Federal Independent Agencies
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from federal independent agencies.
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New Report Proposes Framework to Identify Vulnerabilities Posed by Synthetic Biology
WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
Given the possible security vulnerabilities related to developments in synthetic biology - a field that uses technologies to modify or create organisms or biological components - a new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine proposes a framework to identify and prioritize potential areas of concern associated with the field. This report is the first in a two-phase study that is examining the changing nature of biodefense threats in the age of synthetic
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
Given the possible security vulnerabilities related to developments in synthetic biology - a field that uses technologies to modify or create organisms or biological components - a new report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine proposes a framework to identify and prioritize potential areas of concern associated with the field. This report is the first in a two-phase study that is examining the changing nature of biodefense threats in the age of syntheticbiology, focusing on the degree to which it can be used to create a weapon.
"While biotechnology is being pursued primarily for beneficial and legitimate purposes, there are potential uses that are detrimental to humans, other species, and ecosystems," said Michael Imperiale, professor and associate chair of microbiology and immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School and chair of the committee that wrote the interim report.
The framework outlined in the report describes a variety of synthetic biology technologies and applications such as genome editing, directed evolution, and automated biological design, and provides a set of questions to guide the assessment of concerns associated with them. The framework also outlines factors under two broad categories - malicious use and mitigation - that the committee identified as important to include when determining the level of concern associated with a particular synthetic biology technology or application. In its final report, the committee will use this framework, revising as needed, as a tool to provide the U.S. Department of Defense with an assessment of the concerns presented by synthetic biology technologies and applications, as well as possibilities for mitigation.
The study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, technology, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln. For more information, visit http://national-academies.org. A roster follows.
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THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING, AND MEDICINE
Division on Earth and Life Studies
Board on Chemical Sciences and Technology
Committee on Strategies for Identifying and Addressing Biodefense Vulnerabilities Posed by Synthetic Biology
Michael Imperiale (chair)
Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and Associate Chair of Microbiology and Immunology
Michigan Medical School
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor
Patrick Boyle
Head of Design
Ginkgo Bioworks
Boston
Peter A. Carr
Senior Scientist
Synthetic Biology Research Program
Lincoln Laboratory
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge
Douglas Densmore
Associate Professor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Faculty Fellow
Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science and Engineering
Boston University
Boston
Diane DiEuliis
Senior Research Fellow
National Defense University
Washington, D.C.
Andrew Ellington
Fraser Professor of Biochemistry
University of Texas
Austin
Gigi Kwik Gronvall
Senior Associate
Center for Health Security, and Visiting Faculty
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore
Charles Haas
L.D. Betz Professor of Environmental Engineering and Head
Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering
Drexel University
Philadelphia
Joseph Kanabrocki
Associate Vice President for Research Safety and Professor of Microbiology
Biological Sciences Division
University of Chicago
Chicago
Kara Morgan
Research Leader
Battelle Memorial Institute
Columbus, Ohio
Kristala Jones Prather
Arthur D. Little Professor of Chemical Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge
Thomas Slezak
Associate Program Leader
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Livermore, Calif.
Jill Taylor
Faculty Member
Wadsworth School of Laboratory Sciences, and Director
Wadsworth Center
New York State Department of Health
Albany
STAFF
Marilee Shelton-Davenport
Staff Officer
SBA Disaster Assistance Available to Vermont Private NonProfit Organizations Affected by Severe Storms and Flooding
ATLANTA, Aug. 21 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that certain Private NonProfit organizations (PNP) in Vermont that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature may be eligible to apply for low-interest rate disaster loans. These loans are available following a Presidential disaster declaration for Public Assistance resulting from damages caused by the severe storms and flooding on June 29 through July 1, 2017.
PNPs located in Addison, Bennington, Caledonia,
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ATLANTA, Aug. 21 -- The Small Business Administration's Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that certain Private NonProfit organizations (PNP) in Vermont that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature may be eligible to apply for low-interest rate disaster loans. These loans are available following a Presidential disaster declaration for Public Assistance resulting from damages caused by the severe storms and flooding on June 29 through July 1, 2017.
PNPs located in Addison, Bennington, Caledonia,Orange, Rutland, Washington and Windsor counties in Vermont are eligible to apply. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.
PNP organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. The interest rate is 2.5 percent with terms up to 30 years. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase up to 20 percent of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage caused by a similar disaster.
The SBA also offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs, such as ongoing operating expenses to PNP organizations. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the organization suffered any physical property damage.
PNP organizations are urged to contact their county's Emergency Manager for information about their organization. The information will be submitted to FEMA to determine eligibility for a Public Assistance grant or whether the PNP should be referred to SBA for disaster loan assistance.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA's secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Disaster loan information and application forms may also be obtained by calling the SBA's Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 (800-877-8339 for the deaf and hard-of-hearing) or sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Loan applications can also be downloaded from http://www.sba.gov/disaster. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
The filing deadline to submit applications for physical property damage is Oct. 16, 2017. The deadline to submit economic injury applications is May 16, 2018.
New York Fed Introduces the New SCE Labor Market Survey
NEW YORK, Aug. 21 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of New York issued the following news release:
Today, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the first time released its Survey of Consumer Expectations (SCE) Labor Market Survey (https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/sce/labor#/) which provides information on individuals' experiences and expectations regarding the labor market. The results are being released as a standalone module that is a part of the broader SCE--similar to the existing modules, the SCE Housing Survey (https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/sce/housing.html#main) and the
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NEW YORK, Aug. 21 -- The Federal Reserve Bank of New York issued the following news release:
Today, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for the first time released its Survey of Consumer Expectations (SCE) Labor Market Survey (https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/sce/labor#/) which provides information on individuals' experiences and expectations regarding the labor market. The results are being released as a standalone module that is a part of the broader SCE--similar to the existing modules, the SCE Housing Survey (https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/sce/housing.html#main) and theSCE Credit Access Survey (https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/sce/credit-access). The SCE Labor Market Survey has been fielded every four months since March 2014 and is being introduced now because the module has enough historical data to reveal notable trends. Going forward, this survey will be released every four months, on the third Monday in August, December and April. The New York Fed also issued an accompanying blog post (http://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2017/08/just-released-introducing-the-sce-labor-market-survey.html) which provides a more information about the SCE Labor Market Survey.
Regarding consumer experiences, the July 2017 SCE Labor Market Survey shows an increase in the proportion of individuals who searched for a job, and a decline in the average full-time offer wage. Satisfaction reported by workers with promotion opportunities at their current jobs also declined. Turning to expectations, job transition expectations of those currently employed were unchanged. However, expectations regarding receiving job offers and the amount of average expected offer (conditional on receiving one) both declined. The average reservation wage--the lowest wage respondents would be willing to accept for a new job--declined to its lowest level since March 2015.
Experiences
* Among those who were employed four months ago, 89.8% were still with the same employer, similar to the proportion of 89.6% in the March survey. The rate of transitioning to a different employer declined from 4.3% in March to 3.8% in July, the lowest level since March 2014.
* The proportion of individuals who reported searching for a job in the past four weeks increased from 19.4% in March to 22.7%, a level above the average proportions in 2015 and 2016. While the increase was widespread across all demographic groups, it was most notable for younger households (those age 45 and less), for whom the proportion of job seekers shot up from 22.7% in March to 28.2%.
* 17.2% of the individuals reported receiving at least one job offer in the past four months, similar to the proportion this March. While the distribution of the number of offers was little changed from the previous survey, the average full-time offer wage received in the past four months declined from $58,880 in the March survey to $49,250.
* Satisfaction reported by respondents with nonwage benefits at their current jobs continued to edge up: 67.1% of the employed respondents reported being satisfied with the nonwage benefits at their jobs, up from 59.9% in July 2016 and 65.1% in March. This increase was mostly driven by younger, college-educated and female workers.
* On the other hand, satisfaction reported by respondents with promotion opportunities at their current jobs deteriorated: decreasing from 48.0% in March to 44.3%. The decline was most notable for lower-education workers (those without a college degree).
Expectations
* Expectations regarding job transitions over the next four months among those currently employed were largely unchanged, with the average expected likelihood of remaining with the current employer at 85.6%. This was slightly down from 86.1% in March.
* The average expected likelihood of receiving at least one job offer in the next four months declined from 24.9% in November 2016, to 22.5% this March, to 22.0%. This drop was primarily driven by males, for whom the average likelihood declined from 24.1% in March to 21.4%.
* Conditional on expecting an offer, the average expected annual salary of job offers in the next four months declined from $54,590 to $50,790. Although this was its lowest level in a year, it still remains above 2014 levels. This decline was broad-based across demographic groups.
* The average reservation wage--the lowest wage respondents would be willing to accept for a new job--declined from $59,660 in March to $57,960, its lowest level since March 2015. This series had been trending upwards during 2015 and 2016, but has declined since November 2016. While the average reservation wage declined for each demographic group, the drop was most pronounced for older (over age 45) and higher-income (household income of greater than $60,000) respondents.
* The average expected likelihood of working beyond age 62 declined from 52.8% in March to 52.3%, its lowest reading since the series' start in March 2014. The average expected likelihood of working beyond age 67, however, moved up slightly from 33.1% in March to 33.5%, but is still below the 2015-2016 average of 36.2%.
Detailed results are available here (https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/sce/labor#/).
About the SCE Labor Market Survey
The SCE Labor Market Survey, fielded as part of the SCE (Survey of Consumer Expectations), provides information on consumers' experiences and expectations regarding the labor market. Every four months, SCE panelists are asked details about their current (or most recent) job. Respondents are asked about job transitions, and about their job search effort and outcomes (number of job offers and offer wages), over the last four months. The currently employed are also asked about their level of satisfaction with wages, non-wage benefits, and their prospects for advancement at their current job. In addition, the survey elicits respondents' expectations about job transitions over the next four months. Respondents are asked about the likelihood of receiving at least one job offer over the next four months, the expected number of offers, and the expected wages for these offers. The survey also elicits the respondents' "reservation wage" and retirement expectations.
More information about the SCE survey goals, design, and content can be found here (https://www.newyorkfed.org/microeconomics/sce.html)
IMF, AMF, AFESD and Government of Morocco To Host Regional Conference: 'Opportunity for All--Promoting Growth, Jobs, and Inclusiveness in the Arab World'
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The International Monetary Fund issued the following news release:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development (AFESD) and Government of Morocco will co-host a high-level conference in Marrakesh, January 29-30, 2018, on promoting higher economic growth, job creation, and inclusiveness in the Arab World.
Opportunity for All: Promoting Growth, Jobs, and Inclusiveness in the Arab World will bring together high-level policy makers, corporate executives, academics, youth, media and civil society representatives
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The International Monetary Fund issued the following news release:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), Arab Monetary Fund (AMF), Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development (AFESD) and Government of Morocco will co-host a high-level conference in Marrakesh, January 29-30, 2018, on promoting higher economic growth, job creation, and inclusiveness in the Arab World.
Opportunity for All: Promoting Growth, Jobs, and Inclusiveness in the Arab World will bring together high-level policy makers, corporate executives, academics, youth, media and civil society representativesfrom countries in the Arab World and beyond to exchange their experiences, lessons and ideas on how to create millions of jobs by exploiting new sources and sectors of growth. Building on the 2014 Amman conference "Building the Future" which highlighted the need for growth to generate jobs and for its benefits to be shared more widely, the 2018 conference aims to move the dial on discussions on inclusive growth in the Arab World from endorsement to implementation.
Key topics to be discussed at the conference will include: how to scale-up opportunities for women and youth by promoting entrepreneurship and innovation; embracing transparency and technology to unlock the region's potential; and designing government policies that act as enablers of higher and more inclusive growth.
IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde, AFESD Director General Chairman of the Board Abdlatif Y. Al-Hamad, and AMF Director General Chairman of the Board Abdulrahman Al Hamidy will be among the conference speakers.
Attendance at the conference will be by invitation. The proceedings will be streamed live, and portions will be broadcast by regional and local broadcasters. As part of the conference, young people from around the region will be invited to participate in a youth contest on innovation in September 2017.
For additional information about the Opportunity for All conference please contact wamr@imf.org ; and relnagar@imf.org
EPA Spokesperson Issues Statement on New York Times Article on Chlorpyrifos
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following statement by spokesperson Amy Graham:
"Good Morning
"After a monumental mistake where the New York Times (http://usenvironmentalprotectionagency.cmail20.com/t/d-i-ulgjut-l-r/) was caught peddling false information, they're at it again.
"Last night, the New York Times' Eric Lipton and Roni Rabin reported on false facts about the EPA's decision not to ban the pesticide Chlorpyrifos and the decision to continue the review regarding the pesticide.
"Specifically speaking, they left out that the EPA's decision was upheld
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following statement by spokesperson Amy Graham:
"Good Morning
"After a monumental mistake where the New York Times (http://usenvironmentalprotectionagency.cmail20.com/t/d-i-ulgjut-l-r/) was caught peddling false information, they're at it again.
"Last night, the New York Times' Eric Lipton and Roni Rabin reported on false facts about the EPA's decision not to ban the pesticide Chlorpyrifos and the decision to continue the review regarding the pesticide.
"Specifically speaking, they left out that the EPA's decision was upheldby the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, which was not included in the story. Additionally, they took the drastic step of omitting words from the EPA's one-sentence statement in response to their story that reminded Americans that the USDA had scientific concerns about the decision from Obama's EPA.
"Given that the New York Times never lets the truth get in the way of a good story, below is our official statement that was provided to them, along with some inconvenient facts that their story left out.
"Taking emails out of context doesn't change the fact that we continue to examine the science surrounding chlorpyifos, while taking into account USDA's scientific concerns with methodology used by the previous administration."
* * *
BACKGROUND ...
San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court rejects greens' appeal of EPA decision not to ban pesticide. "A federal appeals court rejected a request from environmental groups to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision not to restrict the controversial pesticide chlorpyrifos." (The Hill (http://usenvironmentalprotectionagency.cmail20.com/t/d-i-ulgjut-l-y/), 07/18/17)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture supported Pruitt's action. "'This is a welcome decision grounded in evidence and science,' said Sheryl Kunickis, director of the Office of Pest Management Policy at USDA. 'It means that this important pest management tool will remain available to growers, helping to ensure an abundant and affordable food supply for this nation and the world. This frees American farmers from significant trade disruptions that could have been caused by an unnecessary, unilateral revocation of chlorpyrifos tolerances in the United States. It is also great news for consumers, who will continue to have access to a full range of both domestic and imported fruits and vegetables. We thank our colleagues at EPA for their hard work.'" (Food Safety News (http://usenvironmentalprotectionagency.cmail20.com/t/d-i-ulgjut-l-j/), 03/31/17)
National Association of State Departments of Agriculture also objected to Obama's EPA methodology. "Similarly, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture also objected to EPA's methodology. The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP) also expressed concerns with regard to EPA's previous reliance on certain data the agency had used to support its proposal to ban the pesticide." (Food Safety News (http://usenvironmentalprotectionagency.cmail20.com/t/d-i-ulgjut-l-t/), 03/31/17)
The Washington Post: New York Times guilty of large screw-up on climate-change story. "The New York Times on Wednesday appended a correction to a story about a climate change study: Correction: August 9, 2017 -- An article on Tuesday about a sweeping federal climate change report referred incorrectly to the availability of the report. While it was not widely publicized, the report was uploaded by the nonprofit Internet Archive in January; it was not first made public by The New York Times. That correction, which sits at the foot of the story, dutifully straightens out the record. Yet given the magnitude of the screw-up, it should sit atop the story, surrounded by red flashing lights and perhaps an audio track to instruct readers: Warning: This story once peddled a faulty and damaging premise." (The Washington Post (http://usenvironmentalprotectionagency.cmail20.com/t/d-i-ulgjut-l-i/), 08/09/17)
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EPA Announces $2.86 Million to Improve Tribal Lands in Arizona
SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $2.86 million in funding to nine Arizona tribes for environmental programs including drinking water infrastructure development, hazardous waste cleanups, air pollution control, water quality improvement and wetland protection.
The announcement was made at the EPA's Pacific Southwest Summer Regional Tribal Operations Committee meeting, hosted by the Hualapai Tribe in Peach Springs, Arizona.
"This funding will help support tribal employment, develop
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SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 21 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $2.86 million in funding to nine Arizona tribes for environmental programs including drinking water infrastructure development, hazardous waste cleanups, air pollution control, water quality improvement and wetland protection.
The announcement was made at the EPA's Pacific Southwest Summer Regional Tribal Operations Committee meeting, hosted by the Hualapai Tribe in Peach Springs, Arizona.
"This funding will help support tribal employment, developinfrastructure and conserve resources," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. "These vital grants have a huge impact in Indian County."
Arizona tribes will use $741,214 under EPA's Superfund program to help strengthen hazardous waste regulations and prevent contamination of tribal lands. Funds will also be used for site-specific brownfields assessments and cleanups that will pave the way for redevelopment.
Tribes will use $702,748 to support critical tribal environmental programs, including cleaning up open dumps, finishing small construction projects and raising public awareness about waste reduction and other pollution prevention strategies. A total of $640,200 will support tribes' efforts to reduce air pollution and diesel emissions.
An additional $412,582 will be used by the tribes for a wide variety of water quality projects including watershed protection and restoration, water and energy efficiency improvement, wastewater reclamation, and development of traditional municipal wastewater treatment systems including nonpoint source pollution controls. These funds also support drinking water infrastructure, plant operator training and technical assistance.
Examples of specific tribal environmental projects include:
* Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation received $16,680 to work with University of Arizona researchers to assess water quality, develop sustainable agriculture and enhance emergency preparedness.
* Gila River Indian Community is using $154,000 to replace older diesel school buses with newer models that reduce emissions and improve air quality for children.
* The Navajo Nation will utilize $368,100 for cleaning leaking underground tanks storing petroleum or hazardous substances, protecting vital groundwater resources.
The EPA's Pacific Southwest Region is home to 148 tribal nations and contains half of the nation's tribal lands.
For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/tribal/region-9-tribal-program
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Chairman Wicker Welcomes Czech Government Decision to Memorialize Lety Concentration Camp Site
WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe issued the following news release:
Following today's formal announcement that the Czech government intends to remove a pig farm on the site of the World War II concentration camp at Lety, Helsinki Commission Chairman Senator Roger Wicker issued the following statement:
"This achievement is the culmination of decades of work on the part of survivors, human rights groups, members of the Helsinki Commission, and others. It paves the way for a dignified and appropriate memorial for the thousands of men, women, and children
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 21 -- The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe issued the following news release:
Following today's formal announcement that the Czech government intends to remove a pig farm on the site of the World War II concentration camp at Lety, Helsinki Commission Chairman Senator Roger Wicker issued the following statement:
"This achievement is the culmination of decades of work on the part of survivors, human rights groups, members of the Helsinki Commission, and others. It paves the way for a dignified and appropriate memorial for the thousands of men, women, and childrenwho suffered and died there."
In 1940, during the Nazi occupation of the present-day Czech Republic, a forced labor camp for adult male prisoners opened at Lety. In 1942, Lety was converted into a concentration camp exclusively for Roma of any age. More than 1,300 prisoners were held at Lety, and at least 326 people perished in the camp, including 241 children. In 1943, 540 people were deported in two mass transports from Lety to the extermination camp at Auschwitz. Most were murdered there or in other concentration camps.
In 1973, the Czechoslovak communist government built an industrial pork processing farm on the site. After the fall of communism, the farm was privatized.
In 1994, the Helsinki Commission was made aware of the existence of a unique, surviving archive of original documents from the Lety camp and subsequently worked to secure the transfer of a complete copy of those archives to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). The first copies of the Lety archive were hand-delivered to the USHMM by then-Deputy Foreign Minister Martin Palous in January 1999; the final set of documents was delivered in March 2000.
In a statement at the time, then-Helsinki Commission Chairman Rep. Christopher H. Smith (NJ-04) said, "The long process of transferring these documents has ended; a new chapter of understanding the Romani Holocaust has begun."
