WaterBriefs: New book explores environmental protection of int'l waters

In other news below:
-- HDR acquires PHAROS Corporation
-- Utility industry delegates gather in Orlando for users' conference
-- House passes bill to curb invasive species
-- NanoDynamics establishes joint venture with Shell Technology Ventures
-- SUR/FIN 2008 issues call for papers
-- DLT&V welcomes new director of engineering for Nevada
-- MWH expands Texas team
-- GEI Consultants opens Washington, DC, office
-- Ethanol's legitimate shortcomings ignored, says institute
-- Stonybrook Purification secures Series A financing
-- Water-cooled chiller proposal represents energy savings

• New book explores environmental protection of international waters
CORK, Ireland, Oct. 23, 2007 -- In his new book, Environmental Protection of International Watercourses under International Law, Dr. Owen McIntyre of the National University of Ireland explains the legal means by which requirements of environmental protection influence the determination of a reasonable and equitable regime for allocating rights to riparian states to utilize shared freshwater resources. The work examines the means and processes by which environmental considerations can act upon the operation of the principle of equitable utilization. The volume provides a comprehensive analysis of the subject, outlining the development, scope and operation in general and customary international law of key rules of environmental protection.

For more information on the publication, see: www.ashgate.com.

Among other recent headlines:

• HDR acquires PHAROS Corporation
OMAHA, NE, Oct. 23, 2007 -- HDR, a leading architecture-engineering-consulting firm, has acquired PHAROS Corporation, a real estate and right-of-way consulting firm based in Edmonds, Wash. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Going forward, PHAROS will conduct business as HDR/PHAROS...

• Utility industry delegates gather in Orlando for users' conference
ORLANDO, FL, Oct. 23, 2007 -- The Itron Users' Conference started off a quarter century ago in Denver with four utility meter readers and a handful of Itron employees gathered around a table discussing cassette data storage and battery life management for early meter reading devices. Although the breadth and scale of the annual Itron Users' Conference has changed dramatically in the last 25 years, its spirit and purpose remain the same -- sharing knowledge...

• House passes bill to curb invasive species
WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 23, 2007 -- Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the bipartisan Refuge Ecology Protection, Assistance, and Immediate Response Act, or REPAIR Act (H.R. 767), that will direct federal resources to states to help eradicate invasive species that are devastating many wildlife refuges...

• NanoDynamics establishes joint venture with Shell Technology Ventures
BUFFALO, NY, Oct. 22, 2007 -- NanoDynamics Inc. announced the recent formation of a joint venture with Shell Technology Ventures Fund 1 B.V. to develop new materials and products expected to improve exploration and production efforts in the international oil and gas industry...

• SUR/FIN 2008 issues call for papers
WASHINGTON, DC, Oct. 22, 2007 -- Researchers, chemists, engineers, and finishing industry experts are invited to submit an abstract for The National Association for Surface Finishing's SUR/FIN 2008. The international conference will be held June 16-18 at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis. Abstract submissions must be received with the appropriate documents by January 4, 2008; final papers are due by April 15, 2008. For topics and further details, see the SUR/FIN 2008 website: http://www.sur-fin.net.

• DLT&V welcomes new director of engineering for Nevada
LAS VEGAS, Oct. 22, 2007 -- DLT&V Systems Engineering Inc. has announced that Carey Miller, P.E., recently joined the firm as director of engineering, bringing with him more than 16 years of experience in the instrument, controls, mechanical and electrical engineering fields. He is based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will be responsible for managing engineering activities and representing DLT&V's services in Nevada...

• MWH expands Texas team
DALLAS, TX, Oct. 22, 2007 -- MWH, a global provider of environmental engineering, construction and strategic consulting services, has announced the addition of Matt Garcia, Tina Hanson, P.E., Linda Summers and Larry Rivers, P.E., to its team of water and wastewater professionals in Texas. To accommodate MWH's growth in Texas, the firm is adding the additional staff to provide a greater level of client service throughout the state...

• GEI Consultants opens Washington, DC, office
BOSTON and WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2007 -- GEI Consultants Inc., a leading geotechnical, environmental, and water resources engineering firm, has opened a new office in Washington, DC, and hired Dr. Giovanni (John) Bonita, P.E., P.G. as Branch Manager to launch and manage the office...

• Ethanol's legitimate shortcomings ignored, says institute
WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2007 -- Renewable Fuels Association President Bob Dineen recently issued a statement urging Congress to pump billions of subsidies into ethanol. Dineen's rhetoric begs lawmakers to create an artificial market for ethanol, build the extra infrastructure needed for transport, and condemns anyone who speaks about its shortcomings...
Also see:
-- "Wall Street Journal falsely claims ethanol is responsible for high gasoline prices"
-- "Biofuel production may prompt water shortage"

• Stonybrook Purification secures Series A financing
STONY BROOK, NY, Oct. 17, 2007 -- Stonybrook Purification, a spinout of Stony Brook University, has announced the close of the first tranche of a $4.1 million Series A investment led by Battery Ventures. T2 Venture Capital (T2VC), the founding investor and early incubator of the company, also participated in this round, along with new investors Modern Water and TianDi Growth Capital...

• Water-cooled chiller proposal represents energy savings
ATLANTA, Oct. 16, 2007 -- An estimated annual energy savings of 13 percent relative to ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1-2004 should result from a proposed addendum regarding air- and water-cooled chillers...

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