Energy Prices Not
Spurring Conservation

	Levine

While soaring oil prices in the 1970s prompted major advances in the nation's energy efficiency, this year's surge in fuel costs has not sparked a new wave of conservation. Experts say they expected petroleum demand growth to slow in 2004. Instead, worldwide oil demand grew more than 3 percent. Some now say that conservation is unlikely to play a bigger role in the United States, unless predictions that the era of cheap oil is over come true. Mark Levine, director of Berkeley Lab's Environmental Energy Technologies Division said he was "disappointed" though not entirely surprised by the inelasticity of oil demand over such a short period of time. Full story (registration required).

Solving The Mechanism
Of Rett Syndrome

	Kohwi-Shigematsu

Just five years ago, Rett Syndrome was tracked to mutations in a gene on the X chromosome, MECP2. But how this gene, not previously associated with the brain or nervous system, could cause a neurological developmental disorder remained a puzzle. Now, a team of scientists with Berkeley Lab, supervised by biochemist Terumi Kohwi-Shigematsu, has developed new methods and overturned mistaken assumptions to discover how the product of this gene, the protein MeCP2, can remodel chromatin, the material that makes up chromosomes. Full story.

Access to Online
Journals to be Cut

As of Jan. 1, more than half of the Lab's library journals (print and online) will be eliminated due to budget cuts. Click here to see a list of remaining journals. Those interested in continuing a subscription as an individual or group at your own expense should contact Jane Tierney, who is managing aggregate ordering for better pricing. Questions and comments can also be directed to Tierney.

Mileage Reimbursement
To Increase in 2005

The Lab's mileage reimbursement rate for expenses incurred in connection with the use of a private automobile will increase in 2005 to conform to the Internal Revenue Service standard rates. The new rate of 40.5 cents a mile is effective for expenses incurred on or after Jan. 1. When mileage expenses are claimed, the origin and destination points must be noted on the voucher. This information may be noted in the "From:" and "To:" area of the expense screen in Gelco or noted in "Comments." Gelco will automatically reflect the correct mileage rate according to the travel dates entered on the document.

Affirmative Action
And EEO Policy

It is the Laboratory's policy to ensure equal employment opportunity to all employees and job applicants. Go here to read more about this policy.