Archive for the ‘Government’ Category
Tuesday, June 9th, 2015
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
Did you know a trip by Amtrak results in less greenhouse gas emissions than other popular modes of travel? (Photo: Amtrak)
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, known as Amtrak, is a quasi-government organization that officially launched 44 years ago. Amtrak provides passenger train service to nearly 31 million passengers to towns and cities across the country. Since 1971, Amtrak has relied on federal money—much to the chagrin of some members of Congress, which authorizes the passenger railroad service’s funding. Amtrak has also faced significant challenges. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) data shows that between 2010 and 2014, there has been an average of 26 derailments annually. So far, this year there has been at least nine. Amtrak’s May 12th derailment in Philadelphia left over a half dozen dead and more than 140 injured. The accident renewed criticism around the organization’s safety and funding. Others have criticized the passenger rail service for what they see as old-fashioned technology, which lags behind the United Kingdom, France, Japan, and China.
Enough of the criticism!
With all the negative press and unfortunate events around Amtrak over the past few weeks, it’s sometimes too hard to remember that there are benefits and conveniences to using the rail service. We’ve pulled together a list of why Amtrak is important to life in America.
-
Amtrak drops passengers and business travelers off in the actual city they are visiting. First time visitors to Washington, DC—a popular Amtrak destination—are usually surprised at the hurdles they may have to go through to get from Dulles International Airport to the city, which is located about 27 miles away (up to an hour of driving if there is traffic). In contrast, Amtrak passengers are dropped off at Union Station, only a few blocks from Congress, eateries, hotels, historical sites, and downtown DC. The same is true for rail stations in New York City, Philadelphia, and other towns serviced by Amtrak. Say goodbye to those $75 taxi rides to the hotel and those sometimes frustrating multiple stops via shuttle service providers!
-
Amtrak’s travel experience is often less of a hassle…Passengers get more leg room than the typical premium, extra cost seats on airlines AND they don’t have to pay extra! Plus, travelers won’t be stuck in the dreaded middle seat because there aren’t any on Amtrak. Customers can power up their smartphones, tablets, or laptops using power outlets on trains. There is also free Wi-Fi on some trains. What about those popular $50 luggage fees and other hidden costs associated with some airlines? Well, the Amtrak website states there are “no extra fees—what you see is what you get.” Perhaps best of all, passengers aren’t required to show up two hours before the train leaves, wait in long security lines, or undress (removing shoes, belts, etc.) before jumping abroad. For city to city/regional travel, Amtrak seems like a more streamlined approach to traveling.
-
Traveling by Amtrak is greener than air travel or a road trip. That’s right. A trip by rail results in less greenhouse gas emissions than other popular modes of travel! The U.S. Department of Energy Oak Ridge National Laboratory Data on Fuel Efficiency – Transportation Energy Data Book (Edition 33) illustrates that traveling by rail is 30% more efficient (in terms of mileage) than by auto. Amtrak is so committed to reducing its passengers’ carbon footprint, it has partnered with Carbonfund.org. This partnership empowers Amtrak riders to offset their “carbon emissions footprint” through making voluntary contributions to Carbonfund.org—a nonprofit dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of energy consumption. Find out more at
-
Amtrak puts Americans to work. The rail service employs more than 20,000 people. As one might expect, Amtrak staff and loved ones can take advantage of complimentary services on the rail systems traveling throughout its 21,300-mile (34,000 km) system. Amtrak employees don’t pay Social Security taxes. Instead, they get a higher retirement benefit by paying special taxes as a result of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act (RRTA). Plus, they can elect to participate in a traditional 401(k) retirement plan.
Not Even Close to Perfect
Amtrak isn’t the most advanced passenger rail system in the world. Its federal funding will likely be cut again in the next fiscal year. And yes, it has yet to turn a profit. Still, with proper guidance, investments, and upgrades to its infrastructure, Amtrak’s future days could be brighter. (1) What are your thoughts of rail vs. road vs. air travel? (2) Do you think Amtrak is good for America? (3) When was the last time you traveled by rail (excluding light rail and subway systems)?
Tags: Amtrak, carbon emissions, Dennis Powell, , FRA, government spotlight, greenhouse gas, hi-speed rail, Ola Sage, rail
Posted in Entertainment, Government, Lifestyle, Travel | 26 Comments »
Tuesday, April 28th, 2015
The DOE EM PPPO recently launched a website that “will help people stay current, involved and informed” about the radioactive material cleanup efforts at the Portsmouth, Ohio and Paducah, Kentucky Gaseous Diffusion Plant Sites. Photo source: PPPO
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
The Cold War is a distant memory for many. Political tension between the United States and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics led to a massive buildup of nuclear weapons over decades. That era is over and has left a legacy of nuclear material, radioactive waste, and contamination. It all sounds a little scary. But you can take some comfort due to the work of the Department of Energy (DOE). Many Americans are oblivious to the role of DOE in everyday life. Our focus for this government spotlight is DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM), the United States’ response to its Cold War environmental legacy. Since 1989, EM’s focus has been on managing nuclear materials and cleaning up radioactive waste and contamination in the United States.
EM’s Legacy…
EM’s impact on communities around the country cannot be overstated. Nuclear products, if not properly managed, can have serious consequences on life and our environment. Here are five important ways EM is working for Americans and keeping the environment safe from the harmful effects of radioactive waste and contamination.
-
Retiring Nuclear Facilities. One of the responsibilities of EM is deactivation and decommissioning (D&D). During this process, EM safely and completely shuts down nuclear facilities to protect the environment and communities from hazardous and radioactive materials. One facility that is currently in the process of D&D is the Kentucky-based Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, which in the past was a nuclear enrichment plant for military and civil programs. The Paducah facility was the last uranium enrichment plant in the USA. Last month, the EM Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office (PPPO) launched a new website (energy.gov/pppo) that “will help people stay current, involved and informed” about the progress of the decommissioning of the Paducah plant, according to PPPO Manager William E. Murphie.
-
Promoting Sustainability. In addition to D&D, EM has a strong commitment to renewable energy. For instance, innovations at EM have led to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®), a noted green building certification program, honored EM’s groundwater treatment plant at Hanford (Washington State) with the very first gold certification in the sustainable design category. Additionally, EM’s Savannah River Site (SRS) recently received a Department of Energy Sustainability Award. Why? SRS developed a new way to determine radiation levels from containers of transuranic (TRU) waste—materials from plutonium or other human-made radioactive elements. The new technique has already saved the government more than $10 million.
-
Processing Waste. The SRS initiative above is part of EM’s Tank Waste and Waste Processing program. EM is tasked with disposing of radioactive and hazardous waste at a number of facilities around the country. How much nuclear waste are we talking about? There’s a lot of it. DOE is responsible for more than 85 million gallons of liquid waste and over 4,000 cubic meters of solid waste in bins.
-
Protecting the Public and Environment. The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is the only deep geologic repository for TRU waste in the United States. TRU waste can remain harmful for thousands of years according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). So, this type of radioactive material must be kept isolated to keep the public and environment safe. As its name suggests, WIPP is secluded—located in the Chihuahauan Desert of southeastern New Mexico, approximately 26 miles east of Carlsbad. DOE sites send contaminated materials including soil, clothing, and debris to WIPP for permanent disposal in rooms that are located 2,150 feet underground.
-
Consolidating to Improve Business and Performance. In order to meet its high-stakes mission of waste management and nuclear clean-up, EM is doing its work smarter. Last year, Federal News Radio highlighted the EM Consolidated Business Center (EMCBC) and how that office has pulled many of EM’s functions into one centralized location. The result is that things are working better, including the overall management of radioactive waste site closures.
Environmental Thoughts…
The use of nuclear energy and products remain highly controversial. (1) What are your thoughts about the work EM is currently doing around nuclear waste management and cleanup? (2) Are you for or against the use of nuclear power? (3) What are your ideas around sustainable sources of energy?
Tags: Carlsbad, Dennis Powell, DOE, , EM, EMCBC, environment, EPA, government spotlight, Hanford, nuclear, Ola Sage, PPPO, SRS, TRU, WIPP
Posted in Energy, Government, Risk Management | 16 Comments »
Treasure Trove of Records?
Monday, February 9th, 2015
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
Do your family or friends accuse you of being a packrat? Do you know people who find it hard to throw away documents, old photos, shoes, children’s clothing, wedding dresses, 8-track cassettes, or even electronics (that probably don’t even work)? If so, then this blog short on the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) may be relevant to you. After all, your stored collections of things could be considered your personal archives.
The National Archives showcase a document every day such as this 1945 photo of former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s birthday celebration with celebrities of that era. Photo Source: http://goo.gl/Vp1ZjH
Four things you may not know about the National Archives…
You could probably tell compelling stories around every item in your personal archives. But what do you know about our National Archives? You probably know it is a great resource to gain access to historical facts. Technically, NARA is the agency responsible for keeping U.S. government records. The Archives is the actual collection of records and artifacts that Congress established back in 1934. Why are records so important? Well, records teach us about our history and can showcase some of our best moments and serve as a reminder of our missteps (e.g. political, fashion, musical etc.) we should avoid collectively. The truth is NARA is probably one of the least known government agencies. So, we decided to feature four things you may not know about the Archives or NARA…
-
It takes a cast of thousands to keep NARA running smoothly. When many people think of the Archives, they oftentimes only consider the Pennsylvania Avenue building in Washington, D.C. In truth, there are more than 40 centers across the country. In addition, more than 3,000 fulltime and part-time employees support those centers, which includes numerous presidential libraries.
-
The Archives is on social media. More than 5 million people visited the Archives Facebook page in December (2014). If you cannot make it to the Washington or field sites of the Archives, check out “Today’s Document” on social media like , Twitter, and . The official records keeper highlights famous and less-known (yet historically relevant) documents every day from the enormous Archives collection. It’s a great way to connect to American history. Believe it or not, the Today’s Document social media updates are so popular, an interactive app is now available. To gain access to the app, search for “Today’s Document” on Google Play or iTunes. If you are a history buff who loves Twitter, you may want to get short updates (140-character “tweets”) by following the Archives on .
-
The Archives plan to upload its entire (declassified) collection to the Internet. Hundreds of thousands of digital images from the Archives is already available for free at Wikimedia Commons, an online database of nearly 25 million media files. TechCrunch blogger Julian Chokkattu reported that NARA initially uploaded more than 100,000 images to the Commons in 2012 as a way to make the Archives collections more accessible. During federal fiscal year 2013, NARA media received more than one billion views. Fans of presidents might be interested in what we found in the Archives collection on the Commons: a sailing ship illustration by a young Franklin D. Roosevelt (the longest serving president in U.S. history); a photo of Civil Rights legends Martin Luther King, Jr., Whitney Young, and James Farmer meeting President Lyndon B. Johnson; and President Ronald Reagan’s family photo from the 1981 Inauguration.
-
You can find documents that changed the world. The National Archives is a treasure trove of documents that have had a profound impact on American history. You can find the Louisiana Purchase Treaty, which doubled the size of the U.S. in the 19th century; the U.S. Declaration of Independence from Great Britain; the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Implementation Decree, which outlawed segregation; and the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which provided universal suffrage.
Don’t repeat it…
To paraphrase novelist and philosopher George Santayana, “Those who do not learn history are doomed to repeat it.” Lucky for us, we have NARA to preserve our national heritage and history. But what do you think: (1) Have you ever been to any of the national or international archival facilities? (2) How do you store your important memories or records? (3) How do you safeguard your most precious historical artifacts or mementos?
Tags: civil rights, Dennis Powell, , FDR, federal, Government, history, MLK, NARA, national archives, Ola Sage, president, Ronald Reagan
Posted in Government, Lifestyle, Social Media | 26 Comments »
Art is in the Eye of the Beholder
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
NEA "supports artistic excellence, creativity and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities." (Image Source: NEA)
What do you really know about the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)? Well, the NEA is not a charity or nonprofit. Believe it or not, it’s actually a government agency. Throughout its history, the NEA has come under fire. Some have said government should stay out of the arts. Others have asserted the NEA has not protected artistic freedom. The NEA has also been criticized for being too political and for having associations with controversial artists including Andres Serrano and Robert Mapplethorpe.
Are You Surprised?
The drama around NEA’s mission should be expected. Think about it. The arts are often very controversial and future generations frequently find value in art, which was initially rejected by the public, law makers, or even artists of the day. Today, art is a vital component to American society, according to the Americans for the Arts. That organization’s research provides evidence that art improves the health of hospital patients and grows the economy. In 2011 alone, the U.S. had an art trade surplus of $47 billion. Plus, arts organizations employed more than 3 million people. Perhaps, these are the reasons why the NEA is playing some role in strengthening “the creative capacity of our communities by providing all Americans with diverse opportunities for arts participation.”
Take a look at a few ways the NEA is promoting the arts in our communities…
-
Funding Diverse Art Projects: What institutions are getting NEA funding? Well, the Nashville Ballet, Synetic Theater, Inc. (Arlington, Virginia), and even the NYU School of Medicine are organizations that receive funds from NEA to support dance, theater, and musical projects. NEA funding of the Juneau Jazz & Classics, Inc. helped to support concerts, workshops, and educational/cultural events, which were attended by more than 9,000—3,500 of whom were children. The Omaha Theater Company in Nebraska has received funding to produce a play centered on bullying. The play is expected to be viewed by more than 10,000 youths.
-
Promoting Arts Education: The Americans for the Arts research links art education with overall academic performance among students. The NEA has a plethora of initiatives that advance education. For instance, the NEA works with the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and other organizations, on the Arts Education Partnership (AEP). The goal of AED is to promote how art improves school, communities, and the learning experience of students.
-
Helping to Increase Arts Giving Outside of Government Dollars: Since its inception in 1965, the NEA has awarded more than $5 billion in grants “to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities throughout this country.” The agency’s overall budget is relatively small. As a matter of fact, NEA appropriations has actually stagnated in recent years. The budget for 2014 was the same as 2012, roughly $146 million. It was lower in fiscal year 2013. Still, even with budget restraints, NEA helps to generate more than a half billion dollars in matching support from non-governmental entities. According to the agency’s Appropriation Request for Fiscal Year 2015, the NEA direct grant–making program generates matching funding at a ratio of 9 to 1!
What Do You Think?
The NEA envisions the United States to be “a nation in which every American benefits from arts engagement, and every community recognizes and celebrates its aspirations and achievements through the arts.” (1) Do you think the NEA is positioned to help individuals and organizations realize this vision? (2) Do you think NEA deserves more, less, or the same level of funding from the government? (3) How important do you think art is to any nation? OPTIONAL: (4) Should any government be in the “business” of funding art creation or development?
Tags: AED, concerts, CyberRx, Dennis Powell, , eGovRiskPortfolioManager, eGovRPM, grants, jazz, NEA, NEAarts, NEAHeritage, Ola Sage
Posted in Government, Lifestyle | 14 Comments »
All We Are Saying Is Give Peace a Chance
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
“Give Peace a Chance” is a pop song written in 1969 by John Lennon of the Beatles as an anti-war anthem. Today, the song is considered by many to be as relevant as it was 45 years ago; yet the reality of military conflicts still exists. Why is peace so hard to come by? I don’t have a simple answer. But what I can say is that everyone seems to want peace. Beauty pageant hopefuls, faith leaders, school yard kids, and even the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills want peace.  Plus, there is at least one government agency that exists for the sake of peace.
Peace Corps volunteers working in an Ethiopian community to promote food security and tackle hunger issues. (Photo Source: http://passport.peacecorps.gov)
Do you know which one?
It shouldn’t be hard to figure out that the Peace Corps fits the bill. The Corps’ overarching mission is “to promote world peace and friendship.” The organization has three goals: (1) Helping people in other countries meet their training needs; (2) promoting “a better understanding of Americans” around the globe; and (3) promoting a better understanding of people in other countries. As the “preeminent international service organization of the United States,” the Corps is comprised of more than 7,200 volunteers and trainees. Since 1961, more than 215,000 people have served. Volunteers and trainees live and work within the communities and with the people they serve. The Corps’ work deals with creating solutions in the areas of education, healthcare, economic development, youth development, agriculture and more. According to the Corps, volunteers only provide assistance in countries that request their support.
So what do they really do?
Contrary to the notion of “tree hugging” members with no sense of direction, the Peace Corps consists of dedicated people who sacrifice a great deal to make the world a better place. Here are examples of how the Peace Corps is improving lives and communities, one volunteer at a time.
-
Peace through food security. The Peace Corps supports the U.S. Feed the Future global hunger and food security initiative. Working with other U.S. agencies, the volunteers help communities resolve issues around water accessibility, food cultivation, and food shortages. For example, volunteers are “teaching improved agricultural practices, food processing and agroforestry.” According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), agroforestry is the “integration of trees and shrubs into crop and animal farming systems to create environmental, economic, and social benefits.” In 2012, nearly 1000 volunteers supported food security efforts to reduce hunger in 23 countries.
-
Peace through equality. The Peace Corps fosters gender equality and empowerment around the world. Case in point, Camp GLOW (Girls Leading Our World) is a Corps program that helps to foster gender equality in 60 countries. Volunteers facilitate events that allow girls and women to exchange ideas, share their dreams, develop leadership skills, and build confidence. In addition, the Peace Corps efforts target men and young boys to “think beyond traditional gender roles.”
-
Peace through disease prevention. Peace Corps volunteers are active in communities around the world to help reduce the incidence of serious and infectious diseases. More than 3,000 volunteers are working throughout Africa to stop malaria, which kills more than 660,000 people every year. Want to find out more about this program? Check out the Stomp Out Malaria social media .
Who is right for the Peace Corps?
The Peace Corps has an impressive list of alumni/alumnae including Former U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd, Founder and CEO of Netflix Reed Hastings, University of Miami President Donna Shalala, NBC’s Hardball Host Chris Matthews, and Habitat for Humanity Co-Founder Donald Mosley, among many others. Throughout its history, the Corps has built a reputation for instilling a sense of purpose among its volunteer force. In addition to participants’ devotion, there is the cross-cultural understanding that comes with living in a foreign land. So it is understandable that the Corps attracts many young people who are starting their careers. Still, the service organization is more diverse than many believe. A quarter of volunteers are ethnic minorities. Additionally, Americans older than 50 are also joining the Corps at higher rates than ever.
Reality Check
It’s time for a reality check. Remember, the Peace Corps’ duty is “to promote world peace and friendship” around the world. (1) Do Peace Corps events, programs, and initiatives bring us any closer to peace? (2) Do you think the Corps is doing a decent job at promoting American values abroad? (3) What do you think the organization could be doing more of to advance its mission?
Tags: Chris Matthews, Christopher Dodd, Dennis Powell, , equality, food secuirity, Government, Healthcare, malaria, Ola Sage, Peace Corps, , Reed Hastings
Posted in Entertainment, Government, Healthcare, Leadership, Lifestyle, Social Media, Uncategorized | 30 Comments »
|
|
