What's New @ IEEE-USA - Eye On Washington, Vol. 2011, No. 12 (26 September 2011)

Dear Readers -

The latest issue of IEEE-USA's Eye on Washington is now on-line.  For complete Text and links to additional resources, please visit: http://ieeeusa.org/policy/eyeonwashington/2011/13eow2011.asp

You can change your IEEE-USA Eye on Washington subscription status by using the forms at http://www.ieeeusa.org/communications/emailupdates/default.asp

Highlights of the current issue include:


CAPITOL HILL

Subcommittee Examines Cloud Computing’s Role in U.S. Innovation, Competitiveness - The Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to examine the potential opportunities and challenges associated with cloud computing, and to assess the appropriate role of the Federal Government in the cloud computing enterprise.

Subcommittee Evaluates NITRD Program to Ensure U.S. Leadership in Networking and Information Technology - The House Subcommittee on Research and Science Education held a hearing to review the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development (NITRD) program, the federal government’s mechanism for coordinating unclassified networking and information technology (NIT) research and development (R&D) investments. The hearing focused on ensuring the U.S. maintains its strong leadership in NIT, and gave Members an opportunity to receive testimony on priorities for the future.

Chairmen Hall, Palazzo, and Wolf Joint Statement on NASA SLS Announcement  - In response to a September 14th announcement by NASA to proceed with development of the Space Launch System (SLS), Ralph Hall (R-TX), Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and Frank Wolf (R-VA), Chairman of the Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies issued a statement.

Witnesses At Hearing on Human Space Exploration Say NASA Needs to Make a Strong Commitment with Clear Goal - The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing to examine the strategic goals and priorities of America’s human space exploration program, including the importance of space access and demonstrated leadership among space-faring nations, and the inspirational role of human space exploration.

House Examines Standards to Support Electric Smart Grid - The House Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation held a hearing to examine the status of efforts to develop open standards for smart grid technologies and drive innovation within smart grid development.

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THE WHITE HOUSE & FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIVITY

Startup America Partnership: White House Wants Entrepreneurs - The Startup America Partnership has launched its new online network, where U.S. entrepreneurs can establish free membership profiles and unlock resources from over 25 companies – from free software to free business filing to steeply discounted computer hardware.  The total value of these resources is over $730 million and climbing, as more and more companies join the Partnership in a coordinated private-sector movement to fuel job creation. The movement was born in response to President Obama’s call to action for the private sector to accelerate the success of U.S. entrepreneurs, who create the overwhelming majority of new jobs in every corner of this country.  The Startup America Partnership is independent of the Federal government, and is run by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs.

Air Force Jumpstarts Electric Vehicle Program - Air Force officials unveiled a plan to establish Los Angeles Air Force Base as the first Federal facility to replace 100 percent of its general-purpose fleet with Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEV’s). This is the start of a broader Department of Defense (DoD) effort toward large-scale integration of PEV’s into its fleet. Lessons learned from this project will help DoD and other agencies understand operational implications of fleet electrification, while demonstrating cutting-edge PEV technologies, such as vehicle-to-grid (V2G) systems.

White House Touts Bold Initiative to Improve Undergraduate STEM Education - As President Obama and many others frequently reiterate, outstanding science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education is vital for the future of our Nation. Despite great progress in our scientific understanding of how students learn and how to improve educational outcomes at every level, our Nation’s 6,000 colleges and universities have lagged in adopting improved teaching methods and progress in classrooms has been stagnant for a generation.

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LATEST IEEE-USA & IEEE ACTIVITIES

IEEE/IEEE-USA Seek Nominations for 2012 New Faces of Engineering Recognition; College Edition Program Started - Nominations are now open for IEEE members under 30 to be recognized as the IEEE/IEEE-USA's 2012 "New Face of Engineering." In addition, a "College Edition" program for IEEE student members has started.

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AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS & GRANTS

Colorado School of Mines SmartGeo - The Colorado School of Mines SmartGeo research group is an interdisciplinary engineering and science graduate program designed to prepare a new generation of leaders in the development of intelligent geosystems - enabling engineered and natural earth structures and environments that sense their environment and adapt to improve performance. Research efforts focus on advancing intelligent geoconstruction, intelligent earth dams & levees, and remediation of contaminated soil and water. Every year we give out 3-6 new $30,000 fellowships to PhD students working on research for the group. These fellowships include tuition, fees, health insurance, and travel and research funds. We are now accepting applications for Fall, 2012. Look for more information on our web site at smartgeo.mines.edu or contact the SmartGeo Project Manager, Julie VanLaanen, at jvanlaan@mines.edu.

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REPORTS, DOCUMENTS OF NOTE & INFO RESOURCES

OECD's Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2011: Innovation and Growth in Knowledge Economies - This report is published every other year and includes a wealth of comparative indicators and statistics on recent trends in science, technology, innovation and industrial performance in OECD and non-OECD countries (including Brazil. Russia, India, Indonesia, China and South Africa). Print, and pdf-e-book versions of the 2011 report are available for sale. A web version that provides easy access to individual sections and indicators is accessible. IEEE-USA's offices sit one floor up from OECD's offices (Suite 650) at 2001 L Street, NW, DC, should anyone wish to drop in on them the next time you're in town visiting us. Copies of the new summary will be distributed at a briefing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, September 28th.

Legislative Materials - SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS AND EXPLANATION OF THE ‘‘AMERICAN JOBS ACT OF 2011’’

National Science Foundation, Cyberlearning: Transforming Education (Cyberlearning) - NSF seeks to integrate advances in technology with advances in what is known about how people learn to
better understand how people learn with technology and how technology can be used productively to help people learn, through individual use and/or through collaborations mediated by technology;
better use technology for collecting, analyzing, sharing, and managing data to shed light on learning, promoting learning, and designing learning environments; and design new technologies for these purposes, and advance understanding of how to use those technologies and integrate them into learning environments so that their potential is fulfilled.

Government Accountability Office Reports:

Telecommunications: Enhanced Data Collection and Analysis Could Inform FCC's Efforts to Complete the Digital Transition of Low-Power Television Stations and Reallocate Spectrum GAO-11-790, Sep 7, 2011 Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 44 pages)  Recommendations (HTML)

Small Business Innovation Research: SBA Should Work with Agencies to Improve the Data Available for Program Evaluation GAO-11-698, August 15. Full Report Highlights

Electronic Government: Performance Measures for Projects Aimed at Promoting Innovation and Transparency Can Be Improved GAO-11-775, September 23rd, Highlights

Congressional Research Service Reports:

Congress’s Power to Restore Copyright Protection to Works That Have Entered the Public Domain: Golan v. Holder

Illegal Internet Streaming of Copyrighted Content: Legislation in the 112th Congress

Intent Standard for Induced Patent Infringement: Global-Tech Appliances, Inc. v. SEB S.A.

America Competes 2010: FY2012 Funding and FY2008-FY2011 Funding Summary

Renewable Energy Programs and the Farm Bill: Status and Issues

The Federal Government's Role in Electric Transmission Facility Siting

The Federal Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program: Background, Funding, and Activities

Recent Developments in Patent Administration: Implications for Innovation Policy


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What's New @ IEEE-USA's Eye on Washington highlights important federal legislative and regulatory developments that affect U.S. engineers and their careers. In addition to this biweekly newsletter, subscribers receive legislative bulletins and action alerts on IEEE-USA priority issues, including: retirement security, employment benefits, research & development funding, computers and information policy, immigration reform, intellectual property protection and privacy of health/medical information.

Copyright © 2011, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.  Permission granted to copy for personal use or for non-commercial republication with appropriate attribution.

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