Nuclear Power: Carbon
Free but Big Questions
By Sarah Jane Tribble

The nuclear power plant nestled on the cliffs of Central California's scenic coast has for decades been a remnant of our energy past, rife with memories of protests and lingering security concerns. As California grapples with global warming, industry leaders, environmentalists and policy-makers are starting to shift their thinking about the controversial power source. But waste still remains an issue. Opponents say recycling nuclear waste would encourage proliferation, but Berkeley Lab Director Steve Chu and Per Peterson, with the Lab's Accelerator and Fusion Research Division, say such concerns need to be re-evaluated. Full story.

Nuclear Sciences Hosts
STAR Meeting This Week

STAR nuclei collision

More than 100 scientists from all over the world will visit Berkeley Lab for the next STAR (Selenoid Tracker at RHIC) Collaboration meeting this week, hosted by the Nuclear Sciences Division. STAR is one of the two major experiments at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), which has made major discoveries of strongly interacting Quark-Gluon Plasma in ultra-relativistic heavy ion collisions. The STAR detector concept was developed at Berkeley in the early '90’s. More information about the meeting can be found here.

Discount Tickets
For Arena Football

The Lab's Employee Activities Association has reserved tickets for the San Jose SaberCats Arena Football game on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in San Jose's HP Pavilion. Saturday's game includes a free commemorative poster, autograph session by the SaberCats players and cheerleaders, and a performance by Brooke Hogan (daughter of former wrestler Hulk Hogan). Tickets are $13. Contact Daniel DiGiorgio (408-573-5577) to purchase tickets. For more information, contact EAA member Valerie Espinoza-Ross.

Share Your Thoughts
On Staff Newspaper

Employees can share their comments and suggestions on The View, Berkeley Lab's monthly staff newspaper, by taking a brief online survey, or by filling out the survey card included in the May 18 edition. Those who do not regularly read The View or are not familiar with the publication are also encouraged to take the survey.

Bottle Failure Leads
To Work Hazard

A 500 mL low-density polyethylene (LDPE) squeeze bottle containing toluene failed while being used by a student, spilling approximately 100-200mL of toluene on the student, a table, and the floor. The student showered and went to the site medical facility where an industrial hygienist determined that an overexposure was unlikely. This event was the fourth case in which a 500-mL LDPE bottle cracked in the laboratory. The previous three cracked bottles contained acetone. The facility has restricted handling of LDPE bottles containing acetone or toluene and has begun purchasing replacement polyterafluoroethylene bottles, which have excellent resistance to both acetone and toluene. Go here for more information. Contact Paul Blodgett with any questions.

Excavation Permit
Program Launched

Berkeley Lab's Facilities Department and Environment, Health and Safety Division have instituted a rigorous new Excavation Permit program to improve the safety of employees and contractors who are digging, drilling, or excavating anywhere at the Lab. The program is designed to prevent damage to utilities and other unseen structures, which can cause serious injury, environmental contamination, loss of utility service, or structural compromise. One of the key requirements of this program is the designation of a single Responsible Individual (RI) for any excavation. Employees assigned to perform drilling or digging must know the permit's RI. Employees must not drill or dig until briefed on the approved permit specifications by the RI, and an approved permit has been signed. Go here for more information.

Former Administrator
Cheryl Berkner Dies at 59

Berkner

Cheryl McIntyre (McFate) Berkner, who enjoyed a 20-year career at Berkeley Lab as an administrative manager in various roles, has died of cancer at the age of 59. She passed away on June 5 and was memorialized in private services on June 9. Prior to retiring in 1999, she was manager for administration in the Operations Directorate, which at one point included Acting Head of Human Resources. Past positions since coming to the Lab in 1978 included labor relations manager and business manager of the Accelerator and Fusion Research Division. Her husband, former Lab Deputy Director for Operations Klaus Berkner, said, “Her advice was sought by many and always cheerfully given.” He has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Hospice of the East Bay.