Public Policy - New & Notable

Eye On Washington Newsletter - June 30
Environmentally sound offshore energy development, OSTP National S&T Summit, GAO reports on DOE and National Airspace System, National Academy on Small Business Innovation Research, an Alabama Robotics initiative and more    current issue

Silicon Valley Engineer Testifies before Congress on Need to Retain Talented High-Tech Students and Professionals
Congress should make it easier for foreign graduate students and engineers to remain in the United States, Silicon Valley engineer and entrepreneur Lee Colby told a congressional subcommittee at a 12 June hearing on Capitol Hill. more

Call for Papers for Energy 2030 Conference
The IEEE-USA co-sponsored Energy 2030 Conference (17-18 Nov.) invites papers on the technology, policy and economic framework required for the creation of a global sustainable energy infrastructure by 2030.  Paper proposal digests are due by 1 July.   more

IEEE-USA Selects 2009 Government Fellows
D. Kenneth Lutz of Ocean, NJ and Thomas Lee of Palo Alto, CA have been selected for Congressional Fellowships.  Dr. Thomas Tierney of Los Alamos, NM will serve as IEEE-USA's Engineering and Diplomacy Fellow at the U.S. State Department.

IEEE 2008 WISE Interns Begin Summer Program
Jonathan Becker (Syracuse University) and Gregory Tress (Carnegie-Mellon University) will explore intersections of technology and public policy in 9 week summer program, which kicked off on June 8. more

Hearing Investigates Globalization of Jobs and Technology
At a May 22 hearing, the  House Science Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight heard witnesses assessments of the effects of globalization of jobs and technology on America’s economy. The hearing specifically focused on what influences U.S. firms’ decisions to locate their production and research facilities abroad.  more

Alexander Proposes "Manhattan Project" For Clean Energy
In a May 9th address at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Senator Lamar Alexander proposed  “launching a 5-year New Manhattan Project to put America firmly on the path to clean energy independence within a generation.”  more

Nanotechnology Reauthorization Moves in House
On May 7, the House Science and Technology Committee approved , the National Nanotechnology Initiative Amendments Act of 2008 (H.R. 5940). This legislation contains amendments to the 21st Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act to the implementation process and priorities of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI), which are based on recommendations by the National Academy of Sciences and the NNI Advisory Panel.   more

Genetic Non-Discrimination Bill Signed Into Law
Final Congressional passage and President signature of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) marks an important step toward obtaining federal protections against the misuse of genetic information. IEEE-USA joined with over 300 organizations comprising the Genetic Alliance to help encourage passage of this legislation.    more

Hearing Looks at Problem of E-Waste
At an April 30 hearing, the House Science and Technology Committee reviewed the national management of E-Waste.  In the absence of federal law or regulation governing the disposal of consumer electronic products, witnesses emphasized the need for consumers to be aware of the problem and the different options available when an electronic product is discarded.   more

Maryland Repeals Computer Services Tax
As its 2008 legislative session came to a close, the Maryland legislature repealed a state-wide tax on computer services before it could take effect.  IEEE-USA supported efforts by Maryland members to advocate in favor of the repeal, including testimony by IEEE Region 2 Director John Dentler before the Maryland House Ways and Means Committee.    more

Presidential Candidates Urged to Debate on S&T Issues
A distinguished group of science and engineering leaders including IEEE-USA President Russell Lefevre, spearheaded by U.S. Reps. Vernon Ehlers and Rush Holt, have issued a call 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.  Candidates have been invited to debate on April 18, at he Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.

China Rivals U.S. in Technology Competitiveness
According to a newly released report from researchers at Georgia Tech, a long term study of high-tech indicators suggests China may soon supplant the United States as the principal driver of the world's economy.  more

Also see IEEE-USA's Eye on Washington

Updated:  30 June 2008