Posts for May 28, 2010

ALASKA OIL EXPLORATION IN DOUBT

May 28, 2010 – NAM – Manufacturers in the Courts

President Obama’s announced suspension of exploratory drilling permits off the coast of Alaska on May 27 has disrupted plans for exploration that were approved by the Ninth Circuit on May 13. That court agreed that the Minerals Management Service had met its obligations for issuing a permit for exploratory drilling for oil and gas in the Beaufort Sea, and turned aside a legal challenge from environmental groups. The NAM had supported this result, as the litigation was delaying exploration that Congress meant to be expedited. The Department of the Interior, after extensive evaluation, concluded that exploration would cause no significant impact on the environment. Our amicus brief in the case argued that exploratory drilling is an important step in the process of utilizing the Outer Continental Shelf to move toward greater energy self-sufficiency, to improve national security, to maintain a favorable balance of payments in world trade and to create jobs. Alaska Eskimo Whaling Comm’n v. Salazar (9th Cir.).

CONSUMER SPENDING FALLS FLAT IN APRIL

May 28, 2010 – Late Wire from Manufacturing.net
Flat spending level was the weakest showing in seven months; according to the Commerce Department report ... continue

GOVERNMENT PROPOSES GRANTS, CREDITS FOR ELECTRIC CARS

May 28, 2010 – Today in Manufacturing.net
Under new legislation, federal government would provide grants to help cities build infrastructure needed to support electric vehicles and offer tax credits to buyers... continue

NEW DIRECTOR APPOINTED TO HEAD SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE

May 28, 2010

Scott Anderson, formerly the manager overseeing hazardous waste at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, became the director of the Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste May 3, 2010. He replaced Dennis Downs who retired at the end of April.

Amanda Smith, executive director of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), announced Anderson’s appointment and stated, “Scott has done an excellent job at DEQ and I’m confident he will continue to shine.”

Anderson has been with DEQ for nearly 30 years; the last 18 years as the Branch Manager overseeing hazardous waste issues. He graduated from Brigham Young University in 1980 with an environmental health sciences degree.

Anderson said he looks forward to heading the Division. “I’m excited about this opportunity,” Anderson said. “I plan to continue to work with stakeholders to meet the challenges ahead.”

TAX EXTENDERS BILL PASSES HOUSE

May 28, 2010 - NAM

The House this afternoon approved an amended version of HR 4213 by a vote of voted 215 to 204. The bill includes extensions of the expired tax provisions as well as more than $50 billion in tax increases, including a package of international tax increases. Here is an updated summaryhttp://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/America_Jobs_Summary.pdf of the bill, as amended, a JCT revenue tablehttp://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/HR4213_JCT.pdf and technical explanation of the bill.http://waysandmeans.house.gov/media/pdf/111/HR4213_JCT_TE.pdf

The original text of the bill and amendments can be found on the House Ways and Means web site.http://waysandmeans.house.gov/press/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=11185

UTAH BUSINESS LEADERS' OPTIMISM ON THE RISE IN 2010

May 28, 2010 – UB Daily

Utah executives’ optimism about the financial futures of their companies continues to gain ground, according to Zions Bank’s latest Utah Quarterly Economic Forecast. Conducted by independent research firm Dan Jones & Associates, the Zions Bank Utah Quarterly Economic Forecast has gauged the health of state’s economy from the perspective of high-level Utah executives since 2006. In the first quarter 2010 study, 46 percent of Utah business leaders predict their companies’ economic health will be “somewhat better” or “much better” in the upcoming quarter.
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