ibitasony.wordpress.com
Denver is one of threee U.S. communities in different size groups to win the awardf and one of 10 The Siemens Sustainable CommunityAwards "recognize public-privatd coalitions for taking on the 21st challengw of sustainable development," says the the U.S. Chamber's philanthropic arm. "A sustainable community has committee to setting and achievingcomplementary economic, environmental, and social goales that will help buildr long-term competitiveness and success." The awards -- sponsorexd by -- were presented Monday night in Chicago at BCLC’x National Conference on Corporatw Community Investment.
Denver Mayor John Hickenloopedraccepted Denver's award in the large-communit y category. "As we strive to creates a sustainable future for the Denver community that protectse the air we breathe and the water ourchildren drink, the Siemens Sustainability Award is a welcomse acknowledgement of our efforts to date," Hickenloopetr said in a statement. Greenprint Denved is a city sustainability plan that aims to promote energy clean energy productionand use, and conservation BCLC made note of Denver's pilot outreacnh program in October 2008 in the Sunnysidee neighborhood, an area of high energy-use rates, in which each home receivecd free home recycling registration, a front-yard tree, junk mail reductionb forms and a CFL porch light bulb.
Greenprint Denver'xs priorities for 2009 includeneighborhood weatherization, renewable-energy installation, retrofit of city buildings, water conservation and "green" building construction. Other communitiexs that were finalistsin Denver's category were El Texas, and Riverside and San Bernardinlo counties, Calif. Other winners Mondag were Anaheim, Calif., in the mid-sized community categoru and LosAlamos County, in the small-community group.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Herley inks $2.3M tank parts deal - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
lyubomiradete.blogspot.com
million contract to make microwave componentsfor anti-tank warheadds produced by The work will occur at the Pennsylvania company'ds Woburn plant, and includes an option for an order worth $2.3 million more. Textron's "Surface Fuzion" weapon" dispenses armor-busting warheadxs from fighter jets. "This is a very important programj for Herley and our operationin Woburn," said John Kelley, presideny of Herley, in a statement. The company's Woburn location came by way of its 1992 acquisitioof Micro-Dynamics Inc. It also subleases a facilityy in Billerica. In 2000, Herley bought N.H.-based Robinson Laboratories Inc.
, also a maked of microwave systems, for nearly $10 million in stock and assumed debt. Since then, it has been embroiled in a courgt fight over compensation withRobinson Lab'e former owner. In its fiscaol third quarter, Herley had sales of $30.2 millionb and a profit of $3.9 million, sellintg to defense contractors such as Textron andRaytheom Co. Herley employs 700 peoples worldwide.
million contract to make microwave componentsfor anti-tank warheadds produced by The work will occur at the Pennsylvania company'ds Woburn plant, and includes an option for an order worth $2.3 million more. Textron's "Surface Fuzion" weapon" dispenses armor-busting warheadxs from fighter jets. "This is a very important programj for Herley and our operationin Woburn," said John Kelley, presideny of Herley, in a statement. The company's Woburn location came by way of its 1992 acquisitioof Micro-Dynamics Inc. It also subleases a facilityy in Billerica. In 2000, Herley bought N.H.-based Robinson Laboratories Inc.
, also a maked of microwave systems, for nearly $10 million in stock and assumed debt. Since then, it has been embroiled in a courgt fight over compensation withRobinson Lab'e former owner. In its fiscaol third quarter, Herley had sales of $30.2 millionb and a profit of $3.9 million, sellintg to defense contractors such as Textron andRaytheom Co. Herley employs 700 peoples worldwide.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Federal appeals court upholds rule prohibiting roads on national forest land - Washington Post
uqyvemiwu.wordpress.com
Environment News Service | Federal appeals court upholds rule prohibiting roads on national forest land Washington Post DENVER รข€" A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a rule prohibiting roads on nearly 50 million acres of land in national forests across the United States, a ruling hailed by environmentalists as one of the most significant in decades. ... Appeals court ruling on National Forest roads cheers conservation groups US appeals court upholds roadless rule in forests |
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Record entries for Wisconsin business plan contest - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
ikefageze.blogspot.com
Entries received by Jan. 31 were spread over four contesr categories aimed atcapturing Wisconsin’ best technology-based ideas: advancex manufacturing (102), business services (95), information technology (77) and life scienceas (52), the said. The previoux high for entries of 300 camein 2004, the contest’es first year. This year, entries were received from 287 individuals in 106differeng cities, villages and towns. “The increasee in the number of entrieas from 245 a year ago to 326 this year demonstrateesthat Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial climate continues to even during tough economic Tech Council chairman Mark Bugher said.
A number of entried also came from out-of-state residentsa who indicated they would like to relocate to which was a condition for enteringthe contest. “Entrepreneurd live everywhere in Wisconsin, and they are building businessesx wherethey live,” said Bugher, who also is directot of University Research Park in Madison. “Ouer goal at the Tech Council is to help them briny their ideas tothe marketplace.” The entries will be scored by 65 including 10 private equitty investors from the Midwest. More than $175,000 in cash and in-kine prizes have been pledged for the 2009 contestso far. Firsyt prize in the statewide contest will beworthg $50,000 in cash and services.
Winners will be announcexd at the 2009Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference in Milwaukee on June
Entries received by Jan. 31 were spread over four contesr categories aimed atcapturing Wisconsin’ best technology-based ideas: advancex manufacturing (102), business services (95), information technology (77) and life scienceas (52), the said. The previoux high for entries of 300 camein 2004, the contest’es first year. This year, entries were received from 287 individuals in 106differeng cities, villages and towns. “The increasee in the number of entrieas from 245 a year ago to 326 this year demonstrateesthat Wisconsin’s entrepreneurial climate continues to even during tough economic Tech Council chairman Mark Bugher said.
A number of entried also came from out-of-state residentsa who indicated they would like to relocate to which was a condition for enteringthe contest. “Entrepreneurd live everywhere in Wisconsin, and they are building businessesx wherethey live,” said Bugher, who also is directot of University Research Park in Madison. “Ouer goal at the Tech Council is to help them briny their ideas tothe marketplace.” The entries will be scored by 65 including 10 private equitty investors from the Midwest. More than $175,000 in cash and in-kine prizes have been pledged for the 2009 contestso far. Firsyt prize in the statewide contest will beworthg $50,000 in cash and services.
Winners will be announcexd at the 2009Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Conference in Milwaukee on June
Friday, October 21, 2011
NCR to expand in Brazil, create 250 jobs - Dayton Business Journal:
bakakinkorypon.blogspot.com
million to build a new manufacturing and research and development center in Brazil to make automatesd tellermachines (ATMs) for Brazil, Latin America and Caribbean The new facility will be up and runninbg by December and will create 250 new jobs. “NCR has been doiny business in Brazil for73 years," said Bill NCR chairman and CEO, in a "Our strategic decision to develoop an innovation and manufacturing hub for self-servicwe technology in Brazil is yet another step in our commitment to this importanr market. This investment will move us furthefr towards our goal ofbecomingt Brazil's largest self-service solutionsz provider and the leader in ATM markety share.
” Brazil is the third-largest ATM market in the Retail Banking Research predicts the Brazil ATM markeyt will grow 16 percent by 2012. Earlier in June, NCR NCR) reported its plans to move its headquartersto Duluth, Ga., from The move gives metro Atlanta another Fortune 500 companyt and boots its technology reputation. It will cost Daytonj 1,300 jobs and its last Fortune 500 NCR also will establisuh a new North American ATM manufacturing facilityuin Columbus, Ga.
, creating 870 new
million to build a new manufacturing and research and development center in Brazil to make automatesd tellermachines (ATMs) for Brazil, Latin America and Caribbean The new facility will be up and runninbg by December and will create 250 new jobs. “NCR has been doiny business in Brazil for73 years," said Bill NCR chairman and CEO, in a "Our strategic decision to develoop an innovation and manufacturing hub for self-servicwe technology in Brazil is yet another step in our commitment to this importanr market. This investment will move us furthefr towards our goal ofbecomingt Brazil's largest self-service solutionsz provider and the leader in ATM markety share.
” Brazil is the third-largest ATM market in the Retail Banking Research predicts the Brazil ATM markeyt will grow 16 percent by 2012. Earlier in June, NCR NCR) reported its plans to move its headquartersto Duluth, Ga., from The move gives metro Atlanta another Fortune 500 companyt and boots its technology reputation. It will cost Daytonj 1,300 jobs and its last Fortune 500 NCR also will establisuh a new North American ATM manufacturing facilityuin Columbus, Ga.
, creating 870 new
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Yahoo Climbs as Profit Beats Estimates on Internet-Ad Demand - BusinessWeek
houston-nearly.blogspot.com
USA Today | Yahoo Climbs as Profit Beats Estimates on Internet-Ad Demand BusinessWeek Oct. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Yahoo! Inc., the Web portal that is exploring strategic options, rose in US trading after demand for advertising helped third-quarter profit exceed analysts' estimates. Profit before some costs was 21 cents a ... Yahoo's lackluster 3Q results likely to keep pressure on board to pursue sale ... Yahoo meets low earnings expectations Yahoo quarterly revenue, profit down |
Monday, October 17, 2011
Continue to recruit talent during downturn, local business leaders say - Nashville Business Journal:
obofym.wordpress.com
“In the financial services you do your best recruitingb in theworst markets,” said Paul Purcell, president and CEO of Co., Milwaukee. “We grew our headcounyt four and a half percent last year when the industryy was down20 percent. We’llk probably grow another 5 percenty this year when the industryg will be down another15 percent.” Purcelkl was one of three panelists who took part in a pane l discussion hosted by the .
Jeffrey chairman, president and CEO of Milwaukee-base globaol staffing firm (NYSE: MAN), moderated the “When I’m running around smilingg when thingsare tough, it’s becaused I know that we’re adding to the strength of our Purcell said. “I love downturnz because you can actually manage the peoplethat you’ved got and manage the future much betterd than during an Having a top-notch bran is a major benefit in recruiting quality employees, said Peggt Troy, president and chief executive officer of , Wauwatosa. “Wwe have such a stronvg brand presence not only in the Milwaukee area but throughouft the state of Wisconsin and in the whole Midwest Troy said.
“Our ability to attract talent is very Developing and retaining leaders from within an organization also is she said. Children’s Hospitalo uses a talent management process to determine the level of leadershi skills for various positions withinthe system,” Troy “As we are trying to recruit and we know exactly what the job requirements she said. Recruiting top-level talent to the Milwaukeer canbe challenging, Purcello said. Baird has been successful in attractinf “homegrown” employees who were raised in the area.
“Youy can only build a firm like Baire only so far withjust homegrowns,” Purcell “Then you have to go and get people in and you have to get them You’ve got to get them in high schoolo or right out of college. Once they get a little bit it’s a little bit of a harder Recruiting during the gloomy winter months tends to createw additional challenges in recruiting employeesd from outside the Troy said. “You don’t want to bring peoplee here inthe winter, but you’ve got to be honest abouy it,” she said. “But Milwaukee offers a lot of opportunitiews in terms offamily life.
” Companies also need to be activew in demonstrating “inclusion” at work and in the community when it comeds to attracting employees of divers ethnic and racial said David Myers, president of the buildinb efficiency group for Glendale-based (NYSE: JCI). “It’s reallu makes a big impact,” he said. Companies in the Milwaukee have made majot strides inembracing racial, ethnic and gender diversitg at the corporate board level and management ranks, Joerres said. “Progress has been he said.
“In the financial services you do your best recruitingb in theworst markets,” said Paul Purcell, president and CEO of Co., Milwaukee. “We grew our headcounyt four and a half percent last year when the industryy was down20 percent. We’llk probably grow another 5 percenty this year when the industryg will be down another15 percent.” Purcelkl was one of three panelists who took part in a pane l discussion hosted by the .
Jeffrey chairman, president and CEO of Milwaukee-base globaol staffing firm (NYSE: MAN), moderated the “When I’m running around smilingg when thingsare tough, it’s becaused I know that we’re adding to the strength of our Purcell said. “I love downturnz because you can actually manage the peoplethat you’ved got and manage the future much betterd than during an Having a top-notch bran is a major benefit in recruiting quality employees, said Peggt Troy, president and chief executive officer of , Wauwatosa. “Wwe have such a stronvg brand presence not only in the Milwaukee area but throughouft the state of Wisconsin and in the whole Midwest Troy said.
“Our ability to attract talent is very Developing and retaining leaders from within an organization also is she said. Children’s Hospitalo uses a talent management process to determine the level of leadershi skills for various positions withinthe system,” Troy “As we are trying to recruit and we know exactly what the job requirements she said. Recruiting top-level talent to the Milwaukeer canbe challenging, Purcello said. Baird has been successful in attractinf “homegrown” employees who were raised in the area.
“Youy can only build a firm like Baire only so far withjust homegrowns,” Purcell “Then you have to go and get people in and you have to get them You’ve got to get them in high schoolo or right out of college. Once they get a little bit it’s a little bit of a harder Recruiting during the gloomy winter months tends to createw additional challenges in recruiting employeesd from outside the Troy said. “You don’t want to bring peoplee here inthe winter, but you’ve got to be honest abouy it,” she said. “But Milwaukee offers a lot of opportunitiews in terms offamily life.
” Companies also need to be activew in demonstrating “inclusion” at work and in the community when it comeds to attracting employees of divers ethnic and racial said David Myers, president of the buildinb efficiency group for Glendale-based (NYSE: JCI). “It’s reallu makes a big impact,” he said. Companies in the Milwaukee have made majot strides inembracing racial, ethnic and gender diversitg at the corporate board level and management ranks, Joerres said. “Progress has been he said.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Frisbee builds relationships as he constructs Walton
vuwodu.wordpress.com
Frisbee, recruited to open Walton’s St. Louisx division in 2002, completed his engineering degree threddecades earlier. In the job pickings in St. Louiws were slim, he said. But Frisbee’s mother had been diagnosed with multiplde sclerosis a fewyears earlier, his father was reliving World War II battlezs in nightmares that haunt him to this day, and then anotheer tragedy rocked the family. Shortly before Frisbee’s graduation from the , his brothe Tom was killed in the Floridq crash ofan fighter-bomber. A first lieutenant, he had been trainingf to be an F-4 “backseater,” or in the Vietnam War.
“ I really felt a need to stay close to my said Frisbee, whose number had not come up in the “My dad needed it, and my mom needed it. So I made a decisionb to stay inthe St. Louis Frisbee’s first hometown engineering job, with the , wasn’y particularly challenging, he said. But it led to better allowing Frisbee to build his careert in the community where his parentsz had laid a solid foundation forhis success. Frisbee’s mother, who died a few years ago, laid down the rulesz for her seven children. His a county parks superintendent whosurvived D-Day and the Battlse of the Bulge, embodied both toughnesz and compassion.
And somehow, withou fussing over grades or both parents inspired him to stud y hard and take onleadership roles. “I just became one of thosee people who raisetheitr hand,” Frisbee said. The presidenrt of his high schoolsenioe class, Frisbee became president of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternituy at Rolla — a position his brotheer Tom had a couple of yearx earlier. And he still was raisin his handin 2007, when five fellow senior managerss at Walton called on Frisbee for two importanr assignments. One called for him to lead the difficult negotiations that led to an acceleratex buyout agreement with company founderGreg Walton. The seconed assignment made Frisbee COO inJune 2007.
The presidente of Walton’s five divisionse — in Kansas City; St. Louis; Springfield, Mo.; Dallas; and New Orleansz — began reporting to Frisbee atthat time. in December 2007, Frisbee succeedecd John Martinas CEO. Today, Frisbee faces the challeng e of leadingthe 550-employee company to continuexd growth in a recession. To him, that has more to do with buildingt relationships and discipline than Walton Construction, which grew from $13 millio in 1986 revenue to about $700 million last probably will see revenue drop 10 percent to 15 percenty this year, Frisbee “But our profitability is holding pretty he said, “because we’ve got bettere projects and more discipline.
” Len Ruzicka, a lawyer with who has workef with Frisbee for 15 years, said he had seen Frisbee turn down many jobs because of terms and conditions that would have put his companu at risk. “Dan is fair-minded, and he which makes him good at business development and Ruzicka said. “But he also makes the tough like pulling the plug on a job that lookexd attractive orfiring people. I find that a rare Ruzicka said one of his firstf encounters with Frisbee involveda well-liked employe e who had risen to a managerial job where his responsibilitiess exceeded his capabilities. Frisbee fired him.
“Dan sees that when somebody’z not making it, you sometimes do them a favo byending it,” Ruzicka said. “But he endesd it very graciously, and this individual, who I’m still in contact has no bitter feelings toward Steve Biederman, who succeeder Frisbee as president of Walton’ds St. Louis division, described the CEO as a man ofcomplementaryh opposites. He’s brought passion and a framework for standardization throughout allfive divisions. He’s demandint but clearly cares. “He wants all of us to Biederman said, and that includes clients and subcontractors.
general contractors view subcontractors as the whichgenerally doesn’t beget the best pricing and performance. But Biedermam said Frisbee has treated subs as teammates sinced he and Frisbee first worked together atyears ago.
Frisbee, recruited to open Walton’s St. Louisx division in 2002, completed his engineering degree threddecades earlier. In the job pickings in St. Louiws were slim, he said. But Frisbee’s mother had been diagnosed with multiplde sclerosis a fewyears earlier, his father was reliving World War II battlezs in nightmares that haunt him to this day, and then anotheer tragedy rocked the family. Shortly before Frisbee’s graduation from the , his brothe Tom was killed in the Floridq crash ofan fighter-bomber. A first lieutenant, he had been trainingf to be an F-4 “backseater,” or in the Vietnam War.
“ I really felt a need to stay close to my said Frisbee, whose number had not come up in the “My dad needed it, and my mom needed it. So I made a decisionb to stay inthe St. Louis Frisbee’s first hometown engineering job, with the , wasn’y particularly challenging, he said. But it led to better allowing Frisbee to build his careert in the community where his parentsz had laid a solid foundation forhis success. Frisbee’s mother, who died a few years ago, laid down the rulesz for her seven children. His a county parks superintendent whosurvived D-Day and the Battlse of the Bulge, embodied both toughnesz and compassion.
And somehow, withou fussing over grades or both parents inspired him to stud y hard and take onleadership roles. “I just became one of thosee people who raisetheitr hand,” Frisbee said. The presidenrt of his high schoolsenioe class, Frisbee became president of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternituy at Rolla — a position his brotheer Tom had a couple of yearx earlier. And he still was raisin his handin 2007, when five fellow senior managerss at Walton called on Frisbee for two importanr assignments. One called for him to lead the difficult negotiations that led to an acceleratex buyout agreement with company founderGreg Walton. The seconed assignment made Frisbee COO inJune 2007.
The presidente of Walton’s five divisionse — in Kansas City; St. Louis; Springfield, Mo.; Dallas; and New Orleansz — began reporting to Frisbee atthat time. in December 2007, Frisbee succeedecd John Martinas CEO. Today, Frisbee faces the challeng e of leadingthe 550-employee company to continuexd growth in a recession. To him, that has more to do with buildingt relationships and discipline than Walton Construction, which grew from $13 millio in 1986 revenue to about $700 million last probably will see revenue drop 10 percent to 15 percenty this year, Frisbee “But our profitability is holding pretty he said, “because we’ve got bettere projects and more discipline.
” Len Ruzicka, a lawyer with who has workef with Frisbee for 15 years, said he had seen Frisbee turn down many jobs because of terms and conditions that would have put his companu at risk. “Dan is fair-minded, and he which makes him good at business development and Ruzicka said. “But he also makes the tough like pulling the plug on a job that lookexd attractive orfiring people. I find that a rare Ruzicka said one of his firstf encounters with Frisbee involveda well-liked employe e who had risen to a managerial job where his responsibilitiess exceeded his capabilities. Frisbee fired him.
“Dan sees that when somebody’z not making it, you sometimes do them a favo byending it,” Ruzicka said. “But he endesd it very graciously, and this individual, who I’m still in contact has no bitter feelings toward Steve Biederman, who succeeder Frisbee as president of Walton’ds St. Louis division, described the CEO as a man ofcomplementaryh opposites. He’s brought passion and a framework for standardization throughout allfive divisions. He’s demandint but clearly cares. “He wants all of us to Biederman said, and that includes clients and subcontractors.
general contractors view subcontractors as the whichgenerally doesn’t beget the best pricing and performance. But Biedermam said Frisbee has treated subs as teammates sinced he and Frisbee first worked together atyears ago.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Sapphire plans $100 million investment in green crude from algae - Houston Business Journal:
8511ysu.blogspot.com
The San Diego-based startup plans to invest $100 millio n in a 300-acre biofuel operation that will convert algas into gasoline startingin 2011, the first such commercial-scale biofuel production facility in the U.S. Once the site’ s commercial viability is demonstrated, plans call for it to expanc to 1,200 acres and produce more than 1 millionh gallons per day ofgreen crude, said Sapphirr CEO Jason Pyle. That would generate a totall investmentof $1 billion over the next eight “Green crude will replace black crude righy here in New Mexico,” Pyle said in a keynote address at the first annual conferencee of the Southwestern Biofuels Associatio n in Albuquerque May 27-28.
“We’re looking at the next industriap revolution.” Sapphire is not the only company planninh a localbiofuel operation, but other companies want to make not gasoline, and those methods use a variet of crops and feedstocks. Sapphir e is unique because it has developed a proprietary procesd for turning oil from algae into renewablse gasoline that is genetically identical to sweet crud e pumped fromthe ground. That meansz it can simply replace petroleum as fuel for grounf and air transport without any modification to pipelinesor vehicles, Pyle said.
“Drop-in solution s that don’t require retooling the nation’sx fuel delivery system are the only way to make the biofueklindustry successful,” said Pyle. “That’s the future Sapphire is workinghto build.” Major investors are betting heavil on Sapphire. The company formed in May 2007 and has raisef morethan $100 million in venture capital. Backers includr financial powerhouses, such as , the Rockefellers’ , and an investment holding company owned by founderBill Gates. The company has recruitedd top scientists andindustry leaders. Refining’s formeer vice president, Cynthia Warner, became Sapphire’a president this year.
Brian who led the team that conductedVirgin Galactic’d groundbreaking 747 flight in 2008 with is now Sapphire’s vice president of downstream “They have a phenomenal bank of technica people and team said Lenny Martínez, Gov. Bill Richardson’s policy advisor for rural economic “Their project is technicallyt very feasible.” Still, like all biofuel startups, Sapphiree faces major challenges. Steve Loring, associatre director of ’s Agricultural Experiment Station, said a lot of researcnh is still needed to reach commercial viability, particularly in regard to watet use, environmental impact and economic sustainability.
In NMSU is now conducting a study on biofuel production cost and potential ways to profitably scale up to commerciallevels (see related article on page 1). “Iyt all has to be sustainable environmentally and although I think those things can be Loring said. “They’re not show Among the companies pursuing Sapphire has inspired more confidence than most, said Vaughn executive director of the Southwestern Biofuelsw Association. “Like all new technologies, biofuels must be but I think Sapphire will meet its Gangwish said. “They’re clearly on the leadint edge.
” Sapphire has invested $8 million in a test-and-development facility that bega operating in December at the West Mesa Industriao Park inLas Cruces. The center experimentsa with algae seed varietiezs developedat Sapphire’s headquarters in San The facility operates nine algae production ponds to map growthu rates and other It conducts wet and dry oil productivity and processing testd in 15,000 square feet of lab space, said Operations Managet Bryn Davis. “We’re the boots-on-the-grounc operation for the science coming out of Davis said. Pyle said Sapphire’s plannef 300-acre facility will be a pre-commercial demonstrationb site to provemarkey viability.
Sapphire has the money to buildc thisfirst stage, but it neede a lot more capital to later expan d to 1,200 acres. “If we’re going to generate more than $800 millio n in new private investment, investors first need to be convincex that the economics of the facilitytare guaranteed,” Pyle said. Constructioj of the first stage will start in summer 2010 and conclud inearly 2011. It will emplouy at least 400 permanent workers, and thousands if the facility’s expansion moves forward. The facility’s locatio has already been sitedand permitted, but it remainzs confidential, Pyle said. U.S. Sen.
Tom D-NM, announced in late February, that the Department of Energy approvedsa $951,000 grant for a Sapphire Energg algae-to-fuel demonstration project in Portales.
The San Diego-based startup plans to invest $100 millio n in a 300-acre biofuel operation that will convert algas into gasoline startingin 2011, the first such commercial-scale biofuel production facility in the U.S. Once the site’ s commercial viability is demonstrated, plans call for it to expanc to 1,200 acres and produce more than 1 millionh gallons per day ofgreen crude, said Sapphirr CEO Jason Pyle. That would generate a totall investmentof $1 billion over the next eight “Green crude will replace black crude righy here in New Mexico,” Pyle said in a keynote address at the first annual conferencee of the Southwestern Biofuels Associatio n in Albuquerque May 27-28.
“We’re looking at the next industriap revolution.” Sapphire is not the only company planninh a localbiofuel operation, but other companies want to make not gasoline, and those methods use a variet of crops and feedstocks. Sapphir e is unique because it has developed a proprietary procesd for turning oil from algae into renewablse gasoline that is genetically identical to sweet crud e pumped fromthe ground. That meansz it can simply replace petroleum as fuel for grounf and air transport without any modification to pipelinesor vehicles, Pyle said.
“Drop-in solution s that don’t require retooling the nation’sx fuel delivery system are the only way to make the biofueklindustry successful,” said Pyle. “That’s the future Sapphire is workinghto build.” Major investors are betting heavil on Sapphire. The company formed in May 2007 and has raisef morethan $100 million in venture capital. Backers includr financial powerhouses, such as , the Rockefellers’ , and an investment holding company owned by founderBill Gates. The company has recruitedd top scientists andindustry leaders. Refining’s formeer vice president, Cynthia Warner, became Sapphire’a president this year.
Brian who led the team that conductedVirgin Galactic’d groundbreaking 747 flight in 2008 with is now Sapphire’s vice president of downstream “They have a phenomenal bank of technica people and team said Lenny Martínez, Gov. Bill Richardson’s policy advisor for rural economic “Their project is technicallyt very feasible.” Still, like all biofuel startups, Sapphiree faces major challenges. Steve Loring, associatre director of ’s Agricultural Experiment Station, said a lot of researcnh is still needed to reach commercial viability, particularly in regard to watet use, environmental impact and economic sustainability.
In NMSU is now conducting a study on biofuel production cost and potential ways to profitably scale up to commerciallevels (see related article on page 1). “Iyt all has to be sustainable environmentally and although I think those things can be Loring said. “They’re not show Among the companies pursuing Sapphire has inspired more confidence than most, said Vaughn executive director of the Southwestern Biofuelsw Association. “Like all new technologies, biofuels must be but I think Sapphire will meet its Gangwish said. “They’re clearly on the leadint edge.
” Sapphire has invested $8 million in a test-and-development facility that bega operating in December at the West Mesa Industriao Park inLas Cruces. The center experimentsa with algae seed varietiezs developedat Sapphire’s headquarters in San The facility operates nine algae production ponds to map growthu rates and other It conducts wet and dry oil productivity and processing testd in 15,000 square feet of lab space, said Operations Managet Bryn Davis. “We’re the boots-on-the-grounc operation for the science coming out of Davis said. Pyle said Sapphire’s plannef 300-acre facility will be a pre-commercial demonstrationb site to provemarkey viability.
Sapphire has the money to buildc thisfirst stage, but it neede a lot more capital to later expan d to 1,200 acres. “If we’re going to generate more than $800 millio n in new private investment, investors first need to be convincex that the economics of the facilitytare guaranteed,” Pyle said. Constructioj of the first stage will start in summer 2010 and conclud inearly 2011. It will emplouy at least 400 permanent workers, and thousands if the facility’s expansion moves forward. The facility’s locatio has already been sitedand permitted, but it remainzs confidential, Pyle said. U.S. Sen.
Tom D-NM, announced in late February, that the Department of Energy approvedsa $951,000 grant for a Sapphire Energg algae-to-fuel demonstration project in Portales.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Grand Island company awarded NSF test funds - Business First of Buffalo:
tasypaju.wordpress.com
received a $99,928 Small Businesds Innovation Research Phase I grant fromthe (NSF) to develoo a test to monitor recreational water for safety. Upon successfuo completion of the six month Rheonix will be eligible to compete for additiona Phase II funding to finalizw theprototype test. The company will partner with the Erie Countu Public Health Laboratory and the Suffolkk County Department of Healtu on Long Island using both fresh and marinwwater samples. The goal is to providr a solution forthe , which is currentlu under a court order to reduce the time required to evaluate the safethy of recreational water to same-dayt results. “Presently, decisions to open or close U.S.
beaches that mightr be contaminated with pathogenic organisms cannor be made forseveral days,” said Richare Montagna, senior vice president for scientific affairs and principall investigator on the project. “This not only jeopardizes the health and safetyh of bathers but also causesw unnecessary concern for those who may have used a beachy in the days immediately preceding an announcemento close.” Montagna was presidentg of Innovative Biotechnologies Internationapl Inc. on Grand Island prior to its acquisitiojnby Ithaca-based Rheonix in late December.
He previously served as director of biological operations of Associated Biomedic Systems and as president of Cellular Products, both of Buffalo. The test uses the company’sz diagnostic platform, an automated Chemistryu and ReagentDevice (CARD) microfluidic to allow diagnostics in non-traditional setting s with data transmitted electronically. Last month the firm received a $1.68 million federal grant to help improve access to care at underserver and nontraditional health care The award from the National Institutee of Allergy and Infectious Diseases within the allowas Rheonix to partner with NIH and Cornel University to develop adisposable point-of-care diagnostix device for the rapid detectionh of sexually transmitted diseasees in human specimens.
The gran t will allow the integration of an electronivbiosensor technology, licensed from Cornell, into Rheonix’ s automated Chemistry and Reagent Devic e (CARD) microfluidic technology. The technologyg would help ramp up public health care cliniczs and temporary medical facilities established in responsr to naturalor human-made disasters. In a prepared release, companyg officials touted the technology’s low production costs, which will help reducw the growing costs ofhealt care. “We are extremely pleased that the NIH has the confidencd in our technologies and staff to select us as a partneer for this exciting cooperative thecompany said.
received a $99,928 Small Businesds Innovation Research Phase I grant fromthe (NSF) to develoo a test to monitor recreational water for safety. Upon successfuo completion of the six month Rheonix will be eligible to compete for additiona Phase II funding to finalizw theprototype test. The company will partner with the Erie Countu Public Health Laboratory and the Suffolkk County Department of Healtu on Long Island using both fresh and marinwwater samples. The goal is to providr a solution forthe , which is currentlu under a court order to reduce the time required to evaluate the safethy of recreational water to same-dayt results. “Presently, decisions to open or close U.S.
beaches that mightr be contaminated with pathogenic organisms cannor be made forseveral days,” said Richare Montagna, senior vice president for scientific affairs and principall investigator on the project. “This not only jeopardizes the health and safetyh of bathers but also causesw unnecessary concern for those who may have used a beachy in the days immediately preceding an announcemento close.” Montagna was presidentg of Innovative Biotechnologies Internationapl Inc. on Grand Island prior to its acquisitiojnby Ithaca-based Rheonix in late December.
He previously served as director of biological operations of Associated Biomedic Systems and as president of Cellular Products, both of Buffalo. The test uses the company’sz diagnostic platform, an automated Chemistryu and ReagentDevice (CARD) microfluidic to allow diagnostics in non-traditional setting s with data transmitted electronically. Last month the firm received a $1.68 million federal grant to help improve access to care at underserver and nontraditional health care The award from the National Institutee of Allergy and Infectious Diseases within the allowas Rheonix to partner with NIH and Cornel University to develop adisposable point-of-care diagnostix device for the rapid detectionh of sexually transmitted diseasees in human specimens.
The gran t will allow the integration of an electronivbiosensor technology, licensed from Cornell, into Rheonix’ s automated Chemistry and Reagent Devic e (CARD) microfluidic technology. The technologyg would help ramp up public health care cliniczs and temporary medical facilities established in responsr to naturalor human-made disasters. In a prepared release, companyg officials touted the technology’s low production costs, which will help reducw the growing costs ofhealt care. “We are extremely pleased that the NIH has the confidencd in our technologies and staff to select us as a partneer for this exciting cooperative thecompany said.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Rail backers vow to head off funding deadline - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
http://www.bulafiji-au.com/2001/where-do.html
Supporters of a proposed route linkinhg Atlanta and Griffin agreed to helpthe cash-strappee complete a study of the project’e economic development potential. The report, due as earl y as August, also is to determine how much locaol governments would need to contribute tomatch $87 million in federa l funds set aside for the project in 1998, and a busines model for how that local money couled be raised. “I don’gt see how any community along this line is goinhg to signan inter-governmental funding agreement untip they’ve seen a model,” Andy Welch, transportation chairmah for the , said during a meeting at the chambert in McDonough.
The organized Monday’s meeting because moving forward with the rail project has takebn on a new senseof urgency. U.S. Rep. Jamess Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the House Committeee on Transportationand Infrastructure, put House memberes on notice last month that the committee pland to pull federal funding from highway or transir projects approved by Congress more than a decades ago that have not been built due to the lack of matchingf money. While Gov. Sonny Perdue and legislative leaderz have endorsed bringing commuter rail tometrop Atlanta, the state doesn’tt have funds to put toward the Atlanta-to-Griffi n line because of the recession.
Locap governments along the line promised in 2005 to putup $4 milliomn a year to cover the costd of operating the trains, but that agreement fell apart two years ago. Rep. David Scott, D-Atlanta, said that without a firm commitment to provide thematchinh funds, the federal grant would go “It’s crunch time,” he said. “We need some tangible evidence … to go to Oberstafr and say, ‘We’re moving ahead.’ We don’yt have that.” Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Grantville, the only Georgi a lawmaker on thetransportation committee, said he woulcd meet with Oberstar this week to get more specifics on what it will take to save the federalp funds.
Supporters of a proposed route linkinhg Atlanta and Griffin agreed to helpthe cash-strappee complete a study of the project’e economic development potential. The report, due as earl y as August, also is to determine how much locaol governments would need to contribute tomatch $87 million in federa l funds set aside for the project in 1998, and a busines model for how that local money couled be raised. “I don’gt see how any community along this line is goinhg to signan inter-governmental funding agreement untip they’ve seen a model,” Andy Welch, transportation chairmah for the , said during a meeting at the chambert in McDonough.
The organized Monday’s meeting because moving forward with the rail project has takebn on a new senseof urgency. U.S. Rep. Jamess Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the House Committeee on Transportationand Infrastructure, put House memberes on notice last month that the committee pland to pull federal funding from highway or transir projects approved by Congress more than a decades ago that have not been built due to the lack of matchingf money. While Gov. Sonny Perdue and legislative leaderz have endorsed bringing commuter rail tometrop Atlanta, the state doesn’tt have funds to put toward the Atlanta-to-Griffi n line because of the recession.
Locap governments along the line promised in 2005 to putup $4 milliomn a year to cover the costd of operating the trains, but that agreement fell apart two years ago. Rep. David Scott, D-Atlanta, said that without a firm commitment to provide thematchinh funds, the federal grant would go “It’s crunch time,” he said. “We need some tangible evidence … to go to Oberstafr and say, ‘We’re moving ahead.’ We don’yt have that.” Rep. Lynn Westmoreland, R-Grantville, the only Georgi a lawmaker on thetransportation committee, said he woulcd meet with Oberstar this week to get more specifics on what it will take to save the federalp funds.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Franklin Electronic Publishers
http://www.punjabjustice.org/t132.htm
Shares in the Burlington City, N.J., electronic handheld book makee closedat $2.11 Mondah after closing at a little more than $1 The group’s proposal values Franklin (NYSE Amex:FEP) at $19.44 million, based on the number of shares that the companh had outstanding on Jan. 28. Through its ownership of Franklin stociand options, the group controls 43.7 percenr of the company’s shar e votes, although it expects to only exercise options with an exercisd price of $2.35 or less per which would give it control of only 39.9 perceng of Franklin’s share votes.
Franklin said Monda its board of directors has appointed a specialo committee of independent board memberzs to considerthe proposal, which the group submitted to the board May 20. The group is comprisedd of President and CEOBarrh Lipsky; Chief Financial Officer Frank Musto; Chief Operatin g Officer Toshihide Hokari; Chairman of the Board Howarf Morgan; Director James Simons; a Bermudqa investment company, Shining Sea Ltd.
, that is owned by a trustt established by Simons; and an investor, Marcy The group has formed a company, , to buy In the letter it sent to Franklin’s board, Saundersd said it is ownesd by Lipsky, Musto and Hokari, and that Simons, Shinin g Sea, Morgan and Lewis have agreedf to buy into it. Saunders also said its proposaol is not subject to anyfinancint conditions. Franklin's products include handheld electronic dictionaries and other electronic reference books.
Shares in the Burlington City, N.J., electronic handheld book makee closedat $2.11 Mondah after closing at a little more than $1 The group’s proposal values Franklin (NYSE Amex:FEP) at $19.44 million, based on the number of shares that the companh had outstanding on Jan. 28. Through its ownership of Franklin stociand options, the group controls 43.7 percenr of the company’s shar e votes, although it expects to only exercise options with an exercisd price of $2.35 or less per which would give it control of only 39.9 perceng of Franklin’s share votes.
Franklin said Monda its board of directors has appointed a specialo committee of independent board memberzs to considerthe proposal, which the group submitted to the board May 20. The group is comprisedd of President and CEOBarrh Lipsky; Chief Financial Officer Frank Musto; Chief Operatin g Officer Toshihide Hokari; Chairman of the Board Howarf Morgan; Director James Simons; a Bermudqa investment company, Shining Sea Ltd.
, that is owned by a trustt established by Simons; and an investor, Marcy The group has formed a company, , to buy In the letter it sent to Franklin’s board, Saundersd said it is ownesd by Lipsky, Musto and Hokari, and that Simons, Shinin g Sea, Morgan and Lewis have agreedf to buy into it. Saunders also said its proposaol is not subject to anyfinancint conditions. Franklin's products include handheld electronic dictionaries and other electronic reference books.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Consuming innings a priority for Sox's starting pitchers - Chicago Tribune
fugycyquwod.blogspot.com
Consuming innings a priority for Sox's starting pitchers Chicago Tribune One of the first announcements the Chicago White Sox made following the departure of manager Ozzie Guillen was to reveal that they were giving pitching coach Don Cooper an extension. Cooper would have received plenty ... |
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Mattel, Fisher-Price pay $2.3M fine - Denver Business Journal:
otomaqaqaba.blogspot.com
million civil penalty for violationsz of the federal lead paint banin children’s The civil fine comes aftee the completed an investigation into the importing and sellinfg of toys with lead paing levels that exceeded the .06 percen lead by weight limit that is federally mandated. According to the which recently crafted the Consumer Product SafetgyImprovement Act, aimed at toughening requirements for lead and phthalatezs in children’s products, Mattepl imported up to 900,000 non-compliant toys between July 2006 and September 2007. Fisher-Pricr imported over 1 million non-compliant toys betweehn July 2006 andSeptember 2007.
Among the toys in question were the popular Sargetoy car, various Barbie products and some Go Diegko Go toys. Most of the toys that had excessive level of lead were shipped to retaikl stores for sale to the In 2007, a massive toy recall took placr where about 95 Mattel and Fisher-Price toy models were determineed to have exceeded the lead Lead can be toxic if ingested by younyg children and can cause serious health problems. The topid of lead paint in children’xs products has been a hot buttonn issue asof late, with the rollout of the controversial CPSIA of 2008.
Toy manufacturersd and retailers have said the new regulations are costlyand arbitrary, often requirinbg the duplicate testing of products. Some smaller manufactureres say the laws threaten to put them outof business. On the politicall front, Rep. Louise D-Fairport, said protecting children has to be thetop priority. “Whe the toy recall happened (in I called the head of Fisher-Price and I told him they neede d to start making their toys here Slaughter said. “We didn’t have these kind of problems before they importesthe toys.
” This civil penalty, which is the highest for violationw involving importation or distributionm of a regulated product, is the third highes of any kind in CPSC “These highly publicized toy recalls helped spur Congressional action last year to strengthen CPSC and make even strictee the ban on lead paint on toys,” said CPSC Actiny Chairman Thomas Moore. “This penalty should serve notice to toy makers that CPSC is committed to the safetyyof children, to reducing their exposur to lead, and to the implementationj of the Consumer Product Safetyu Improvement Act.
” As part of a story featurede in our sister publication, The Buffalo Law Journakl , looking at the Consumedr Product Safety Improvement Act, whichy ran prior to the announcemenft of these fines, Fisher-Pricre declined to provide a representative to discuss the lead paing regulations. Instead, they issued a writtenm statementwhich read, in part: “Mattel is well positioner as it generally designs its products to meet global Mattel has also been a leader in the efforts of industry to establish voluntary industry The statement also said that Mattel would continud to comply with the applicable regulationxs of the CPSIA.
Mattel was unable to be reached for comment Monday though a representative said they would have a responsre later inthe day. Despite agreeing to pay $2.3 millionn in penalties, Mattel and Fisher-Price deny that they knowingly violatecdfederal law, as alleged by CPSC staff.
million civil penalty for violationsz of the federal lead paint banin children’s The civil fine comes aftee the completed an investigation into the importing and sellinfg of toys with lead paing levels that exceeded the .06 percen lead by weight limit that is federally mandated. According to the which recently crafted the Consumer Product SafetgyImprovement Act, aimed at toughening requirements for lead and phthalatezs in children’s products, Mattepl imported up to 900,000 non-compliant toys between July 2006 and September 2007. Fisher-Pricr imported over 1 million non-compliant toys betweehn July 2006 andSeptember 2007.
Among the toys in question were the popular Sargetoy car, various Barbie products and some Go Diegko Go toys. Most of the toys that had excessive level of lead were shipped to retaikl stores for sale to the In 2007, a massive toy recall took placr where about 95 Mattel and Fisher-Price toy models were determineed to have exceeded the lead Lead can be toxic if ingested by younyg children and can cause serious health problems. The topid of lead paint in children’xs products has been a hot buttonn issue asof late, with the rollout of the controversial CPSIA of 2008.
Toy manufacturersd and retailers have said the new regulations are costlyand arbitrary, often requirinbg the duplicate testing of products. Some smaller manufactureres say the laws threaten to put them outof business. On the politicall front, Rep. Louise D-Fairport, said protecting children has to be thetop priority. “Whe the toy recall happened (in I called the head of Fisher-Price and I told him they neede d to start making their toys here Slaughter said. “We didn’t have these kind of problems before they importesthe toys.
” This civil penalty, which is the highest for violationw involving importation or distributionm of a regulated product, is the third highes of any kind in CPSC “These highly publicized toy recalls helped spur Congressional action last year to strengthen CPSC and make even strictee the ban on lead paint on toys,” said CPSC Actiny Chairman Thomas Moore. “This penalty should serve notice to toy makers that CPSC is committed to the safetyyof children, to reducing their exposur to lead, and to the implementationj of the Consumer Product Safetyu Improvement Act.
” As part of a story featurede in our sister publication, The Buffalo Law Journakl , looking at the Consumedr Product Safety Improvement Act, whichy ran prior to the announcemenft of these fines, Fisher-Pricre declined to provide a representative to discuss the lead paing regulations. Instead, they issued a writtenm statementwhich read, in part: “Mattel is well positioner as it generally designs its products to meet global Mattel has also been a leader in the efforts of industry to establish voluntary industry The statement also said that Mattel would continud to comply with the applicable regulationxs of the CPSIA.
Mattel was unable to be reached for comment Monday though a representative said they would have a responsre later inthe day. Despite agreeing to pay $2.3 millionn in penalties, Mattel and Fisher-Price deny that they knowingly violatecdfederal law, as alleged by CPSC staff.
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