March 2009

Members in the News

Gilbert Bennett, P.Eng., vice-president of the Lower Churchill project, says a corridor through Gros Morne Park is not the only option but is the preferred route for power from the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project. The environmental impact statement says the Lower Churchill hydroelectric project can displace 16 megatonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

Congratulations to John Flynn, P.Eng. (Safety Award), Marion Organ, P.Eng. (Environment Award) and Jeff Vincent, P.Eng. (People Award) on receiving a Nalcor Energy 2008 President Award. These are new awards established to recognize individuals who are role models and who make outstanding contributions throughout the year.

Andy Kerr, P.Geo. and David Liverman, P.Geo. were the first two speakers in a monthly Public Lecture Series launched by the Newfoundland and Labrador Geological Survey as an IYPE project. The International Year of Planet Earth [IYPE] is a global initiative of the International Union of Geological Science and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization to bring all nations together to focus on the geosciences.

Dr. Ray Gosine, P.Eng., vice president of research at Memorial University, reports that funding for research at Memorial has increased more than 115% between 2002 and 2007, the highest growth among Canada's top universities.

Cory Grandy, P.Eng., of the provincial department of municipal affairs, will present an update on the Provincial Solid Waste Management Strategy at the provincial Environmental Conference and Trade Show in March.

Dr. Stephen Bruneau, P.Eng. and Dr. Daniel Walker, P.Eng. were two researchers who recently received funding for research projects. Dr. Bruneau is working on Sustainable Technology for Polar Ships and Structures, and Dr. Walker on Numerical Simulation of Hydrodynamic Loads in Harsh Marine Environments.

Cluney Mercer, P.Eng. has been appointed Assistant Deputy Minister (Municipal Engineering and Planning), Department of Municipal Affairs. Prior to this appointment, he was Assistant Deputy Minister (Transportation), Department of Transportation and Works. He has also Executive Director of Roads with that department.

The European Space Agency has partnered with the Department of Environment and Conservation, C-CORE, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on an 18-month project using the satellite-based Earth Observation (EO) to detect aquatic point pollution sources in the Bay of Islands, Bay d' Espoir and Wabush Lake, using newly available high-resolution satellites. C-CORE was also recently honored with the Newfoundland and Labrador Employers Small Employer of Distinction Award. Charles Randell, P.Eng. is C-CORE's President and CEO.

For the 3rd year in a row, G.J. Cahill, has been named one of Canada's 50 Best-Managed Companies. Fred Cahill, P.Eng. is president of this large multi-disciplinary construction organization that employs over 100 full-time staff.

© Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador