Blackout Investigation's
First Report Is Released

Eto

The task force that was set up to investigate the causes of an eastern blackout three months ago that affected the lives of millions in America and Canada has released its report on Phase One of their activities. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and Canadian Minister of Natural Resources Herb Dhaliwal summarized the initial findings at a press conference yesterday, including data from the Electric System Working Group in which Berkeley Lab scientist Joe Eto of Environmental Energy Technologies contributed. The report outlines three principal factors that – working alone, or, in some cases, together -- appear to have allowed the blackout to happen. Read Abraham's comments, which include a link to the full report, here.

Jacobs

Science Museum Takes
Brains-On Approach

Koshland

On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate agreed to final passage of the $27.3 billion Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill for FY 2004. The legislation is now cleared for the President's signature. With an increase of 4.3 percent for DOE's Office of Science, the bill provides $3.2 billion for non-defense science research and development, about $131 million above the President's budget request. Advanced Scientific Computing saw an 18.7 percent increase over last year. In Basic Energy Sciences the bill includes $8 million above the President's request for additional nanoscience research at existing national user facilities and at the new DOE nanoscience research centers. Go here to read a detailed description of the legislation.

Volunteers Needed For Efficient Window Study

Researchers in the Environmental Energy Technologies Division are seeking people to work in a private office at 71T for a maximum of 4 hours. The office contains a desk, a computer connected to the Lab network, and a telephone. Participants will be asked to perform their normal tasks and answer a 5-minute questionnaire about the working conditions at the end of each hour. Supervisors must grant permission for their staff to participate. For more details, contact Robert Clear at x4286 or [email protected].

Stop By, Hear the Talk,
Grab a Bite to Eat

At the end of today's workday, Berkeley Lab employees are invited to swing by Perseverance Hall and learn about the remarkable way living organisms use biological molecules and "machines" to promote their functions and survival. Beginning at 5:30 p.m., Materials Sciences Deputy Director Mark Alper will speak to the lab's Friends of Science on "Your Body as a Machine: A New Way to Look at Biology." Light refreshments will also be served.

FAQ's About SHARES As the Berkeley Lab SHARES charitable giving campaign completes its third week, Today at Berkeley Lab answers questions posed by donors: Q: : If I want to donate to one of the umbrella organizations (United Way, Earth Share, Bay Area Black United Fund, Community Health Charities), how do I do that in the electronic process? A: You treat the charitable federations as if they were a single agency and donate to them by name. On the pledge form, click on the "write-in agencies" link and fill out the box, minimally including name of federation and address (acquired via the resource links on the left side of the page). Q: What if I don't know what agencies to contribute to? Where do I go to find one? A: Either go to the federation web sites (for example, United Way's home page at www.uwba.org) or to www.guidestar.com, and type a subject (like breast cancer) in their search engines. A variety of choices will be listed for your consideration.