January 2, 2008 Received by less than 1% of nation's utilities, Directors Award of Recognition from the Partnership for Safe Water has been bestowed upon Clifton Water District's Charles A. Strain Water Treatment Plant in Clifton, Colorado. This national volunteer initiative, developed by EPA and other water organizations, represents water suppliers striving to provide their communities with drinking water quality that surpasses required federal standards.

January 2, 2008 On Jan 27-29, 200 leaders from water industry will gather in Albuquerque, NM to explore contaminant identification and treatment technology at AWWA 2008 Inorganic Contaminants Workshop. Water quality, research, and treatment professionals will discuss emerging contaminants, techniques for treatment and analysis, new challenges, and risk assessment. Over 40 presentations will cover nitrate and perchlorate, radionuclides, residuals, arsenic, iron, manganese, and more.

January 2, 2008 In ceremonies held Dec 5, 2007, 13 local employees of Commerce Department's NIST were honored with awards. Acting Director, James Turner and Acting Deputy Director, Richard Kayser presented awards, assisted by other Institute officials. Five staff members received Bronze Medal Award, the highest honorary recognition given, characterized by outstanding or significant contributions that have increased efficiency and effectiveness of NIST.

January 2, 2008 According to SPP proposal, electricity flowing in region's wholesale Energy Imbalance Service Market will be treated as interruptible. In filing with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, EPSA asked FERC to reject SPP's proposal, which would prevent imbalance energy flows from being given Firm rather than Interruptible transmission service status. EPSA says SPP's proposed revisions would limit market participation and are not adequately supported.

December 31, 2007 According to Cliff Waldman, Economist for Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, there was a rebound in U.S. manufacturing output growth during November. While factory activity remains sluggish, it has yet to fall into actual contraction. Sharp rebound in business equipment production was catalyzed by acceleration in growth of information processing equipment output. While data is encouraging, diffusion indices suggest less than half of manufacturing industries appear to be growing.

December 31, 2007 Utilizing OSHA's web page, cleaning and maintenance industry employers can help protect safety and health of employees. OSHA Assistance for the Cleaning Industry Topics page provides information on potential hazards, such as slips, trips, and falls; OSHA standards; and links to free resources from OSHA and other organizations. Developed by OSHA with input from ISSA, page also includes topics related to hazardous or toxic substances, cleaning chemicals, and electrical risks.

December 31, 2007 Secretary of Labor, Elaine L. Chao announced appointment of 7 members to 15-person Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health. Members of advisory committee are selected based on occupational safety and health knowledge, experience, and affiliation with construction industry. Newly appointed members include Thomas R. Shanahan, Daniel D. Zarletti, and Elizabeth Arioto. To ensure continuity, each ACCSH member, with some exceptions, serves 2-year term.

December 31, 2007 U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of the National Ombudsman recognized OSHA for outstanding service and responsiveness to small businesses coping with regulatory enforcement issues. OSHA was one of 6 federal agencies that demonstrated strong commitment to regulatory fairness and fairness in enforcement that assisted Office of the National Ombudsman in support of small business interests.

December 31, 2007 Published by OSHA in Federal Register, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for fit-testing protocol would add ABQLFT as alternative to existing OSHA-approved qualitative fit-test protocols. ABQLFT protocol currently listed in OSHA-approved Bitrex fit-test protocol in Respiratory Protection standard would shorten duration for each of the 7 fit-test exercises from 1 minute to 15 seconds. Protocol would apply to employers in general industry, shipyard employment, and construction industry.

December 31, 2007 Through Alliance, OSHA and SkillsUSA will continue to provide career and technical educators and their students with resources that will protect safety and health of young employees. OSHA representative participated in National Leadership and Skills Conference where Assistant Secretary Foulke gave a presentation. SkillsUSA students, teachers, and safety and health professionals attended OSHA-sponsored Teen Summer Job Safety Campaign kick-off to increase awareness about workplace hazards.

December 31, 2007 Beginning his career at KPMG as an auditor, Mr. Ho most recently served as Chairman of KPMG in China and Hong Kong. After obtaining his degrees at University of Houston, he joined KPMG U.S. in 1975 and became a partner in 1985. During his career, he helped China format its privatization program, including establishment of China Security Regulatory Commission. Mr. Ho is a member of the American Institute of Accountants and Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

December 31, 2007 To increase testing capacity for renewable energy industry, UL will build 16,000 sq-ft facility in Silicon Valley. UL plans to begin construction in early 2008 and expects to hire 25 technicians and staff over next 5 years. UL will also offer pre-certification services, including R and D and training. Decision to base testing facility in Silicon Valley enables UL to partner with community of solar start-ups and existing companies who are bringing new technology into mainstream production.

December 31, 2007 To help organizations provide efficient global access through testing, inspection, and certification services, UL has signed bi-lateral agreement with Bodycote warringtonfire. Alliance will help fire and security manufacturers gain UL Listing, CERTIFIRE certification, and/or certification in support of CE marking. Each organization will accept the others test data and provide surveillance and follow-up inspections services as needed.

December 31, 2007 Joseph M. Pietrantonio is VP, Global Operations for Air Products and Chemicals, Inc, which provides atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and equipment and services. John P. Ryan is President and CEO of Dresser, Inc, which provides products for global energy infrastructure. Executive VP of Illinois Tools Works Inc, E.Scott Santi is also responsible for ITW's worldwide Welding, Electronic Component Fabrication, and Aircraft Ground Support Equipment Group.

December 31, 2007 Celebrating its 75th year, Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI continues its peer education Council program with 28 Spring meetings in 2008, covering 24 distinct corporate functions. Program provides forums for frank exchange of information among industry executives, and enables council members to lead discussions and deliver presentations. Agendas are hands-on and problem-resolution oriented; nearly every meeting features extensive dialogue on hot topics raised by participants.

December 28, 2007 Under federal energy bill signed into law by President Bush, U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Agriculture will be required to meet energy efficiency requirements in ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1. ASHRAE has also provided technical guidance for proposed legislation that would shorten depreciation of certain HVAC/R systems from 39 years to 20 or 25 years. To enhance public safety, ASHRAE has lent support to legislation to strengthen building code enforcement.

December 27, 2007 In accordance with ALA's Election Policy, 3 new members will join ALA Board of Directors at LabAutomation2008. Jason Abbas, M.S., has been active within ALA serving on Steering Committee and LabAutomation2008 Scientific Committee, while Malcolm Crook, Ph.D., has exhibited at LabAutomation conference and exhibition. Kerstin Thurow, Ph.D., is established as past presenter at conferences, author for ALA journal, and monthly reviewer of commercial and educational books on laboratory automation.

December 20, 2007 Long-Term Data Center Planning: the Push Toward Net-Zero Energy and Other Considerations will take place on January 20th at ASHRAE's 2008 Winter Meeting in New York. Don Beaty, chair of the forum, said participants will discuss the impact of net-zero-energy on long-term data center planning. The forum will be sponsored by ASHRAE's Technical Committee 9.9 - Mission Critical Facilities, Technology Spaces, and Electronic Equipment.

December 20, 2007 To be held at the ASHRAE 2008 Winter Meeting, HVAC Designs for Security and Sustainability will take place on January 22nd in New York. According to moderator Harmohindar Singh, Ph.D., building professionals should be educated about chemical and/or biological agents, possible scenarios of their release, how they may be detected, and how buildings may be immunized against them. At the same time, engineers and architects need to address building's overall impact on the environment.

December 20, 2007 ASHRAE has chartered its 170th chapter, based in Indonesia, 85 years after creating its first chapter outside the U.S. According to Kent Peterson, ASHRAE president, bringing members together via chapters enables them to work together, share ideas, and advance the standards of practice to improve the built environment. ASHRAE's continued growth is part of its overall strategic plan, which calls for the Society to be a global leader in the HVAC&R community.