DOE Lists Programs
Vulnerable Under CR

The Department of Energy has issued a six-page analysis of the impacts that a one-year Continuing Resolution (CR) would have on its programs. The CR is expected to set spending limits at the FY06 levels if Congress maintains it through FY07. Included in the study are potential shutdowns of facilities like the Spallation Neutron Source and Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), layoffs at the National Sychrotron Light Source and possibly facilities at other labs, cancellation of the Bioenergy Research Centers proposal, and a one-month furlough of all employees at Fermilab. Read the paper here.

Nuclear Energy Program
To Prepare Impact Study

The Department of Energy recently announced that a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for President Bush’s Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) Initiative is posted in the Federal Register. The NOI outlines the programmatic and project-specific proposals of GNEP. The GNEP PEIS will analyze the potential environmental impacts for both programmatic and project-specific proposed actions, as well as reasonable alternatives, and will also evaluate, at a programmatic level, the potential environmental impacts associated with the international initiatives. Full story.

UC Retirement Savings
Workshop Meets Thursday

FITSCo Senior Retirement Counselor Alyssa Valladao will be conducting an “Enrolling in the UC Retirement Savings Program” workshop on Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. in Building 26, Room 109. The workshop is directed toward people who are not yet participating in the 403(b) and 457(b) Retirement Savings Plans. Topics will include the amount of savings needed in retirement, how to create a savings budget, the advantages of participating in a retirement savings program, investment options, and how to enroll in the UC Retirement Savings Program. No reservations are required to attend the workshop.

Management Assessment
Program Set for Spring

UC announces the 2007 Management Skills Assessment Program (MSAP) for Northern California campuses, labs and medical centers. MSAP is a 5-day residential program held at Asilomar in Pacific Grove from April 30 to May 4. The program offers participants insights into their managerial skills through small group work in simulated management scenarios. Berkeley Lab may send five assessees and two assessors to the program. Program registration fees of $850 and transportation costs are charged to the assessee’s division. There is no registration fee for assessors. Go here for MSAP applications, selection criteria and program details. Applications must be submitted to Sherri Harding by Feb. 23 to be considered. For information, contact Sherri Harding (x7737).

Campus Leads State's
Low-Carbon Studies
By Robert Sanders

Farrell

UC Berkeley will play a key role in California's strategy to combat global warming, with scientists here and at UC Davis researching ways to lower vehicle emissions in order to reduce the state's carbon footprint. "As the world's first low carbon fuel standard is developed here in California, we will help provide the state with the best science on this topic," said Alex Farrell, a guest in Berkeley Lab’s Earth Sciences Division, a UC Berkeley assistant professor of energy and resources, and leader of the joint UC Berkeley/UC Davis effort. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced plans to establish low-carbon fuel standards for California Jan. 9 during his State of the State address. Full story.