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US Senator Unveils Bill to Force EPA Action on Perchlorate

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., the incoming chairman of the Senate environment committee, has introduced legislation that would force the federal government to set a standard and monitor for perchlorate contamination in drinking water. “We must do everything within our power to make drinking water safe for every American family,” Boxer said. “Perchlorate threatens the health of those most vulnerable, and these bills will go a long way toward protecting them.” Sufficient exposure to perchlorate can disrupt thyroid function and lead to developmental problems particularly in young children. Sources of perchlorate include rocket fuel, fireworks, explosives, and airbag deployment systems. Perchlorate contamination of drinking water has been found in at least 35 states. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has studied the issue, but so far it has not issued a standard for safe perchlorate levels in drinking water. One of the bills Boxer introduced would direct the EPA to promptly establish a drinking water standard for perchlorate. The second bill would require testing of tap water for perchlorate contamination and the notification of the public when drinking water is contaminated.

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Itron Selected for Largest Water Fixed Network Solution

Itron Inc. (NASDAQ: ITRI) has signed a subcontract to provide the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) with Itron’s advanced Water Fixed Network. The contract also includes ServiceLink, Itron’s wireless automated dispatching/communications solution, to manage field operations more efficiently by eliminating paperwork in the field. Itron’s Water Fixed Network (WFN) combines high-powered two-way endpoints, network collectors with flexible backhaul options, and a robust data collection engine that takes fixed network technology for meter reading at water utilities beyond simple monthly consumption data. WFN can collect daily water meter readings and, through its powerful data logging functionality, even more granular consumption data that can be used for resource management and conservation programs. More than 275,000 water endpoints will be deployed in the City of Detroit, allowing DWSD to be proactive in detecting water leaks behind the meter, alleviating large bills for unused water and associated billing disputes. “DWSD will see benefits from Itron’s Water Fixed Network system in a number of ways including increased revenues (due to leak detection and elimination of billing errors), operational savings from reading more meters in a shorter amount of time with less people, improved cash flow from moving to monthly billing and savings from encouraging […]

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SatCon First to Obtain UL1741 Approval

SatCon Technology Corporation (Nasdaq CM: SATC) has become the first provider of high-power, commercial photovoltaic inverters to deliver and install a UL1741 approved ground fault detection interrupter (“GFDI”), resulting in significant savings for installers of photovoltaic systems. The purpose of the GFDI is to detect low levels of ground currents and interrupt any faults within specified limits. GFDI is a key electrical protection feature that will become mandatory for photovoltaic systems under UL1741 by May 7, 2007. The GFDI was developed by SatCon specifically for alternative energy power systems, and in particular photovoltaics, after its market research revealed that there were no commercially available devices that could meet the new standard. To protect SatCon’s innovative GFDI solution, a patent filing was made prior to shipment of the GFDI. “SatCon has a history of being the first to market with innovative solutions designed to minimize costs for power generation systems, and being the first to market with a UL1741 approved GFDI for high-power, commercial applications reinforces our commitment to continually improve the system economics for our alternative energy clients”, said Clemens van Zeyl, President of SatCon’s Power Systems Division. “Furthermore, I am pleased to announce that PowerLight Corporation, an industry leader […]

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EMCORE Announces 4Q, Year-End Results

EMCORE Corporation (Nasdaq: EMKR) has announced preliminary unaudited financial results for the fiscal 2006 fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2006. Revenues from continuing operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 were $35.4 million, an increase of 6% from the $33.5 million reported in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company sold its Electronics Materials and Device division and all revenues relating to this group have been eliminated and included in discontinued operations in the attached financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Fiber optic revenues were $28.0 million in the fourth quarter as compared to $24.2 million a year ago and $26.0 million in the previous quarter. The increase in fiber optic revenues was primarily related to the Company’s digital fiber optics product line. Photovoltaic revenues were $7.3 million in the fourth quarter as compared to $9.3 million a year ago and $10.4 million in the previous quarter. The decrease in photovoltaics revenues relates to a delay in receipt of export licenses covering three international satellite programs. The Company did not receive these licenses in time to ship product during the fourth quarter. The Company has […]

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