IFPE attendees. NFPA members are invited to conduct small, informal meetings with industry colleagues and customers. Booth will also offer advance peek at fluid power promotional TV program, which NFPA has produced in cooperation with 14 international fluid power organizations.

January 30, 2008 The NIST is building a 750 sq ft laboratory in Boulder, CO, that will evaluate tests, materials, mechanical properties, and standards for hydrogen pipelines. The laboratory, including a control room in a separate, existing building, is expected to be operational by mid-2008. Experiments will involve immersing pipeline materials in pressurized hydrogen gas contained in steel alloy test chambers and studies will be conducted using various machines, frames, and equipment.

January 30, 2008 Located at /dcsp/smallbusiness/index.html, Office of Small Business Assistance website highlights categorical pages or tabs to facilitate navigation and data access. Safety Pays eTool helps employers estimate costs of occupational injuries and illnesses, and impact on company's profitability. Spanish Language Safety link contains Spanish-language compliance assistance resources and tools as well as access to Spanish-language safety cards, booklets, and posters.

January 30, 2008 The ASCE/EWRI announced it will conduct a public comment period on a new standard, Guidelines for the Physical Security of Wastewater Utilities, from February 20 through April 7, 2008. The standard applies to physical security for wastewater collection and treatment systems as well as stormwater systems and covers wastewater treatment plants, collection systems, pumping stations, and wastewater/stormwater system support facilities.

January 30, 2008 The American Society of Civil Engineers' Geo-Institute (ASCE/G-I) announced it will conduct a public comment period on its new compaction grouting guideline from February 20 through April 7, 2008. The guideline provides background on specifications, designs, and implementation. It covers mechanics and materials, grouting in the field, subsurface investigation for compaction grouting, design and analysis, and verification of grouting effectiveness collection systems and applications.

January 29, 2008 Glen Tellock, President and CEO of Manitowoc Company has been elected 2008 Chairman of AEM. Martin Richenhagen of AGCO Corporation was elected First Vice Chairman, while Tiffany Sewell-Howard of Charles Machine Works was elected Second Vice Chairman. Treasurer position went to Duane Wilder of Liebherr Construction Equipment Company, and Dennis Slater was elected Secretary. AEM officers, with association's board, set guidelines and operating policies of association on behalf of its members.

January 29, 2008 The new report, Forging New Partnerships: How to Thrive in Today's Global Value Chain, shows that small and medium manufacturers must now seek new partners at every stage of the global supply chain to capitalize on new growth opportunities. It offers practical insights and strategies for manufacturers to optimize opportunities and minimize risks in today's global value chain in 4 key areas: harnessing innovation; building a skilled workforce; exporting and overseas growth; and financing.

January 29, 2008 According to David Huether, chief economist for NAM, the report on trade indicates that exports of manufactured goods continue to hold the economy afloat by increasing more rapidly than imports. Exports have accounted for 40% of economic growth over the past year, adding more to the GDP than the housing slump has taken away. Huether also said that the spike in the cost of oil accounted for 80% of the November rise in imports and Congress should expand access to domestic energy resources.

January 29, 2008 NAM President and CEO John Engler praised the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commissions' recommendations for funding the nation's infrastructure network. After 2 years of nationwide hearings, the 12-member commission issued the report analyzing the needs of U.S. surface infrastructure over the next 30 years. The report offered recommendations to address urban congestion, rural access, project delivery, and freight needs.

January 29, 2008 NAM President John Engler said that the authorization of initiatives to modernize the U.S. export control system is a major step toward enhancing national security while strengthening the global competitiveness of manufacturers. Engler has met with top officials at the State, Commerce, and Defense Departments and the National Security Council. In March 2007, the Coalition sent 19 recommendations to the President to make the current system work better for U.S. security and economic interests.

January 29, 2008 The A&WMA conference, Environmental Nuisances: Noise, Light, Odour, & Fugitive Dust, will take place February 11-13, in Toronto, ON, Canada. It will examine technological developments, case studies, and resolutions to environmental nuisances, and include sessions on policy aspects of environmental nuisance issues; management issues; and stakeholder participation.

January 29, 2008 The American Society of Civil Engineers and the International Association of Emergency Managers agreement establishes a relationship designed to promote awareness of the state of the nation's critical infrastructure and to encourage the involvement of the engineering community in supporting emergency managers. In cooperation with IAEM, ASCE aims to enhance disaster management efforts at the local, state, federal, and international levels.

January 29, 2008 Association of Equipment Manufacturers has presented Milestone Member awards to 5 companies in recognition of their industry support through longtime and continuous participation in the association. Astec Industries of Chattanooga, Tennessee was honored for achieving 75-year AEM member status in 2007. Companies honored as 25-year members include LeTourneau Inc, McLaughlin Manufacturing Company, Pettibone Corporation, and TT Technologies Inc.

January 28, 2008 In October, AAMA met with Department of Energy to discuss proposed ENERGY STAR® Program revisions for fenestration products. Both agreed that improving energy efficiency is priority. AAMA recommended development of a 2-tier program, which would leave current program intact and allow for more aggressive program to target a small segment of the market. If a 2-tier Program is not feasible, then the Association could support increasing stringency of the current single-tier Program.

January 28, 2008 The Battery Council International (BCI) will host a Health, Safety, and Environment Technology Conference on March 3-4, 2008 in Shenzhen, China. Speakers include David Weinberg, Daniel P. Askin, Russell Kemp, and Jack Waggener. The program will cover pollutants of concern and an overview of standards, ensuring safe recycling to protect the worker and the environment, working safely with lead, a blood lead reduction program, and controlling environmental releases and emissions.