Industry

11/16/2009 -- WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has revised its acetylene standard. A final rule replaces references to outdated industry standards with updated references reflecting current industry practices.

"This final rule incorporates current technology that enhances OSHA's acetylene standard for improving industry work practices and providing safer workplaces," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "It exemplifies our mission of providing strong and effective regulations that protect the safety and health of working men and women."    » read more »

EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 16 -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) has completed installing reinforcements within the side-of-body section of two more 787 Dreamliners.

Over the weekend, employees at Boeing's facility in Everett, Wash., finished reinforcing the full-scale static test airframe and the second Dreamliner designated for flight test. Installations were completed Nov. 11 on the first flight-test airplane.

The modification entails installing new fittings at 34 stringer locations within the joint where the wing is attached to the fuselage.    » read more »

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Nov. 12, 2009-- In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, US Airways’ (NYSE: LCC) Chairman and CEO Doug Parker responded to Secretary LaHood’s invitation to attend the Future of U.S. Aviation Forum being hosted today by the Department of Transportation. In the letter, Parker shares the airline and industry’s views about the future competitiveness of the U.S. aviation industry. The letter in its entirety follows:

November 11, 2009

The Honorable Ray LaHood
Secretary of Transportation
U.S. Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary LaHood:    » read more »

November 13, 2009 -- Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (both D-CA) as well as Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA) sent a letter last night urging Labor Secretary Hilda Solis to approve the State of California’s request for Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) for workers at the New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) facility.

NUMMI workers would become eligible for job training, job search and relocation assistance, and tax credits to cover health insurance costs.

The text of the letter follows:

November 12, 2009

The Honorable Hilda Solis

Secretary of Labor
U.S. Department of Labor

200 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20210

Dear Secretary Solis:    » read more »

11/09/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement applauding Pfizer’s announcement to include California in its global research and development (R&D) network:

“California has always been a leader in biotech research and innovation and Pfizer’s announcement that it will establish California as one the five hubs of its worldwide R&D network is fantastic news for our state. Today’s announcement will not only ensure that our state continues as a leader in this growing field, but it will also help stimulate our economy and save and create jobs when we need them most. With the best workforce and most innovative spirit, California continues to be the best place in the world to do business.”    » read more »

Upstate General Contractor Named, Will Hire Up To Two Thousand

Columbia, S.C. - November 6, 2009 - South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford today issued the following statement on Boeing Company’s decision to use BE&K Building Group of Greenville as its general contractor to build the North Charleston facility for a second production line for the 787 Dreamliner.    » read more »

Partnership Aimed at Bolstering Ohio's Aerospace Industry through More Contracts with Airbus

October 28, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown and Airbus Americas Chairman Allan McArtor announced the formalization of a partnership between Airbus and Ohio suppliers aimed at growing Ohio’s aerospace industry. They were joined by leaders from Ohio’s aerospace and technology communities, including the Ohio Aerospace Institute and Ohio’s Edison Technology Centers. These partners will co-host a set of procurement conferences to help facilitate more business between Ohio companies and Airbus.    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- Washington, DC - In response to a statement from the American Meat Institute that said that the E. coli Eradication Act authored by U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand would only "duplicate" testing currently being done by the industry, Senator Gillibrand said that in the absence of corporate responsibility, Congress must act.

"The meat industry makes some valuable points about the need to handle and cook ground beef carefully, but they are choosing to ignore their own best practices. Leading processors in the industry, like Costco, have already determined that they cannot rely on suppliers alone to test the meat. Costco says that testing the meat they receive from slaughterhouses is ‘incumbent upon' them, and I agree.    » read more »

Projects Aim to Accelerate Adoption of Solar Energy and Develop Solar Workforce

October 8, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – At the opening of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon on the National Mall, Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced up to $87 million will be made available to support the development of new solar energy technologies and the rapid deployment of available carbon-free solar energy systems. Of this funding, $50 million comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.    » read more »

22nd Forum to Feature 34 Clean Energy Companies

October 9, 2009 -- Thirty-four clean energy companies will present their business cases to a panel of investors and industry experts in Denver Nov. 3-5 as the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) hosts the 22nd NREL Industry Growth Forum.    » read more »

Washington, D.C. -- October 8, 2009 -- A new report by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) highlights successful program strategies to realize the large potential energy savings in the industrial sector. Released today, Industrial Energy Efficiency Programs: Identifying Today’s Leaders and Tomorrow’s Needs finds that industrial sector energy savings have remained untapped by many existing publicly funded energy efficiency programs.    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- SPOKANE – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire today joined more than 200 aerospace executives at the 3rd annual Governor’s Aerospace Summit in Spokane, where she discussed “The Business Case for Consolidating Boeing 787 Assembly in Washington,” and other advantages for the aerospace industry in Washington state.

“In Washington, we’ve built a home that encourages aerospace,” Gregoire said. “Our basic taxes, including property, sales and business and occupation taxes are below or very near the comparable taxes in our competitor states. We’ve reduced the B&O tax rate for aerospace, and created credits for new buildings, new machinery, and land used for manufacturing to ensure our aerospace companies statewide succeed.”    » read more »

Red Venture llc To Invest $27 Million In New Lancaster County Operations

Columbia, S.C. - October 7, 2009 - South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford today joined with the Department of Commerce and Lancaster County community in welcoming Red Venture LLC as they expand operations and move their headquarters to South Carolina.

The decision by Charlotte-based Red Venture LLC, an internet technology company named the 17th fastest growing private firm in the United States by Inc. magazine last year, will mean 1,000 new high-paying jobs and a $27 million investment for Lancaster County.    » read more »

October 6, 2009 -- LANSING - Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced approval of key state incentives to help move forward the transformation of the idled Wixom Assembly plant into a renewable energy production center. The project, announced last month and subject to approval of Department of Energy loan guarantees that the companies recently applied for, is expected to directly employ an estimated 4,000 workers.

"Michigan is aggressively targeting clean-energy companies, because we are determined to continue diversifying our economy and creating thousands of new green jobs," Granholm said. "Our innovative economic development incentives are helping bring projects like this one to Michigan."    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci today opened the final symposium of Maine’s North Star Alliance Initiative (NSAI). The initiative was created from a $14.4 million U.S. Department of Labor WIRED grant received in 2006. The grant enabled the promotion of the major workforce and economic development initiative in Maine targeting the economic cluster that includes the industries of boatbuilding, composites and marine trades.

The industry-driven, industry-focused project was established to grow these industries through workforce development, R&D, market outreach and infrastructure development.    » read more »