House Explores Increased Use of Nuclear Power - The House Science and
Technology Committee held a hearing to explore the potential for nuclear
power as an increased source of electricity in the U.S. Companies over the
last nine months have filed nine license applications with the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission (NRC) to build a total of 15 new nuclear reactors in
the U.S. No new reactors have been built in the U.S. in over 20 years,
largely due to high up front costs and uncertainties that deter investments
in such facilities.

New Democrats Look Beyond Trade Fights - Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), chairman of
the Democratic Caucus, is trying to reinvigorate his own New Democrat
faction and is nudging the group toward a pro-business agenda with a
technology focus. Former White House aide Emanuel is a leading member of
the New Democrat Coalition, a group at odds with more-liberal Democrats
and, on the other end of the political spectrum, out of step with the more
conservative Blue Dog Coalition.

NASA Aeronautics Program Faces Challenges to Meet Future Air Travel Demands
- The House Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Space and
Aeronautics held a hearing to examine NASA's current aeronautics R&D
program, and discussed the actions necessary to address the nation's
airline woes. For information on the IEEE-USA Committee on Transportation
and Aerospace Policy (CTAP) - chartered to contribute to the formulation of
sound aeronautics and astronautics technology legislation, regulation and
policy in the United States - please visit:
http://ieeeusa.org/volunteers/committees/ctap/index.html

House Science Subcommittee Approved SBIR Bill - The Subcommittee on
Technology and Innovation approved H.R.5789, the Science and Technology
Innovation Act of 2008. H.R. 5789 reauthorizes the Small Business
Investment Research (SBIR) and the Small Business Technology Transfer
(STTR) programs; both regarded as successful programs for promoting the
growth of cutting-edge, high-tech small business in the United States.
However, because some committee members objected to the expedited process
by which the bill was brought before the Committee, H.R.5789 will not go
before the full Committee, as is customary with regular order. Instead, the
bill will be merged with similar legislation coming out of the House Small
Business Committee before going to the full House for consideration.

Senator Alexander Warns of $750 Million ITER Default - During a hearing of
the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations,
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) warned Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice
that the United States might be liable to a $750 million default clause in
the ITER agreement.

Congress Reintroduces ‘Orphan Works' Copyright Measures - Both the House
and Senate reintroduced legislation aimed at updating laws governing
"orphan works." A similar 2006 proposal died after it was incorporated into
a larger package that attempted to streamline digital music licensing.
Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and House Judiciary Courts,
the Internet and Intellectual Property Subcommittee Chairman Howard Berman
(D-Calif.) sponsored the pair of bills, intended to protect those who use
images, music, and video after conducting unsuccessful searches for owners
of the copyrighted material.

The Challenges of E-Waste Disposal - The House Science and Technology
Committee recently explored issues related to the management of waste
electronic equipment (e-waste). Ralph Hall (R-TX) said, "The shear volume
of electronic equipment that ends up the nation's disposal facilities not
only takes up a significant amount of expensive disposal space, it also
contributes to the amount of hazardous pollution found in landfills. When
not properly handled, studies show that the components of some e-waste can
be sources of toxins and carcinogens.

WHITE HOUSE & EXECUTIVE AGENCY WATCH

FERC Proposes Reliability Standards, Adopts Penalty Notice Policy for
Violations

White House Honors Math & Science Teachers - To see a list of names,
visit: http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=111502&govDel=USNSF_51

REPORTS, SPEECHES & DOCUMENTS OF NOTE

National Science Foundation - The latest results from the National Science
Foundation's (NSF) Math and Science Partnership (MSP) program show not only
improved proficiency among all elementary and middle school students, but
also a closing of the achievement gaps between both African-American and
Hispanic students and white students in elementary school math, and between
African-American and white students in elementary and middle-school
science.

Kauffman Foundation Study: Education and Tech Entrepreneurship - A new
Kauffman Foundation study punctures some myths about the founders of
technology-based entrepreneurial companies, contradictions the stereotype
of tech firm-founders as young hot-shots who have the energy and the
stamina to survive the grueling start-up days.

US STATES WATCH

Iowa Budget Supports STEM, Continues Investment in Power Fund for
Alternative Energies - The Iowa legislature approved Governor Chet Culver's
proposal to support science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
fields within the state's higher education system, allocating $4 million
for the Mathematics and Science Education Collaborative Initiative. The
General Assembly also approved the Iowa Power Fund; the second installment
of $25 million in is scheduled for FY 2009. The $100 million fund invests
in private sector renewable and alternative energy industries.

LATEST IEEE-USA & IEEE ACTIVITIES

IEEE-USA Annual Meeting: Texas Engineer Receives IEEE-USA's Highest Honor,
One of 24 IEEE-USA Award Recipients

IEEE-USA's Recent Policy Communications:

25 APR: Letter to House and Senate Appropriations Leaders urging funding of
the NIST Technology Innovation Program as authorized in the American
COMPETES Act.
23 APR: Coalition letter to House and Senate energy appropriators urging
$12 million in FY09 funding for the DOE Nuclear Science Talent Expansion
Program as authorized in the America COMPETES Act.
16 APR: STEM Education Coalition letter to House and Senate Commerce,
Justice and State appropriators supporting the budget request for the
National Science Foundation's Math and Science Partnership Program and
Noyce Scholarships.

What's New @ IEEE-USA's Eye on Washington highlights important federal
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Copyright © 2008, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers,
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