Top Stories

AISI Holds Environmental Briefing on Capitol Hill

AISI held an environmental briefing on Capitol Hill on April 24, highlighting the industry's efforts to reduce its environmental footprint through research projects at universities around the country. Speakers at the briefing included AISI Chairman-elect and Chairman of The Timken Company, Ward J. "Tim" Timken, keynote speaker Professor Donald R. Sadoway from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), AISI President and CEO Andrew G. Sharkey, III and AISI Vice President, Manufacturing and Technology, Lawrence Kavanagh.

The briefing served as an opportunity for the steel industry to gets its environmental message and achievements out to both Hill staffers and the media, while at the same time highlighting the research efforts that the industry is taking part in to continually improve upon its already impressive environmental performance.

"The industry has already reduced energy use per ton of steel shipped by 27 percent since the Kyoto baseline year of 1990, which also puts reduction by America's steel sector of greenhouse gas emissions far below Kyoto standards. We are not complacent, however," said Timken. "We are actively investing in research and new technologies to sustain significant progress."

Keynote speaker Professor Sadoway highlighted one such research project aimed at producing iron by molten oxide electrolysis (MOE), which would generate no CO2 gases. At the briefing, Sadoway cautioned that the research is only in the beginning phases, but what has been demonstrated thus far is encouraging.

"At the laboratory scale, production of liquid iron and oxygen gas by electrolysis of iron oxide has been demonstrated," said Sadoway. "This represents a significant first step towards carbon-free ironmaking by a technology that completely avoids emission of greenhouse gases from the smelter."

Iron, small amounts of carbon and various other alloys -- depending on the customer's requirements -- are used to make steel. Ironmaking is currently the most energy-intensive step in the steelmaking process.

The full briefing is available on AISI's Web site (www.steel.org) via streaming video. For more information, contact Nancy Gravatt.

AISI To Explore Climate Change Issue at 2007 General Meeting

The climate change debate has shifted from science to economics. With regulations aimed at reducing climate change looming on the horizon, the question becomes: What will be advanced at a policy level to achieve significant results while keeping domestic manufacturers globally competitive? AISI will explore all sides of this issue during a panel discussion at its 115th General Meeting, which will be held May 6-8 at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas in Henderson, Nevada. From clean energy, voluntary, technology-based solutions to cap & trade approaches, the issue is hot and getting hotter. AISI has invited a distinguished panel of experts to debate the Climate Change issue. Panelists include: Phil Sharp, president of Resources for the Future; Myron Ebell, director of energy and global warming policy at Competitive Enterprise Institute; and Kelly Mader, vice president of state government relations at Peabody Energy. The moderator for this panel will be Bill Heenan, president, Steel Recycling Institute (SRI).

The session, "Climate Change: Can Good Environmental Stewards Survive?," will take place from 9:00 - 10:15 am on Tuesday, May 8, in an AISI general session immediately following the AISI Chairman's Address and Recognition Breakfast (featuring newly installed AISI Chairman Ward J. (Tim) Timken, chairman of The Timken Company). AISI is holding its Annual Meeting in conjunction with the Metals Service Center Institute (MSCI) for the fourth year. AISI is opening this climate change session to attendees from both organizations-which have some overlapping members. MSCI is holding a concurrent general session for the MSCI Chairman's Address and its awards ceremony.

About the Panel: Phil Sharp became president of Resources for the Future (RFF) on September 1, 2005. His career in public service includes 10 terms as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana, and a lengthy tenure on the faculty of the John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Institute of Politics at Harvard University.

Founded in 1952 as an independent and nonpartisan research institution, RFF is the oldest Washington think tank devoted exclusively to policy analysis on energy, environmental, and natural resource issues. Sharp leads a research and administrative staff of more than 80 persons and oversees an institutional endowment of nearly $70 million.

Sharp was congressional chair of the National Commission on Energy Policy, a panel established by the Hewlett Foundation and other major foundations to make energy policy recommendations to the federal government. The commission issued its findings in a major report that has been widely recognized as a comprehensive roadmap for future energy policy, receiving considerable attention from Congress during the recent debate over the 2005 Energy Policy Act.

During his 20-year congressional tenure, Sharp took key leadership roles in the development of landmark energy legislation. He was a driving force behind the Energy Policy Act of 1992, which led to the restructuring of the wholesale electricity market, promoted renewable energy, established more rigorous energy-efficiency standards, and encouraged expanded use of alternative fuels. He also helped to develop a critical part of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, providing for a market-based emissions allowance trading system.

Sharp served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, where he chaired the Fossil and Synthetic Fuels Subcommittee from 1981 to 1987 and the Energy and Power Subcommittee from 1987 to 1995. He also was a member of the House Interior and Insular Affairs Committee, where he served on the Energy and Environment Subcommittee and the Water and Power Resources Subcommittee.

After leaving Congress, Sharp was a member of the National Research Council's Committee on Effectiveness and Impact of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards, which issued its report in 2001. He chaired the Secretary of Energy's Electric Systems Reliability Task Force, which issued its report in 1998.

Sharp serves on the board of directors of the Energy Foundation, is co-chair of the Energy Board of the Keystone Center, and is a member of the National Research Council's Board of Energy and Environmental Systems. He headed the advisory committee for a Massachusetts Institute of Technology study on the future of nuclear power and now heads the advisory committee of a second study on the future of coal.

Myron Ebell is director of energy and global warming policy at CEI. He also chairs the Cooler Heads Coalition, which comprises over two dozen non-profit groups in this country and abroad that question "global warming alarmism" and oppose energy rationing policies. Prior to coming to CEI, Ebell was policy director at Frontiers of Freedom, a public-policy advocacy organization founded by former US Senator Malcolm Wallop. While at Frontiers of Freedom, he worked on property rights, the Endangered Species Act, federal-lands policies, and global warming. Ebell has testified before six House and Senate committees.

Ebell has appeared as a guest on numerous television shows, including the NBC Nightly News, PBS News Hour, BBC's Newsnight, CNN, C-SPAN, CNBC, MSNBC's Hardball, Fox News' Special Report with Brit Hume, and O'Reilly Factor, and on national television networks in Australia, Canada, France, Belgium, Greece, Switzerland, and Germany. He has appeared frequently on a variety of BBC radio news shows and on hundreds of radio talk shows. In 2005 he participated in a BBC World Television debate on the Kyoto Protocol. Mr. Ebell's writings have appeared in a variety of publications, including USA Today, Washington Post, Human Events, London's Guardian and Environmental Law Forum.

Among numerous recognitions, Greenpeace featured Ebell and three of his CEI colleagues in "A Field Guide to Climate Criminals" distributed at the UN climate meeting in Montreal in December 2005. Rolling Stone magazine in its November 17, 2005 issue named Mr. Ebell one of six "Misleaders" on global warming in a special feature, along with President Bush, Senator James Inhofe, and Michael Crichton.

Kelly Mader is responsible for directing and coordinating statewide and regional legislative acitivities relating to coal production and coal utilization for Peabody Energy of St. Louis. Prior to his position as vice president for Peabody Energy, he was general manager for government affairs for Rio Tinto / Kennecott Energy Company for five years and a director of government and public affairs prior to that. He was a Wyoming State Senator from 1984 to 1991 and principal of a Denver-based policy consulting group for seven years.

Mader is private sector chairman for the American Legislative Exchange Council Natural Resources Task Force. He also served as chairman of the Western Business Roundtable Energy Committee and Co-Chairman of the National Mining Association Energy Policy Task Force.

Bill Heenan serves as the president of SRI, a business unit of AISI. He assumed the position in October 1990, following nearly two years of service as chairman of the board for the Institute. In this position, he oversees the activities of the organization, which conducts recycling infrastructure, legislative, marketing, education and public relations programs to promote and sustain steel recycling throughout the United States and Canada.

Prior to assuming this current position, Heenan was general manager, Tin Mill Products, for United States Steel Corporation, a position to which he was appointed in 1988. Heenan is a member of several organizations; is a lifetime board member of the National Recycling Coalition (NRC); is a board member of Keep America Beautiful, Inc.; and is the co-chairperson of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. At the 2004 National Recycling Coalition's Congress & Exposition in San Francisco, Heenan was named "Recycler of the Year."

The AISI 2007 General Meeting's general sessions will begin at 8:00 am on Monday, May 7, at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas, in Henderson, Nevada. For more information, contact Liz Vago.

Great Designs in Steel Seminar Draws Over 1000 Attendees
New Great Designs in Steel Automotive Excellence Award Presented

AISI's Great Designs in Steel Seminar once again drew standing-room-only attendance with 1,051 automotive engineers and designers, Tier One and Tier Two suppliers and academia at the March 7, 2007 event. OEMs represented included GM, Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Honda, BMW, Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, Mercedes and Porsche. The seminar featured 38 technical presentations and 20 exhibits.

During the seminar, AISI launched the Great Designs in Steel Automotive Excellence Award, which recognizes individuals or teams from automaker, supplier and academic ranks who have embraced innovation and made significant contributions in advancing the use of steel in the automotive marketplace. The product engineering and manufacturing team of the Pontiac Solstice was named as the first recipient. The Solstice was recognized for its innovative use of advanced high-strength steels at an affordable price.

Brian Aranha, vice president - commercial for Dofasco Inc. and chairman of AISI's Automotive Applications Committee, said: "The fact that General Motors Corporation utilized advanced high-strength steels for a stylish, affordable, low-volume vehicle clearly demonstrates how recent advances in material and processing technology enable steel to offer significant advantages in structural efficiency, quality and cost for new vehicle designs."

The Solstice uses several new steels and processing technologies, including sheet-hydroforming of outer body panels, to achieve Class A surface quality and eye-catching design at a lower cost than other materials. The Solstice roadster is the first vehicle to incorporate dual-phase steel - a predominant advanced high-strength steel grade - into its hydroformed structure, consisting of dual-phase 600 grade tubes. The vehicle's hydroformed tubular rails form the underbody structure extending from the front to the rear bumper and provide an efficient way of improving structural performance and stiffness. The hydroformed rails also significantly reduce the weight of the vehicle without incurring cost penalties.

The Saturn Sky and Opel GT also incorporate extensive use of advanced steels in their designs. For more information, visit www.autosteel.org or contact Deanna Lorincz.

AISI Applauds Passage of the Metals Initiative Reauthorization Bill

AISI applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 1126, which reauthorizes the Metals Initiative, a public-private cost-sharing research partnership to develop technologies in the metals industries. Originally authorized by the 100th Congress, these research projects aim to strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. industry, improve the environment and increase energy efficiency.

Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) introduced H.R. 1126, also known as the "Steel and Aluminum Energy Efficiency and Technology Competitiveness Act," in February with nine other Steel Caucus Member co-sponsors, including Vice-Chairman Rep. Phil English (R-PA), Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO), Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA), Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL), Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), Rep. Tim Holden (D-PA), Rep. Betty Sutton (D-OH) and Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-OH).

"This bill is a direct contributor to maintaining a strong U.S. manufacturing sector by delivering numerous new technologies to the factory floor. We thank Rep. Daniel Lipinski for his continued leadership on this important initiative," AISI President and CEO Andrew G. Sharkey, III, said.

AISI, with its member companies, has maintained a partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under the Metals Initiative, and its predecessor, the Steel Initiative, since 1987.

"The Metals Initiative programs have become so effective," said Sharkey, "that our success rate is outstanding—we've developed new ironmaking technologies, key process sensors and models and advanced, high-strength steels for lighter and safer cars."

H.R. 1126 not only supports steel related research, including CO₂ reduction technologies, but also maintains and advances U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.

"The steel industry, and other metals industries, are important parts of our national economy and they must remain innovative in order to stay competitive in the increasingly global economy," said Rep. Lipinski (D-IL).

This bill re-authorizes $12 million per year for five years to fund advanced metals research. Provisions in the bill create a "pay back" feature to repay the taxpayers investment in any technology developed that is put into use in industry or the marketplace. In addition, the bill prioritizes the development of technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, contact Matt Davison.

AISI Members Participate in FeMET and STEEL Scholarship Programs

The Ferrous Metallurgy Education Today (FeMET) and Steel Engineering Education Link (STEEL) Scholarship programs, both partnerships between AISI and the Association for Iron & Steel Technology Foundation (AIST Foundation), are in full swing for 2007. FeMET awards two-year scholarships and summer internships to students pursuing metallurgy and materials science degrees and STEEL awards two-year scholarships and summer internships to students in all other engineering disciplines.

"These programs are allowing the North American steel industry to cultivate the next generation of metallurgists," Andrew G. Sharkey, III, AISI president and CEO, said.

In 2007, AISI and AIST Foundation received the highest number of applications to date in the program. The Scholarship Committee now has FeMET and STEEL applications under review for students who will receive scholarships beginning in Fall 2007 and graduating in 2009.

"Word is getting out on campus about the opportunities in our industry and, hence, we're seeing more scholarship applications," said Larry Kavanagh, AISI vice president, Manufacturing and Technology.

AISI and AIST Foundation are grateful to those companies who have agreed to provide internships during Summer 2007 for the FeMET and STEEL scholars selected last year, which include: Deacero S.A. de C.V., Gallatin Steel Company, IPSCO Inc., Mittal Steel USA, Nucor Corporation, Severstal North America, United States Steel Corporation and USS-POSCO Industries. More and more AISI members are taking advantage of the scholarship programs to replenish or deepen their technical talent. For more information, contact Larry Kavanagh.

The Capitol Line

AISI Continues Support for Several Trade Bills on Capitol Hill…

Trade remains a major focus of the 110th Congress, with several House and Senate members crafting legislation to address trade reform, domestic competitiveness and foreign-currency misalignment. Most recently, Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL)* and Steel Caucus Vice-Chairman Rep. Phil English (R-PA)* introduced the "Non-Market Economy Trade Remedy Act" (H.R. 1229). This legislation, supported by both the domestic steel industry and labor, seeks to ensure that countervailing duty (CVD) law applies to imports from non-market economies (NMEs) such as the People's Republic of China. In addition, the bill requires Congressional approval for any determination by the Department of Commerce (DOC) to change a country's market economy status, and requires the International Trade Commission (ITC) to conduct a study regarding how China uses government intervention to promote investment and exports.

To view the joint steel industry/union letter of endorsement for H.R. 1229 please visit AISI's Public Policy Web site.

…And Maintains Opposition to "Knollenberg" Trade Law Weakening Legislation…

Also this past month, AISI continued its staunch opposition to legislation re-introduced by Rep. Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI), entitled the "American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act" (H.R. 1127). This bill would weaken U.S. trade law remedies and endanger domestic producers by making it easier for perennial trade law violators, such as China and Japan, to sell dumped and subsidized products in the U.S. In response, the Institute once again issued a "Steelgram" regarding the Knollenberg Bill and met with numerous Congressional offices to emphasize the disastrous impact this bill could have on the U.S. economy, member-company steel producers and domestic manufacturing in general. Such efforts seem to be paying off, as the bill - which collected 63 cosponsors in the 109th Congress - is off to a much slower start in the 110th Congress having collected only 6 cosponsors thus far.

To view AISI's memorandum opposing H.R.1127 please visit the Steelgrams section of the Public Policy Web site.

…While Closely Monitoring Congressional "Climate Change" Activity

Several bills have been introduced this Congress and many high-profile House and Senate hearings have been held to keep focus on the contentious issue of mandatory versus voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction strategies. Former Vice-President Al Gore, as well as Nucor Corporation's General Manager of Environmental Affairs, Steven J. Rowlan, participated in these hearings to discuss the dynamics of the issue. Meanwhile, Senate Environment & Public Work Committee Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer voiced her desire to pass comprehensive climate change legislation this session, while other key players, such as House Committee on Energy & Commerce Chairman Rep. John Dingell (D-MI)*, and Subcommittee on Energy & Air Quality Chairman Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA), expressed uncertainty about the prospects of passing stringent, and possibly economically-damaging, climate change legislation this year.

To view climate change bills introduced this Congress please visit AISI's Legislative Action Center.

* Denotes Steel Caucus Member

AISI Helps Coordinate Congressional Steel Caucus "China" Briefing

On March 8, in the U.S. Capitol Building, AISI helped organize an official Congressional Steel Caucus briefing to discuss the domestic steel industry's growing concern over China's excessive expansion and subsidization of its steel sector.

Caucus Chairman Rep. Peter Visclosky (D-IA)* and Vice-Chairman Rep. Phil English (R-PA)* hosted the event, which featured attendance by several Steel Caucus members, including Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA)*, Rep. Chris Carney (D-PA)*, Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL)*, Rep. Tim Murphy (R-PA)*, Rep. Tim Ryan (D-OH)* and Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-OH)*.

Dr. Peter Morici, Professor of International Business at the University of Maryland, moderated the discussion, and a panel of industry and labor leaders provided detailed presentations on the unprecedented explosion of Chinese steel production - fueled in part by subsidies and lax labor standards - that has helped increase shipment levels to the U.S. by over 200% in 2006. Participating on behalf of industry and labor was John P. Surma, president and CEO, United States Steel Corporation, Armand F. Lauzon, CEO, Wheatland Tube Company, L. Patrick Hassey, chairman, president and CEO, Allegheny Technologies and Thomas Conway, international vice president, United Steelworkers.

This well-attended event also received significant media coverage and was an excellent opportunity for industry leaders and trade experts to engage lawmakers on this important topic.

* Denotes Steel Caucus Member

Steel Industry Environmental Briefing Held on Capitol Hill

On April 24, in the Rayburn House Office Building (Room B-318), AISI held an environmental briefing for members and staff of the Congressional Steel Caucus, Select House and Senate Committees as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

This event was an opportunity for industry representatives and academic experts to highlight the North American steel industry's achievements in energy-efficiency improvements, emissions reductions and recycling. In addition, the briefing provided yet another opportunity for industry to demonstrate the effectiveness, and importance of federal funding for, collaborative research and development initiatives between the Department of Energy (DOE) and North American steel producers. Such funding has been steadily slashed over the last several years, leaving many beneficial steel industry R&D programs without adequate financial support. (See Top Stories, this isssue.)

For more information on this event please visit www.steel.org, or contact Maureen Iselin or Matt Davison.

* Denotes Steel Caucus Member

Check Out AISI's Public Policy Efforts on the Web

AISI's Public Policy Homepage

AISI's Legislative Action Center

National Journal's Policy Council - AISI Micro-Site Homepage

For more information on these websites, contact Matt Davison.

More Stories

Steel Framing to be Featured Once Again on ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"

The Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) has announced that cold-formed steel will be showcased once again on the April 29 episode of ABC's "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." The cold-formed steel will be used as the framing material for a house built for a deserving family of eight in Murfreesboro, AR.

RealSteel Homes of Rogers, AR., join forces with dozens of volunteers, Ty Pennington and the "Extreme Makeover" design team to build a high quality, sustainable home out of steel. RealSteel brought its entire 70-person building crew from Biloxi, MS, and worked around the clock from demolition to completion February 21-26 to get the job done.

RealSteel Homes was founded last year after SFA member Stoam Industries of Missouri teamed up in Purdy, MO, on "Extreme Makeover" with Arkansas-based architect and engineering firm PB2 Companies. They were tasked with building several new structures for Camp Barnabas, which provides a traditional camp experience for children with diseases and disabilities. The project was such a success that the "Extreme Makeover" team went to them for the April 29 episode.

According to Stoam's Russ Wright, the entire RealSteel team was excited to build a "stronger, safer and more energy-efficient" home out of steel for this hard-working family. Headquartered in Rogers, AR, RealSteel Homes has built 45 homes to date and is currently developing a community of homes in Vancleave, MS.

For more information, visit http://www.realsteelhomes.net/ or contact Larry Williams.

Appliance Recycling Leads the Way in Katrina Cleanup

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently released its final estimate of items that were recycled throughout the Greater New Orleans Area as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Leading the way in this recycling effort were appliances, with the data indicating that over 360,000 large household appliances were recycled during this cleanup.

"With this increased recovery of appliances, we anticipate that the appliance recycling rate will increase by one to two percent," said Bill Heenan, president, Steel Recycling Institute (SRI). "This means that virtually every appliance discarded makes its way to the recycling stream driven by its steel content."

The typical appliance consists of about 75 percent steel, which, like all steel, is recyclable. In 2005, the recycling rate for appliances was at 90 percent. SRI has committed resources and expertise to updating its Recycling Database in the Gulf Coast region so that businesses and consumers can easily find where to drop off their steel products for recycling.

The outcome of the recycling effort in the Greater New Orleans Area resulted in an additional 21,600 net tons of steel that entered the recycling stream, rather than the waste stream, through various shredders operating in the Louisiana/Mississippi geographic area. For more information, contact Bill Heenan.

CANdelight Dinner Parties Teaching Moms the Benefits of Canned Foods

Through its new CANdelight Dinner Parties, the Canned Food Alliance (CFA) is promoting the nutrition, convenience and versatility of cooking with canned food to a very important group of consumers—real moms. "Real moms" are women that are between 25-45 years old and are viewed as primary sources of information for their peers. The program concept helps hosts and party guests discover just how simple and quick meal planning can be with the right tools and ingredients.

Chicago was selected for the program's test market, as it is a large "mom market." Moms in the area are being asked to become dinnertime divas by hosting an at-home dinner party for their friends and family. Outreach has been conducted to local moms' groups, organizations and online communities in Chicago to disseminate information about the CFA, the nutritional aspects of canned food and the party opportunity.

The program is designed to leverage moms' social networks to generate buzz about, and peer-to-peer referrals of, canned food as a reliable meal option.

Those that participate will receive a toolkit that includes all of the information needed to host a party including recipes, shopping lists, pre-party preparation tips, canned foods, kitchen utensils, and a $50 gift card to offset the cost of other necessary ingredients.

Eight recipes were developed exclusively for CANdelight Dinner Parties hosts by renowned chef Andrew Schloss. Hosts and guests will take multiple nutritious and delicious meal plans—made with canned fruits, vegetables and meats—home to their families.

The program has been developed with components to help track the number of participating moms, changes in moms' perception of canned food and retail sales. Moms and guests will be asked to complete pre- and post-party perception surveys/questionnaires and unique click-throughs to the Mealtime.org Web site will be tracked. For more information, contact Rich Tavoletti.

Rebuilding the Gulf Coast through Hands-on Training Programs

The rebuilding effort in the Gulf Coast Region following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita continues to be a monumental undertaking. The steel industry is assisting with the rebuilding effort by implementing long-term strategies to positively impact future construction practices. One key component of this effort has been training the local workforce.

Using a long-term grassroots level approach, the Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) and the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) have partnered with local community colleges in the region to offer training programs in steel framing and roofing. These programs are an opportunity for people in the service area to receive skilled training that will lead to employment in their own communities.

These training programs are focused on supporting large and influential builders as they convert from traditional construction materials to steel framing, and reach a broad spectrum of trades and professions, including building inspectors, insurance agents and brokers, framers and general contractors and design professionals.

Beginning November 2006, SFA is offering a training program at Nunez Community College in Chalmette, Louisiana. The response to this program has been exceptional. The third course is now in session with 42 students registered for the program. The five-week program offers on-site training as well as placement assistance for graduates.

In February 2007, MRA, in partnership with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, launched a training program to increase the number of trained installers ready to work in the region. Participants in the program learn about the four types of metal roofing, installation procedures, proper usage of tools and flashing techniques. A 10-hour OSHA safety training is also offered. Training is hands-on with tools and materials provided. Upon completion, graduates are provided the opportunity to participate in a job fair with roofing contractors.

The training programs not only offer an opportunity for the local workforce to enhance their skills but also play a crucial role in the rebuilding process and help achieve a key objective of the Gulf Coast Steel Initiative (GCSI): to bring a superior level of construction practices to the region by rebuilding with steel. For more information, contact Larry Williams.

AISI and AASHTO Name 2007 Richard S. Fountain Award Winner

AISI's Steel Bridge Task Force and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Technical Committee for Structural Steel Design have named Donald W. White, Ph.D., Professor of Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Materials at the Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), as the winner of the 2007 Richard S. Fountain Award. The award is named for the founder of the AISI Steel Bridge Task Force.

The Richard S. Fountain Award is presented annually to recognize leadership in steel bridge research and outstanding efforts to advance AASHTO specifications. Dr. White received the award at a recent meeting of the AISI Steel Bridge Task Force.

"We are pleased to present this award to Don for his many contributions to our industry through structural research, technical guidance and design code development," said Alex Wilson, manager of customer technical services for Mittal Steel USA and chairman of AISI's Steel Bridge Task Force. "His efforts have moved steel bridge design to the next level, making it easier for bridge designers and engineers to use steel in upcoming projects."

Dr. White was cited for his landmark contribution to the introduction of the 'unified approach' to the design of steel highway bridges. The new approach will simplify the design of curved and straight steel girder bridges and lead to more cost-effective steel designs.

AISI's Steel Bridge Task Force was formed more than 40 years ago to coordinate research that establishes safe, cost-effective steel bridges and to implement these developments into steel bridge design codes, specifically the AASHTO design codes. Its members include steel producers, steel fabricators, the AASHTO Technical Committee for Structural Steel Design, university faculty and consultants and representatives from the Federal Highway Administration and National Steel Bridge Alliance. For more information, contact Dan Snyder.

New Study Confirms Canned, Fresh and Frozen Fruits and Vegetables All Provide Nutrients Essential for a Healthy Diet

A Canned Food Alliance (CFA) funded study from the University of California - Davis (UC-D) about the dietary benefits of canned foods has recently been published in the Journal of Science of Food and Agriculture. The study confirms that canned, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables provide nutrients needed for a healthy diet, and that exclusively consuming fresh fruits and vegetables ignores the nutritional benefits provided by canned products.

"Common perceptions include the notion that fresh is always best," says Christine M. Bruhn, Ph.D., Department of Food Science and Technology, UC-D. "This study shows us, however, that eating a variety of fruits and vegetables in all forms are important to a healthy diet."

The research shows that canned foods are an important part of a person's diet when it comes to getting more nutrients, variety and taste satisfaction. Research also shows that how much a fruit and vegetable can contribute nutritionally to a diet depends on its processing method. For example, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables can all lose nutrients during processing and storage as a result of exposure to heat and air. When it comes to canned foods, however, there appears to be a higher nutrient content, such as increased carotenoids in canned vegetables and the increased bioavailability of lycopene in canned tomatoes, due to the heat used in the canning process.

The UC-D study reviewed recent published research on the nutritional comparisons of canned, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

"This research validates our mission to educate consumers that canned foods are healthy and bring necessary nutrients to the table," said Rich Tavoletti, director, CFA. "Canned food makes healthful eating easy and accessible for everyone, everywhere."

The CFA's primary mission is to serve as a resource for information on the nutrition, convenience, contemporary appeal and versatility of canned food. For more information, visit www.mealtime.org or contact Rich Tavoletti.

AISI Project to Help Enhance Pickle Lines

One of AISI's latest environmentally-friendly projects, "Enhancement of By-Product Materials for Steel Pickling Acid Regeneration Plants," is developing a new technologym, which will eliminate the production of the old, low-demand iron oxide by-product. Instead, it will create strontium hexaferrite, which is the principal and highly sought feedstock material currently used to manufacture magnets.

Presently, modern pickle lines employ pickle acid regeneration plants to "regenerate" the pickling acid ["pickling liquor"] for reuse. A by-product, iron oxide powder, has both a poor demand and low commercial value, thereby requiring stockpiling or landfilling.

The new technology will help to yield energy savings and also provide appreciable environmental benefits, both in oxide waste disposal avoidance and through emission reductions gained over current methods utilized to produce magnetic ferrite feedstocks.

"This project is an example of steel companies and steel suppliers developing technologies to improve the environment," said Larry Kavanagh, AISI vice president, Manufacturing and Technology.

The project, being conducted in Ohio by AISI Associate Member Company, Bailey PVS Oxides, LLC [Canonsburg, PA] and Chemical Products Corporation [Cartersville, GA] entails an innovative process that will combine and simplify existing production steps. Process enhancements and equipment additions to an existing acid regeneration plant will increase manufacturing efficiency, while producing regenerated pickling acid for use in the steel plant and producing strontium hexaferrite powder for sale. The main benefits include:

• Provides an outlet for excess iron oxide resulting from the steel picking acid regeneration process, without landfilling.
• Energy savings from new process efficiencies.
• Completes recycling of iron-bearing by-products from the pickle acid regeneration process.

For more information, contact Larry Kavanagh.

Steel Recycling Making Landfills Last Longer

Operators of the city of Honolulu's landfill will begin a two-month pilot project to recover steel from the waste stream as part of the city's efforts to expand recycling and stretch the life of the landfill.

The 60-day project began the first week of April. Waste Management Hawaii, which operates the city landfill under contract, will use an electromagnet to remove steel from the incoming solid waste. The metal will be shipped to a Schnitzer Steel facility in the city for recycling.

"If this pilot project works the way we expect, this will become a permanent program," said Mayor Mufi Hannemann. "Not only will it save rapidly dwindling space in our only municipal landfill, but it will also improve our efforts to move Oahu toward the 21st Century Ahupua`a concept of sustainability. We will be recovering discarded steel for recycling, rather than simply burying it."

After the 60-day pilot project ends, Waste Management Hawaii and the City Department of Environmental Services will evaluate the results.

"Honolulu is somewhat following the lead of New York City, which now has expanded its curbside program to include light steel items such as irons, coat hangars, toaster ovens, etc." said Bill Heenan, president, Steel Recycling Institute.

Through increased awareness, recycling rates for steel products in general continue to grow. More than 250 million Americans have convenient access to steel can recycling; there are more than 11,000 appliance recycling locations throughout the U.S.; and more than 12,000 auto dismantlers and shredders currently recycle old cars. For more information, contact Bill Heenan.