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GOVERNMENT NEWS
U.S. Denies Keystone XL Pipeline Application
Q The U.S. Department of State (Washington, DC) recommended to President Barack Obama in January 2012 that the presidential permit for TransCanada's proposed Keystone XL Pipeline be denied, stating that it does not serve the national interest at this time and more information is needed. After reviewing the permit application, the State Department called for an assessment of alternative pipeline routes that avoid the uniquely sensitive ter- rain of the Sand Hills in Nebraska and estimated that it could complete the necessary review to make I LMKQ[QWV Ja \PM ÅZ[\ Y]IZ\MZ WN
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prior projects of similar length and scope. To learn more, visit www.state.gov.
Elevated Chloride Levels Found in Grout for Bridge Cables
Veterans' Glass City Skyway. Ohio DOT photo.
Q The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) (Bowl- ing Green, Ohio) announced plans to sample and test the grout used in the Veterans' Glass City Skyway, a stay-cable bridge in Toledo, Ohio, to determine if it contains high levels of chlorides.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in- formed ODOT that grout manufacturer Sika Corp. LQ[KW^MZML [QOVQÅKIV\Ta ^IZaQVO KPTWZQLM TM^MT[ QV Q\[ grout used in post-tensioned construction to limit corrosion of high-strength steel strand tendons. The chloride levels ranged from below 0.08%, the speci- ÅML TQUQ\ \W I[ U]KP I[
IJW^M \PI\ TQUQ\ .WZ more information, visit www.dot.state.oh.us.
Incubator Program Supports Solar Energy Innovation
Q To accelerate American solar energy innovation, the U.S. Department of Energy's (Washington, DC) SunShot Incubator program will award over $12 million to fund competitive research for advances in photovoltaics, concentrating solar power, and power electronics—from the proof-of-concept stage to prototype demonstration. The effort aims to make Q\ MI[QMZ NI[\MZ IVL UWZM KW[\ MNÅKQMV\ NWZ J][Q- nesses, homeowners, and utilities to generate clean, renewable energy by the end of the decade with solar energy systems that are cost competitive with other energy forms. For more information, visit www.eere.energy.gov.
8 MATERIALS PERFORMANCE March 2012
PHMSA Funds Pipeline Safety Analysis Grants
Q Communities and groups of individuals can apply for grants from the U.S. Department of Transpor- tation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) (Washington, DC) to N]VL MVOQVMMZQVO WZ W\PMZ [KQMV\QÅK IVITa[Q[ WN TWKIT pipeline safety issues. The grants, authorized by the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement, and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2006 and awarded through the Technical Assistance Grants (TAG) program, offer opportunities to strengthen the depth and quality of public participation in pipeline safety matters. A \W\IT WN
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2012, with individual grants not to exceed $50,000. To learn more, visit www07.grants.gov.
Gas Pipeline Construction Planned in Wales
Q The U.K. Energy Minister approved the con- struction of a new 22-km gas pipeline from Llanwrin to Dolgellau in Wales to replace an existing pipeline that reached the end of its service life. The new buried steel pipeline, expected to be completed and operational in October 2012, will roughly follow the route of the existing pipeline. To protect the Cadair Idris Special Area of Conservation and the Snow- donia National Park, comprehensive environmental standards were agreed upon with the Snowdonia National Park Authority, the Environment Agency for Wales, and the Countryside Council for Wales. For more information, visit www.decc.gov.uk.
U.K. Nuclear Regulation Office Recruits Safety Inspectors
Q Over the next two years, 80 nuclear safety in- [XMK\WZ[ _QTT JM ZMKZ]Q\ML Ja \PM = 3 7NÅKM NWZ Nuclear Regulation (ONR) (Bootle, United King- dom) to provide the resources needed to regulate the nuclear industry and its increasing activities. The nuclear inspector is the primary point of con- tact with a nuclear site and undertakes both planned and reactive inspections. The ONR, established in April 2011, seeks to secure the protection of people and society from the hazards of the nuclear industry by ensuring compliance with relevant legislation IVL QVÆ]MVKQVO \PM V]KTMIZ QVL][\Za \W KZMI\M IV excellent health, safety, and security culture. To learn more, visit www.hse.gov.uk.
—K.R. Larsen NACE International, Vol. 51, No. 3