1) CAPITOL HILL WATCH

2) WHITE HOUSE & EXECUTIVE AGENCY WATCH

• FY08 Supplemental Appropriation Includes $337.5M in Federal Science Funding
• DOE's $62.5 Million Goes To...
• DOE and Sweden to Advance Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

3) REPORTS, SPEECHES & DOCUMENTS OF NOTE

• National Academies Press
• American Competitiveness: Some Good News from RAND
• A Role for Science in State, Federal Policymaking

4) U.S. COURTS ACTIVITY

5) U.S. STATES WATCH

• Louisiana Redirects Workforce Investments toward Emerging Industries
• Arizona Legislature Approves FY09 Funding to Stimulate Economy
• Pennsylvania Commits $650M for Alternative Energy Package

6) AWARDS & GRANTS

• Just Because You're An Engineer, Doesn't Mean You Can't Receive An Oscar
• ...Or an Emmy
• CES Innovations Awards

7) CONFERENCES, FELLOWSHIPS, PROGRAMS & INTERNSHIPS FOR ENGINEERS, and STUDENTS and SCHOLARS OF ENGINEERING

• Intel Announces the 2008 Winners of the Intel Science and Engineering Fair

8) LATEST IEEE-USA & IEEE ACTIVITIES

• Call for Nominees: IEEE-USA Awards
• IEEE Energy 2030
• Former IEEE-USA Government Fellows Available to Speak to Sections
• New & Revised IEEE-USA Position Statements
• IEEE-USA's Recent Policy Communications
• IEEE-USA Public Policy Priority Issues - 110th Congress, 2d Session (2008)
• Track IEEE-USA's Progress
• IEEE-USA In The News

9) OTHER ITEMS OF POSSIBLE INTEREST

1) CAPITOL HILL WATCH

2) WHITE HOUSE & EXECUTIVE AGENCY WATCH

• FY08 Supplemental Appropriation Includes $337.5M in Federal Science Funding

Just before the July 4th congressional recess, the President signed a $161.8 billion supplemental appropriations bill for the fiscal year ending 30 September 2008. Though the appropriation primarily provides funding for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the bill also includes almost $3.6 billion in non-war funding, including $400 million for U.S. science programs that were originally authorized by the America COMPETES Act. (Read IEEE-USA's letter to Congress here.) The science funding includes:

--$150 million for the National Institutes for Health (NIH), to be merged into current NIH spending and divided proportionally among the institutes, centers and common fund for FY 2008;

--$62.5 million for the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, which must be used to end any layoffs due to budgetary constraints;

--$62.5 million for the National Science Foundation (NSF), including $22.5 million for research and related activities, and $40 million for Education and Human Resources; and,

--$62.5 million for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

The funding helps several energy-related national laboratories avoid layoffs anticipated due to previous budget cuts. Last December, nearly $1 billion in research funding for the physical sciences was eliminated between the initial 2008 budget request and the eventual passage of the Omnibus spending bill. The cuts were expected to lead to layoffs at national laboratories, including Los Alamos National Laboratory, which had initiated a plan to reduce its staff by 500 to 700 workers. Layoffs also have occurred at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, though the new funding may lead to rehires. In the short term, the appropriation should limit staff reductions, at least until the passage of the 2009 budget. For more information, including the full text of the Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 2642), visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:h.r.02642:

• DOE's $62.5 Million Goes To...

Following the passage of the supplemental appropriations, the Department of Energy's Office of Science announced how it would distribute the $62.5 million it received:

BASIC ENERGY SCIENCES: $13,500,000 over a prior FY 2008 appropriation of $1,269,902,000, for a revised total of $1,283,402,000. This includes:

--Synchrotron and Radiation Light Sources: $11,500,000 over a prior FY 2008 appropriation of $220,092,000, for a revised total of $231,592,000
--Spallation Neutron Source: $2,000,000 over a prior FY 2008 appropriation of $164,640,000, for a revised total of $166,640,000

FUSION ENERGY SCIENCES: $15,500,000 over a prior FY 2008 appropriation of $286,548,000, for a revised total of $302,048,000. This includes:

--ITER: $15,500,000 over a prior FY 2008 appropriation of $10,626,000, for a revised total of $26,126,000. DOE explains: "The highest priority of the Fusion Energy Sciences program is the U.S. ITER Project." The Office of Science "has taken steps to continue our participation in the project by preserving the U.S. ITER core project team until additional funding can be made available. The funding provided in the supplemental will eliminate the need for furloughs and reductions in force resulting from the reduced level of funding in the FY 2008 appropriations for the U.S. Contributions to ITER project." (Read IEEE-USA's letter to Congress here.)

HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS: $32,000,000 over a prior FY 2008 appropriation of $689,331,000, for a revised total of $721,331,000. DOE stated, "The highest priorities of the High Energy Physics program at this time are to preserve critical, highly trained workforce important for the on-going and future program and to allow work to proceed on the development of a world-class neutrino program at Fermilab."

"With supplement funding of $32,000,000 for HEP: "$20,000,000 will be used to stop the planned involuntary layoffs, approximately 100 people at Fermilab and to sustain the Fermilab workforce during an anticipated up to 6-month continuing resolution; "$9,500,000 will be used to develop the planned neutrino program at Fermilab (i.e.; allowing NOvA to proceed in a timely manner and initiating R&D and planning to implement the world leading U.S. program recommended in the recent High Energy Physics Advisory Panel (P5) report); and "$2,500,000 will be used to preserve critical accelerator R&D and computing capabilities at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center that had been significantly diminished by the staff reductions necessitated by the original FY 2008 Appropriation.

"This supplemental funding stabilizes the research and operational staff at Fermilab and allows the high priority initiatives in neutrino physics at Fermilab to proceed, preserves important competencies and capabilities in accelerator physics at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, and allows of more rapid completion of the analysis for B-Factory data."

NUCLEAR PHYSICS: $1,500,000 over a prior FY 2008 appropriation of $432,726,000, for a revised total of $434,226,000. This includes:

--Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) Operations: $1,500,000 over a prior FY 2008 appropriation of $136,034,000, for a revised total of $137,534,000.

• DOE and Sweden to Advance Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

DOE and the Swedish Energy Agency have agreed to work together to accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and prepare consumers for the coming technology. Alexander Karsner, DOE's Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), and Tomas Kaberger, Director General of the Swedish Energy Agency, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on PHEVs on July 7. Under the MOU, DOE's Argonne National Laboratory will work with Test Site Sweden to investigate PHEV instrumentation and smart charging systems, and how they interact with the electrical grid; track and evaluate consumer behavior while testing the vehicles in the field; quantify national, utility, and customer benefits; and plan and develop convenient public charging stations. DOE and the Swedish Energy Agency will equally fund the 1-year, $1 million cost-sharing arrangement.

This MOU builds on the agreement signed by Assistant Secretary Karsner and Swedish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson in June 2007, under which DOE and Sweden agreed to cooperate on biomass production; transportation and automotive research; reducing the cost of renewable energy; and improving energy efficiency. (Read a letter by the Electric Drive Transportation Association in support of PHEV commercialization to which IEEE is a co-signer: http://ieeeusa.com/policy/policy/2008/050908.pdf)

3) REPORTS, SPEECHES & DOCUMENTS OF NOTE

• National Academies Press

State Science and Technology Policy Advice: Issues, Opportunities, and Challenges, presents a synthesis of conversations that took place at a National Academies convocation held in October 2007 on the roles of science and technology in state-level policymaking. The report presents an overview of the partnerships that can assist the development of state policy for various issues. The report points out that than 40 states have state academies of science which could serve as potential sources of knowledge to assist decision-making and to build partnerships with the scientific community. In addition, the report showcases examples of how selected states have utilized sources such as
state technology councils, state science advisors, colleges and universities, and state agencies to provide science-based policy advice and determine how state governments should react to federal S&T priorities.

• American Competitiveness: Some Good News from RAND

Most recent studies of America's competitiveness have been negative, foreshadowing a bleak future for the United States. A new RAND study says otherwise. U.S. Competitiveness in Science and Technology finds that the US continues to lead the world in science and technology and faces no imminent danger of losing its edge. On a host of measures, such as R&D spending and patents, the US economy is keeping pace with its past performance and with the performance of other major global players. The report recommends that policymakers build on existing strengths through better monitoring of our economic performance, and improving openness to high-skilled immigrants and to technology developments from other parts of the globe. Download the June 2008 RAND Corporation study, U.S. Competitiveness in Science and Technology, by Titus Galama and James Hosek.

• A Role for Science in State, Federal Policymaking

If you are a regular reader of this newsletter, and you have spent any time with the IEEE members who work to ensure that policymakers hear your voices, you know that IEEE-USA works very hard to ensure that state and federal elected officials have the information they need to make sound policy decisions. Not only is it important for organizations like IEEE-USA to provide information and expertise to policymakers in general, it is vital that policymaking positions exist that are dedicated to S&T issues.

The role science can serve to influence or guide the development of federal policies has varied greatly by administration and economic times. The current economic climate – with the increased importance given to innovation and competitiveness – has many calling for sound science and technology advice being given greater attention through key appointments in federal and state levels of government. One such appointment - the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, who also heads the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) - could be influential in setting the direction of the nation's science and competitiveness initiatives in the next administration, regardless of which candidate succeeds in November.

Recently, the Woodrow Wilson International Center of Scholars released a report on the future effectiveness of OSTP - OSTP 2.0 Critical Upgrade - Enhanced Capacity for White House Science and Technology Policymaking: Recommendations for the Next President. The report synthesizes recommendations based on interviews of more than 60 leading science policymakers, including all of the living former presidential science advisors. The resulting advice is grouped into 10 major areas such as budgetary concerns, international activities, and partnerships with other federal agencies. Key recommendations include:

--The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology should serve at the Cabinet level;
--OSTP should collaborate with the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development to negotiate and advance global policies;
-- OSTP should have its own press staff to improve the reporting and understanding of science and technology issues; and,
-- OSTP should work with the Economic Policy Council, the Office of Management and Budget, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the National Security Council to coordinate S&T related issues.

The recommendations acknowledge the role of states in designing and executing national science, technology and innovation goals, by creating a new Federal-State Science and Technology Council that would be established and chaired by OSTP.

4) U.S. COURTS ACTIVITY

None at this time.

5) US STATES WATCH

If you like to keep up with going on in state politics, StateLine.org provides a good overview of the activities in all 50 state legislatures.

• Louisiana Redirects Workforce Investments toward Emerging Industries

The Louisiana State Legislature recently approved a legislative reform package designed to revamp the state's workforce development programs to focus on job training in emerging industries, thus ensuring these fields have a highly qualified labor pool in the coming years. The workforce reform package creates the Louisiana Workforce Commission, replacing the LA Department of Labor. The new commission will oversee the entire workforce development system and is charged with integrating workforce development initiatives through educational and training programs. A Workforce Investment Council is also established to set workforce training priorities based on input from business leaders.

With an estimated 100,000 job vacancies across the state, lawmakers also passed legislation aimed at helping companies fill current workforce needs, including a bill to establish the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Workforce Training Rapid Response Fund and dedicate $10 million annually to supplement the cost of high-demand workforce training programs at community and technical colleges. The type of training programs to receive funding will be determined by market demand and economic and employment projections, according to the governor's office.

• Arizona Legislature Approves FY09 Funding to Stimulate Economy

Arizona legislators approved the fiscal year 2009 budget last week, providing funds for proposals aimed at stimulating the state economy through investments in higher education infrastructure and increasing R&D activity. Proceeds from an expansion of the AZ lottery will finance $1 billion in bonding for construction projects across the state's three universities, including $470 million for completion of the Phoenix biomedical campus.

The stimulus plan, backed by a coalition of business, civic, nonprofit and educational groups, is twofold. First, the plan aims to boost job creation in the declining construction industry, and second, the infrastructure improvements will allow the state to accommodate for future growth at the universities in order to retain a knowledge-based workforce. The investment is a critical component of the governor's plan to double the number of bachelor degrees earned in the state by 2020.

In early 2008, the governor proposed a net increase of $25.4 million over the FY 2008 appropriation for universities, including initiatives aimed at improving teacher quality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The approved budget provides an additional $2.5 million for the Arizona Board of Regents for math and science achievement grants as incentives for high-quality teachers.

To help stimulate R&D activity and encourage business growth, legislators passed a bill to expand existing R&D income tax credits. Currently, individuals and corporate entities can claim an income tax credit of 20 percent for research expenses up to $2.5 million and 11 percent for expenses over $2.5 million. The bill increases the credit to 24 percent and 15 percent, respectively. This allows Arizona to remain competitive with neighboring state California in state R&D tax policy. The Arizona 21st Century Fund is slated to receive $22.5 million in FY 2008-09 — $2.5 million less than last year. However, lawmakers agreed to restore the reduction, providing $27.5 million in the subsequent year. The approved budget also preserves $10.3 million for the Arizona Job Training Fund, which was slated to be cut entirely.

• Pennsylvania Commits $650M for Alternative Energy Package

Governor Ed Rendell signed a $650 million package of tax incentives, loans and grants to spur the development and use of clean energy technologies within Pennsylvania. Rendell believes that the bill will help the state leverage as much as $3.5 billion in private investment and help Pennsylvania build a stronger clean energy industry. Highlights from the Alternative Energy Investment Act include:

$165 million for loans and grants that support alternative and renewable energy projects conducted by businesses and local governments;

$100 million for loans, grants and rebates covering up to 35 percent of individual and small business costs incurred by installing solar energy systems;

$40 million for an alternative energy development program under the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority, which will support early-stage research, incubator support services and other business assistance;

$20 million for wind and geothermal energy projects;

$80 million for grants and loans related to solar energy production projects; and,

$50 million for an alternative energy production tax credit equal to 15 percent of the cost of eligible energy production projects.

Another $150 million will be used to establish a consumer energy program for individuals and small businesses to support energy efficiency projects. The program will cover 25 percent of the cost of purchasing and installing energy conservation tools, support a $5 million energy efficiency loan fund, and offer up to $1 million per year in tax credits for clean energy projects.

A separate bill commits the state to provide $5.3 million each year through 2011 to increase the production of cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel. In an economic development twist on traditional renewable fuel standards, the legislation will require gasoline sold in the state to be 10 percent Pennsylvania-produced cellulosic ethanol. This requirement will only become applicable once annual cellulosic ethanol production in the state hits 350 million gallons.

In a press release accompanying the announcements, Governor Rendell committed to working through the summer to reach an agreement with the legislature on other measures that will revamp the state’s energy policies. This would include several measures dropped in the final version of the bill pertaining to electricity conservation and rates. Read the test of the Alternative Energy Investment Act (Special Session HB 1).

6) AWARDS & GRANTS

• AAAS Grant Site

The American Association for the Advancement of Science has a service called GrantsNet Express.  Each week GrantsNet will provide a listing of science funding opportunities from private foundations and organizations, and new U.S. government grant announcements in the sciences. AAAS will send GrantsNet by e-mail to AAAS member subscribers. The weekly emails will include: — New science funding programs, divided into opportunities for postdocs/graduate students and undergraduates — Submission deadlines for funding opportunities scheduled in the upcoming week — New listings of funding for science-related research.

• National Science Foundation

For information on NSF Engineering (ENG) Active Funding Opportunities, visit: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_list.jsp?org=ENG. Current opportunities include:

Science and Technology Centers: Integrative Partnerships - Synopsis of Program: The Science and Technology Centers (STC): Integrative Partnerships program supports innovative, potentially transformative, complex research and education projects that require large-scale, long-term awards. STCs conduct world-class research through partnerships among academic institutions, national laboratories, industrial organizations, and/or other public/private entities, and via international collaborations, as appropriate. They provide a means to undertake important investigations at the interfaces of disciplines and/or fresh approaches within disciplines. STC investments support the NSF vision of advancing discovery, innovation and education beyond the frontiers of current knowledge, and empowering future generations in science and engineering. Preliminary Proposal Due Date(s) (required) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time): 30 September 2008

• Just Because You're An Engineer, Doesn't Mean You Can't Receive An Oscar

If an achievement has had a definite influence on the advancement of the industry, it may qualify for a Scientific and Engineering Award (a bronze tablet with the name of the award in raised lettering, and a representation of the Oscar statuette in bas relief to one side of the plaque). Affixed to the base is a plate engraved with a description of the achievement and the names of the contributors. The Scientific and Technical Awards Committee will meet during the first weeks of September. Due to restrictions of the awards timetable, any information you wish to present to the committee must be received no later than Thursday, 31 July 2008. For more info: http://www.oscars.org/scitech/application/intro_letter.html

• ...Or an Emmy

Launched in 1948, Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards honor development and innovation in broadcast technology and recognize companies, organizations and individuals for breakthroughs in technology that have a significant effect on television engineering. An award to an individual, a company, or to a scientific or technical organization for developments and/or standardization involved in engineering technologies which either represent so extensive an improvement on existing methods or are so innovative in nature that they materially have affected the transmission, recording, or reception of television. For more info: http://www.emmyonline.org/tech/ Watch this year's awards: http://www.tvworldwide.com/events/emmys/080107/

• CES Innovations Awards

The Innovations Design and Engineering Awards program recognizes the most innovative consumer electronics (CE) products in the industry's hottest product categories. Innovations has become a hallmark for the best designed products in consumer technology. These awards are announced online in the fall (see the 2008 honorees). For more info: http://www.cesweb.org/awards/innovations/default.asp

7) CONFERENCES, FELLOWSHIPS, PROGRAMS & INTERNSHIPS FOR ENGINEERS, and STUDENTS & SCHOLARS OF ENGINEERING

• Intel Announces the 2008 Winners of the Intel Science and Engineering Fair

The Intel International Science and Engineering Fair was recently held in Atlanta, GA. The kids that enter are amazing. Students have a chance to dream and create big ideas like: a better way to get fresh water to victims of natural disasters, a way to help the blind and disabled access the Internet, or illustrate ground-breaking mathematical theory. These innovations, and more than a thousand like them, are on display every year at the fair, a global celebration of scientific excellence. Competing were 1550 students from 51 countries. There was more than $4 million in scholarships and prizes.
Interesting stats? This year, more than 20 percent of the young scientists and engineers either had or had applied for a patent for their work. For 2008, the top three $50,000 scholarships were awarded to females!

8) LATEST IEEE-USA & IEEE ACTIVITIES

• Call for Nominees: IEEE-USA Awards

IEEE-USA is seeking nominations for 2008 awards for recognition of professional, technical and literary contributions to public awareness and understanding of the engineering profession in the United States. These distinguished awards are administered under the IEEE-USA Awards and Recognition Committee, and approved by the IEEE-USA Board of Directors. The deadline for nominations is 31 July 2008. For more Info.

• IEEE Energy 2030

IEEE-USA has signed onto the IEEE Energy 2030 Conference, an upcoming forum for the exchange of ideas among experts from the disciplines - technology, policy and economic - required for the creation of a global sustainable energy infrastructure by 2030. The IEEE, as a global technology leader in electrical and related technologies, with 43 societies and 370,000 members, is uniquely positioned to help define what the transformed infrastructure is likely to look like, and to initiate the discussion on the challenges that need to be overcome to achieve success. This will be a great networking opportunity as well as a learning venture. Please plan to attend. Click here for the Call for Papers.

• Former IEEE-USA Government Fellows Available to Speak to Sections

On June 11th, former IEEE-USA Congressional Fellow George Hanover spoke to an IEEE PACE group in the San Francisco Bay area about the innovation and competitiveness issues that he worked while serving as staff to both the Environment, Technology and Standards Subcommittee of the House Science Committee, and Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.). George also discussed an engineer's perspective on the "government process" and the IEEE-USA's involvement in that process. Former fellow Marty Sokoloski is scheduled to make a similar presentation about his year-long fellowship experience at the PDS (Professional Development Seminar), part of the WIE (Women in Engineering) Conference "Engineering Your Future," to be held on October 3–5, 2008, in Atlantic City NJ.

If your section is interested in having one of the former government fellows speak to your group about the program, how the legislative process works in Washington, and how IEEE-USA is influencing it, please contact Erica Wissolik at e.wissolik @ ieee.org. For more information on the IEEE-USA Government Fellows Program, please visit: http://ieeeusa.org/policy/govfel/default.asp

• New & Revised IEEE-USA Position Statements

IEEE-USA Position Encourages Energy Efficiency to Save Households Money, Reduce Carbon Emissions

There's little the average person can do to stem the rising cost of gasoline, electricity, natural gas and other energy sources. But by improving our energy efficiency at home, on the road and at work, we can use less energy and save money. IEEE-USA, in an "Energy Efficiency" position adopted on 20 June, says that, "Through energy efficiency improvements, the United States can reduce energy costs; reduce the depletion of fuel resources; increase energy security; enhance international competitiveness, reduce environmental impacts and substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions." To that end, IEEE-USA encourages the federal government to adopt the following policies, among others, that facilitate energy efficiency by:

* Developing technologies to further reduce energy losses in electric power generation, transmission and distribution
* Developing, commercializing and using more efficient electric-drive transportation technologies, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
* Improving and upgrading transportation systems to reduce energy consumption, and adopting "smart growth" policies that reduce distances traveled
* Using communications and information technologies, such as teleconferencing and the Internet, to reduce the need for business travel, such as in telecommuting

Power electronics, which is essential for converting and controlling electric power at high efficiency, can, according to IEEE-USA, save 15 percent of U.S electric grid energy. One of the easiest things the
organization recommends is for each household to use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy says that Energy Star-qualified CFLs "use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer." Over each bulb’s lifetime, this saves at least $30 in electricity costs. Further, if every home in America had at least one such CFL, it would save our nation "more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars."
See http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls.

Continued research and development into transportation systems can also play a key role in enhanced energy efficiency. This includes the development and deployment of electric, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles; fuel-efficiency improvements in trucks, trains, aircraft and passenger cars; and greater use of public transit. Communication systems advances, coupled with high-speed Internet access, can greatly reduce the energy consumed in business travel and save companies millions in travel costs.

BusinessWeek, in a 22 May article, "The Waning Days of the Road Warrior," said, "Videoconferencing, Web-enabled meetings, online collaboration tools -- all are giving workers the ability to dart around the globe from their desk chairs." The publication also reports that flying less is a great way
for companies "to cut their carbon footprint."

IEEE-USA's "Energy Efficiency" position statement, developed by its Energy Policy Committee, is available at http://www.ieeeusa.org/policy/positions/energyefficiency.pdf.

• IEEE-USA's Recent Policy Communications

Read a full listing of IEEE-USA lobbying activities at: http://ieeeusa.com/policy/policy/index.html

• IEEE-USA Public Policy Priority Issues - 110th Congress, 2d Session (2008)
  

The public policy priorities list is available at: http://ieeeusa.org/policy/issues/index.html

• Track IEEE-USA's Progress

View the 2007 Annual Report (542MB): http://www.ieeeusa.org/about/annual_report/2007.pdf

View the Strategic & Operational Plan: http://www.ieeeusa.org/volunteers/strategicplan/index.html

Position statements are available online at: http://ieeeusa.com/policy/positions/index.html

• IEEE-USA In The News

For IEEE-USA in the News items, see: http://ieeeusa.org/communications/inthenews/default.asp.

• Its election Year!!

Make sure that you're a part of the solution. Register to vote: http://www.engineeringthevote.org/register.asp

Given the many urgent scientific and technological challenges facing America and the rest of the world, the increasing need for accurate scientific information in political decision making, and the vital role scientific innovation plays in spurring economic growth and competitiveness, NPR calls for a public debate in which the U.S. presidential candidates share their views on the issues of The Environment, Health and Medicine, and Science and Technology Policy. http://sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php

9) OTHER ITEMS OF POSSIBLE INTEREST

Top of Page | What's New@IEEE | IEEE-USA

What's New @ IEEE-USA's Eye on Washington highlights important federal legislative and regulatory developments that affect U.S. engineers and their careers. In addition to this biweekly newsletter, subscribers receive legislative bulletins and action alerts on IEEE-USA priority issues, including: retirement security, employment benefits, research & development funding, computers and information policy, immigration reform, intellectual property protection and privacy of health/medical information.

You can change your IEEE-USA Eye on Washington subscription status by using the forms at http://www.ieeeusa.org/communications/emailupdates/default.asp

Copyright © 2008, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.  Permission granted to copy for personal use or for non-commercial republication with appropriate attribution.

Updated: 18 July 2008