Employee Contributions
To UCRP to Be Delayed

The University of California has announced that its start of contributions to the UC Retirement Program (UCRP) by both UC and employees will be rescheduled from the previously announced date of July 1. Citing the uncertainty of state financial support for this purpose in the 2007-08 budget, the University in a statement said UC leaders “will continue to discuss this issue with State officials over the coming months, and employees can expect more information about this soon.” UC reiterated its intent to implement the shared-cost program. Read the full statement here.

Life Scientist Receives
Early Career Award

Dernburg

Abby Dernburg, with Berkeley Lab’s Life Sciences Division, will receive the American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) Life Scientist Early Career Award 2007. The award recognizes outstanding scientists who have served as an independent investigator for no more than seven years. Dernburg and her lab study “the architectural information encrypted within eukaryotic chromosomes and how they are remodeled during the process of meiosis." Lab life scientist Eva Nogales received the award in 2005.

E-Mail Recharge Rate
Cut, Rebates Issued

The IT Division has reduced the charge for e-mail storage in excess of 100 MB from 50 cents per MB to 23 cents per MB, effective retroactively from Oct. 1, 2006. The current cap of $300 per month will remain unchanged. The IT Division was able to lower the recharge rate because the volume of e-mail storage usage (on which the costs of the e-mail system are distributed) has significantly increased. On their May bill, customers will see a rebate for each prior month they were charged, and charges for May at the newly reduced rate. Rebates will go to the project ID currently on file.

L-R: Schwarzenegger, Chu

Lab Hosts Low Carbon
Fuel Symposium
By Dan Krotz

Berkeley Lab hosted an International Low Carbon Fuel Symposium on Friday that was attended by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lab Director Steve Chu, and more than 100 scientists, industry representatives, and policymakers from around the world. The attendees packed the Building 66 auditorium and discussed topics such as implementing Gov. Schwarzenegger’s recently announced Low Carbon Fuel Standard, international policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, and technologies and strategies in the low carbon fuels marketplace. The program was sponsored by the International Council on Clean Transportation. Go here for more information.

Governor Details Plans
To Curb Fuel Emissions
By Robert Collier

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled Friday at Berkeley Lab details of a plan that supporters say could transform the international debate over green sources of energy. The report was co-authored by Berkeley professor Alex Farrell, a guest with the Lab’s Earth Sciences, and Daniel Sperling, with UC Davis. "Twenty years from now, without the low-carbon fuel standard, when you pull up to the pump you would be filling up with liquid coal, or oil shale, or oil from the (Canada) tar sands," said Farrell, referring to fuels whose production processes spew out high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Full story.

Donate Blood at Lab
Today and Tomorrow

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile visits the Lab on today and tomorrow, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the cafeteria parking lot. Go here to register for an appointment. The bloodmobile's visit is sponsored by the Lab's Philanthropy Club.

Share Your Thoughts
On Staff Newspaper

Employees are invited to share their comments and suggestions on The View, Berkeley Lab's monthly staff newspaper. A brief online survey is available here, or fill out and mail 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. The feedback will help editors improve the content and delivery of the newspaper.