JBEI Receives Starting
Funds From DOE

The Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), one of three new Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Research Centers, will receive an initial funding of $6.7 million from FY07 funds to begin research on biofuels. This is in addition to $125 million DOE plans to spend on JBEI over the next five years, part of a total $375 million investment in biofuels research. JBEI is a partnership between Berkeley, Sandia and Livermore Labs, UC Berkeley and UC Davis, and the Carnegie Institute. JBEI eventually will be headquartered in the East Bay, with work starting in Berkeley Lab’s Potter Street facility. "With this new Institute, Berkeley Lab will continue to play a critical role in helping to solve the transportation fuel problem in the United States and the world," said Lab Director Steve Chu. Full story.

Foundry Receives
LEED Gold Rating

The Molecular Foundry has been awarded a U.S. Green Buildings Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification. The LEED system is the U.S. benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of green buildings. The Foundry’s gold rating, the second-highest ranking obtainable under the system, is based on high scores received in categories such as energy and atmosphere, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. Go here for more information on the Molecular Foundry’s energy-saving features, and here for more information on the LEED green building rating system.

Continuing Resolution
Has Cleared the Senate

The Senate Thursday approved House Joint Resolution 52, which continues appropriations for the federal government until the regular appropriations bills are passed or Nov. 16, whichever comes first. The resolution provides funds at 2007 levels. It is still unclear when the Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill, which determines new funding for FY08, will be considered by the full Senate. The bill has been cleared by the House and the Senate’s Appropriations Committee.

Sunflower Database
Out of Service Today

The Sunflower Database — used to establish and track records of the Lab's 22,000 assets — will be offline today for maintenance. Employees will not be able to link to property custodian reports and Division Property Representatives cannot change records until Sunflower is back in service tomorrow. Contact the Property Management Group (x5151) for more information.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Lab’s Health Care Facilitator’s office wants to remind employees that October is “Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women.  It is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths in the United States. The chance of getting breast cancer increases as women age.  Nearly 8 out of 10 breast cancers are found in women over 50. The earlier breast cancer is found, the better the chance that treatment will work. Women over age 40 should have a mammogram every year.  Go here to learn more.