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EnviroPolitics
 A daily compendium of environmental and political news for New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York
 

              Enviro-Business News…      
Who's coming and going, expanding and folding in environmental professions,
businesses, industries and associations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and beyond
 

                  EPA oil spill prevention, control, and countermeasure rule gains new amendments New
amendments to the SPCC rule will clarify regulatory requirements, tailor requirements to particular
industry sectors, and streamline certain requirements for facility owners or operators subject to the
rule.  With these changes, EPA expects to encourage greater compliance with the SPCC regulations,
thus resulting in increased protection of human health and the environment. Information about the
SPCC Rule can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill. 11/20/08 

PA, NJ. among least competitive states, think tank says Pennsylvania and New Jersey are
among the least competitive states in the country when it comes to attracting and keeping businesses, according to a report released Wednesday. The eighth annual competitiveness report from the Beacon
Hill Institute, a free-market think tank based at Suffolk University in Boston, ranked Pennsylvania 39th
out of the 50 U.S. states and New Jersey 42nd. Delaware was ranked 19th. Massachusetts came in
at the top of the list, while Mississippi was 50th. Researchers preparing the study looked at areas
such as security, government and fiscal policy, environmental policy, human resources, technology
and “business incubation.” Pennsylvania ranked near the middle or bottom in most areas, but fared
well in the technology category, which included such factors as academic research and development,
and National Institutes of Health support. New Jersey’s strengths, according to the report, included
percentage of high tech jobs, venture capital foreign investment. It ranked last in carbon emissions
per 1,000 square miles and state and local taxes, and near the bottom in housing costs and electricity
prices. Delaware ranked first in business incubation and bank deposits per capita, and near the top
in scientists and engineers as a percentage of the labor force. It got low grades for carbon emissions
per 1,000 square miles (46th) and air quality index (49th). A separate report says the region's states
are among the best at transitioning to the New Economy Philadelphia Business Journal 11/20/08
 

2009 Rutgers Environmental Steward Program Are you concerned about the environment? Would you like to improve the environment in your community but can't find a meaningful way to do that? Consider joining the Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension's Environmental Steward training. This training is currently being offered in Atlantic, Essex, Somerset and Burlington counties, from January to June in 2009. The curriculum of the Environmental Steward Training is designed to introduce non-scientists to the science underlying key environmental issues in the Garden State. Leading authorities from academia are joined by colleagues from government and the non-profit sector to share understanding and insights with the students. The Environmental Steward Training is based on the existing model of the award-winning Master Gardener Program. Similarly to the Master Gardener Program, students must pledge to intern for 60 hours of volunteer service following the completion of the lecture portion of the course. Upon completion of the training and internship, certificates will be awarded to the students designating them Certified Rutgers Environmental Stewards. Recruitment has begun for the Rutgers Environmental Steward Class of 2009. To learn
how you can become a Rutgers Environmental Steward contact the appropriate coordinator for your region. Essex/Metro: Training Location: Essex County Environmental Center, Roseland, NJ Normal Class Time: Thursdays, January to May, 2008; 10:30 to 2:00 pm. Cost: $250 Contact: Jan Zientek, Zientek@rce.rutgers.edu , Program Coordinator, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Essex County,
621-A Eagle Rock Ave., Roseland, NJ 07068, (973) 228-2210 Central/Duke: Training Location: Duke Farms, Hillsborough, NJ Normal Class Time: Tuesdays, January to May, 2008; 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Cost: $325 Contact: Rosalie Kelly, rkelly@ddcf.org , Duke Farms Foundation, 80 Route 206, Hillsborough, New Jersey 08844 (908) 243-3606. Delaware Region: Training Location: Rutgers EcoComplex, Columbus, NJ Normal Class Time: Fridays, January to May, 2008; 9:30 am to 12:30pm. Cost: $250 Contact: Laurie Magee, lmagee@aesop.rutgers.edu , Rutgers EcoComplex, 1200 Florence-Columbus Rd., Bordentown, New Jersey 08505-4200, (609) 499-3600 ext 221. Coastal Region: Training Location: Atlantic County Utility Authority, 6700 Delilah Road , Egg Harbor Twp NJ Normal Class Time: Wednesdays, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. Cost: $250 Contact: Amy Menzel,  amenzel@acua.com , PO Box 996 Pleasantville, NJ 08232, 609.272.6950 ext 6934. More information including application forms and the current schedule for lectures can be found on here. 11/20/08

Aluminum Association announces new leadership The Aluminum Association continues its
75^th year celebration by announcing new leadership changes within its Associate Member Committee.  The Association has announced new Associate Member Committee Chairman, David Pownall and
Vice Chairman, Jeff Lawrence. Pownall is Sales Director of J. McIntyre Machinery Limited based in Nottingham, United Kingdom.  The international company specializes in manufacturing TARDIS Dross Press and Cooling System for the processing of hot aluminum dross. Lawrence is the North America Sales Manager for Houghton International Inc., based in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.  The company specializes in the production of superbly engineered lubricants for the metalworking and primary
metals industries. Associate Membership plays a vital role in The Aluminum Association.  Associate Members include any organization or entity that is a supplier of goods or services to the North American aluminum industry. The Aluminum Association, based in Arlington, Virginia, works globally to aggressively promote aluminum as the most sustainable and recyclable automotive, packaging and construction material in today’s market. The Association represents U.S. and foreign-based primary producers of aluminum, aluminum recyclers and producers of fabricated products, as well as industry suppliers. Member companies operate more than 200 plants in the United States, with many conducting business worldwide. 11/20/08  

Aluminum industry sets new 75% recycling goal The Aluminum Association today announced an industry wide effort to increase the industry’s recycling rate for used aluminum beverage containers
to 75% by 2015.  Today, the aluminum industry recovers approximately 54% of the aluminum containers produced in the U.S.  While aluminum cans are already the most widely recycled beverage container in the country, each year Americans still discard over 50 billion aluminum cans which end
up in landfills. The association notes that every can that is recovered is turned back into a new beverage can, saving energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing the use of
natural resources. According to the association, rising the recycling rate of aluminum cans to 75% would: result in an energy savings of 139.7 million MBTUs in avoided energy, and result in the avoidance of nearly 9 million tons of greenhouse gases, which is equivalent to removing more than
1.6 million cars from the road over a year 11/20/2008

Conservation Resources announces small grant awards for NJ conservation projects Conservation Resources Inc. (CRI) announced its third annual Franklin Parker Small Grants awards to non-profit conservation organizations, with 2008 grant awards totaling $85,000. "This grant program continues to illustrate how relatively small amounts of money can make a big difference for conservation." said Michael Catania, President of Conservation Resources Inc., headquartered in Chester, NJ.
CRI’s Small Grants program provides seed money to non-profits for the initiation of land preservation projects, to help cover certain costs which are not otherwise reimbursed by other existing grant programs, and to provide matching funds to support non-profit land stewardship and ecological restoration projects. Funding for these small grants has been provided to CRI by the William Penn Foundation, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Victoria Foundation, the Tiffany & Co. Foundation, the Mary Reinhart Stackhouse Foundation, as well as by individual donors. The 28 different projects funded in the 2008 Franklin Parker Small Grants Program include 7 land preservation projects, 14 ecological restoration projects, and 9 other capital conservation projects located throughout the Garden State. "We continue to be impressed and heartened by the amount of conservation work being conducted by small and medium-sized non-profit organizations in New Jersey. We are happy that we are able to provide some critical resources for these projects" said Catania.  Conservation Resources Inc (CRI) is a statewide non-profit conservation finance intermediary. The mission of CRI is to increase the capacity, expertise and technical and financial resources available to private and public conservation organizations in order to maximize the preservation of open space and farmland in the Garden State. 11/19/08

LEED for Neighborhood Development 2009 open for public comment USGBC is pleased
to invite the public to comment on the LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System, which integrates the principles of smart growth, new urbanism and green building into the first national system for neighborhood design. The program is a collaborative effort between USGBC, the
Congress for the New Urbanism, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. This rating system is built upon the LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot Rating System, which nearly 240 projects have been using since July 2007 as part of a successful pilot program. Eighteen projects have been certified. Their invaluable feedback, combined with countless hours of USGBC volunteer time, has produced a more sophisticated, market-responsive rating system. Any member of the public may submit comments. To view the rating system draft and comment, please go the LEED Rating System Drafts webpage. The public comment period will be open from November 17th through January 5, 2009 at 11:59 PST. For more information about the LEED for Neighborhood Development program please visit the U.S. Green Building Council 11/19/08

Finch Paper lays off 44 employees Finch Paper LLC, a paper mill in Glens Falls, has laid off
44 workers over the past two weeks in response to a souring economy. Finch Paper, which makes papers used for direct mailing, marketing and catalogs, now employs 800 full-time workers at its Glens Falls, NY headquarters. Customers of the privately held company have decreased orders, leading the company to cut production and staff, said company spokesman John Brodt Jr. "Most definitely, this is market driven,” Brodt said. “There’s a slump in paper demand across the country, and we’re
certainly not immune from that.” Brodt described the layoffs as temporary, and added that further cuts, or hires, would be based on the rise and fall of orders The Business Review 11/19/08

Sunoco Logistics buys MagTex pipeline system Sunoco Logistics Partners LP said Tuesday it has completed its acquisition of the MagTex refined products pipeline system from affiliates of Exxon Mobil Corp. The Philadelphia-based partnership agreed to pay $175M for the system, which is in Texas, in April. Sunoco Logistics said the terms of the original purchase agreements were amended to provide for potential adjustments, based on the volume of products the system actually handles, to the purchase price, the rate it charges pipeline users, and commitments made by Exxon Mobil to transporting its products through the pipeline. Philadelphia Business Journal 11/19/08  

NRG Energy’s President urges Congress to enact climate legislation mow David Crane, President and CEO of Princeton, NJ-based NRG Energy, Inc. today joined some other members of the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) in Washington, DC, to urge federal support for cap-and-trade legislation. “Over the past 100 years, American capitalism has been the most powerful, creative and dynamic force on earth. That force now needs to be channeled to confront climate change which, in turn, requires government action in a language that American business understands,” said Crane. “That language is price. Without a price on carbon, carbon abatement will not happen.” According to Crane, the United States is at a very sensitive point. “America’s entrepreneurs currently lead the world in developing and innovating carbon abatement products and processes, but this
work has been done in anticipation of climate legislation. Actual demonstration, at scale,
of the best of these technological innovations—and deployment en masse—depends upon actual climate legislation,” he explained. Through large-scale demonstration projects and its own deployment of key low-carbon technologies, NRG is working to bring leadership and commercial success to the United States. In 2007, the Company became the first in nearly 30 years to file for a license to build new nuclear generation in the United States, at its South Texas Project location. Earlier this year, NRG formed Nuclear Innovation North America, a partnership with Toshiba, focused on developing, financing and investing in new advanced design nuclear projects in select markets across North America. In addition to the Company’s nuclear efforts, NRG continues to focus on developing and deploying other low-carbon technologies, such as gasification and carbon capture and sequestration,
to utilize vast resources of coal in an environmentally responsible way. Additionally, the Company has pursued multiple wind power investments including a 50% interest in a wind farm completed in October, and a second, wholly owned, wind project which is expected to be online by year end.
Crane believes these kinds of actions, even at a hundred companies, are not enough – and will soon fade in the absence of federal action. NRG 11/18/08

New EPA rule designed to improve environmental performance of academic labs EPA has finalized the Academic Laboratory rule to help improve the environmental performance of teaching and research laboratories owned by eligible academic entities.  This agency says the rule provides increased regulatory flexibility, while enhancing safe management of hazardous waste.  Eligible academic entities include colleges and universities, and teaching hospitals and nonprofit research institutes that are either owned by or formally affiliated with a college or university EPA  11/18/08  

New Jersey Resources Q4 profit surges; raises dividend New Jersey Resources Corp. reported a surge in its fourth-quarter net income, helped by unrealized gain on derivative instruments.
In addition, the company raised its quarterly dividend by 10.7% and provided fiscal 2009 guidance.
New Jersey's fourth-quarter net income surged to $78.78M or $1.86 per share from $2.5M or $0.06 per share in the prior year. The recent-quarter results included an unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net of taxes, of $87.31M, compared to $18.94M a year ago. RTT News 11/13/08

Environmental Liability Management, Inc opens new office in Pennsylvania Princeton, NJ-based Environmental Liability Management, Inc (ELM) announces it has opened a new office in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park IV at 2475 Baglyos Circle, Bethlehem, Pa. 18020.  The office will act as a base of operations in the area for ELM, including it’s operating division Environmental Planning Consultants (EPC). Joseph R. Fallon, ELM's president, said: “It was important for us to establish a presence in the Lehigh Valley as we see the area as one of rapid growth, including redevelopment of older industrial properties”. He added that “Given the hard economic times, we also see clients looking for more cost effective solutions to environmental concerns, so ELM services are in greater demand.” ELM is an award winning environmental engineering, consulting and risk management firm that specializes in conducting environmental due diligence, site investigations and remediation, along with Brownfields redevelopment, and project management services for complex environmental issues associated with hazardous substance discharges.  The firm also provides permitting and compliance/monitoring services for ongoing industrial and commercial operations.  ELM currently employs a staff of 60 and is headquartered in Princeton New Jersey, with offices in New York City, Boonton NJ, Holicong PA and the new office location in Bethlehem PA.  The company maintains an operating division doing business as Environmental Planning Consultants (EPC) for natural resource inventories, land use management and planning, ecological assessments and project permitting. 11/12/08

Exelon Launches Exchange Offer For NRG Energy; Expires Jan. 6 Exelon Corp. went directly to NRG Energy Inc. shareholders Wednesday in its bid for the power generator, starting a share exchange offer that will expire in January. Chicago-based Exelon said Tuesday it would go to shareholders on its $6.2 billion unsolicited offer, which the Princeton, N.J., company rejected on Sunday. Exelon also is suing NRG and its directors, alleging they didn't give due consideration to the bid. Exelon said the exchange offer will expire at 5 p.m. EST on Jan. 6, 2009. CNN Money 11/12/08

New Jersey environmental consultant helps businesses see green In more ways than one, Wayne DeFeo is sorting through the mess. As the founder and principal of DeFeo Associates, an environmental consulting group, DeFeo helps government officials, private companies and the public cut through intricate laws as his clients strive for energy efficiency, better recycling programs or similar earth-friendly efforts. "I try
to take complex items, regulations in this case, and make them come across in such a way that you can understand them," DeFeo said in
a recent interview. With degrees in biology and environmental studies, a teaching license and more than 25 years of experience in the field, DeFeo has experienced environmental issues from all sides. He's served as Somerset County's recycling coordinator, the deputy director of solid waste for the state Board of
Public Utilities and a regional manager for the National Solid Wastes Management Association, among other high-ranking positions. Since going
solo in 1995, DeFeo has used his skills and connections to build a network of affiliates - engineers, public relations specialists, public works experts - who help him complete the work he can't finish himself. "If I don't exactly know the details, I know someone who does," said DeFeo, 50. "And the
trick is to retain the people I need to retain." In addition to promoting a stable of willing professionals, DeFeo also markets his company as one that understands the delicate balance of going green and
still seeing green from investments. DeFeo said corporations, especially large ones, can run the risk
of being sued if their emissions are disproportionately high or jeopardize public health. Therefore, he
said businesses are scrambling to offset that potential risk. Click for more  11/7/08

Ocean Power Technologies wins new $3 million contract from US Navy Pennington, NJ-based Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) will participate in the second phase of the Navy's Deep
Water Active Detection Systems program, which is designed to utilize sophisticated data gathering and communications systems. The advanced technology program has prospective applications using multiple PowerBuoys for homeland security including powering sensor networks over wide areas of
the ocean. Under the first phase of the program, as announced on October 16, 2008, OPT deployed
an initial test design of its autonomous PowerBuoy 75 miles off the coast of New Jersey. This first phase ocean test provided power generation data that validated OPT's power predictions for the system. The new contract provides for ocean testing by the Navy of an advanced version of the autonomous PowerBuoy for the Navy's operational requirements. In addition, OPT will support the Navy's ocean test procedures in the areas of mooring design, at-sea operations and deployment Market Watch 11/05/08

Flaster/Greenberg Named “Go To Law Firm” For the second year, Flaster/Greenberg has
been selected as a "Go To Law Firm®" by Corporate Counsel® magazine.  Nominated by its client
Toll Brothers for Litigation, Flaster/Greenberg shareholders Carl Bisgaier, of Haddonfield, NJ and
James Kozachek, of Columbus, NJ,  members of the Construction and Real Estate Practice Groups, serve as counsel to the Fortune 500 home builder. Fewer than half of one percent of all firms in the U.S. and abroad are recognized with this honor. In coordination with Incisive media, Fortune 500 General Counsel identified “Go To Law Firms” in various practice areas based on research conducted by Incisive Media. Researchers asked in-house counsel at Fortune 500 companies throughout the country to identify which outside law firms they turn to for assistance. Incisive Media’s research department also gathered data on these law firms from various public records resources including
court dockets and securities filings, as well as legal and business publications. A multi-disciplinary regional business law firm of 70 attorneys practicing in 23 areas of law, Flaster/Greenberg has offices in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.  For over 35 years, the firm has represented a diverse business clientele, including publicly and privately held companies in areas ranging from
manufacturing and high technology to real estate and service industries. 11/4/08  

PPL Corporation reports third-quarter 2008 earnings PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) on Tuesday (11/4) reported declines in both third-quarter and nine-month earnings for 2008, compared
with the same periods of 2007. Contributing to the declines were lower wholesale electricity margins, partially offset by improved earnings from PPL’s electricity delivery business in the United Kingdom. PPL’s reported earnings in the most recent quarter were $0.54 per share, compared with $0.84 per share a year ago. For the first nine months of 2008, PPL’s reported earnings were $1.73 per share, compared with $2.25 per share a year ago.  Third-quarter earnings from ongoing operations also declined, to $0.45 per share, compared with $0.72 per share a year ago. For the first nine months of 2008, earnings from ongoing operations were $1.56 per share, compared with $2.00 per share a year ago. “While our quarterly results have been affected by a significant drop in wholesale energy margins, PPL’s underlying fundamentals remain very strong,” said James H. Miller, PPL’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We are confident that our strategy of focusing on the efficient operation of our high quality generating assets and the marketing of the output from these assets, combined with effective operation of our regulated electricity delivery systems, will continue to provide significant
long-term value for our shareowners. PPL news release 11/4/08

Ocean Power looks to hire a new wave of employees Ocean Power Technologies Inc. is hiring. George Taylor, chief executive officer of the Pennington-based maker of high-tech buoys that convert wave energy into electricity, says the publicly held company will grow by 40 percent, to 70 employees, during the next 12 months. The hiring spree comes on the heels of the federal government expanding its Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit to sellers of electricity generated by wave, tidal, current and ocean thermal energy. NJBIZ spoke with Taylor about how much the electricity costs, what a PowerBuoy is and where waves fit into the renewable energy picture. Click for NJBIZ interview 11/4/08

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VeraSun Energy files for Chapter 11 protection One of the nation's largest ethanol producers
is filing for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code after facing liquidity problems. VeraSun Energy Corp., of Sioux Falls, S.D., has 16 facilities in eight states that are scheduled to have annual capacity of 1.64 billion gallons of ethanol by the end of this year. The company said it suffered significant losses during the third quarter due to a "dramatic spike" in corn costs. The company also cited worsening capital market conditions and tightening of credit as factors. The company said it intends to continue operating. "The filing allows VeraSun to address its short-term liquidity constraints as we navigate historically challenging market conditions while we focus on restructuring to address the company's long-term future," CEO Don Endres said. Waste News 11/4/08
>VeraSun to borrow $40 million to continue operations 11/4/08

ISRI adopts voluntary practices into certification program The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries has adopted voluntary operational practices for electronics recycling into its Recycling Industry Operating Standard certification program. The U.S. EPA led a multi-stakeholder effort over two years to develop the voluntary electronics standards. The group included representatives from federal and state governments, recyclers, electronics manufacturers and trade associations. RIOS is an integrated management system standard that ISRI adopted for recycling operations. The electronics component is known as the Responsible Recycling Practices for Use in Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclers -- which is also known by the shorter name R2. Details are available online at www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/r2practices.htm 11/4/08

Partnership for the Delaware Estuary names finance director Donald E. (Gus) Wolfe has been hired as the first-ever director of finance and operations at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary (PDE), a National Estuary Program.  In this role he is responsible for accounting and grant reporting at the tri-state nonprofit, as well
as office and employee benefit administration. Wolfe has over 30 years of experience working for private and government organizations.  Before coming
to the PDE, he was controller for a local architecture firm.  He has also held several accounting and management positions at the Delaware River and Bay Authority during his career. Wolfe received his bachelor’s degree in accounting and his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Delaware in 1976 and 1986 respectively.  Today he and his wife live in Newark, Delaware, near his alma mater.  In his free time he serves as a swim coach, a role that currently has him coaching athletes who are vying to compete in the Delaware Senior Olympics. The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, a National Estuary Program based in Wilmington, leads collaborative and creative efforts to protect and enhance the Delaware Estuary, and its tributaries, for current and future generations. 11/3/08

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PSEG announces third quarter 2008 earnings Public Service Enterprise Group  reported income from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2008 of $476 million or $0.94 per share compared to income from continuing operations during the third quarter of 2007 of $490 million or $0.96 per share. Operating earnings in the third quarter of 2008 were equivalent to income from continuing operations.  Excluding a $7.0 million impairment of the company’s investment in Turboven, operating earnings in
the third quarter of 2007 were $497 million or $0.97 per share.  Predominantly due to a gain on the
sale of SAESA of $187 million, which was sold in July 2008, income from discontinued operations amounted to $180 million or $0.35 per share during the 2008 third quarter bringing net income for the period to $656 million or $1.29 per share.  By comparison, in the third quarter of 2007, income from discontinued operations raised net income by $16 million or $0.03 per share to $506 million, or $0.99 per share. Ralph Izzo, chairman, president and chief executive officer of PSEG, said “Although the economy is experiencing unprecedented turbulence, the focus and dedication of PSEG’s employees
to operational excellence continues to provide the solid foundation that allowed us to report very strong earnings for the first nine months of the year, and comfortably supports our 2008 earnings guidance of $2.80-$3.05 per share.” PSEG news release 10/31/08

American Water subsidiary buys central PA system Pennsylvania American Water said Thursday it has acquired the Clarion Area Authority wastewater system for $3.8 million. The system serves 6,600 people in Clarion Borough, Clarion Township and Monroe Township in Clarion County, Pa. The purchase follows the company’s July acquisition of the Claysville-Donegal Joint Municipal Authority water and wastewater systems in Washington County for $2 million. That was Pennsylvania American Water’s first wastewater-system acquisition in western Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania American Water is a subsidiary of American Water Works Co. of Voorhees, N.J., which is the largest publicly traded owner of water and wastewater systems in the United States Philadelphia Business Journal 10/31/08

Middlesex Water Company increases dividend Middlesex Water Company (NASDAQ: MSEX)
a provider of water and wastewater and related services in New Jersey and Delaware, announced that on October 28, 2008, the Company's Board of Directors approved an increase in the Company's quarterly cash dividend to $0.1775 from $0.1750. The new dividend rate is payable December 1, 2008 to shareholders of record as of November 14, 2008. This dividend increase raises the annual dividend
to $0.71 from $0.70 per share of common stock. The Company has paid cash dividends in varying amounts continually since 1912. Middlesex Water has a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP), available to registered shareholders, under which dividends and optional cash payments can be used to purchase additional shares of Common stock. Middlesex Water Company, organized in 1897, provides regulated and unregulated water and wastewater utility services in New Jersey and Delaware through various subsidiary companies. For additional information regarding Middlesex Water Company including information about the Company's DRP Program, visit the Company's Web site at www.middlesexwater.com or call (732) 634-1500 10/30/08

Sharp announces nationwide e-recycling program The New Jersey-based company said today that it is creating a nationwide electronics recycling program to provide free, convenient consumer recycling of Sharp Electronics televisions and other consumer audio and video products. The program will kick off in several states in November, and is slated to expand to all 50 states with many hundreds more sites, over next three years. Panasonic and Toshiba products will also be accepted at these locations. "In all aspects of our business, we continuously seek ways to reduce impact on the environment," said Doug Koshima, chairman and CEO, Sharp Electronics Corporation. "Working through the MRM venture, Sharp, Panasonic Corporation of North America and Toshiba America Consumer Products, are working to create an electronics recycling program that achieves the dual objectives of being easy and convenient for consumers, while offering the industry a path to efficient, environmentally sound recycling." Sharp's recycling program will utilize the infrastructure being developed by the Electronics Manufacturers Recycling Management Company (MRM). A joint venture between Panasonic, Sharp Electronics and Toshiba, MRM was established in September of 2007 to efficiently manage collection and recycling programs in the United States for electronics manufacturers. Beginning in November, there will be more than 160 sites in 10 states where consumers can drop off Sharp brand televisions and other Sharp consumer audio and video electronics products for free recycling. Along with MRM, Sharp will continue its expansion until its services cover all 50 states. Sharp will also accept consumer drop-off of Sharp televisions and consumer electronics products for recycling at its headquarters in Mahwah, NJ. A complete list of locations where Sharp products can be recycled will be available by November 1st on the MRM website at http://www.MRMrecycling.com  10/30/08

Lynn M. Nowak of Nancy H. Becker Associates joins Porzio Governmental Affairs Porzio Governmental Affairs has announced that Lynn M. Nowak of Nancy H. Becker Associates (NBA) has joined her practice with Porzio Governmental Affairs, LLC. Porzio Governmental Affairs is
a wholly owned subsidiary of the law firm of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman. Joining the organizations
is expected to put the firm solidly among the Top 10 lobbying firms in New Jersey, based on revenues. Ms. Nowak, who joins as Executive Vice President, is bringing her team with her. To accommodate the larger group, Porzio Governmental Affairs will be relocating its offices to new space at 41 West State Street in Trenton. Dennis F. Marco, Executive Vice President of Porzio Governmental Affairs, who was instrumental in developing and growing Porzio Governmental Affairs since its launch in 2006, said that Ms. Nowak and her team will enable Porzio Governmental Affairs to offer a broader slate of public affairs and public relations services to clients. Ms. Nowak's group, he said, would supplement the Porzio Governmental Affairs practice with a rich and successful public relations component that calls attention to clients' accomplishments and gains support for their positions. Additional services offered by Porzio Governmental Affairs include strategic planning, lobbying, business development efforts, coalition building, grassroots outreach, community outreach, and event coordination.  Ms. Nowak served as President of Nancy H. Becker Associates since Princeton Communications Group acquired the firm on the retirement of Ms. Becker in 2003, retaining the NBA name. Prior to joining NBA, Ms. Nowak served as the legislative liaison for the New Jersey Department of Commerce and Economic Development where she was responsible for all of the department's legislative and
regulatory activities. Porzio Governmental Affairs media release 10/29/08