Copyright State Science & Technology Institute 2002. Information in this issue of the SSTI Weekly Digest was prepared under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. Redistribution to all others interested in tech-based economic development is strongly encouraged — please cite the State Science & Technology Institute whenever portions are reproduced or redirected. Any opinions expressed in the Digest do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Commerce.
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GOVERNORS RELEASE POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION REPORT
The Education Commission of the States has released a report entitled "Transforming Postsecondary Education for the 21st Century." This report is the result of an extensive survey of Governors from the fifty states and Puerto Rico. Their perceptions regarding the need to reshape the higher education system to meet fundamental state needs is the focus of the study.
The findings suggest that while some differences exist between governors in terms of how they view post-secondary education, there is more general agreement than may be commonly understood. Concerns about the economic competitiveness of the future workforce and public accountability of the post-secondary systems are themes that emerge from the data, suggesting that there will continue to be a growing emphasis on performance-based funding, vocational/career training and lifelong learning.
The following points were uncovered in the survey and analyzed in the report:
- Education issues are of paramount importance to governors. K-12 education, post-secondary education and early childhood education/child care issues were judged the three highest priorities out of a list of typical state spending categories.
- The most important post-secondary functions are linkages to K-12 education, job training, and employment skills. Basic research was considered the least important.
- In terms of the changes needed to meet future needs, governors were almost unanimous in placing importance on colleges and universities developing mechanisms to encourage lifelong learning. Other changes that were voiced were allowing students to receive their education free of the constraints of time or place via technology, and requiring collaboration with business and industry in developing relevant curriculum..
- In coping with increased demands for access to higher education, governors were clearly willing to invest in technology to deliver more course offerings with 94% of respondents indicating they were supportive of the concept.
- Finally, 90% of the governors think that their state investment in post-secondary education will increase over the next decade. Also, the vast majority of governors see a continuing role for strong leadership from state policymakers in order to bring about the changes that they are advocating.
For more information on the Education Commission of the State (ECS), visit their web site at www.ecs.org. For a copy of the report, "Postsecondary Education for the 21st Century," call ECS at 303/299-3606.
NICE3 ANNOUNCES 1998 AWARD WINNERS AND SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR 1999
To help develop and promote more energy efficient and cleaner processes and technologies, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded nearly $4 million to 10 U.S. companies and has announced additional funding for fiscal year 1999. This year's projects ranged from converting waste cooking oil to biodiesel fuel to improving refrigeration systems' efficiency by 40%. The awards are part of the National Industrial Competitiveness through Energy, Environment, and Economics (NICE3) program, a strategic partnership among state energy, economic development and environmental departments, industry and DOE. The awards are intended to move proven research advances into the commercial market by promoting the demonstration of these energy technologies and processes.
Thirty-five applications from 20 states were submitted. Each of the following states or territories received an award: California (2), Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, and Virginia.
DOE has also announced the availability of up to $6 million in grant/cooperative agreement funds for fiscal year 1999 for the NICE3 program. Eligible applicants include state energy, state environmental, state business development, or any other state agency that is responsible for energy efficiency, cleaner production, the environment, industrial development, or industrial competitiveness.
The goals of the NICE3 program are to improve energy efficiency, promote cleaner production, and to improve competitiveness in industry. The intent of the NICE3 program is to fund innovative projects that have completed the research and development stage and are ready to demonstrate a fully integrated commercial unit.
Proposals are due to the DOE Golden Field Office by October 10, 1998. Proposal applications are available via the Internet at www.eren.doe.gov/golden/solicitations.html, or by writing to the DOE Golden Field Office. For more information, contact Jim Damm at 303/275-4788 or via e-mail at jim_damm@nrel.gov.
SURVEY OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS AND SERVICES RELEASED
The environmental technology and services industry, and its contribution to the national economy, have been evaluated in a new report entitled "Survey of Environmental Products and Services." The report is the product of a collaborative effort between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, and the Department of Commerce's Bureau of the Census.
The survey is the first attempt to measure the extent of commercial environmental activity using a comprehensive list of products and services. The report found that the value of products, revenues for services, and receipts for construction projects related to environmental activities totalled approximately $102.8 billion in 1995.
Of the $102.8 billion, $55.7 billion were revenues for environmentally related services. Revenues for environmental construction projects were $17.0 billion, and the value of environmental product shipments was $14.4 billion. Another $15.7 billion in environmental activities could not be reported in separate categories.
The survey also found that some 774,000 employees were involved in manufacturing these products, providing these services, or constructing these projects. The survey collected data from 8,117 firms out of the 10,040 firms in the sample, for a response rate of 81 percent.
For the purpose of the survey, the environmental industry was defined as the manufacturer of products, performance of services, and the construction of projects used, or that potentially could be used for measuring, preventing, limiting, or correcting environmental damage to air, water, and soil. The industry also includes services related to the removal, transportation, storage, or abatement of waste, noise, and other contaminants.
The survey provides important information, facilitating a better understanding of the scope and composition of this industry. Further information or a complete copy of the report can be found at www.epa.gov/docs/oppe/eaed/eedhmpg.htm and then clicking on "resources", "report inventory", "title", the letter "S", and then scrolling alphabetically to the title of the study.
ATP RECEIVES MORE THAN 500 PROPOSALS
More than 500 proposals have been received and are being considered for the 1998 Advanced Technology Program (ATP) competitions for innovative industrial R&D projects. The following list breaks-out the number of proposals by topic:
Topic # General Competition 167 Adaptive Learning Systems 51 Catalysis Technologies 31 Digital Video in Information Networks 25 Microelectronics and Manufacturing
Infrastructure55 Photonics Manufacturing 60 Premium Power 66 Selective-Membrane Platforms 18 Tools for DNA Diagnostics 29 Total 502 The ATP program provides funding on a cost-shared basis to industry for research and development of high-risk, emerging and enabling technologies that offer significant, broad-based benefits to the nation's economy. Approximately $82 million is available for first-year funding of new projects in 1998.
Award announcements will be made by September 30, 1998. Additional information on ATP may be obtained by calling 800/287-3863, by e-mail at atp@nist.gov, or via the Internet at www.atp.nist.gov.
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