News, News, News

As part of OSU's membership in the National Council for Science and the Environment, all OSU faculty and students have a free environmental news service. You can also sign up to have it delivered to your email daily. For those interested, there is also a listing of job opportunities. ESN will also be including the link on our website in the future.

Jobs and Internships

For more information on the jobs below, and more, visit the Ohio Environmental Council.

First Solar is hiring a Controls Technician in Perrysburg.

HomeServeUSA is hiring an Energy Efficiency Field Representative in Cleveland.

Abercrombie & Fitch is hiring a Sustainability Analyst in Columbus.

The Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance is hiring a Summer Intern in Cincinnati.

The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park is hiring a Field Instructor in Peninsula.

Conservation Services Group is hiring a Contractor Network Manager in Columbus.

Energy Pioneer is hiring a BPI Certified Energy Sales Assesor in Dayton. 

Ohio Advanced Energy Economy is seeking a Business Development Intern in Columbus.

Cintas is hiring a Supplier Diversity and Environmental Sustainability Specialist in Mason.

Melink is seeking to fill several positions in Milford.

Green Plains is seeking Recent Grads and College Juniors for Job Opportunities in Ethanol Environmental, Health, Safety, and Security!

Green Plains is a vertically-integrated ethanol producer based in Omaha, Nebraska. We currently have an ethanol production capacity of approximately 1.0 billion gallons per year with our 12 plants located in Atkinson, Nebraska; Bluffton, Indiana; Central City, Nebraska; Fairmont, Minnesota; Fergus Falls, Minnesota; Lakota, Iowa; Obion, Tennessee; Ord, Nebraska; Riga, Michigan; Shenandoah, Iowa; Superior, Iowa; and Wood River, Nebraska.  Green Plains was #8 on FORTUNE 100 Fastest Growing Companies list and continues to expand its operations annually and is looking for new employees!

Our Environmental, Health, Safety, & Security (EHSS) Department is seeking recent college graduates in geology, biology, chemistry, environmental, and engineering fields to fill several available positions.

EHSS Assistant – this is a management fast-track position in which recent college graduates in science and engineering are mentored by a Senior EHSS Manager to become an EHSS Manager at one of our locations or for future expansion/acquisition opportunities. This position would initially be based out of one of the following four locations:  Bluffton, Indiana, Obion, Tennessee, Superior, Iowa, or Shenandoah, Iowa with an expectation of relocation into the Manager position within approximately 2 years.  Relocation would be required and should be expected at that time.  Recent Assistants have seen advancement opportunities as quickly as 6 months after hire! This is a fast-paced, management driven program for those interested in permitting, training, and safety that would be interested in living in a rural area.

PSM (Process Safety Management) Coordinator – this is a 9 month to one year temporary position for recent college graduates in engineering (or possibly science) background that are looking to gain industrial, hands on experience as they enter the work force.  This is a project based position at one of our Nebraska or Minnesota ethanol plants working with Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (PIDs), job shadowing operations and maintenance staff, to complete Standard Operating Procedures, Confined Space Profiles, Electrical Room classifications, etc.  Many of our previous PSM Coordinators have transitioned into full time employment with us as EHSS Assistants (end then to Managers) or as Plant Operators.  If you have not had a lot of degree related internships during your college career, and are struggling to get in the door due to lack of industrial, practical, hands-on experience, this could be the opportunity for you!

EHSS/PSM Internship – this is a 3-4 month, summer break position for college student finishing their Junior year and preparing to enter their Senior year. This temporary position is for students in hard science or engineering schools that are looking to gain industrial, hands on experience prior to graduation.  These are project based positions at one of our ethanol plants (MI, IN, TN, MN, IA, NE) working with Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (PIDs), job shadowing operations and maintenance staff, completing valve verifications, pipe identification and labeling, and other EHSS projects.    Interns may apply by sending resume, letter of interest, and a copy of transcripts to: careers@gpreinc.com

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please apply today!

Positions are expected to fill quickly, so please complete the application fully, and upload a resume and transcripts during the application process.  Additional questions can be directed tocareers@gpreinc.com

Seminars and Courses

Understanding the Economics of Solar Electric, Thermal and Passive Technologies

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2015 | Length: 60 minutes
Time: 1:00 pm ET | 12:00 pm CT | 11:00 am MT | 10:00 am PT
Speaker - Dan Chiras | Product Format: Live Audio Conference
Assessing the economics of solar vs. conventional energy strategy is fraught with difficulty. Renewable energy technologies often require a substantial initial investment while conventional energy simply requires customers to continue to pay their utility bills. Though the latter may come off as economical, it's often not. In fact, few people realize how inexpensive and profitable solar technologies have become due to mass production, financial incentives by various governmental agencies and utilities, and rising energy costs.

To demonstrate the favorable economics of solar technology, expert speaker Dan Chiras, Ph.D. will present three economic tools that allow you to analyze the economics of solar systems: return on investment, net present value of lifetime costs, and lifetime cost of energy. Knowing how to calculate the economics of solar electric, solar thermal, and passive solar systems will help installers more effectively market solar systems and will assist policy makers in planning for future expansion.

Going further, the session will help you understand:

• Innovative ways to analyze solar economics
• Why payback should not be used to evaluate economics
• Comparing cost of electricity between solar and utility power
• Annual return on investment
• Lifetime cost of solar vs. grid power using net present value

Session Highlights:

• Substantial initial investment is required for renewable energy
• Return on investment, cost of energy, and cost of solar based on net present value show that solar is often a much better investment than continuing to use conventional energy
• The lifetime cost of solar electricity is frequently cost competitive with conventional electricity even without any financial incentives
• The economics of solar thermal systems for domestic hot water are often better than solar electricity
• The economics of passive solar often exceeds those of solar electricity and solar thermal systems
• Spreadsheet will be provided to calculate lifetime cost based on net present value

About the speaker: Dan Chiras is director of and lead instructor at The Evergreen Institute’s Center for Renewable Energy and Green Building in east central Missouri where he teaches numerous workshops on residential renewable energy, including fundamentals of solar electricity and PV site assessment, design, and installation. Dr. Chiras is a nationally certified solar PV site assessor and author of hundreds of articles and 30 books including Power from the Sun, Solar Electricity Basics, and The Homeowner’s Guide to Renewable Energy.

Register Now!  Apply "SK20" at check-out to get $20 off.

Study Abroad Technion Programs

The Technion Summer Entrepreneurship Programs are good for all undergraduate (and also graduate students) in fields of Engineering, Science and Business (and essentially all students that are interested in Entrepreneurship.

Session 1 - Entrepreneurship & Innovation - Biomedical & Biotechnology (June 9 – July 9, 2015)

 Session 2- Entrepreneurship & Innovation – General Technology, Big Data, Cyber and Software(July 12 – August 12, 2015)

Technion International Newsletter

For more information, please contact – summer@int.technion.ac.il

Why Entrepreneurship at Technion?

A recent MIT survey ranked Technion as one of the world’s leading universities (6th place) for “Creating an Eco-System of Entrepreneurship and Innovation,” and as the #1 university in doing so under challenging conditions.

At Technion, you can study innovation and entrepreneurship at the birthplace of many of Israel’s most exciting technological innovations contributing to the country’s modern start-up economy, famously coined as the “start-up nation.”

“…Israel has more high-tech start-ups per capita than any other nation on earth, by far. It leads the world in civilian research-and-development spending per capita. It ranks second behind the U.S. in the number of companies listed on the NASDAQ. Israel, with seven million people, attracts as much venture capital as France and Germany combined…” David Brooks, The New York Times

Technion – Israel’s premier Institute for science, technology and applied research, has been at the forefront of this innovation, having trained most of the country’s top engineers and managers and lead countless industry related research. Watch Technion’s involvement in Israel’s booming high-tech and startup economy:

Technion Start-up Nation Movie

About the Program

Join us for a one-month English summer program in Entrepreneurship. The program gives international students an opportunity to study and explore Israel’s fascinating business ecology and experience a taste of the Technion’s high-level academic standards. The program addresses one of the most critical fields in modern technology management -- the initiation, development and expansion of technology firms from their earliest stages.

Students will learn how to identify, value, and capture business opportunities, and how to go about starting their own company. As part of the program, teams of 4-6 students will develop an idea into a new high-tech business model, write a business plan for the commercialization of the idea, and present it at the end of the course in front of a panel of academics and industry specialists. The academic program combines classroom instruction with some off-site activities including business and industry site visits.

Workshops and Conferences

ScienceKNOW Conferences in Paris, France

Abstract Submission is OPEN!

Important Dates

Abstracts sending: April 3rd 2015
Submission of Extended Abstracts (optional): May 30th 2015
Early bird registration: April 30th 2015
(note that it is not compulsory to submit an Abstract to attend the Conference)

International conference on Sustainable Materials Science and Technology (SMST15)

Paris, France, 15-17 July 2015

The conference topics are the following:

1. Materials in research
2. Materials in industry
3. Sustainable Materials
4. Processing and Product Manufacturing
5. Structure of materials: Characterization and testing

Please refer to ScienceKNOW for all the information related to the conference.

International Conference on Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (ICCBE15)

Paris, France, 20-22 July 2015

The conference topics are the following:

1. Chemical Engineering
   • Chemical reaction engineering
   • Chemical reactors
   • Catalysis and kinetics
   • Separation technologies
   • Transport phenomena
   • Equipment design and process design
   • Instrumentation and control
   • Modelling, Simulation, Optimization
   • Chemical Engineering Education
2. Biochemical Engineering
   • Biocatalysis and Bioreactors
   • Biochemical and bio-molecular engineering
   • Industrial Biotechnology
   • Bioseparation techniques
   • Bioprocess Integration and Intensification
   • Bioprocesses for water and wastewater treatment

Please refer to International Conference on Chemical and Biochemical Engineering for all the information related to the conference.

6th International Congress on Energy and Environment Engineering and Management (CIIEM15)

Paris, France, 22-24 July 2015 The conference topics are the following:

1. Energetic Installations
2. Renewable Energies
3. Environmental Engineering
4. Environmental Education.
5. Human Ecology
6. Materials for Energy. Clean Materials
7. Environmental and Energetic Project Management
8. Computational fluid dynamics

Please visit the International Congress for all the information related to the conference.

NWF’s 2015 Young Reporters for the Environment competition

In the United States, youth between the ages of 13 and 21 are invited to participate in the national Young Reporters for the Environment competition. They may enter as individuals or as part of a class or group. Participants investigate an environmental issue and report on it in writing, photography, or video. Entries must be relevant to participants’ local community, connect to a global perspective, include possible solutions, and be disseminated to an appropriate target audience.

Participants enter in one of three age categories: 13-15, 16-18, or 19-21. They may choose between three different media types:

• Writing (article of up to 1000 words)
• Photography (a single photo or photo essay of up to 12 photos)
• Video (up to 3 minutes in length, in documentary or reporter/interview style)

   

  Submissions are due to the U.S. national competition by Friday, March 13, 2015, 12 P.M. EST.

  The national jury will select winners in each age bracket for each media type. Honors may be given for first, second, and third prize in each category. The jury has the option not to give an award if no submission is found to be deserving, and to give more than one award in the case of multiple exceptional entries.

  First place winners in each category will continue to the international competition.

  Be sure to look at the complete submission requirements.

  Submitting your work to YRE USA gives National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) the non-exclusive right to promote and use the submission in online and print publications. Credit will always be given to the author.

  You, as the author, are responsible for securing any necessary permissions. For example, you would need permission to include copyrighted material (words, images, music) in your piece or to photograph or videotape children.

  Official contest rules [pdf].

  Funding and Papers

  Big Win for Arctic Fox and Caribou

  Last week, a huge win was scored for arctic foxes and caribou when President Obama called for the protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

  Thanks to the consistent voices of friends of wildlife like you, this spectacular and wild refuge is one step closer to being protected forever.

  In a stunning video of wildlife roaming the landscape of the Arctic National Refuge, President Obama announced his recommendation to designate the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a Wilderness. You can thank the President for protecting arctic foxes, the Porcupine Caribou Herd and grizzly bears by leaving a positive comment on the White House’s Facebook page and sharing the video of Arctic wildlife with friends.

  A Wilderness designation will permanently protect this amazing habitat area from the disastrous threat of oil and gas drilling. Next, we must make sure Congress follows through on the President’s recommendation by passing a Wilderness bill so the Arctic Refuge can be permanently protected for wildlife and all Americans.

  The Arctic Refuge’s coastal plain has a remarkable, wilderness quality ecosystem that supports a full spectrum of sub-arctic, arctic and marine habitats. In fact, it’s called the “American Serengeti” by some because it is one of the only places on earth where large herds of caribou are free to roam, similar to the days when herds of buffalo roamed the West.

  Like Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and all the majestic lands protected by proud generations before us, we’re counting on Congress to follow the President’s lead and designate an irreplaceable and wild American treasure as Wilderness.

  Say no to FirstEnergy's coal plant bailout

  Do you think old, dirty coal plants have a place in Ohio’s energy future? Most Ohioans don’t, but that doesn’t seemsmokestack2 to matter to utility giant FirstEnergy.

  Put an end to FirstEnergy's plan to bailout some of Ohio's oldest, dirtiest coal plants.

  In a case pending before the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), FirstEnergy is seeking approval to charge their customers an additional fee on their monthly electricity bills to keep four old, dirty, and unprofitable plants open for the next 12 years.

  This plan would cost consumers over $3 billion in 15 years! Environmental advocates, including the Ohio Environmental Council, and consumer groups have unanimously condemned the plan as a decidedly bad deal for Ohio families. 

  If you're with the majority of Ohioans who think that building a cleaner energy future starts with moving away from fossil fuels, now is the time to say NO to FirstEnergy's anti-environment and anti-consumer plan!

  If PUCO approves FirstEnergy's scheme, we'll be on the hook for at least 12 more years of soot, carbon, and mercury pollution belching out into Ohio’s air. 12 more years of asthma and other chronic health issues, all so FirstEnergy doesn’t have to move its business into the 21st century!

  Tell Ohio Governor Kasich and PUCO Chairman Tom Johnson that you do not support First Energy’s ridiculous request to keep old, dirty coal plants running. Adding your voice to the groundswell of opposition to FirstEnergy's plan will ensure they understand Ohioans do not support a step backwards on our path to a clean energy future!

  Where Bobcats Roam: Let's Protect Browns Canyon

  They are one of North America’s most secretive animals, thriving in places where other wild cats struggle to survive.

  Bobcats are wonder cats indeed. But even they can’t last when mines defile their territory.

  Last year, five new mining claims were filed for Browns Canyon, a spectacular and unique wild area in Colorado that bobcats and many other wildlife species call home. When mines move in, bobcats' home is destroyed.

  Bobcats home in Browns Canyon deserves protection, now.

  Browns Canyon is bobcat and wildlife paradise. Above the river, the landscape filled with cathedrals of granite is ideal for the bobcats reclusive prowling—and also provides irreplaceable habitat for bighorn sheep, falcons, mule deer, elk and black bear.

  In the river is an outstanding trout fishery, recently awarded Gold Medal status by the state of Colorado. Browns Canyon is one of the most revered white water rafting destinations in the entire country, and a cherished destination for anyone seeking wildlife and backcountry solitude.

  Today I’m asking you to help keep it that way.

  National monument designation protects Browns Canyon by preventing new mining claims and mineral leasing, and assuring no new road construction damages the area’s watershed or wildlife.

  We’re launching our final push to make Browns Canyon our next national monument. Your generosity will help give us the resources we need to win.

  Please Sign: Protect Browns Canyon for Bobcats

  This December, more than 500 people from across Colorado and surrounding states packed into a small theatre in Salida, Colo., to deliver a message to President Obama — keep our spectacular Browns Canyon forever wild for bobcats, bighorn sheep and elk by making it a national monument.

  Now it's your turn. Bobcats need your voice today.

  A ruggedly scenic area of mountain ridges and winding valleys about 130 miles southwest of Denver, Browns Canyon is revered for its whitewater, outdoor recreation and backcountry solitude. The national monument designation will ensure that Browns Canyon retains its natural, undeveloped character and unparalleled wildlife habitat.

  And now after two decades of campaigning, we have an unprecedented opportunity to permanently protect this stunning stretch of public land for wildlife like bobcats, falcons and elk, and for conservationists and recreationists like you, who are deeply passionate about protecting our natural world for future generations.

  Simply put, Browns Canyon deserves protection. Now.

  Why now?

  Despite overwhelming bipartisan support, legislation to protect Browns Canyon stalled, and has little chance of passing in the current Congress. Presidential action is necessary.

  President Obama can and should use his executive authority under the Antiquities Act to establish the 22,000-acre Browns Canyon National Monument.

  The national monument proposal, with all its positive momentum, is now before the president. NOW is our best shot to protect this western landscape and its wildlife for everyone.