July 2010

Members in the News

In a recent newspaper report about a letter to American regulators regarding a proposed transmission line from the Quebec border to New York City, Gilbert Bennett, P.Eng., Nalcor’s Vice President, Lower Churchill Project, is quoted, saying that the development of additional transmission capacity from Canada to the U.S. market is critical to the cross-border transfer of renewable energy that our province, and others, possess.

Congratulations to Ingrid Clarke, P.Eng., who was a recent recipient of the Provincial Government’s Public Service Award of Excellence, presented on June 15 by the Premier. Open to all provincial government employees, this award highlights excellence and outstanding job performance at both individual and team levels and is the highest honour an employee can receive from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

At the recent Baie Verte Mining Conference, Bob Kelly, P.Geo., General Manager, Teck Resources Ltd., said, “people need to understand how important [mining] is…There are high-paying jobs in this industry that people can be proud of.” Teck was the exclusive provider of metals used to manufacture the medals for the Olympic Games in Vancouver this year.

St. John’s residents have been invited to offer their input into a proposed master cycling plan. Robin King, P.Eng., says that he has already received feedback from residents – some good, some bad.

Patrick Laracy, P.Geo., of Vulcan Minerals, says the company plans to carry out new seismic testing in the Bay St. George area this summer, once environmental approval has been received.

Congratulations to Earl Ludlow, P.Eng., Newfoundland Power’s CEO, on his recent selection as the recipient of the 2010 Humanitarian Award for Newfoundland and Labrador, by the Canadian Red Cross. The award will be presented on November 24^th at a fundraising dinner.

Sean O’Brien, P.Geo., is one of the people behind the establishment of a Geopark on the Bonavista Peninsula. A Steering Committee has been established and they are applying to UNESCO for Geopark status. Defined as a “geographical area where geological heritage sites are part of a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development”, there are currently no Geoparks in Canada.

Congratulations to Dr. Dennis Peters, P.Eng., chair of electrical and computer engineering in MUN’s Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, on his recent selection for the IEEE Canada J.J. Archambault Eastern Canada Merit Award. The Award recognizes exceptional IEEE volunteers. He has been an active member of the IEEE for more than 20 years.

In a report about some Americans who climbed two icebergs in May, Freeman Ralph, P.Eng., director of ice engineering at C-CORE, was asked about an iceberg’s stability. “Within a moment’s notice,” he said, “they can….not just tip over but [can disintegrate] to the point where there’s nothing left.”

Gary Vokey, P.Eng., Terra Nova Asset Manager, Suncor Energy, was among many industry speakers at this year’s NOIA oil and gas industry annual conference.

The provincial insect control program has been hampered by the weather this summer. Eric Young, P.Eng., director, forest engineering and industry services, Dept. of Natural Resources, says the wind and rain has delayed spraying. This year, the spray program is concentrating on the eastern spruce budworm in Goose Bay, Labrador, and on the hemlock looper on the Island.

© Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador