MikeLigalig.com

Could Nate Silver Predict How Good Your Pumpkin Pie Will Be?

Scientists have come up with an algorithm to guess how many stars a recipe will receive online. By building "social networks" for ingredients, the algorithms also reveal how we mix and match spices, make dishes more healthful and customize flavor profiles.

Source: Could Nate Silver Predict How Good Your Pumpkin Pie Will Be?

Graphic Novels That Flew Under The Radar In 2012

It's been a great year for high-profile comics creators, producing landmark works destined for many "Best Comics of 2012" lists. But what about the lesser-known artists and their work? Glen Weldon points to outstanding works that haven't gotten the attention they deserve.

Source: Graphic Novels That Flew Under The Radar In 2012

Elmo Puppeteer Resigns; Calls Sex Allegations A 'Distraction'

Kevin Clash has denied he had a sexual relationship when his accuser was still a boy. But there's word today of a second such allegation. Sesame Workshop says Clash has "concluded that he can no longer be effective in his job."

Source: Elmo Puppeteer Resigns; Calls Sex Allegations A 'Distraction'

Tracking The Elusive 'Chocolate' Persimmon

The maru variety is not available in stores near you. But if you know of a nearby Japanese family farm, you may be able to find this rare fruit, known for its deep brown color. Juicy and sweet without being cloying, this persimmon is a treat.

Source: Tracking The Elusive 'Chocolate' Persimmon

Move Over Urkel, There Are New 'Blerds' Around

Commentator Eric Deggans argues that the black nerds are ascendant. It used to be that Steve Urkel was their sole standard-bearer, but now there are black nerd standup comics, rappers and even news anchors. Deggans is TV and media critic for the Tampa Bay Times, and author of Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation.

Source: Move Over Urkel, There Are New 'Blerds' Around

Talking Turkey (And Pie) In 'Thanksgiving'

New York Times editor Sam Sifton has this important piece of Thanksgiving advice: Forget innovation. No ham, no swordfish, no beef tenderloin, just turkey and pie. His new book, Thanksgiving: How to Cook It Well, provides recipes for a simple, stress-free holiday meal.

Source: Talking Turkey (And Pie) In 'Thanksgiving'

In Brussels, Be Kind ... Or Be Fined

A new law in the Belgian capital outlaws racist, homophobic and sexist insults, as well as other incivilities such as not cleaning up after your dog. The law allows for the fines ? as high as $320 ? to be collected quickly.

Source: In Brussels, Be Kind ... Or Be Fined

Children Are Not Born Bad, Stupid or Lazy

Our kids are bombarded with stresses, and sensory overload, at home, on the playground and in the classroom. Commentator Barbara J. King reads the work of Canadian psychologist Stuart Shanker and considers concrete strategies to help our children self-regulate.

Source: Children Are Not Born Bad, Stupid or Lazy

Matching DNA With Medical Records To Crack Disease And Aging

A massive research project in California is beginning to show how genes, health habits and the environment can interact to cause diseases. The new combination of genetic and health information is one of the most powerful research tools on earth, a researcher says.

Source: Matching DNA With Medical Records To Crack Disease And Aging

Why Americans Go Crazy For Pumpkin And Pumpkin-Flavored Stuff

With pumpkin or pumpkin spices going into more products every year, we wondered, what's the deal with the pumpkin obsession? Turns out pumpkins have been a symbol of Americans' longing for simpler, rural times since we began moving to the cities in the 19th century.

Source: Why Americans Go Crazy For Pumpkin And Pumpkin-Flavored Stuff

It Isn't (Just) Ironic: In Defense Of The Hipster

A recent article argued that irony dominates youth culture today, but "Thrift Store," a rising hit by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, shows how misplaced that worry may be.

Source: It Isn't (Just) Ironic: In Defense Of The Hipster

Book-Vending Machine Dispenses Suspense

Insert $2 into the Biblio-Mat, and customers get a mystery, a biography, historical fiction ? or a dud. The owner of a bookstore in Toronto came up with the machine as a way to clear his shelves of more ill-favored reads.

Source: Book-Vending Machine Dispenses Suspense

Sally Field Captures History In Role Of Mrs. Lincoln

In Steven Spielberg's film Lincoln, Sally Field plays Abraham Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd, opposite actor Daniel Day-Lewis. Field lobbied hard for the role of the emotionally tormented, complex first lady and did extensive research to capture the character.

Source: Sally Field Captures History In Role Of Mrs. Lincoln

How much each machine costs, ferotex?

By Sunday Post

Boholanos expected three senatorial aspirants belonging to the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) last week, but only two showed upâ€"Cong. JV Ejercito and Zambales Rep. Mitos Magsaysay. The third, a newcomer, was Nancy Binay, who was a no-show as an invited guest of Baclayon’s 416 th Foundation Day which was held yesterday.

Though a new face in the senatorial race, Binay is banking on his father’s popularity who is the country’s vice president. V-President Jejomar Binay is a favorite political friend of Baclayon after he has secured several fund releases for the town. Arriving here last Friday, Cong. JV Ejercito of San Juan, Metro Manila, breezed into town to court the Boholano vote. In a press conference arranged by shipping magnate Jun Lim, JV who is using the surname Estrada instead of Ejercito, is the son of former President Erap Estrada.

In the same interview held at the Lim-owned Soledad Suites, the former President’s son was all praises to the P-Noy’s administration in running after the grafters and corrupt in the government to make true his commitment of “daang matuwid” and “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” campaign. But Ejercito said that the President should work hard to improve the economy and peace and order, not just getting rid of corruption so that the country can move on and improve the lot of the people. 

He said that for his part he will do his best once elected to the Senate, saying that “I have my commitment to Bohol especially on tourism” even as he noted that the province is a potential in this endeavor. He runs under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of Vice-President Jejomar Binay.

MAGSAYSAY

The Zambales lawmaker who is also aiming a Senate seat arrived here yesterday to preside over a press conference at the Metro Center Hotel coffee shop. In her talk with newsmen, Magsaysay vowed she would be the people's alternative voice if elected to the Senate.

"I would continue to be vocal in all concerns regarding the Aquino administration while agreeing on what is right for the welfare of our people," the Zambales congresswoman told the local media. She was in Bohol to attend as guest speaker in an affair in Baclayon town on the same night.

She added, being closely identified with the former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo doesn't bother her at all as she eyes seeking a senate seat in next year's mid-term elections. She has joined the Partidong Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP Laban) of vice president Jejomar Binay. Known as a staunch critic of the present Aquino administration, the outspoken congresswoman said she would rate P-Noy's performance (in the scale of 1 to 10) at only 5.

"President P-Noy focused only on personalities, like GMA, forgetting all the while the problems of the country that affect the ordinary people like spiraling prices of basic commodities, power outage, high crime rate and many others.

She also hit the Conditional Cash Transfer that had ballooned in the Aquino administration as counter-productive. "Providing gainful skills is what is needed for our people today. In my district, I gave this technical education program and scholarship as priority for my constituents; for them to find jobs or be self-employed," Magsaysay said.

"Giving cash assistance like the conditional cash transfer (CCT) is not good. This in fact is an insult to the politicians in the area." Given the right education and technical skills, people will be productive and less will be asking for this kind of financial assistance, she added. Magsaysay also disclosed that for being vocal and critical to the present PNoy administration, her priority development funds (PDF) were withheld, obviously to silence her.

"But even without PDAF, projects continue in my district with participation and support of the private sector. I had proven this and that what surprised them most," Magsaysay revealed.

The congresswoman from the first district of Zambales is an Outstanding Awardee for 6 consecutive years. Asked about the anti-morals laws being pushed in Congress like trans-gender rights, same sex marriage and divorce bills, Magsaysay said she is totally against them. "If these bills reach the Senate I will stand against the passage of these laws. Women senators now are silent about these but I will be fighting against legislations of these kind," Magsaysay vowed. "Strengthening the family, the smallest unit of government, is what is needed today. Through it, we can have a strong nation as the foundation is build from the bottom to the top," Magsaysay added.

by Ven Arigo

Gov. Edgar Chatto is securing the environmental integrity of Panglao island for a sustainable tourism development in the advent of the modern, world-standard new Bohol airport. The governor on Friday inked for the Provincial Government of Bohol (PGBh) a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), represented by Southeast Asia Division 5 Director Yoshifuma Omura on Sustainable Environment Protection Project for Panglao (SEPPP).

Overall, the project intends to achieve sustainable tourism development after the completion of the construction of the new airport, which Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III vowed shall rise before the end of his term in 2016. Its purpose is to protect the environment of Panglao island from the estimated dramatic tourist increase once the giant air terminal operates and to improve the “on-site systems” such as the existing wastewater systems.

Even at the start of the talk, Chatto already insisted for ecological respect as a major concern and an uncompromising part of the social preparation for the airport on Panglao island. One of the main points discussed was the cooperation with the Silliman University â€" Angelo King Center for Research and Environmental Management (SU-AKREM), PADAYON Bohol Marine Triangle, and Bohol Island State University (BISU) on monitoring the marine ecosystem. The province and JICA also explored on establishing an inter-agency team for the management of on-site systems, another body called the Panglao Island Executive Committee and a scientific council. The JICA has a ready P90-million grant for the two-year environment-focused SEPPP activities under the MOU which are set to start in January or February of 2013, the same year set for the start of the airport concrete works.

The new airport is to be built according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards for safety and convenience under the condition of increasing air traffic demand. It is expected to accommodate rising demand on a green-orientated basis. Enlarging tourist inflows are to likely have negative effects on the environment around Panglao island, especially on the marine ecosystem. It is, therefore, necessary to establish an effective environmental management system for the marine ecosystem to achieve sustainable ecotourism development, Chatto said.

As projected, there is a high possibility of beach areas to be heavily occupied with hotels, restaurants and other facilities onward to the seashores as tourists steadily multiply because of the airport. Currently, the performance of existing on-site wastewater treatment systems such as septic tanks seems ineffective enough to deal with the increasing wastewaters from hotels, restaurants and households.

It is thus required, too, under the SEPPP agreement to investigate these issues for best ways improving the current on-site systems. Last August, the JICA dispatched to the Philippines a survey mission to develop a detailed plan for the sustainable environment protection of Panglao island. During its stay, the JICA mission exchanged views and held a series of of discussions with the representatives of relevant organizations in the country.

Then the JICA and Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) agreed to implement the airport construction and sustainable environment project. The JICA mission and the provincial government vowed sincere cooperation which can greatly contribute toward smoothly executing and enhancing the development effect of the project. Under the SEPPP agreement, the JICA side has to provide experts and necessary equipment while the PGBH provides counterpart personnel, office and necessary facilities, and information/data needed to implement the project.

OUTPUTS

Environment monitoring for the protection of tourism resources and improvement of on-site systems are lead outputs expected of the SEPPP activities under the agreement. These activities involve the possible appropriate framework for implementing an “adaptive management system” under which usage control is established and applied in Panglao.

As part of the scope of works, data on existing monitoring surveys of environmental conditions will be collected to examine the maximum carrying capacity and, if necessary, additional monitoring surveys will be done. This will be in coordination with the SU-AKREM, PADAYON, BISU and other relevant organizations and institutions. As agreed, assistance will be provided to assist the creation of the yet tentatively called Panglao Island Executive Committee consisting of related stakeholders to make decision on the protection plan of the prime tourism island. The Bohol government will ensure that the technologies and knowledge acquired as a result of the SEPPP contribute to economic and social progress and stability as years fly with the dream airport in operation.

Meanwhile, senatorial candidate JV Ejercito Estrada courteously acknowledged in a press conference here on Friday his three “friends” Chatto, Rep. Rene Relampagos and Trinidad Mayor Roberto Cajes and committed to help materialize the new Bohol airport once he is elected to the highest legislature of the land. (Ven rebo Arigo)

“Manuel Amalilio, founder of Aman Futures Group Phils. Inc., is not a Filipino-Malaysian but a Malaysian named Mohammad Suffian Saaid who is married to a Filipina.” - RVO

by Sunday Post

With Boholanos who are like wandering nomads and therefore settling in all corners of Mindanao, it was very likely that scores of them were victims too of the multi-billion investment scam that duped as of last count as many as 15,000.

Headquartered in Pagadian City, in Zamboanga del Sur, and spread to Lanao del Sur and Cebu, the sinister caper of Amana Futures Group, Phils., was believed to have fooled a number of Boholanos, according to an information provided by Deputy Director Virgilio Mendez of the National Bureau of Investigation.

Director Mendez, a Boholano from Ubay, confirmed that there were Boholanos who fell prey to the scam. The revelation was seconded by a successful Boholano businessman, who has made a fortune in the franchising business who is now based in Dipolog City, in Zamboanga del Norte.

He said he heard of many Boholanos in the Zamboanga provinces telling him their tales of woes as a result of the big-time swindle.

The businessman, who asked not to be named, said some of the victims were themselves to be blamed for the mess they’re in now. In the first place, he said, the victims should wonder to high heaven why an investment earned as high as 30 to 50% in interest in so short a time like one week or one month. The same businessman said Boholanos from as far as Cagayan de Oro in Misamis Oriental and Iligan city in Lanao del Norte were also victims of the racket. But he did not divulge their identities.  In the case of the NBI official, he confirmed in a text message that a lot of Boholanos were indeed victims of the swindle. 

“Am sure daghan mga Sano (Boholanos) victim, apan, whether Boholano or from other provinces they deserved special consideration especially the poor,” the director said.  He said that if there’s payment for their investments, priority should be given to the poor and those small-time investors. “Lu-oy kayo sila. Namasin nga makab-ot ila mga ambisyon makapalit sakyanan bag-o gamit sa balay, etc.”

He said that a lot of the victims hail from Pagadian City. With Pagadian City as the epicenter of the investment scandal, the mayor, Samuel Co, was caught in the eye of the raging storm. Although he denied any involvement, the city mayor was investigated why he acted too late to prevent from happening what could be the biggest swindle of unwary investors in recent memory.

The mayor claimed that he was a victim also after parting his own money thinking that it was too good to be true only to discover only too late that just like the others he was taken for a ride. As to the status of the case against those behind the financial debacle, Mendez said it was not yet filed in court and therefore the warrants against the suspects are still to be issued.  Mendez clarified that “Manuel Amalilio, founder of Aman Futures Group Phils. Inc., is not a Filipino-Malaysian but a Malaysian named Mohammad Suffian Saaid who is married to a Filipina.” (With reports from RVO)

By Sunday Post

The neighborhood along the periphery of CPG East Avenue, this city, was shattered with successive explosions Thursday evening with residents thinking that it was a spectacular fireworks display only to discover latter that it was a grenade attack. Since the explosive was lobbed in the direction of the ancestral home of Judge Fernando Fuentes III along CPG East Avenue (beside Pasonangka Restaurant), it was theorized that he was the target of the blast.

But the supposed target was apparently clueless why he was the object of the grenade throwing incident because he was in Manila at that time it happened. In an interview with Executive Judge Suseso Arcamo, he was informed that Judge Fuentes was in Manila to follow up an order lifting his floating status as presiding judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 49.

Judge Arcamo said he had a conversation with his counterpart after the violent incident if he has any idea about who could be behind the grenade attack. Judge Fuentes told the executive judge that as far as he could remember there was no sensational case that he handled that would lead to such dastardly act.

The target judge, however recalled that three weeks ago, he affirmed the conviction of a physical injury case whose accused was convicted by the lower court. The same case which was elevated to Judge Fuentes’ sala whose conviction was affirmed including denying the motion for reconsideration, was one of the 83 cases which the judge was ordered to dispose.

In an audit of court dockets, Judge Fuentes was found to have 83 backlog of cases all awaiting decision prompting the High Court to place him in a floating status to give him more time to dispose all the pending cases that clogged at Branch 49. Judge Arcamo took over the other cases pending trial in Judge Fuentes branch.

As police investigators are looking into the incident, it was learned that a motorcycle riding men were believed to have thrown the grenade while passing through the judge’s house. A clue of the motive of the assault is yet to be established as investigators are still looking into the circumstances behind the grenade throwing.

POWERFUL BLAST

A car, a KIA Carnival SUV, and owned by the judge, suffered a flat tire as a result of the explosion. It was parked in the garage found in the ground floor of the house.  The explosions must be so powerful that an office across the house was also damaged.

The glass doors of Architecture Design and Construction  Services located across the street and about 12 meters away, were shattered by what police believed to be hit by the splinters of the grenade blast. An initial police report signed by P/Insp Antonio Samante of the city police station showed that forensic investigators found and “recovered 53 pieces of assorted fragments” at the crime scene. The police report also indicated that the car fuel tank was also damaged as a result of the blast causing its fuel to spill.

Scammer Manuel Amalilio (Aman) is not his real name. He is not a Filipino. He was never a Filipino. He is a pure Malaysian, born in Malaysia. He is a Muslim.

FE Teams Earn Secretary of Energy Achievement Awards

Secretary of Energy Steven Chu today honored two Office of Fossil Energy groups with Secretary of Energy Achievement Awards for exceptional performance in carrying out the DOE mission.

Source: FE Teams Earn Secretary of Energy Achievement Awards

DOE AVESTAR Center Deploys 3-D Virtual Training System

DOE's AVESTAR Center has taken a major step forward with the successful deployment and site acceptance testing of a new 3-D virtual immersive training system for IGCC power plants with carbon capture.

Source: DOE AVESTAR Center Deploys 3-D Virtual Training System

National Energy Technology Laboratory Captures Three Sustainability Awards

When DOE called on employees to meet sustainability goals by initiating environmental, energy, and economic improvements, NETL answered the call - and captured three Departmental Sustainability Awards for its efforts.

Source: National Energy Technology Laboratory Captures Three Sustainability Awards

DOE Simulator Training to Brazil's Petrobas Advances Goal of Deploying Clean Coal Technology at Home and Abroad

A comprehensive DOE training initiative has provided employees of a Brazilian multi-national company the opportunity to learn to operate and control near zero-emission power plants.

Source: DOE Simulator Training to Brazil's Petrobas Advances Goal of Deploying Clean Coal Technology at Home and Abroad

Energy Department Announces Major Milestones for Decatur, Ill. Clean Coal Project

Today, the U.S. Energy Department marked two important milestones in the Illinois Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage project in Decatur, Illinois.

Source: Energy Department Announces Major Milestones for Decatur, Ill. Clean Coal Project

First-Generation Risk Profiles Help Predict CO2 Storage Site Obstacles

A collaboration of five DOE national laboratories has completed first-generation risk profiles that, for the first time, offer a means to predict the probability of complications that could arise from specific CO2 storage sites.

Source: First-Generation Risk Profiles Help Predict CO2 Storage Site Obstacles

New Tool Yields Custom Environmental Data for Lifecycle Analysis

A new, free online tool developed by NETL allows users to customize and analyze the environmental impact of various fuels before they are used to create power.

Source: New Tool Yields Custom Environmental Data for Lifecycle Analysis

International Experts on Clean Coal, Carbon Capture Technologies to Meet at Pittsburgh Coal Conference

The role of fossil fuels in the global energy portfolio will be discussed at the 2012 International Pittsburgh Coal Conference to be held October 15-18 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Source: International Experts on Clean Coal, Carbon Capture Technologies to Meet at Pittsburgh Coal Conference

Energy Department Advances Research on Methane Hydrates - the World's Largest Untapped Fossil Energy Resource

DOE today announced the selection of 14 new research projects across 11 states that will be a part of an expanding portfolio of projects designed to increase our understanding of methane hydrates' potential as a future energy supply.

Source: Energy Department Advances Research on Methane Hydrates - the World's Largest Untapped Fossil Energy Resource

Energy Department Announces Emergency Oil Loan in Response to Hurricane Isaac-Related Request

U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced today that DOE will lend one million barrels of sweet crude oil from the SPR to Marathon Petroleum Company.

Source: Energy Department Announces Emergency Oil Loan in Response to Hurricane Isaac-Related Request

Favorable Supplies, Costs, Environmental Profile for Natural Gas Revealed in New Department of Energy Study

The nation's large resource base of natural gas can be used for cost-effective power generation, with environmental burdens coming primarily from fuel combustion, not resource extraction, according to a new DOE study.

Source: Favorable Supplies, Costs, Environmental Profile for Natural Gas Revealed in New Department of Energy Study

DOE-Sponsored Project Begins Demonstrating CCUS Technology in Alabama

Carbon dioxide injection has begun at the world's first fully integrated coal power and geologic storage project in southwest Alabama.

Source: DOE-Sponsored Project Begins Demonstrating CCUS Technology in Alabama

Novel Sorbent Achieves 90 Percent Carbon Capture in DOE-Sponsored Test

The successful bench-scale test of a novel CO2 capturing sorbent promises to further advance the process as a possible technological option for reducing CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Source: Novel Sorbent Achieves 90 Percent Carbon Capture in DOE-Sponsored Test

Second Phase of Innovative Technology Project to Capture CO2, Produce Biofuels Launched in Ohio

A novel method to capture CO2 from flue gas and produce biofuels has been formally launched in the second phase of a DOE project at a nursery in Ohio.

Source: Second Phase of Innovative Technology Project to Capture CO2, Produce Biofuels Launched in Ohio

Seven Projects That Will Advance Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Research Selected by DOE for Further Development

Seven projects that will help develop low-cost solid oxide fuel cell technology have been selected for further research by DOE.

Source: Seven Projects That Will Advance Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Research Selected by DOE for Further Development

Energy Department Announces Awards to Projects Advancing Innovative Clean Coal Technology

DOE announced today the selection of eight projects to advance the development of transformational oxycombustion technologies.

Source: Energy Department Announces Awards to Projects Advancing Innovative Clean Coal Technology

NETL-RUA Engineer Earns Presidential Award for R&D That Could Help Meet DOE Carbon Capture Goals

A Carnegie Mellon University professor who worked with NETL on research that could help meet carbon capture goals has earned a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.

Source: NETL-RUA Engineer Earns Presidential Award for R&D That Could Help Meet DOE Carbon Capture Goals

Vast Energy Resource in Residual Oil Zones, FE Study Says

Billions of barrels of oil that could increase domestic supply, help reduce imports and increase U.S. energy security may be potentially recoverable from residual oil zones, according to a new study supported by FE.

Source: Vast Energy Resource in Residual Oil Zones, FE Study Says

DOE Advances Innovative CCS Polygeneration Plant Through NEPA Process

DOE and the California Energy Commission are working together to advance an innovative CCS plant.

Source: DOE Advances Innovative CCS Polygeneration Plant Through NEPA Process

NETL-Developed Carbon Capture Technology Recognized with an R&D 100 Award

A novel carbon capture technology developed at DOE's NETL has been recognized by R&D Magazine as among the 100 most technologically significant products introduced into commercial marketplace within the past year.

Source: NETL-Developed Carbon Capture Technology Recognized with an R&D 100 Award

Research Projects to Address Technical Challenges Facing Small Oil and Natural Gas Producers Selected by DOE for Further Development

Nine new research projects aimed at extending the life of mature oil and natural gas fields have been selected to receive a total of $8.5 million in funding from DOE's Office of Fossil Energy.

Source: Research Projects to Address Technical Challenges Facing Small Oil and Natural Gas Producers Selected by DOE for Further Development

Novel Tool Allows Quicker, More Versatile Analysis of Energy Production Technologies

A new energy production technology analysis tool that could lead to cost-effective improvements for energy generation and lower costs for consumers is now available.

Source: Novel Tool Allows Quicker, More Versatile Analysis of Energy Production Technologies

NETL Publications Earn National Communications Awards

Two NETL publications have received National Association of Government Communicators first-place awards for superior government communications.

Source: NETL Publications Earn National Communications Awards

New DOE "Best Practices" Manual Features Top Strategies for Carbon Storage Wells



Source: New DOE "Best Practices" Manual Features Top Strategies for Carbon Storage Wells

Obama Administration Announces Clean Coal Research Awards for Universities Across the Country

As part of President Obama's all-of-the-above approach to American energy, DOE announced that nine universities have won awards for research projects that will continue to support innovation and development of clean coal technologies.

Source: Obama Administration Announces Clean Coal Research Awards for Universities Across the Country

NETL Patented CO2-Removal Sorbents Promise Power and Cost Savings

CO2 removal sorbents developed by NETL could result in power and cost savings for users of some HVAC systems under a recently signed license agreement.

Source: NETL Patented CO2-Removal Sorbents Promise Power and Cost Savings

DOE-Supported Education and Training Programs Help Crow Tribe Promote Energy Independence and Education

Two DOE-supported programs are helping the Crow Tribe in Montana  produce energy with minimal environmental impact, educate future generations, and prepare its community for future jobs in energy fields.

Source: DOE-Supported Education and Training Programs Help Crow Tribe Promote Energy Independence and Education

DOE Announces New Research to Advance Safe and Responsible Deepwater Drilling Technologies

Thirteen projects aimed at reducing the risks while enhancing the environmental performance of drilling for natural gas and oil in ultra-deepwater settings have been selected by DOE for further development.

Source: DOE Announces New Research to Advance Safe and Responsible Deepwater Drilling Technologies

Natural Gas Compression Technology Improves Transport and Efficiencies, Lowers Operating Costs

An award-winning compressor design that decreases the energy required to compress and transport natural gas and reduces the environmental footprint of well site operations has been developed by a company with support from the DOE.

Source: Natural Gas Compression Technology Improves Transport and Efficiencies, Lowers Operating Costs

DOE-Sponsored IGCC Project Could Lead to Lower-Cost Carbon Capture Technologies

Changes in operating conditions coupled with changes in commercially manufactured catalysts can produce both power generation increases and significant cost savings at IGCC power plants, according to new research from a DOE-sponsored project.

Source: DOE-Sponsored IGCC Project Could Lead to Lower-Cost Carbon Capture Technologies

Stent Technology Saves Lives, Creates Jobs

When people think of benefits from energy research, they usually don't envision saving lives. But thanks to an innovative alloy jointly developed by Boston Scientific Corporation and DOE metallurgists, that's what is happening.

Source: Stent Technology Saves Lives, Creates Jobs

DOE-Sponsored Drilling Projects Demonstrate Significant CO2 Storage at Three Sites

Evaluation-related test drilling at geologic sites in three states that could store a combined 64 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

Source: DOE-Sponsored Drilling Projects Demonstrate Significant CO2 Storage at Three Sites

U.S. and Japan Complete Successful Field Trial of Methane Hydrate Production Technologies

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced the completion of a successful, unprecedented test of technology in the North Slope of Alaska that was able to safely extract a steady flow of natural gas from methane hydrates.

Source: U.S. and Japan Complete Successful Field Trial of Methane Hydrate Production Technologies

Energy Department Announces New Mapping Initiative to Advance North American Carbon Storage Efforts

There is at least 500 years - and perhaps as much as 5,000 years - of geologic storage for CO2 emissions in North America, according to the newly released  North American Carbon Storage Atlas.

Source: Energy Department Announces New Mapping Initiative to Advance North American Carbon Storage Efforts

Innovative DOE Technology Demonstrates Potential for Significant Increases in Safe and Responsible Production from Depleted U.S. Oil Fields

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced today that an innovative flooding technology has successfully improved oil recovery at a mature Illinois field by more than 300 percent.

Source: Innovative DOE Technology Demonstrates Potential for Significant Increases in Safe and Responsible Production from Depleted U.S. Oil Fields

DOE Continues Long-Running Minority Educational Research Program

Four projects have been selected as part of the U.S. Department of Energy's long running minority educational research program.

Source: DOE Continues Long-Running Minority Educational Research Program

Obama Administration Announces New Partnership on Unconventional Natural Gas and Oil Research

Today, three federal agencies announced a formal partnership to coordinate and align all research associated with development of our nation's abundant unconventional natural gas and oil resources.

Source: Obama Administration Announces New Partnership on Unconventional Natural Gas and Oil Research

Opening New Avenues for High-Efficiency, Low-Emission Coal Gasification

In a project funded by DOE, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has developed a high-pressure, dry-solids feed pump that could make gasification economically competitive.

Source: Opening New Avenues for High-Efficiency, Low-Emission Coal Gasification

NETL-RUA Scans for Improved Enhanced Oil Recovery Technique

Researchers participating in the NETL-RUA are using a familiar piece of medical equipment - a CT scanner - to evaluate cutting-edge improvements to enhanced oil recovery techniques.

Source: NETL-RUA Scans for Improved Enhanced Oil Recovery Technique

NETL Shares Computing Speed, Efficiency to Tackle Energy Technology Barriers

One of the world's fastest supercomputers will be installed at FE's NETL this summer to help develop solutions to carbon capture, utilization and storage technology barriers.

Source: NETL Shares Computing Speed, Efficiency to Tackle Energy Technology Barriers

"Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration" Training Program Now Accepting Applications

A DOE program that helps graduate students and early career professionals gain hands-on field research experience in areas related to CCUS is accepting applications until April 15.

Source: "Research Experience in Carbon Sequestration" Training Program Now Accepting Applications

President Requests $650.8 Million for Fossil Energy Programs

President Obama's FY 2013 budget seeks $650.8 million for the Office of Fossil Energy to support improved energy security and rapid development of climate-oriented technology.

Source: President Requests $650.8 Million for Fossil Energy Programs

Remote Gas Well Monitoring Technology Applied to Marcellus Shale Site

A technology to remotely monitor conditions at energy-rich Marcellus Shale gas wells to help insure compliance with environmental requirements has been developed through a research partnership funded by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Source: Remote Gas Well Monitoring Technology Applied to Marcellus Shale Site

Fossil Energy Know-How Helps Heart Patients

For their work developing a new metal alloy that has dramatically improved coronary stents used in patients with heart problems, three scientists at FE's NETL are set to receive the Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer.

Source: Fossil Energy Know-How Helps Heart Patients

Chu in Pittsburgh: "We Need an All-Out, All-of-the-Above Strategy that Develops Every Available Source of American Energy"

Today, U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu joined Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl to tour a range of research facilities at FE's  National Energy Technology Laboratory.

Source: Chu in Pittsburgh: "We Need an All-Out, All-of-the-Above Strategy that Develops Every Available Source of American Energy"

New Models Help Optimize Development of Bakken Shale Resources

Exploration and field development in the largest continuous oil play in the lower 48 states - located in North Dakota and eastern Montana - will be guided by new geo-models developed  through funding provided the DOE's Office of Fossil Energy.

Source: New Models Help Optimize Development of Bakken Shale Resources

Utility to Purchase Electricity from Innovative DOE-Supported Clean Coal Project

An innovative clean coal technology project in Texas will supply electricity to the largest municipally owned utility in the United States under a recently signed Power Purchase Agreement.

Source: Utility to Purchase Electricity from Innovative DOE-Supported Clean Coal Project

DOE-Sponsored Online Mapping Portal Helps Oil and Gas Producers Comply with New Mexico Compliance Rules

An online mapping portal to help oil and natural gas operators comply with a revised New Mexico waste pit rule has been developed by a team of New Mexico Tech researchers.

Source: DOE-Sponsored Online Mapping Portal Helps Oil and Gas Producers Comply with New Mexico Compliance Rules

DOE RFP Seeks Projects for Improving Environmental Performance of Unconventional Natural Gas Technologies

Research projects to study ways for improving the environmental performance of unconventional gas development are being sought by the FE's National Energy Technology Laboratory.

Source: DOE RFP Seeks Projects for Improving Environmental Performance of Unconventional Natural Gas Technologies

DOE Selects Projects Aimed at Reducing Drilling Risks in Ultra-Deepwater

DOE's Office of Fossil Energy has selected six new natural gas and oil research projects aimed at reducing  risks and enhancing the environmental performance of drilling in ultra-deepwater settings.

Source: DOE Selects Projects Aimed at Reducing Drilling Risks in Ultra-Deepwater

USDA Designates 5 Counties in Florida as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

USDA Designates 5 Counties in Florida as Primary Natural Disaster Areas      WASHINGTON, Nov. 14, 2012 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated five counties in Florida as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by excessive rain, flooding, Tropical Storm Isaac that occurred Aug. 25-28, 2012.         The counties are:       Highlands MartinOkeechobeePalm BeachSt. Lucie                       “Our hearts go out to those Florida farmers and ranchers affected by the recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling Florida producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.”        Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Florida also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous.  Those counties are:       BrowardGladesIndian RiverCharlotteHardeeOsceolaDe SotoHendryPolk                All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas Nov. 14, 2012, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.         Additional programs available to assist farmers and ranchers include the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.        Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that the department’s authority to operate the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011.This includes SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.            FSA news releases are available on FSA’s website at www.fsa.usda.gov via the “Newsroom” link.         USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Source: USDA Designates 5 Counties in Florida as Primary Natural Disaster Areas

USDA Designates 2 Counties in North Dakota as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Montana

Release 0215.12          USDA Designates 2 Counties in North Dakota as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Montana    WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2012 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated two counties in North Dakota as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought   The counties are:    Burke and Divide      "Our hearts go out to those North Dakota farmers and ranchers affected by the recent natural disasters," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation's economy by sustaining the successes of America's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We're also telling North Dakota producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood."      Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in North Dakota also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Those counties are:      MountrailRenvilleWardWilliams    All other North Dakota counties that would be eligible under 7 CFR 759.5 (a), already have been designated as primary natural disaster counties.    Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Montana also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Those counties are:      Montana     Sheridan     All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas Nov. 7, 2012, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.     The Obama Administration is committed to helping the thousands of farm families and businesses who continue to struggle with the drought. Recently, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced an extension for emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres through Nov. 30, 2012, freeing up forage and feed for ranchers as they look to recover from this challenging time. Other actions by USDA to provide assistance to producers impacted by the drought include:       Intent to purchase up to $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks, to help relieve pressure on American livestock producers and bring the nation's meat supply in line with demand. Reducing the emergency loan rate, from 3.75 percent to 2.25 percent, as well as making emergency loans available earlier in the season.   Allowing haying or grazing of cover crops without impacting the insurability of planted 2013 spring crops. Authorizing $16 million in existing funds from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target states experiencing exceptional and extreme drought. Initiating transfer of $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to help farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Authorizing haying and grazing of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement areas in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. Lowering the penalty on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing, from 25 percent to 10 percent in 2012. Simplified the Secretarial disaster designation process and reduced the time it takes to designate counties affected by disasters by 40 percent.    Additional programs available to assist farmers and ranchers include the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.      Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that the department's authority to operate the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011. This includes SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.     FSA news releases are available on FSA's website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov via the "Newsroom" link.        USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Source: USDA Designates 2 Counties in North Dakota as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Montana

USDA Designates 2 Counties in North Dakota as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Montana

Release 0215.12          USDA Designates 2 Counties in North Dakota as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in MontanaWASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2012 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated two counties in North Dakota as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by the recent drought . The counties are: Burke   Divide “Our hearts go out to those North Dakota farmers and ranchers affected by the recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling North Dakota producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.” Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in North Dakota also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Those counties are: Mountrail  Renville  Ward Williams        All other North Dakota counties that would be eligible under 7 CFR 759.5 (a), already have been designated as primary natural disaster counties.  Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Montana also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Those counties are: Montana Sheridan          All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas Nov. 7, 2012, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity. The Obama Administration is committed to helping the thousands of farm families and businesses who continue to struggle with the drought. Recently, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced an extension for emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres through Nov. 30, 2012, freeing up forage and feed for ranchers as they look to recover from this challenging time. Other actions by USDA to provide assistance to producers impacted by the drought include:  • Intent to purchase up to $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks, to help relieve pressure on American livestock producers and bring the nation's meat supply in line with demand. • Reducing the emergency loan rate, from 3.75 percent to 2.25 percent, as well as making emergency loans available earlier in the season.   • Allowing haying or grazing of cover crops without impacting the insurability of planted 2013 spring crops. • Authorizing $16 million in existing funds from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target states experiencing exceptional and extreme drought. • Initiating transfer of $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to help farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. • Authorizing haying and grazing of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement areas in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. • Lowering the penalty on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing, from 25 percent to 10 percent in 2012. • Simplified the Secretarial disaster designation process and reduced the time it takes to designate counties affected by disasters by 40 percent.   Additional programs available to assist farmers and ranchers include the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov. Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that the department’s authority to operate the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011. This includes SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.   FSA news releases are available on FSA’s website at www.fsa.usda.gov via the “Newsroom” link. #      USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Source: USDA Designates 2 Counties in North Dakota as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in Montana

USDA Designates 5 Counties in Montana as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in North Dakota

USDA Designates 5 Counties in Montana as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in North Dakota            WASHINGTON, Nov. 7, 2012 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated five counties in Montana as primary natural disaster areas due to damages and losses caused by early spring frosts and freezes, drought, excessive heat, high winds, wildfires, insects and hail that occurred during Jan. 1, 2012, and continues.         The counties are:       Garfield  Lewis  Clark Richland Wibaux                           “Our hearts go out to those Montana farmers and ranchers affected by the recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling Montana producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.”         Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Montana also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Those counties are:              BroadwaterJeffersonPrairieCascadeMcConeRooseveltCusterMeagherRosebudDawsonPetroleumTetonFallonPhillipsValleyFlatheadPowell                      Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in North Dakota also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Those counties are:         North Dakota        Golden ValleyMcKenzieWilliams           All counties listed above were designated natural disaster areas Nov. 7, 2012, making all qualified farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), provided eligibility requirements are met. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of the declaration to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA will consider each loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of losses, security available and repayment ability. FSA has a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity.         The Obama Administration is committed to helping the thousands of farm families and businesses who continue to struggle with the drought. Recently, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced an extension for emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres through Nov. 30, 2012, freeing up forage and feed for ranchers as they look to recover from this challenging time. Other actions by USDA to provide assistance to producers impacted by the drought include:              Intent to purchase up to $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks, to help relieve pressure on American livestock producers and bring the nation's meat supply in line with demand. Reducing the emergency loan rate, from 3.75 percent to 2.25 percent, as well as making emergency loans available earlier in the season.   Allowing haying or grazing of cover crops without impacting the insurability of planted 2013 spring crops. Authorizing $16 million in existing funds from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target states experiencing exceptional and extreme drought. Initiating transfer of $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to help farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Authorizing haying and grazing of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement areas in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands. Lowering the penalty on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing, from 25 percent to 10 percent in 2012. Simplified the Secretarial disaster designation process and reduced the time it takes to designate counties affected by disasters by 40 percent.           Additional programs available to assist farmers and ranchers include the Emergency Conservation Program, Federal Crop Insurance, and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested farmers may contact their local USDA Service Centers for further information on eligibility requirements and application procedures for these and other programs. Additional information is also available online at http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov.          Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that the department’s authority to operate the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011.This includes SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.            FSA news releases are available on FSA’s website at www.fsa.usda.gov via the “Newsroom” link.       USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.  To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Source: USDA Designates 5 Counties in Montana as Primary Natural Disaster Areas With Assistance to Producers in North Dakota

Farmers and Ranchers Urged to Record Losses from Hurricane Sandy

Farmers and Ranchers Urged to Record Losses from Hurricane Sandy       WASHINGTON, Oct. 31, 2012--Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan M. Garcia today urged farmers and ranchers affected by Hurricane Sandy to keep thorough records of all losses, including livestock death losses, as well as expenses for such things as feed purchases and extraordinary costs because of lost supplies and or increased transportation costs.      FSA recommends that owners and producers record all pertinent information of natural disaster consequences, including:      Documentation of the number and kind of livestock that have died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of ownership and losses; Dates of death supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts; Costs of transporting livestock to safer grounds or to move animals to new pastures; Feed purchases if supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed; Crop records, including seed and fertilizer purchases, planting and production records; Pictures of on-farm storage facilities that were destroyed by wind or flood waters; and Evidence of damaged farm land.      Producers with damaged farmland should contact their local FSA office. The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) may be able to assist producer who need to repair farmland or remove debris due to Hurricane Sandy. FSA currently has $15.5 million available for producers in counties that received a Major Disaster declaration pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. Producers located in counties that have not received a Major Disaster declaration should visit their local FSA office for information on ECP if funding becomes available in the future.      Producers with private forest land that was damaged should also visit their local FSA office for information on the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP). EFRP provides assistance to landowners of private forest land to help carry out emergency measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster. Currently no funding is available, however, producers should visit their local FSA office for information if funding becomes available.      USDA's Risk Management Agency reminds producers faced with questions on prevented planting, replant, or crop losses to contact their crop insurance agent for more information. Producers who need emergency credit due may receive assistance through the Emergency Loan Program if they need assistance recovering from production and physical losses due to natural disasters. Producers are eligible for these loans as soon as their county is declared a Presidential or Secretarial disaster county.       Agriculture Secretary Vilsack also reminds producers that the department's authority to operate the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011. This includes SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP). Production losses due to disasters occurring after Sept. 30, 2011, are not eligible for disaster program coverage.         To deliver assistance to those who need it most, Secretary Vilsack effectively reduced the interest rate for Emergency Loans in July 2012, while streamlining the Secretarial disaster designations process, resulting in a 40-percent reduction in processing time for most counties affected by disasters. Among other administrative actions, USDA has also worked with crop insurance companies to provide more flexibility to farmers.         USDA will continue working with state and local officials, as well as our federal partners, to make sure people have the necessary resources to recover from this challenge.       Crops insured by federal crop insurance or by the Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) are covered when floodwaters have rendered them valueless. USDA encourages all farmers and ranchers to contact their crop insurance companies and local USDA Farm Service Agency Service Centers, as applicable, to report damages to crops or livestock loss. More information about federal crop insurance may be found at www.rma.usda.gov. Additional resources to help farmers and ranchers deal with flooding and other damage may be found at www.usda.gov/disaster.        To find the USDA Service Center nearest you, please visit http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=us&agency=fsa.           Also visit: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=HurricaneInfo.xml         USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users)

Source: Farmers and Ranchers Urged to Record Losses from Hurricane Sandy

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Fulfills Commitment to Designate 1 Million Additional Conservation Acres to Support Wildlife Habitat Restoration

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Fulfills Commitment to Designate 1 Million Additional Conservation Acres to Support Wildlife Habitat Restoration       Failure to Pass Food, Farm and Jobs Bill Puts Enrollments in Jeopardy

Source: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Fulfills Commitment to Designate 1 Million Additional Conservation Acres to Support Wildlife Habitat Restoration

USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for October 2012

USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for October 2012            WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2012 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for October 2012. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for October 2012 is 0.125 percent, unchanged from 0.125 in September 2012. For 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans, the interest rate for loans disbursed during October 2012 is 1.125 percent, unchanged from 1.125 in September 2012.         Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for October 2012 are as follows, 1.125 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.125 in September 2012; 1.750 percent with 10-year loan terms, up from 1.625 in September 2012 and; 2.000 percent with 12-year loan terms, up from 1.875 percent in September 2012.  The interest rate for Sugar Storage Facility Loans for October 2012 is 2.125 percent, unchanged from 2.125 in September 2012.         The maximum discount rate applicable for October 2012 for the Tobacco Transition Payment Program is 5 percent, unchanged from September 2012.  This is based on the 3.250 percent prime rate plus 2 percent, rounded to the nearest whole number.       Past monthly releases announcing interest rates charged by CCC on commodity and marketing assistance loans disbursed for that particular month reflect the interest rate the U.S. Treasury charged CCC for that month.  This was the interest rate specified by CCC since Jan. 1, 1982, but the process of establishing the interest rate was changed by a provision of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 (the Act), enacted on April 4, 1996.     Section 163 of the Act requires that monthly interest rates applicable to commodity and marketing assistance loans are to be 100 basis points — or 1 percent — greater than the rate determined under the applicable interest rate formula in effect on Oct. 1, 1995.  This formula resulted in a rate equivalent to the amount the U.S. Treasury charged CCC for borrowing, for the month.       Further program information is available from USDA Farm Service Agency's (FSA) Financial Management Division at 202-772-6041.      USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD)or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay).

Source: USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for October 2012

Statement of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Expiration of Authority for 2008 Farm Bill Programs

Statement of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Expiration of Authority for 2008 Farm Bill Programs           WASHINGTON, October 1, 2012 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today made the following statement on the expiration of authority for 2008 Farm Bill Programs:                  "Many programs and policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture were authorized under the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 ("2008 Farm Bill") through September 30, 2012. These include a great number of critical programs impacting millions of Americans, including programs for farm commodity and price support, conservation, research, nutrition, food safety, and agricultural trade. As of today, USDA's authority or funding to deliver many of these programs has expired, leaving USDA with far fewer tools to help strengthen American agriculture and grow a rural economy that supports 1 in 12 American jobs. Authority and funding for additional programs is set to expire in the coming months. Without action by the House of Representatives on a multi-year Food, Farm and Jobs bill, rural communities are today being asked to shoulder additional burdens and additional uncertainty in a tough time. As we continue to urge Congress to give USDA more tools to grow the rural economy, USDA will work hard to keep producers and farm families informed regarding those programs which are no longer available to them."                USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).

Source: Statement of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Expiration of Authority for 2008 Farm Bill Programs

WorldWideScience and data

WorldWideScience.org now offers the capability to search scientific data collections.  Six new data sources have been added to WWS.org, representing a significant milestone in improving access to scientific data from around the world.  Users seeking scientific datasets can conduct a real-time, one-stop search and immediately gain access not only to the metadata but to the actual scientific data itself.
read more

Source: WorldWideScience and data

OSTI by the numbers

For those of you who like numbers, I thought I would give you a few numbers about some of OSTI?s databases and search products.  
read more

Source: OSTI by the numbers

Exploring DOE Data Treasures

There are databases, and then there are treasure maps. The DOE Data Explorer (DDE) merges the two concepts into a product offering the best of both. DDE?s database provides the features needed for simple retrieval or advanced searching. The treasure map aspect comes from DDE?s content, which links you to collections of data and non-text information wherever those collections reside.
Instead of sailing the seven seas, you can browse DDE?s seven types of content. Choose ?Browse by Content Type? from the drop down menu on the DDE homepage and hit the ?Submit? button. Each one of the seven categories shown on the results page will open a list of every collection tagged in DDE with that particular type of content. Naturally, ?Numeric Files/Datasets? is a content type with a huge ?footprint.?  High-Energy Physics (HEP) data from experiments at DOE?s National Laboratories, Scientific User Facilities, CERN, and prestigious universities vie for the most visible presence on the treasure map with terabytes of climate and environmental data gathered around the globe and made available by DOE Data Centers such as the Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC) and the archive for the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program.
read more

Source: Exploring DOE Data Treasures

A Big Year for Science.gov

This is a big year for Science.gov, the interagency federal science information portal on the web since 2002.  A major upgrade has just been completed and is available at http://www.science.gov. 

An updated look is in place, with a slideshow demonstrating some of the major activities of the 13 participating science agencies
Multimedia sources are now available and automatically searched 
Visualization of related and narrower topics is an optional display, as is the ability to navigate visually
A Spanish version, Ciencia.Science.gov, is linked from Science.gov
New databases and websites have been added
Upgraded software enhances the results page

read more

Source: A Big Year for Science.gov

Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Nobel Prizes for Two DOE-associated Researchers

DOE-associated researchers have contributed to the advancement of a variety of science disciplines as a result of research they have conducted. Twenty years ago, the work of two of these researchers (Georges Charpak and Rudolph Marcus) was recognized when they were awarded Nobel Prizes.
Georges Charpak was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics "for his invention and development of particle detectors, in particular the multiwire proportional chamber".
"It's hard to imagine a particle physics experiment that wouldn't use one of his concepts. ... Particle physicists owe him a lot, and so does the general public, since his inventions yield applications in many other fields that use ionising radiation such as biology, radiology and nuclear medicine.
read more

Source: Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Nobel Prizes for Two DOE-associated Researchers

Science and a Movie

DOE?s ScienceCinema is now showing ?A LANL Scientist?s Dream Takes Off to Zap Rocks on Mars? starring Roger Wiens.
At age 9, Roger Wiens and his brother built rockets, a whole fleet of rockets. They also built a telescope that allowed them to draw craters they saw on Mars when  it neared close to earth. Little did Roger know that he would be putting a camera on Mars 40 years later. Roger Wiens is now a LANL planetary scientist and the principal investigator of the Mars Science Laboratory mission?s ChemCam team. The ChemCam instrument fires a laser at Martian rocks and looks at the resultant flash to determine the composition. Data obtained from Chemcam is helping to answer the question of about life on Mars. Visit DOE?s ScienceCinema to catch Roger?s excitement along with a team of 40 people at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the collabortaion of the French Space Agency IRAP as the Curiosity rover reaches Mars.
read more

Source: Science and a Movie

Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity ? ChemCam

How do you run chemical tests at a geologic site millions of miles away from you to see what the rocks and soil are made of? Curiosity?s new instrument ChemCam, developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory, is designed to determine how much light is emitted at each frequency by a geologic sample when it?s heated by a laser beam. Since different materials have different light-emission patterns, measuring the patterns shows what materials emitted them.
Slide presentations giving a general view of Los Alamos contributions to ChemCam:

?Mechanical & System Engineering Challenges Associated with the Development of the ChemCam Instrument for the NASA Mars Science Laboratory?
?Los Alamos National Laboratory: A National Science Laboratory?  (page 29 of 33 in this slide presentation illustrates Los Alamos contributions to the Mars Science Laboratory ?Curiosity? in detail.)
read more

Source: Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity ? ChemCam

University of Tennessee Knoxville in DOE?s .EDUconnections Spotlight

Science is always in the spotlight at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, a land-grant institution and the state's flagship research campus.  Recent research might include searching for potential habitats for life on Mars, developing an autotaxin  inhibitor to fight cancer, designing a car for the DOE EcoCAR 2 competition, determining  the boundaries of the nuclear chart or developing ?Living Light?, a net-zero energy home for DOE?s Solar Decathlon. UTK is situated in an ideal environment for research.
read more

Source: University of Tennessee Knoxville in DOE?s .EDUconnections Spotlight

Get scientific e-prints

The E-print Network provides a vast, integrated network of electronic scientific and technical information created by scientists and research engineers active in their respective fields, all full-text searchable.  Documents such as these are the means by which today?s scientists and researchers communicate their recent findings to their colleagues and by which they propose new ideas of how the world works to their peers for their collective judgment.  Documents such as these then are of the sort that becomes the central body of scientific information.  While the E-print Network is intended for use by scientists, engineers, and students at advanced levels, it is freely available for all users.
read more

Source: Get scientific e-prints

Army announces first female to serve as a division deputy commander

WASHINGTON (March 9, 2012) -- The U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno announced the following officer assignment: Brig. Gen. Laura J. Richardson, Commanding General, United States Army Operational Test Command, Fort Hood, Texas, to Deputy Commanding General, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Source: Army announces first female to serve as a division deputy commander

'Hazing' tri-signed letter



Source: 'Hazing' tri-signed letter

Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn tri-signed letter



Source: Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn tri-signed letter

2010 Year in Photos

Check out the 2010 Year in Photos.

Source: 2010 Year in Photos

Warrior Care News

This is an Army-wide effort to educate Soldiers and their families about Warrior Care programs and resources available to them.

Source: Warrior Care News

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal certified by President Obama

Based on recommendations from military leaders, President Barack Obama has certified to Congress that the U.S. armed forces are prepared for repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law.

Source: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal certified by President Obama

LIVE EVENT: Watch Army Birthday cake cutting today, 11 a.m. (ET)

LIVE EVENT: Watch Army Birthday cake cutting today, 11 a.m. (ET)

Source: LIVE EVENT: Watch Army Birthday cake cutting today, 11 a.m. (ET)

Arlington National Cemetery: One year later

Exactly one year after an investigation directed by Secretary of the Army John McHugh reported breakdowns in accountability and record-keeping at Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), the new management team put in place by McHugh today released a list of achievements put in place over the last 12 months that have strengthened the cemetery?s management and oversight.

Source: Arlington National Cemetery: One year later

Sgt. 1st Class Leroy A. Petry to receive Medal of Honor

Sgt. 1st Class Leroy A. Petry to receive Medal of Honor

Source: Sgt. 1st Class Leroy A. Petry to receive Medal of Honor

Gen. Martin E. Dempsey nominated to be next CJCS

Gen. Martin E. Dempsey nominated to be next CJCS

Source: Gen. Martin E. Dempsey nominated to be next CJCS

Afghan officials, U.S. forces celebrate opening of new economy building

Farah government officials and members of Provincial Reconstruction Team Farah celebrated the opening of a new building that will serve as headquarters for the Farah Department of Economy.

Source: Afghan officials, U.S. forces celebrate opening of new economy building

2011 Army Birthday tri-signed letter

2011 Army Birthday tri-signed letter

Source: 2011 Army Birthday tri-signed letter

May proclaimed Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Presidential Proclamation: 2011 Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Source: May proclaimed Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month