October 30, 2007 According to FAA's proposal, all aircraft flying in nation's busiest airspace would be required to have satellite-based avionics by 2020, enabling air traffic controllers to track aircraft by satellites using Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast, which is more accurate than current radar technology. Pilots viewing ADS-B cockpit displays are able to see, in real time, their location in relation to other aircraft, bad weather, and terrain.

October 30, 2007 By hiring more than 1,800 controllers during the year, FAA exceeded air traffic controller staffing targets for fiscal year that ended on Sept 30. They included people with prior FAA or DOD air traffic control experience, students who completed program of study as part of FAA's collegiate training initiative, and qualified applicants recruited through job announcements. FAA will hire and train more than 15,000 controllers over the next decade to replace those promoted or retiring.

October 30, 2007 At the annual seminar of the International Society of Air Safety Investigators in Singapore, NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker noted that many of the promoted safety improvements are now providing benefits. However, more needs to be done to reduce the worldwide accident rate. Rosenker urged the importance of participants to transfer vital information from an accident site anywhere in the world to the offices and the staff of ICAO in Montreal.

October 30, 2007 NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker received the NASBLA Award from the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators on September 7, 2007. The award recognizes a person or persons who have contributed to the mission of the organization and to the promotion of boating safety. Presented to an individual who has successfully advocated life-saving boating safety initiatives, the Bonner Award was given to Bill Gossard of the NTSB's Safety Advocacy Division.

October 30, 2007 Speaking before the Cargo Airline Association in Washington, D.C., NTSB Chairman Mark V. Rosenker noted that while the industry has a good safety record, there are improvements that still must be made. He said that the Safety Board continues to encourage the FAA to evaluate currently available systems and promote new technology, and that a major cargo carrier has already introduced a system in its aircraft with fire detection and suppression criteria.

October 30, 2007 The NTSB issued recommendations to states to require all motorcyclists and their passengers to wear DoT Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218-compliant helmets. Designed for variety of impact scenarios, the helmets feature a hard outer shell, an impact-attenuating liner, and a retention system to protect the head. Only 20 states, the District of Columbia, and 4 territories have universal helmet laws requiring that all riders wear a helmet.

October 30, 2007 In a position statement entitled: Securing America's Energy Future, ASME emphasized the use of nuclear power, coal, and natural gas as well as development and use of wind and solar power, hydroelectricity, and fuels derived from biomass. The statement also calls for the development of efficient energy production technologies, methods to calculate the contribution of specific energy sources to the country's supply, and tax incentives to developers of renewable energy.

October 30, 2007 The ASME International Gas Turbine Institute will hold the 2007 Gas Turbine Users Symposium on December 11-13, which will co-locate with the 2007 Power-Gen International Conference at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Symposium provides a forum for end-users to exchange ideas and share best practices regarding the operation and maintenance of industrial gas turbines and aero-engines. Subjects will include engine management; maintenance and repair; and equipment and products.

October 30, 2007 Under contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the ASME Innovative Technologies Institute, LLC, announces the completion of Sector-Specific Guidance (SSG) documents applying RAMCAP risk analysis methodology to water and wastewater utilities and to conventional dams and navigation locks. RAMCAP facilitates the comparison of risks within a sector and across multiple sectors by employing a common terminology and standardized measurement metrics.

October 30, 2007 ASME Turbo Expo 2008 will be held June 9-13 at the Estrel Hotel and Convention Center. It will cover engine design, materials, cogeneration, noise reduction in turbines, alternative fuels, combustion diagnostics, and microturbines. The Technical Congress will include 5 days of technical sessions, tutorials, and panel discussions and the 3-day exposition with showcase the products and services of engine manufacturers, software developers, and research laboratories.

October 30, 2007 ASME has announced that George A. Borlase, Ph.D., P.E., with expertise in marine safety and engineering, will serve in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Working with the staff of Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM), Philip Grossweiler will apply his skills in gas field operations/transmission systems. Daniel C. Deckler, Ph.D., P.E., will assist the staff of Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) in the Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation of the House Science and Technology Committee.

October 30, 2007 Joining U.S. Trade Representative, Susan C. Schwab and members of Congressional Caucus on Intellectual Property and Piracy Prevention, NAM supports plurilateral agreement to advocate high standards for protection of intellectual property in competitive global marketplace. Proposed agreement calls for advanced economies to establish common legal standards and enforcement practices and to expand international cooperation to stop counterfeiting and piracy.

October 30, 2007 In testimony to Congress, member of NAM reminded lawmakers that consumer safety is manufacturers' first priority and pressed them to pass legislation that would increase resources for Consumer Product Safety Commission. Increased dollars should be directed to enhancing CPSC's personnel dedicated to product testing, evaluation, and enforcement. Coalition supports number of general and product-specific legislative measures to increase CPSC's ability to carry out its mission.

October 30, 2007 Following unanimous passage by voice vote of U.S-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement by House Ways and Means Committee, NAM's president and CEO stated that the committee understands benefits of trade agreement and merits of May 10 bipartisan trade policy agreement. Strong leadership of Chairman Charlie Rangel and Ranking Member Jim McCrery provides clear example for rest of House to follow when Peru agreement reaches floor for final vote.

October 29, 2007 Designed to help clients go global and create software development center in Eastern Europe, Software Development Center In-A-Box offers full range of services, including navigating through regional legal requirements, recruiting and hiring professional engineering and management staff, and setting up procedures for protection of intellectual property. Services can also coordinate purchase or lease of appropriate facilities, set up infrastructure, and manage development center if requested.

October 26, 2007 According to Kevin Fisher, NvWARN chairman and director of Operations for Las Vegas Valley Water District, members of various water and wastewater agencies in Southern Nevada have been meeting for nearly 1 year to get organization running. USEPA grant to AWWA is largely responsible for rapid spread of Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network concept, which increases emergency planning and coordination, enhances access to specialized resources, and expedites arrival of aid.

October 26, 2007 Unanimously approved as Honorary Member by Board of Directors of ASC, Peter R. Strasser has been a positive influence on adhesive and sealant community and ASC. While chairing and serving on ASC Membership Committee, Strasser was instrumental in recruiting more than 20 ASC members. He successfully negotiated with EPA to keep contact cements, under certain SIC codes, from begin banned. He also worked with EPA in phasing out 1,1,1-trichloroethane solvents and tax issues surrounding them.

October 26, 2007 Air and Waste Management Association welcomes original work on all environmental issues for 101st Annual Conference and Exhibition themed "Integrating Science and Sustainability", to be held June 24-27, 2008. Abstracts are solicited on current issues, case studies, and practical experience, and will be evaluated for technical quality, relevance, significance to current environmental issues, and lack of commercialism. Principal areas include air, environmental management, and waste.

October 26, 2007 From Nov 14-15, Air and Waste Management Association will offer specialty conference titled "Vapor Intrusions: A Rapidly Developing Environmental Challenge" at the Hyatt Regency Calgary. Conference will address issue of vapor intrusion specifically as it relates to Canadian provinces. Presentations will focus on science and policy, analytical and sampling methods, and liability issues. As part of conference, association will offer professional development course.

October 26, 2007 Scheduled for Nov 14, 2007 at 2:00 pm EST, interactive Webinar titled "Ethics and the Environment: The Rules of the Game" will offer environmental professionals opportunity to discuss industry ethics in everyday practice, consider solutions, and share experiences. Event will feature discussion on ethical dilemmas often encountered in course of environmental work, and will present protocol that can serve as basis for attendees to present ethics workshop for colleagues.