Radio Report Features
Lab Wind Power Expert

Wiser

Ryan Wiser, with Berkeley Lab's Environmental Energy Technologies Division, was recently featured on a KCBS radio news report discussing the potential growth of the wind power industry and the challenges this growth faces. "We are talking about technology that is now mature…ready for prime time," he says in the broadcast. "Consistent, stable policy efforts are really necessary to drive the industry forward." Go here to listen to the full report.

Staff Can Take New
Library Journal Survey

The library has launched a new survey of journal subscriptions. After LDAP authentication, the survey begins with general questions and then allows users to vote for the journals they need. Those who have taken the survey previously will have their old votes provided for reference (some journal names have changed, so proofread responses carefully). The survey will help administrators make appropriate subscription decisions. The survey deadline is Friday. Go here to take the survey.

Comments on Bus
Service Encouraged

Berkeley Lab’s Bus Services Department invites employees to share their thoughts and suggestions on the shuttle bus service by filling out a brief survey. The password to answer this anonymous questionnaire is “Bus Survey.” Go here to take the survey, and here to view maps of the current bus routes.

New Temp Worker
Vendor for Lab

The Human Resources Department has announced that Kelly Services will be the new vendor for administrative and clerical temporary support at Berkeley Lab. Those in need of a temporary worker should contact their Contract Labor Processing specialist.

Trio of Stories
On Energy Institute

Fuel pellets made from biomass crop miscanthus

San Francisco Chronicle reporter Rick DelVecchio wrote three stories for Monday's paper on the Energy Biosciences Institute, of which Berkeley Lab is a member. The first focuses on the development of "superweeds" to produce biomass, while the second looks at the lack of controversy stirred up at the University of Illinois when the BP grant funding the institute was announced. The third story explores how farmers in the Midwest are interested in growing biomass crops, but not yet ready to commit. Go here to read all three articles.

Medical Reimbursement
Deadline is This Friday

Employees enrolled in the Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA) or the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DepCare) have until this Friday to file reimbursement claim forms for any qualified expenses incurred during the period of Jan. 1, 2006 through March 15, 2007 using 2006 HCRA or DepCare funds. For more information, visit the At Your Service “Flexible Spending Accounts” website.

DOE, USDA Offer Funds
For Biomass Research

The U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) announced that a combined total of up to $18 million will be available for research and development of biomass-based products, biofuels, bioenergy and related processes.  The USDA and DOE are issuing these grant solicitations for several types of projects aimed at increasing the availability of alternative and renewable fuels. Full story.