WHAT'S NEW Friday, 14 Feb 03

WHAT'S NEW   Robert L. Park   Friday, 14 Feb 03   Washington, DC
 
1. COLUMBIA: RICHARD FEYNMAN IS NOT ON THE INVESTIGATION BOARD. 
The enduring image of Feynman dropping a piece of the Challenger
O-ring into his glass of ice water is a reminder of how much
things have changed.  Missing from the 11-member Columbia
Accident Investigation Board is independence.  Appointed by NASA
Administrator Sean O'Keefe, all eleven are no doubt capable men,
but ten of the eleven are employees of the federal government. 
Three Air Force Generals are balanced by two Navy Admirals, one
of whom is the Chairman.  Of the three Board members drawn from
NASA, one is responsible for the safety of all NASA programs,
while another is NASA Chief Engineer, responsible for review and
technical readiness of all NASA programs.  The only PhD scientist
is a physicist, James Hallock, from MIT, whose research was for
NASA.  Roger Tetrault, the only private citizen, is the retired
CEO of McDermott International. 
 
2. GREENHOUSE EXTORTION: HOW TO MANDATE "VOLUNTARY" REDUCTIONS. 
To demonstrate that the White House plan to save the world
through voluntary reductions in greenhouse emissions is the way
to go, the administration pressured industry to announce specific
goals for reduction of greenhouse-gas "intensity," which is the
ratio of emissions to production.  The idea is that greenhouse-
gas emission should not grow faster than the economy.  In other
words, its OK to pollute as long as you're making money.  The
White House plan was to go before the American People with Bush
Administration officials arm in arm with industry leaders,
pledging their commitment to "intensity" reductions.  This was to
take place on Wednesday; but with the economy tanking, few
industries went along with it, in spite of the "intensity"
gimmick.  So, what had been planned as a nationwide media blitz
ended up as an announcement in the DOE cafeteria.  
 
3. FY-04 DOE BUDGET: "WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC," DOMENICI SAYS. 
The $1.2B over 5 years for the hydrogen program (WN 31 Jan 03)
may not sound like the Apollo program, but the Chairman of the
Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Pete Domenici (R-NM),
argues that what's important is that President Bush is behind it,
even if there's not enough money to get the job done.  As David
Garman, an Assistant Secretary for Energy, put it, the President's
commitment is "priceless."  The Energy Efficiency and Renewable
Division would get about $1M more in FY-04, or an increase of
0.1%, with the efficiency side cut by $35M.  We shouldn't rush
into this when Detroit is making money.  The Clean Cities
alternative fuels vehicle program, the Rebuild America building
conservation program and the NICE3 industrial efficiency
technology commercialization program would be cut by a third. 
Science programs would be up 1.4% over the FY-03 request, but
Basic Energy Sciences would be cut $10M.

THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND and THE AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY.  
Opinions are the author's and are not necessarily shared by the
University or the American Physical Society, but they should be.
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