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GOVERNMENT NEWS Network Will Boost Wind Energy Growth in Northern Seas Q The U.K. Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) (London, United Kingdom) an- nounced that more than 40 organizations, including UIV]NIK\]ZMZ[ LM^MTWXMZ[ []XXTa KPIQV ÅZU[ IVL researchers, will join forces as part of a network that will develop and implement a long-term vision for the deployment of offshore wind energy generation in the northern seas. The network, called Norstec, aims to help the offshore wind industry and drive economic growth across this part of Europe by communicating \PM [KITM WN \PM WXXWZ\]VQ\a IVL \PM JMVMÅ\[ WN KTMIV energy to the public and the business and political spheres. For more information, visit www.decc.gov.uk. Air Force Monitors Aircraft with Structural Health Sensors SHM sensor. AFRL photo. Q Researchers with the Air Force Re- search Laboratory (AFRL) (Wright- Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio) use sen- sors as part of a structural health monitor- ing (SHM) system to detect and monitor crack growth. In tests, aircraft components Å\\ML _Q\P IV IZZIa WN [MV[WZ[ _MZM []J- jected to stresses simulating real-world fatigue and loading conditions. The SHM system was able to accurately detect, locate, and assess the structural damage. By studying cracks and the ability of the SHM system to accu- rately detect them, researchers expect to move closer to a system that will monitor and assess the condition of an operational vehicle in real time as it executes its mission. To learn more, visit www.wpafb.af.mil. BP Products to Improve Spill Response Preparedness Q BP Products North America, Inc. will pay a $210,000 penalty and implement an enhanced oil spill response program at its oil terminals to help ensure they are better prepared to respond to oil spills. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Washington, DC) alleges that BP Products violated federal regulations requiring oil storage fa- cilities to conduct drills and exercises to respond to oil spills at its Curtis Bay Terminal in Maryland. =VLMZ \PM [M\\TMUMV\ ÅTML QV NMLMZIT KW]Z\ *8 8ZWL- ]K\[ _QTT QUXTMUMV\ I ÅZ[\ WN Q\[ SQVL XZWOZIU WN [XQTT XZM^MV\QWV UMI[]ZM[ I\ Q\[ VWV ZMÅVMZa XM\ZWTM]U products terminals across the country. To learn more, visit www.epa.gov. 8 MATERIALS PERFORMANCE November 2012 EPA Awards $15 Million to Small Water and Wastewater Systems Q To improve water systems' operations and man- agement practices, and promote their sustainability, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Washington, DC) awarded nearly $15 million to fund training and technical assistance for small drinking water and wastewater systems and private well owners. More than 97% of the nation's 157,000 public water systems serve fewer than 10,000 people. When working to provide reliable drinking water and wastewater services that meet federal and state regulations, many small systems face challenges that QVKT]LM I TIKS WN ÅVIVKQIT ZM[W]ZKM[ IOQVO QVNZI- structure, management limitations, and high staff turnover. For more information, visit www.epa.gov. Updated Pipeline Safety Document Available from PHMSA Q The Pipeline Safety Update, published in Sep- tember 2012 by the U.S. Department of Transporta- tion's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Ad- ministration (PHMSA) (Washington, DC), summarizes how the nation's pipeline system is regulated and safety requirements are enforced, as well as reports the actions taken by PHMSA to imple- ment the Call to Action and the Pipeline Safety Act of 2011. The update includes an overview of the nation's pipeline infrastructure, factors that affect pipeline safety, and the role of stakeholders in pipe- line safety; and reviews the oversight roles of federal and state governments and the safety and environ- mental records of pipeline operators. To learn more, visit www.phmsa.dot.gov. Safety Recommendations Issued for Engine Component Cracks Q The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) (Washington, DC) issued two urgent safety recommendations to the Federal Aviation Administra- tion (FAA) for airworthiness directives requiring im- mediate ultrasonic inspection of the fan midshaft (FMS) in all General Electric GEnx-1B and -2B en- gines and repetitive FMS inspections to detect a crack before it could reach critical length. The NTSB is investigating instances where a Boeing 787-8 airplane PIL TW[[ WN MVOQVM \PZ][\ L]ZQVO I XZM ÅZ[\ ÆQOP\ JM- cause the FMS in a GEnx-1B engine had fractured and separated. Examination of other pre-delivery engines revealed a second GEnx-1B engine with a cracked FMS. To learn more, visit www.ntsb.gov. —K.R. Larsen NACE International, Vol. 51, No. 11