Public Policy - New & Notable

Eye On Washington Newsletter - August 29
Year end outlook for Congress, S&T funding proposed in stimulus bill, Congress looks at electric grid, Medal of Science winners, CRS reports on ARPA-E, homeland security S&T and nanohealth, and more.    current issue

High-Tech Innovations Essential To Improve
Cost and Quality of Health Care
The United States should develop a comprehensive strategy on the growing need for technological innovations to help prevent the impending economic crisis in health care and to improve the quality and convenience of care, according to a report from the 2007 conference "Economic Strategy for Health Care through Standards and Technologies," convened by the Biotechnology Council and NIST with support from IEEE-USA.     more

Call for Papers for IEEE RFID 2009
IEEE-USA is a co-sponsor of the third IEEE RFID 2009, to be held on April 27-28, 2009, in Orlando, Florida . Authors are invited to submit papers related to the theory and practice of RF-based identification and communication systems, including RFID-related policy and regulatory issues, including spectral management, privacy, co-existence of RFID systems and the social implications of RFID technology.  Abstracts are due by 1 Dec. 2008.   more

WISE Interns Complete 2008 Program
With Presentations on Capitol Hill

E-Book Looks at Plug-In Vehicles
and the Electric Grid
The IEEE-USA-sponsored symposium, "Plug-in Hybrids: Accelerating Progress 2007," investigated the technology and policy challenges of commercializing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. IEEE-USA has released Plug-In Hybrids: Plug-In Vehicles and the Electric Grid, the second installment in a three-part E-book series from the symposium.    more

Offshoring is Transforming U.S. Engineering
Offshoring of engineering activities has increased significantly in recent years across a range of industries, and will continue to expand in scale and sophistication, according to a new report from the National Academy of Engineering. The impact of offshoring has been mixed so far, with some U.S.-based companies benefiting while some individual U.S. engineers have lost their jobs or experienced slower salary growth, says the report.      more

GridWeek Looks at Sustainable Energy
IEEE-USA is a partner in GRIDWeek 2008, an annual gathering (23-25 Sept.) in Washington, DC, of Smart Grid stakeholders, thought leaders and policy-makers to discuss Smart Grid issues and developments around the world.  The 2008 conference will focus on delivering sustainable energy through the Smart Grid, with Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman providing a keynote address.

Congressional Visits Day Video Highlights

NAE Proposes Key Messages to Improve
Public Awareness of Engineering
A recent study by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) recommends communications messages designed to improve the public's understanding of engineering, as well as encourage young people to consider engineering careers.  IEEE's 2007 President Leah Jamieson participated in the Academy study.    more

Science Committee Report Looks at Globalization
of R&D, Likely Consequences, and Policy Options
Summarizing a series of hearings held in 2007 to explore the competitiveness and high-tech workforce implications of the increaseing globalization of R&D, including the shift in private sector R&D funding overseas.    more

IEEE-USA President's Column: Senate Leaders Pushing Comprehensive Energy Initiatives
Two recent speeches from prominent U.S. Senators could signal the beginning of major action addressing the energy challenges facing the United States. Both speeches identified major energy challenges and potential approaches to reaching a national strategy . more

New Reports Assess U.S. Innovation Standing

In new report, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) finds that the nature of the U.S. innovation system has changed dramatically over the course of the last 40 years. In the 1970s almost all winners came from corporations acting on their own, more recently over two-thirds of the winners have come from partnerships involving business and government, including federal labs and federally-funded university research.  more

A June 12 study from the Rand Institute concludes that despite fears of losing ground that the U.S. remains the dominant leader in science and technology worldwide, thanks in significant part to an inflow of foreign students - as well as scientists and engineers from overseas -- who haves helped the U.S. build and maintain its worldwide lead.   more

And a study by the Woodrow Wilson Int'l Center for Scholars outlines recommendations to enhance the role of the President's Office of Science and Technology Policy, concluding that an enhancing the White House's capacity for science and technology policy-making is critical to addressing the challenges facing the nation.  more

Silicon Valley Engineer Testifies before Congress on Need to Retain Talented High-Tech Students and Professionals
Congress should make it easier for foreign graduate students and engineers to remain in the United States, Silicon Valley engineer and entrepreneur Lee Colby told a congressional subcommittee at a 12 June hearing on Capitol Hill. more

Call for Papers for Energy 2030 Conference
The IEEE-USA co-sponsored Energy 2030 Conference (17-18 Nov.) invites papers on the technology, policy and economic framework required for the creation of a global sustainable energy infrastructure by 2030.  Paper proposal digests are due by 1 July.   more

IEEE-USA Selects 2009 Government Fellows
D. Kenneth Lutz of Ocean, NJ and Thomas Lee of Palo Alto, CA have been selected for Congressional Fellowships.  Dr. Thomas Tierney of Los Alamos, NM will serve as IEEE-USA's Engineering and Diplomacy Fellow at the U.S. State Department.

Hearing Investigates Globalization of Jobs and Technology
At a May 22 hearing, the  House Science Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight heard witnesses assessments of the effects of globalization of jobs and technology on America’s economy. The hearing specifically focused on what influences U.S. firms’ decisions to locate their production and research facilities abroad.  more

Alexander Proposes "Manhattan Project" For Clean Energy
In a May 9th address at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Senator Lamar Alexander proposed  “launching a 5-year New Manhattan Project to put America firmly on the path to clean energy independence within a generation.”  more

Genetic Non-Discrimination Bill Signed Into Law
Final Congressional passage and President signature of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) marks an important step toward obtaining federal protections against the misuse of genetic information. IEEE-USA joined with over 300 organizations comprising the Genetic Alliance to help encourage passage of this legislation.    more

Hearing Looks at Problem of E-Waste
At an April 30 hearing, the House Science and Technology Committee reviewed the national management of E-Waste.  In the absence of federal law or regulation governing the disposal of consumer electronic products, witnesses emphasized the need for consumers to be aware of the problem and the different options available when an electronic product is discarded.   more

Maryland Repeals Computer Services Tax
As its 2008 legislative session came to a close, the Maryland legislature repealed a state-wide tax on computer services before it could take effect.  IEEE-USA supported efforts by Maryland members to advocate in favor of the repeal, including testimony by IEEE Region 2 Director John Dentler before the Maryland House Ways and Means Committee.    more

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Updated:  27 August 2008
Contact:  IEEE-USA GR Webmaster