Guidance issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This publication supersedes GAO-01-703G, Strategies to Manage Improper Payments: Learning From Public and Private Sector Organizations (Exposure Draft), May 2001. Improper payments are a significant problem in both government and the private sector. In the private sector, improper payments are generally an internal problem that threatens profitability. In the public sector, improper payments can result in wasteful spending, a higher tax burden, and fewer people receiving services. Despite increased scrutiny, most improper payments associated with federal programs still go undetected. Improper payments are more likely in programs with complex criteria for computing payments, a high volume of transactions, or an emphasis on speedy payments. This report highlights strategic actions taken by study participants to reduce improper payments."

A staff study issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "The nation's physical infrastructure consists of a broad array of systems and facilities, including transportation networks, such as roads, airports, rail, and mass transit; housing; federal buildings including postal facilities; and telecommunications services. In the 21st century, the following trends are likely to influence the nation's need for interconnected infrastructure systems and services: (1) the total population of the United States is expected to increase by nearly 50 million people, or about 17 percent; (2) the number of Americans aged 55 and over is expected to increase by about 60 percent; and (3) the suburbanization of population and employment will continue. The steps that the nation takes to anticipate these trends in infrastructure policy and investments will have a direct effect on America's economy and quality of life. To better understand these connections, GAO sponsored a conference in June 2001 to consider infrastructure issues from a crosscutting perspective. This report discusses the findings and conclusions of that conference."

Other written product issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This journal of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) includes articles regarding (1) the XI Assembly of the Organization of Latin American and Caribbean Supreme Audit Institutions (OLACEFS) from August 20-24, 2001, in Panama City, Panama; (2) data envelopment analysis in performance evaluation; (3) an audit profile of the State Audit Office (SAO) of Finland; and (4) activities within INTOSAI."

Testimony issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This testimony describes the benefits to the federal government of public-private partnerships on real property. Under these partnerships, the private sector finances the renovation or redevelopment of real property contributed by the federal government. Each partner then shares in the net cash flow. Key factors typically considered in public-private partnerships are whether the properties are in areas with a strong real estate market or strong demand for office space. As a result of these partnerships, the federal government can potentially gain efficient, repaired space, and properties that were once a net cost to the government can become revenue producers. This testimony summarized a July report (GAO-01-906)."

The Buildings for the 21st Century newsletter is produced by the Office of Building Technology, State and Community Programs and contains information on building programs, events, products, and initiatives, with a focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy. The fall issue includes information on weatherization, Boise's geothermal heating system, the BTS Core Databook, the Solar Decathlon, a Rebuild America partnership, the BigHorn Home Improvement Center, AIA's Top Ten Buildings, a sub-CFL procurement program, the U.S. investment in energy efficient research, new efficiency standards, PNNL's building software, and a calendar of meetings and conferences.

The 36,000-square-foot Cambria Office building in Ebensbug, Pennsylvania houses the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Designers of the energy-efficient building used integrated design to minimize energy use and pollution created in the production of the materials they used, and reduced the overall pollution and environmental impact the building will create over its lifetime. The building also employs daylighting and renewable energy technologies.

New fact sheets for the DOE Office of Power Technologies (OPT) that provide technology overviews, description of DOE programs, and market potential for each OPT program area.

Other written product issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "GAO provided information on the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board's statement of federal financial accounting standards (SFFAS). The statement presents amendments to SFFAS No. 7 and provides provisions that apply to entities collecting taxes on behalf on the federal government."

The Alaska Consumer's Guide for Small Wind Electric Systems provides consumers with enough information to help them determine if a small wind electric system can provide all or a portion of the energy they need for their home or business based on their wind resource, energy needs, and their economics. Topics discussed in the guide include: how to make your home more energy efficient, how to choose the right size turbine, the parts of a wind electric system, determining if there is enough wind resource on your site, choosing the best site for your turbine, connecting your system to the utility grid, and if it's possible to become independent of the utility grid using wind energy. In addition, the cover of the guide contains a state wind resource map and a list of state incentives and state contacts for more information.

This one-page flier introduces the Building America Partner Program in central New Mexico and encourages home builders to participate.

New fact sheets for the DOE Office of Power Technologies (OPT) that provide technology overviews, description of DOE programs, and market potential for each OPT program area.

New fact sheets for the DOE Office of Power Technologies (OPT) that provide technology overviews, description of DOE programs, and market potential for each OPT program area.

Newsletter for the DOE Biofuels Program. This issue contains information about a July/August 2001 Morgan and Myers survey of 400 American farmers to determine their willingness to sell their corn stover to make cellulosic ethanol.

The U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs has found a good way to reduce energy costs, replace inefficient lighting and aging building equipment, and install renewable energy systems-all without huge increases in the BIA budget. The agency is doing this by making use of the U.S. Department of Energy's Super Energy Savings Performance Contracts (Super ESPCs) at BIA schools and other facilities throughout the country. This two-page case study describes how one BIA facility-the Sherman Indian School in Riverside, California-is cutting its energy costs with badly needed new lighting and heating and cooling equipment, and installing a new photovoltaic energy system, under a DOE Super ESPC, in which the energy services provider pays up-front costs and is repaid out of the facility's resulting energy cost savings.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) works with industry and other partners through the Biopower Program to develop and validate renewable, biomass-based electrical generation systems.

New fact sheets for the DOE Office of Power Technologies (OPT) that provide technology overviews, description of DOE programs, and market potential for each OPT program area.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Jack Lent. He was born in Denison, Texas on September 14, 1920 and enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 15, 1941. Upon completing boot camp in San Diego in November, 1941, he was transferred to the Second Marine Division for duties as an Intelligence Specialist. He recalls that in July 1942 he was sent to a small island off Espiritu Santo in the Vanuatu Islands for a secret mission that involved mapping the island for the contingency of installing an air strip. He recalls his next experience during the landing of the Second Marine Division at Tarawa, when he spent ten hours under a pier evading Japanese machine gunners before finally reaching the beach and locating his Commanding Officer, Colonel David M. Shoup. He recalls the intensitiy of the firefight and being temporarily knocked uncnscious by a round that hit his helmet. He remembers that he transferred to an Air Observer Squadron, and after training in Honolulu, embarked aboard USS St. Lo (CVE-63) enroute to Saipan. He recalls several kamikaze raids during the transit. He recalls being launched off the carrier, flying over Saipan and landing at …