Vol. 5, No. 11 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency November 1976 NEW DEPUTY APPOINTEE A new face at RTF—Walt Barber- Deputy Assistant Administrator, OAQPS In announcing the appointment, Russell E. Train, EPA Administrator, noted that Barber's experience in regulatory evaluation and development uniquely qualifies him for the Air Quality Planning and Standards post. "Walt has participated in the development of several of our most significant air pollution regula- tions," Train said. "His skills will be invaluable as we devise strategies for dealing with hazardous air emissions, stationary source pollu- tion, and new policies related to reducing ambient air pollution levels." Walt joined EPA in 1974 as Director of the Energy Policy Staff, concerned with the environmental and economic impacts of energy policies. Previously, he had served as Director of the Standards and Regulations Division in the Office of Planning and Evaluation. From 1973 until he (Continued on page 3) ENERGY CRISIS VS WHOLESALE LETHARGY by: Dorothy Rose Complacency is a human trait and most of us, at some time or other, are guilty of not coming to grips with reality. However, when an awe- some problem faces us we usually rally around and tackle it head on. The energy crisis of 1973-74 was a learning experience for most Americans. When we realized that there might not be enough fuel for automobiles, we formed car pools. In winter we cut our heat down and in summer we used less air conditioning. We turned off lights when we left a room and tried to use less hot water. Unfortunately, the learning experi- ence was not complete. Lifting the embargo did not make the real energy crisis go away. Big cars are coming back, air conditioners are going full speed in supermarkets, new model cars of every size and description are sup- planting old ones, commuter traffic jams are getting worse and mass transit systems are in trouble. The winter of 1973-74 has receded in our minds and we think of it as a bad dream. It's true that fuel and light bills are higher, but we have adjusted to that and hope the worst is over. We have not realized that the world supply of petroleum is shrink- ing. Half of the American people don't believe we have a long-term energy problem and the half that does see problems, can't agree on defini- tions of them or solutions. America's energy sources are not sufficient to keep fueling our growing economy and (Continued on page 2) 1 BRONZE METAL WINNER Carol Sawicki The ever efficient grapevine must have broken down recently because one of the best kept secrets of 1976 was the award of a Bronze Medal to Carole Sawicki for her work with the Federal Women's program. Carole, who is never at a loss for words, was completely nonplussed when Dr. John Knelson pre- sented her with the medal and certifi- cate in recognition of her outstand- ing leadership and direction in work- ing with the program. When Carole regained her composure she said, "I am pleased to accept this medal on behalf of all the women in EPA. We have a wealth of talented women in the Agency and all we need is the support of management. I appreciate receiving this medal as an indication of management's interest and concern." Carole was instrumental in assuring that the Federal Women's program got started in the right direction. Many of you remember the noontime seminars which she arranged. Along with plan- ning and implementing formal programs, (Continued on page 2) ------- ENERGY CRISIS... (Cont'd. from page 1) BRONZE MEDAL...(Cont'd. from page 1) our enlarging population at the accustomed low price. The oil embargo made that clear. Domestic petroleum supplies are not meeting U.S. demands and our access to foreign supplies cannot always be counted on. How long can we bury our heads in the sand? We listen to talk of an energy crisis, but we don't hear. We know there are devices to stave off these problems, but we are unwilling to be part of the solution. He feel conser- vation will eliminate jobs—higher prices will destroy businesses—off- shore drilling will wreck beaches; the fears are real but our posture is that of an ostrich. Yet if we continue to deal with energy in the future as we have in the past, we will be on a disaster course. There are many interconnected energy problems. Our growing dependence on imported oil subjects us to pressures over which we have no control. Local shortages of natural gas or fuel oil are more frequent. We must realize that even though energy serves society, it is also a polluter. Any drastic change in the availability and price of fuels will have a severe impact on employment and the economy. These issues underly a more massive problem which is the van- ishing of oil and natural gas - com- modities on which America has grown comfortable and prosperous. How did we let all this happen? Why did we become so complacent? How can we extricate ourselves from these dilemmas so that we can build a new energy future? We must examine the values at stake and establish priorities for evaluating and choosing solutions to our energy problems. But first and foremost we must stop being so com- placent and literally lift our heads out of the sand. Carole has encouraged women to apply for training and has served as a counselor. Her leadership qualities and enthusiasm have been a keystone in the program. In addition to this most recent honor, Carole received the Equal Opportunity Award in 1974 and the following year she received the Government Service Award for "superior sustained performance in research and development." She was selected by EPA Administrator Russell Train as one of six outstanding Federal Women in EPA in 1975. She was also nominated as Wake County Woman of the Year in 1976 as "... a leader professionally, scholastically, and humanistically." Carole graduated from Highlands High School in Fort Thomas, Kentucky as valedictorian of her class. She was awarded the President's Scholar- ship to the University of Cincinnati where she graduated Cum Laude with a double major in medical technology and chemistry. She was elected to the Freshman and Sophomore Women's Honorary Society and to Phi Beta Kappa. Professionally, Carole is a Re- search Chemist in the Atmospheric Instrumentation Branch of the Environ- mental Sciences Laboratory. Her re- search area is in the development of air pollutant samplers and monitors to detect and measure lead, sul- fates, nitrates and other pollutants in the atmosphere. She has authored or co-authored more than 20 papers and five books. With coaching from her husband, Gene, Carole has become one of the top tennis players in the Triangle area. All EPA'ers, women and men, are proud of Carole's accomplishments. With EPA's efficient grapevine, it was especially sweet to surprise her and "The Cleaner Times" adds its CONGRATULATIONS. PERSON-TO-PERSON The Word Processing Center has two new employees, Cynthia Bass who trans- ferred from GSO/OA, and Ramona Evans who came from ESRL. Welcome aboard! Darlene Jones of the OA Word Pro- cessing Center and her husband, Ray, have returned from a four week tour of Switzerland, Germany, France and Austria. While there they visited their daughter, Jennifer, who is a student at the University of Bern in Switzerland. Thomas Link, an Environmental Pro- tection Specialist in the Economic Analysis Branch of SASD/OAQPS, re- cently had an exhibition of his paint- ings at the North Carolina State Uni- versity Student Center in Raleigh. We are sure it was successful, Tom. Janet Mangum, Fuel Process Branch/ IERL, gave birth to a baby boy, Brandon Scott, October 11. Brandon weighed in at 9 Ibs. 5 1/2 ozs. Congratulations, Janet. D. Bruce Harris, IERL/RTP, and his wife, Sue, became the proud parents of a little girl, Colleen Sue, on October 3. The following is the way it was reported in the Process Meas- urements Branch Monthly Activity Re- port for October: "Following a nine month develop- ment, Colleen Sue Harris successfully initiated her ambient environmental phase on October 3, 1976 with all systems functioning as expected. Minor complaints have been noted during frequent systems checks in the areas of noise and waste stream con- trol." Different, eh wot! Once again the Federal Employees Association is sponsoring a "SNOWBALL" affair. This annual event will be held December 4, from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., at the Raleigh Women's Club, 3300 Women's Club Drive, Raleigh, N.C. There will be a live band, hors d'oeuvres and set-ups. Get your tickets early from your RTPFEA representatives. The cost is $6.00 per person for members and $7.00 per person for nonmembers. If you like singing in the shower, or if you have ever had a wild desire to sing in a barbershop quartet, you'll love singing "Barbershop Har- mony" with the Sound of Carolina Chapter Sweet Adelines, Inc. This group meets at the First United Methodist Church, Academy St., Cary, N.C. For further information, con- tact Velma Gray, ext. 1301. Dr. Norbert Jaworski's Muscovy ducks recently won five ribbons at the North Carolina State Fair for "Best of Breed." It seems these ducks are considered part of the Jaworski fami- ly. The family missed them so much when they moved here that they had them flown to North Carolina from Corvallis, Oregon. ------- WHO'S UP FRONT Our "Up Front" secretaries for November are Shirley Tabler, OAQPS, and Anne Brent, HERL/ERC. Shirley Tabler For the past four years Shirley has been secretary to Bern Steiger- wald, Director, OAQPS. She is a native of West Virginia, a high school graduate, and a member of the National Honor Society. She attended evening classes at Mont- gomery Jr. College, Takoma Park, Md. and is planning to enroll in evening classes at UNC this spring. Shirley, her husband, Howard, and daughter, Tammy, moved to Durham from Alexandria, Va. eight years ago. Prior to working for Bern Steigerwald she was in contract property administration, CMD/OA,and before that was with the Air Force at the Pentagon and the Army Re- search Office in Durham. Shirley does not have time to do all the things she enjoys, however, she es- pecially enjoys interior decorating, designing and sewing her own clothes and reading. Her future goals in- clude horseback riding lessons, traveling to "off the beaten path" places, and freelance writing and photography. Bern Steigerwald says, "Shirley Tabler brings many talents into her role in OAQPS. Her secretarial skills are all first rate - short- nand, typing, telephone, travel, office organization - and are taken for granted by all of us. It is also very comforting that Shirley is a perfectionist and I can sign correspondence with great confi- dence and little review. She reaches for new experiences and growth, both personally and profes- sionally, and has diversified with the job. She drafts increasingly difficult letters, is involved with Congressional correspondence and recently handled arrangements for a major international meeting in Washington. As a person, Shirley also comes out on top and her pleasing personal traits add signi- ficantly to her effectiveness. She is a fine hostess and compliments visitors with her care and concern. Her appearance, dignified manner, and quiet personality help provide relaxed working conditions. Both professionally and personally, I am proud to have Shirley represent me and OAQPS." Anne Brent Anne Brent is secretary to Dr. John Knelson, Director, HERL/ERC. She is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, and attended elementary and high school there. She received a 3 diploma from the Cortez Peters Busi- ness College, Washington, D.C. in the Commercial General Course. Anne be- gan her government service as a clerk- typist with the Department of Health, Education and Welfare; then as a clerk-stenographer and a secretary with the Department of Labor in Washington, D.C. In 1973, she moved back to Raleigh and began work with EPA as a secretary in the Experimental Biology Laboratory, then to the Office of the Director, NERC, and finally to her present position in HERL. Anne is the secretary of the Clarence Poe Elementary School PTA and also serves on the YWCA's Youth Advisory Committee (Y-Teens). She has an eight-year old daughter, Kimberly Ann, who keeps her quite busy. Anne's hobbies are bowling and sewing. When we contacted Dr. Knelson, he said, "The operation of an office in- volves many functions. But even more important is the atmosphere within which those functions are conducted. Anne Brent, with her gracious charm, patience, and courteous handling of difficult situations that are a daily routine in our office, establishes a harmonious, pleasant atmosphere to work in. She creates an image of professionalism to those we work with outside our office, and, most impor- tant of all, makes those dozens of little decisions each day that keep me from making big mistakes." NEW DEPUTY... (Cont'd. from page 1) joined EPA, he was budget examiner for the Office of Management and Budget. Walt holds a masters Degree in Engineering from Catholic University and a Masters in Public Administra- tion from Syracuse University where he graduated magna cum laude. He is a registered professional engineer. EPA/RTP welcomes Walt Barber to North Carolina and to his new exciting and challenging responsibi- lities. ------- FARMER CARES FOR ANIMALS Working with animals is unpredict- able, according to Jackie Farmer, Biological Laboratory Technician with HERL. While visiting "The Cleaner Times" office, Jackie recalled one escapade when a room full of monkeys got loose in the suspended ceiling at the Hazleton laboratory at two o'clock one early wintery morning. "New latches had been installed on the cages and they weren't monkey proof," said Jackie, "and everybody got out. It was a wild time." Another time and another place found Jackie and others chasing monkeys along the roof of an A & P store. "but it's all part of the job," according to Jackie. Up until last year, Jackie was the only certified animal technologist in North Carolina. He was the 244th person in the country to become cer- tified. The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) has established a national program of training and certification for lab- oratory animal technicians. "Those of us working with animals have spe- cial responsibilities," said Jackie, "and the training and certification program is one way to help ensure high quality care for the animals used in research." Last year, the first training course was taught in the Research Triangle area. Dr. Phillip T. Johnson^ University of North Carolina Medical School, was chairman of the Education Committee and coordinated the course. EPA'ers Dr. Donald Hinkle, Richard Linko and Jackie all taught sections of the course or dem- onstrated techniques in animal care. About 30 people were certified as a result of the class. According to Jackie, "The certification program is important in helping to achieve and maintain high quality care." Over the past 16 years that Jackie has been in the field, he has worked with the usual rats, mice and guinea pigs, plus oppossums, quail, pigs, chimps, baboons, and many species of monkeys. Prior to joining EPA, Jackie worked at Bionetics and Hazleton Laboratories in Virginia. During an experiment of implantation of experimental tumors in mice at Hazleton, Jackie noticed a small tumor in a non-injected animal. He knew this was unusual and brought it to the attention of the Group Leader. It turned out to be an unusual mouse tumor. Because of Jackie's interest and concern for animals, this new tumor has been studied extensively. The ultimate value to experimental cancer chemotherapy will not be known for a number of years, but it is in- vestigations such as these which will eventually provide more information in the fight against cancer. Jackie received a Special Accomplishment Award in recognition of his alert ob- servation, technical knowledge and good judgment. Jackie joined EPA in 1974 to work specifically with the inhalation toxicology group. It's a program which Jackie describes as "very ex- citing." Under the law, EPA must conduct thorough reviews of alternate chemicals for pest control, this in- cludes older registered pesticides. There is little inhalation toxicology data on these older pesticides so research in this area was started within EPA in 1974. Along with professional interests, Jackie is very active in Cary commu- nity affairs. He is a member of the Cary Jaycees. When living in Vir- ginia, he served as a Director and was elected again as Director of the Cary Club last year. The Jaycees hold a Christmas party every year for the less fortunate, sponsor special Olympics, the Junior Miss contest, plus many activities for young people. The Farmers have one son, Dean, 11 years old. They enjoy gardening and Jackie and his son like to hunt and fish. PERSONNEL CORNER Effective immediately—an automatic telephone answering device with a recorded message to provide current information about positions announced through the Merit Promotion Plan, plus other special recruitment eforts, has been installed at the Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. You may reach this recording by dialing: in-house 1339; FTS 629-1339; or commercial (919) 688-8146, ext. 1339. SUMMER JOBS The Civil Service Commission is now accepting applications for Summer Jobs for 1977. Applications will be ac- cepted through January 13, 1977. For more information and applications for Summer Jobs, interested persons should contact the Federal Job Information Center, Room 108, Federal Building, Raleigh, N. C. 27611. The toll free telephone number is 1-800-662-7720. Persons in the Raleigh area may call their local number, 755-4361. INTERESTED PERSONS SHOULD NOT WAIT TO APPLY. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE COMMISSION AFTER JANUARY 13, 1977. The following awards were approved during October 1976: QUALITY INCREASES: Portia Britt - HERL Emily R. Lee - HERL Mary E. Parrish - ESRL Alden B. Arnold - ESRL Ramona G. Evans - ESRL Lucy Phillips - EMSL CONTINUED SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE: Ronald H. Calliari - HERL The CLEANER TIMES a published monthly by Public Affairs. Office of Administration U S Environmental Protection Agency. Research Triangle Park. N C 27711 Liz Martin Dorothy Rose Elaine Hyman Editor Assistant Editor Reporter Produced with the assistance of the Word Processing Center. Graphics. Composition, and Printing Sections. GSO. Forms and Publications Center. GSD ------- |