Lab Issues Draft Impact
Report for Helios Facility

Berkeley Lab issued the draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the proposed Helios Energy Research Facility today. The draft EIR provides an assessment of the facility and its potential effects on the environment. It will be available at the Lab’s Community Relations Helios website by close of business today. It is also available at the Berkeley Lab Main Library and the Berkeley Public Library. The comment period for the draft EIR extends to Jan. 11. A public hearing will be held at the North Berkeley Senior Center on Dec. 17. Contact [email protected] with questions.

Goudey, far right, with visiting students

High School Students
Tour EETD Programs

A group of students and teachers from the Environmental Academy at Marin’s Sir Francis Drake High School made their annual visit to Berkeley Lab’s Environmental Energy Technologies Division on Thursday. Howdy Goudey provided a tour of the infrared thermography lab, where energy-efficient windows and materials are tested, Ken Chow of the Engineering Division discussed the Darfur stove project, and Ronnen Levinson, Hashem Akbari and Mel Pomerantz provided information about cool colored roof materials. Academy students have been visiting EETD since 1999. About 30 percent of its graduates go on to declare environmental science-related majors in college, and a number have entered careers in these fields.

Open Enrollment: Obtaining A Forgotten Password

Employees who need to make an open enrollment transaction but have forgotten their password have three options to obtain a new one: a temporary password can be e-mailed to the address on record, a new one can be issued by answering three “challenge” questions that were created upon initial login, or one can be reset by contacting the UC Customer Service Center (800-888-8267). For more information, call the Benefits Office (x6304).

EH&S Safety Survey
Ends on Wednesday

Employees have until Wednesday to fill out a survey on the Lab’s safety culture and the services provided by the Environment, Health and Safety Division. The survey takes about 10 minutes to complete and is anonymous.

Director’s Holiday Party
Scheduled for Dec. 14

An annual tradition at Berkeley Lab, the Director’s Holiday Party, will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14. Steve Chu will be on hand to offer greetings, and Dining Services will provide an assortment of snacks and drinks. All employees are invited to stop by the cafeteria and share in the celebration.

Chu appears in PBS energy show

Chu Among Experts
In PBS’s Energy Show

The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) has produced a series that features engineers, policymakers and innovations that are transforming energy availability and consumption. The show is called e² energy and narrated by Morgan Freeman. Chapter four of the series, “Growing Energy,” includes Berkeley Lab Director Steve Chu.  The first two chapters of the series, “Harvesting the Wind” and “Energy for a Developing World” will air at 9 and 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 28. Check local listings for the airdate of chapter four. Go here to watch a trailer of “Growing Energy.”

A Presidential Primer
On the World of Physics

Muller

If you want to lead the free world, you'd better know your physics. That's the lesson from a popular undergraduate class, called “Physics for Future Presidents” taught by Richard Muller, a UC Berkeley professor and Berkeley Lab physicist. Among the questions a president should be able to answer: what creates the atmosphere’s ozone layer and how much power exists in a square kilometer of sunlight? Full story.

Shut Down Computers Over Thanksgiving Holiday

Lab computers are targeted more frequently over holidays than at any other time. The Lab’s Computer Protection Program (CPP) asks employees to shut down or unplug their computers from the network over the holiday to avoid cyber attacks. Staff who have systems that need to remain online should ensure they have the most current patches and are secure.