UMA Member Companies in the News:
BOEING BOOKS $4.6 BILLION ORDER FOR 60 NEW JETSQuick Manufacturing News
Boeing has a new a contract to deliver 60 of its 'next generation' 737-800 commercial jets through 2017. But, rival Airbus SAS is well ahead in the annual contest for new orders and deliveries. Click to continue
Governor, Legislative Leaders Demand State Involvement in Health Care Reform
October 8, 2010 In a letter sent today, Governor Gary R. Herbert urged the federal government to recognize Utah’s successful health exchange and prevent “undue expansions of federal authority over states.” The letter to Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.
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EPA SAYS IT WILL ENSURE PERMITTING IN STATES RESISTING REGULATORY PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Environmental Protection Agency Oct. 6 said it will ensure that permits will be issued next year for greenhouse gas emissions from new and modified sources, even in states that are resisting implementation of the permitting scheme.In a written statement, EPA sought to clarify comments made Oct. 5 by an agency official who said that greenhouse gas emissions sources might be unable to begin construction on new plants or to make modifications in states that do not adapt their own laws and regulations to allow permitting and that do not cooperate with EPA in implementing a federal implementation plan for permitting.
“EPA has a mechanism in place to ensure permitting can occur without disruption in any states that currently do not have authority to regulate GHGs,” the agency said. The agency did not elaborate on the statement or provide details on what the mechanism would be to allow permitting to go forward.
Raj Rao of EPA's Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards said in remarks to the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee Oct. 5 that those states not cooperating would face a gap in permitting authority that could prevent sources from receiving the necessary permits. (See related story; 193 WCCR, 10/5/10.)
EPA has set Jan. 2, 2011, as the date on which prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) provisions of the Clean Air Act will apply to greenhouse gas emissions. The PSD program requires new and modified sources to obtain permits for emissions of regulated pollutants and to control them using the best available control technology.
Texas would be the primary state affected by EPA action to ensure greenhouse gas emissions permitting.
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Executive Director Mark R. Vickery said Oct. 4 that the state will not cooperate with EPA to issue permits for new and modified greenhouse gas sources. Vickery said EPA's plan to impose federal implementation plans on states whose laws and regulations do not give them the authority to issue permits for greenhouse gas emissions exceeds its authority under the Clean Air Act. ( See related story; 194 WCCR, 10/6/10.)
Wyoming also sent a letter to EPA Sept. 9, saying that it is barred under state law from implementing the requirements. It asked EPA to reconsider the rules it has issued related to the regulation on greenhouse gas emissions.
EPA said it has identified 13 states that will not have plans in place by Jan. 2. For those states, the agency has proposed a federal implementation plan to apply greenhouse gas emissions permitting until the state has its own plan in place. EPA cannot impose a federal plan on these states unless they ask for it.
UTAH COLLEGE OF APPLIED TECHNOLOGY “ENERGIZES” UTAH BY PROVIDING ESSENTIAL JOB TRAINING AND ESTABLISHING ENERGY ACADEMIES
UCAT
Hands-on training is vital to Utah’s energy-related businesses; prevents industry disasters like the BP Gulf oil spillUCAT
Salt Lake City, UT – The Utah College of Applied Technology (UCAT) and its campuses statewide provide specialized training in the energy and renewable energy industries. Current programs range from geothermal and wind resources to the petroleum industry and solar power. Working closely with Utah businesses, the goal is to ensure that companies have access to highly trained professionals while also attracting other energy-related business to the state.
According to a study conducted for the American Solar Energy Society, during 2007 the
combined U.S. industries of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency generated more then 9 million jobs, $1,045 billion in revenue and nearly $160 billion in federal, state and local tax revenues.
According to the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Utah wants to be at the forefront of this job growth and the state has charged its institutions of higher learning to offer job training for energy-related industries.
Uintah Basin Applied Technology College (UBATC), with campuses in Vernal and Roosevelt, has responded to high local demand in the oil and natural gas industry. According to UBATC President Paul Hacking, 70-75% of all fossil fuel extraction in Utah occurs in the Uintah Basin. In 2008, the Energy Information Administration ranked Utah as the sixth largest producer of gas in the Western United States.
Last year alone, UBATC trained and certified over 150 students on a special drilling simulator — the only one of its kind in the Western United States. Approximately 3,500 people from more than 256 companies were enrolled in the 50 oil/gas-related training classes offered last year.
“We’ve had several companies call back and tell us that the training they received here helped them handle potentially disastrous situations in a safe way, that otherwise could have resulted in loss of life or environmental disasters,” said Hacking.
He gave the example of a company who called to say that they had run into H2S gas at their well and needed to know how to handle it. Although it was after 5 p.m., two instructors were sent immediately to provide training. By the end of the next day, 41 employees had been trained and certified in how to handle the deadly gas.
The campus offers entry-level to advanced training programs in petroleum technology, energy services safety (required certification for new employees in the oil/gas industry), commercial truck driving and other industry-related training. Companies that currently utilize this training include NewField Production Company, Halliburton and BJ Services.
UBATC also offers training in green construction.
Southwest Applied Technology College’s (SWATC) renewable energy training programs led to the recruitment of First Wind, Utah’s first large-scale wind farm in Beaver County. SWATC President Dana Miller said that students have gained employment in constructing and maintaining the wind farms. Renewable Energy courses originally offered only at Milford High School have now expanded to the Iron County School District.The school, whose main campus is located in Cedar City, has also received permission from the Utah Electrical Board to teach a continuing education course on photovoltaics to electrical contractors.
Dixie Applied Technology College (DXATC) in St. George will become a “trainer to the trainers,” through a grant recently awarded thru Salt Lake Community College, establishing it as a regional training center for solar energy. Salt Lake Community College was one of nine providers nationwide selected to spearhead their region’s Solar Instructor Training Network, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Community/technical college and high school instructors will be invited to DXATC to receive training on how to become a master solar trainer. Installers will also be invited to train in a special lab that focuses on how to install solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar heating and cooling (SHC) systems.
“Our long term goal is to be recognized as one of the Rocky Mountain solar training providers in our 15-state region,” said Richard VanAusdal, campus president at DXATC. “Those providers are recognized by Solar Energy International and the Utah Solar Energy Association.”
UCAT Campuses Designated as “Energy Academies”
As part of the Department of Labor State Energy Sector Partnership (SESP) grant administered through the Department of Workforces Services (DWS), Southwestern Applied Technology College(SWATC), Uintah Basin Applied Technology College(UBATC) and Davis Applied Technology College(DATC) have received recent designation as Energy Academy locations. It is hoped that the training programs will be rolled out to include other ATC campuses in the future.Some training classes will start this fall, with the bulk starting in January 2011. The goal is to train 1,400 individuals throughout Utah.
SWATC will offer training in Renewable Energy Transmission as it relates to wind, solar, geothermal and Smart Grid. “We anticipate these training programs to be ready for student enrollment in 12-15 months,” said Miller. Through the grant, the school was able to acquire multiple lab and hands-on equipment stations.
UBATC will offer training in alternative fuels (CNG Vehicle Conversion, Hybrid Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance, and Natural Gas Measurement Technicians) and green construction.
DATC will offer classes in green construction (solar panel instruction, solar thermal water installation, hazardous materials handling, etc.), energy management and renewable energy transmission.
Individuals interested in finding out more about training and available jobs in the energy industry are urged to call their local UCAT campus or go to www.ucat.edu.
Quick Manufacturing News
In week 37, 2010, total traffic for all imports entering U.S. ports was up 10% compared to the same week in 2009. Click to continue
Forums.industryweek.com(Quick Manufacturing News)
"Without a doubt, glimmers of improvement are beginning to appear throughout the business landscape. But..." Click to continue
CLEAN UTAH HELPING TO PREVENT POLLUTION
Utah Department of Environmental QualityClean Utah, a voluntary program through the Utah Department of Environmental Quality that formally honors businesses for extra efforts in cleaning up the environment, is in its seventh year in Utah. Participants commit to go beyond what is required by EPA in reducing or preventing pollution at their facilities. In return they receive consideration in regulatory efforts and recognition as good corporate citizens.
The 7th Annual Clean Utah Luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, October 19, 2010, at DEQ in SLC. A host of participating companies will be honored and recognized. Collectively Clean Utah participants have made a significant difference in the past year in Utah. They have:
· Prevented 2,306 metric tons of CO2
· Reduced total energy usage by 3,372,560 KWh
· Prevented 32 metric tons of NOx
· Saved 8,600,381 gallons of water
· Reduced use of hazardous chemicals by 258,797 pounds and
· Recycled 12.4 tons of dust brick and 18.8 tons of cardboard and wood pallets
UMA congratulates the numerous companies, many of whom are UMA member companies, who are doing more than their part to clean the environment and prevent unnecessary pollution from the business sector of our economy. Good work!
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China is not using its control over supplies of rare earth as a diplomatic 'bargaining chip' but wants 'sustainable use,' Premier Wen says ... continue
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