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Natural Gas STAR Partner Update
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In this issue:
- 2009 Natural Gas STAR Award Winners
- Partner Profile: Enbridge's Efficiency Approaches to Reducing Methane Emissions
- Climate Policy Update: Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board approves revision of methodology
- New Partners: Natural Gas STAR welcomes two new companies
- Technology Spotlight: Update on Membrane Dehydration
- In the News
- Prospective Projects Spotlight Ideal Distribution Facility: Gate Stations and Surface Facilities
- Upcoming Event: Methane to Markets Partnership Expo
- Natural Gas STAR Contacts
2009 Natural Gas STAR Award Winners
The Natural Gas STAR Program recognized the following companies at this year's annual implementation workshop. Awards were based on reported methane emission reductions achieved, range of different methods to reduce methane emissions, and general involvement in the Program, as well as other innovative company initiatives to address methane emissions.
Production Partner of the Year
Chesapeake Energy
Chesapeake Energy joined Natural Gas STAR in 2007 and quickly integrated the Program throughout its operations. Soon after joining, the company formed a cross-functional implementation team consisting of an engineer from each operating district, as well as representatives from its purchasing and environment, health, and safety departments. These efforts resulted in a number of successful emission reduction projects, including an expansive leak inspection and repair program and development of lean burn gas dehydrators, both of which contributed to impressive methane emission reduction totals for 2008. In addition, Chesapeake Energy has been extremely active in the Natural Gas STAR Program, co-sponsoring and hosting the May 2009 production technology transfer workshop at its headquarters, contributing to the Partner Update, as well as providing the keynote address and leading several technical sessions at the 2009 annual implementation workshop.
Gathering and Processing Partner of the Year
Western Gas Resources (a subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation)
Western Gas Resources (a subsidiary of Anadarko Petroleum Corporation) joined Natural Gas STAR in 2001. In 2008, the company implemented 12 different technologies and practices, which resulted in significant methane emissions reductions. Such activities include consolidating and optimizing compressors; using hot taps for pipeline tie-ins; and converting gas-driven pumps to solar pumps. The company also has taken advantage of the tools and resources that Natural Gas STAR provides and has worked with EPA to share information with peer companies through technology transfer workshops. In addition to supporting Natural Gas STAR activities, Western Gas Resources also developed an internal environment, health, and safety recognition program.
Transmission Partner of the Year
Spectra Energy
Spectra Energy joined Natural Gas STAR in 2000 as Duke Energy Gas Transmission. Since joining Natural Gas STAR, the company has continuously explored various options for reducing methane emissions from its operations. For 2008, Spectra Energy reported implementing four methane emission reduction technologies and practices and recorded its highest level of methane emissions reductions to date. Activities implemented included using composite wrap repair, using fixed/portable compressors for pipeline pumpdown, using hot taps, and using YALE closures for ESD testing. In addition, Spectra Energy has developed outreach materials, including a YouTube video, promoting the use of natural gas as a clean energy source.
Distribution Partner of the Year
Southwest Gas Corporation
Southwest Gas Corporation joined Natural Gas STAR in 1997. By continuously evaluating technologies and practices, Southwest Gas Corporation is able to implement new processes where applicable. Over the years, the company has implemented nearly 10 different methane emission reduction technologies and practices which include directed inspection and maintenance at gas stations and surface facilities, installation of excess flow valves, testing and repair pressure safety valves, testing of gate station pressure release valves with nitrogen, and use hot taps for in-service pipeline connections.
International Partner of the Year
Enbridge, Inc.
Enbridge, Inc. joined Natural Gas STAR International in 2006 and has demonstrated its commitment to the Program and continuous environmental improvements. Enbridge's Canadian operations are active in the Program and have implemented complementary internal programs with oversight boards. Enbridge has set an internal goal to reduce absolute direct greenhouse gas emissions to 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2010. To meet this goal, Enbridge is exploring and implementing a variety of projects. The company has implemented directed inspection and maintenance programs, replaced aged heaters with new efficient gas-fired heaters, and replaced compressor rod packing systems.
Rookie of the Year
Comgas joined Natural Gas STAR International in 2008. Aligned with its environmental and sustainability policy, Comgas implements activities to reduce methane emissions from its operations, as well as to enhance network safety and operational integrity. This includes continuous monitoring of the distribution network and focusing on the replacement of its cast-iron pipeline network. Comgas has taken extra steps to understand methane emissions from its cast iron distribution network by collecting more than 900 measurements from leaking pipes prior to insertion of plastic liners. Comgas shared this information with the Program in a Winter 2008 Partner Update article. The company also worked with the Natural Gas STAR Program to publish results of its measurement studies in an article in the September 2009 issue of the Pipeline and Gas Journal.
Implementation Manager of the Year
Andrew McCalmont, Chesapeake Energy
Since Chesapeake Energy joined Natural Gas STAR in 2007, Andrew McCalmont has provided extensive support and leadership in implementing its participation in the Program. Under his leadership, Chesapeake Energy has closely integrated its Natural Gas STAR participation with its core business activities, resulting in significant efficiency improvements and methane emissions reductions. Andrew led the company's Natural Gas STAR implementation team in a massive undertaking to identify methane reduction activities being performed by the company dating back to 2001 by using the STARtracker software. Andrew also has been a champion of Natural Gas STAR's overall technology transfer efforts by facilitating information exchange. Earlier this year, he was influential in coordinating and hosting a technology transfer workshop at Chesapeake Energy's headquarters in Oklahoma City. In addition, he worked with EPA to detail Chesapeake Energy's efforts in implementing a successful Natural Gas STAR Program for the Summer 2009 Partner Update.
Continuing Excellence, 5 years
Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P
Enogex LLC
Gulf South Pipeline
Kinder Morgan
Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation
Williams Production RMT Company
Photos not available for Alliant Energy, Energen Resources
Continuing Excellence, 7 years
DTE Energy - MichCon
ExxonMobil Production Company
Northern Natural Gas
Western Gas Resources
Continuing Excellence, 10 years
CenterPoint Energy Minnesota Gas
ConocoPhillips Petroleum Company
Continuing Excellence, 12 years
Southwest Gas Corporation
Continuing Excellence, 15 years
AGL Resources
Annual implementation workshop proceedings with further information are available online at www.epa.gov/gasstar/workshops/annualimplementation/2009.html.
Partner Profile: Enbridge's Efficiency Approaches to Reducing Methane Emissions
Through its participation in Natural Gas STAR, Enbridge continues to find new ways to reduce methane emissions and increase the efficiency of its distribution system. A Program Partner since 2006, Enbridge's operating arms across North America include Liquids Pipelines, Gas Pipelines, Sponsored Investments, and Gas Distribution and Services. Throughout its operations, Enbridge is identifying and pursuing measures to avoid methane emissions and benefit from the resulting increases in efficiency and gas throughput.
Cast iron main leak measurement
Fugitive emissions from underground pipelines are often one of the largest sources of losses from distribution systems. The frequency and size of leaks vary depending on pipeline use (mains vs. services), material, and age. Cast iron was the material of choice for low pressure distribution mains up until the 1950s and is still in place in Enbridge's Toronto, Ontario network.
The cast iron pipe began to be replaced with steel and polyethylene in Enbridge's system in the 1970s; however the formal cast iron replacement program was not introduced until 1980. At that time the company had 1,850 kilometers (km) of cast iron pipe in service; by 2008 approximately 1,477 km of pipe had been replaced, and the remaining 373 km of pipe is due to be replaced by 2012.
Enbridge's cast iron lines are not welded but are characterized by 12-foot sections connected by bell and spigot joints which are sealed by jute packing plus cement or molten lead. The cast iron system generally operates at about ¼ pounds / square inch gauge (psig). Leaks in these cast iron pipes develop in the packing over time due to heavy overhead traffic, freeze-thaw cycles, or naturally shifting soil. Leaks have also increased due to a shift towards lower moisture content (i.e., dryer) natural gas which reduces the effectiveness of the joint packing.
Apart from enhancing safety and helping to reduce operating costs, the replacement program also eliminates this source of fugitive emissions. Approximately 30 percent of the company's fugitive emissions from pipeline leaks can be attributed to this source, and yet the remaining cast iron is only about 0.001 percent of the total distribution system network.
Leak Measurement Method for Distribution Pipe
Enbridge based its cast iron leak rate measurements on a method used by the 1996 GRI/EPA study and in co-operation with the planned pipe replacement program. First, the cast iron segment to be measured was selected based on the pipe replacement program and the proximity to a pressure regulator to ensure a steady pressure required for the leak measurement as shown. At least 10 feet downstream and upstream of the leak is excavated and this is the segment that is isolated. The isolated segment is then connected to receive sufficient gas passing through a meter to sustain its normal operating pressure. The measured gas flow rate needed to maintain the normal operating pressure in the isolated segment is the leak rate.
To help track the fugitive emissions reduction success of the cast iron replacements, Enbridge quantified methane emissions reductions using emission factors. Enbridge recognized that the commonly used emission factors available to industry for cast iron may not be representative of its own system. Consequently, Enbridge designed a company-specific measurement methodology designed to be implemented with the cast iron pipe replacement program. This resulted in one field measurement being successfully concluded to provide additional context for the emission factors currently being used. Enbridge's measurement method was based on the one followed by the 1996 GRI/EPA study, Methane Emissions from the Natural Gas Industry (PDF) (100 pp, 1.9MB). Exhibit 1 summarizes Enbridge's implementation of this methodology.
The measurement was performed over a 5,872.7 meter segment, of which 5,071.3 meters was cast iron with 1,387 cast iron joints. The other pipe material type along this segment was plastic and steel and based on the above-ground leak detection was assumed to have zero leaks. From this sample Enbridge has calculated a cast iron leak emission factor is 546,959 cubic feet (cf) methane/mile/year before accounting for soil oxidation. The results are shown below in Exhibit 2 and compared with widely used factors. Although not statistically valid, this result shows that the fugitive emissions from cast iron may be under-reported.
Methane leak factor for cast iron distribution pipe(cubic feet methane / mile / year)
|Enbridge Measured Value
|Handbook for Estimating Methane Emissions from Canadian Natural Gas Systems. GRI Canada May 25, 1998.
|Methane Emissions from the Natural Gas Industry. GRI/EPA. 1996.
The value of the gas lost in the segment measured by Enbridge was determined to be about $12,000 annually. The experiences gained in performing the measurement led Enbridge to contribute to ongoing fugitive emission factor development for other sources, as well as the development of a fugitive emissions best management practices manual for the Canadian natural gas industry, being conducted in association with the Canadian Energy Partnership for Environmental Innovation. Given that this was just one site, the result did not provide sufficient statistical rationale to change the emissions factors being used. However, consideration is being given to accelerate the replacement program in part due to this measurement outcome.
Reciprocating compressor rod packing replacement
Enbridge also recognized compressor rod packing emissions as an efficiency opportunity at its Enbridge Gas Storage business unit. All rod packing leaks under normal conditions, the amount depending on cylinder pressure, fitting and alignment of the packing parts, and wear. For Enbridge, the focus on rod packing began as a result of a leak detection and quantification study at its Tecumseh gas storage facility, in Sarnia, Ontario. The leak survey allowed Enbridge to determine that valves and compressor rod packing were key methane emissions sources. Leaking valves were either repaired or replaced within a short time period after the survey was completed, and Enbridge then targeted rod packing for a sustained emissions reductions project. The survey was conducted in 2007 and found that on one of the compressors tested, where high performance seals had been installed, that there was a 60% reduction in fugitive emissions, representing a volume reduction from 168 103 m3/yr to about 68 103 m3/yr. At a value of $7.00 /GJ this represented a saving of about $26,000/yr.
Enbridge's gas storage compressors are driven by natural gas reciprocating engines and range in age from 14 to 45 years, with an average age of 36 years. Compressors range from 2,500 to 4,200 horsepower, have four cylinders each, and operate between 1000 and 1440 psig.
Enbridge investigated the options for reducing rod packing emissions from its compression fleet through discussions with vendors and decided to standardize their replacement on new low emission packing for all compressors. As the original packing becomes worn and the compressor is due for an overhaul, the packing is replaced with a new copper – lead combination material which is softer, provides and improved sealing over its lifetime, but that has the potential to wear quicker.
For rod packing retrofits, Enbridge targeted all eight of its Dresser Rand KVR compressor units, with other units of a different model in consideration for rod packing material upgrades in the future. The first two units were retrofitted in the summer of 2007, and since then two units have been retrofitted each year. By 2010 all 8 KVR units will have had this retrofit completed on them. Enbridge does not expect significant additional costs from using the new packing type as part of its normal maintenance and is tracking wear over time. Initial indications are that the new packing is performing well and emitting significantly less methane to the atmosphere.
Hybrid fuel cell and turbine power generation
Enbridge is also pursuing projects that increase energy efficiency. Direct reduction of fugitive emissions will reduce greenhouse gases; however, a related opportunity to reduce greenhouse gases, and other air pollutants, is to harvest a waste energy stream and generate useful work from this otherwise wasted resource.
Enbridge partnered with FuelCell Energy, of Danbury, Connecticut, to develop a hybrid fuel cell specifically for natural gas utilities. For all gas utilities, natural gas pressure reduction is a normal part of business in the day to day delivery of gas from high pressure systems to lower pressure gas pipelines. Normally this is done using a pressure reduction valve. The utility obtains controlled expansion of the gas; but no other useful work occurs. Ironically, gas expansion during pressure reduction causes the gas to cool, and the utilities typically add more energy at these pressure reduction stations through line-heaters or gas-fired boilers.
The hybrid fuel cell is designed specifically for utility pressure reduction stations. Instead of expanding gas across a valve, Enbridge has installed a turbo expander at a Toronto gate station which harvests energy during the pressure reduction. As depicted in Exhibit 3, gas at 375 psig enters the turbine at an average rate of 2 million cf / hour and exits at 175 psig, using the pressure drop for electric power generation which is provided to the local electricity utility like a wind turbine would. The turboexpander provides 1 megawatt of electricity, and the project incorporates a 1.2 megawatt Direct FuelCell® that operates off low-pressure natural gas that is part of the turboexpander's seal leakage. Additional natural gas, as required, is supplied from the pipeline, and the fuel cell electrochemically converts the hydrogen in natural gas to electricity. This electrochemical process, similar to a battery, starts with what is known as internal reforming of the fuel to obtain the hydrogen. No external hydrogen supply is required. Fuel is combined with oxygen from air to produce Ultra-Clean electrical power, in the form of direct current (DC), and heat. The DC electricity is then converted to AC power to match the electrical grid requirements.
The fuel cell does two things. First, it more than doubles the amount of electricity delivered to the grid compared to a stand-alone turboexpander. This provides a number of economic benefits. Secondly, the high-quality heat from the fuel cell is used to preheat the natural gas eliminating the air contaminants that would otherwise be produced by the boilers or line heaters used in the pressure reduction process. The fuel cell operates without burning the natural gas so its clean air benefits are unmatched. Compared to Ontario's typical electricity mix of coal, natural gas, nuclear and hydroelectric the hybrid fuel cell offers significant reductions in GHG, NOx, SOx, particulate, and unburned hydrocarbons. The utility is now generating a second revenue stream from its day to day pressure reduction process. The hybrid fuel cell project has been operating since November, 2008, and has produced a cumulative 3 gigawatt hours of electricity from January through May of 2009.
The project costs about $10 million including first-time engineering costs. Enbridge has identified a number of cost reduction opportunities, and it is planning future projects if the technology is awarded electricity price premiums similar to biomass and biogas electricity rates which are 12 to 14.5 cents Cdn. / kilowatt hour in Ontario, Canada. Besides electricity generation and elimination of the gas-fired boiler, advantages include a small footprint suitable for urban facilities, low noise, proximity to electric power consumers, and power generation with reduced air emissions.
Environmental legislation pertaining to the regulation of air emissions, including greenhouse gases should take a holistic view rather than the current sectoral approach. This technology admirably demonstrates that implementation in one sector (in this case gas distribution) can have cumulative benefits in another sector in this case electric generation. Often, cross-sectoral, or co-industrial benefits are not so recognized making it difficult to link any financial benefit for reduced emissions to the investment in these emerging technologies.
Throughout its infrastructure, Enbridge is pinpointing areas of methane loss and energy loss. With new technology and processes, the Company is finding new ways to quantify methane emissions reduction opportunities and new project ideas to increase pipeline delivery efficiency. Enbridge plans to continue its cast iron pipeline replacement program through 2012. It also plans to have eight reciprocating compressors, in its gas storage operations, retrofitted to the new rod packing type by 2010. As supportive energy policies embrace technologies like fuel cells the Company will promote the expanded use of the hybrid fuel cell technology as a proven solution to Ultra-Clean power generation.
Climate Policy Update: Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board approves revision of methodology
At the fiftieth meeting of the Executive Board on October 13 to 16, 2009, a proposed revision to Approved Methodology (AM) 0023 was accepted. The revision allows for two additional methane emissions measurement methods, calibrated bagging and ultrasonic flow metering, in addition to the previously specified methods.
AM0023 is a CDM methodology to reduce methane leaks from surface facilities along natural gas pipelines, such as compressor stations and gate stations. The methodology is applicable to pipeline operations where measures are not in place to systematically identify and repair leaks, where the leaks can be identified and accurately measured, and where continual monitoring takes place after leak repair.
The previous version of AM0023 allows for several methods to quantify methane leaks:
- Bagging technique (constructing an enclosure around a leak and directing an inert gas at a known flow rate through the bag to allow for sampling and determination of the methane leak rate).
- Hi volume sampler.
- Rotameter.
This most recent version of AM0023 adds calibrated bagging (using anti-static bags of known volume to completely capture the leak source and recording time to full bag inflation) and ultrasonic metering as permitted measurement options.The Executive Board meeting archives are available at cdm.unfccc.int/EB/archives/index.html . The list of approved methodologies is available at cdm.unfccc.int/methodologies/PAmethodologies/approved.html .
New Partners: Natural Gas STAR welcomes two new companies
The Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is very pleased to welcome Naftogaz as an official partner in the Natural Gas STAR International Program. Naftogaz joins 12 other oil and natural gas companies in this Program, which aims to identify and implement cost-effective methane emission reduction projects in the oil and natural gas sector. By working through the Natural Gas STAR Program, EPA and the oil and gas industry are preventing methane losses and delivering more natural gas to markets around the world. For more information on the Natural Gas STAR International Program, visit https://www.epa.gov/gasstar/international/index.html.
Naftogaz of Ukraine engages in the full range of upstream, midstream and downstream operations in the oil and gas sectors. This includes oil and gas exploration, gas and condensate processing, operation of pipelines and other shipping installations, and retail sales of oil and gas products to Ukrainian customers. Naftogaz and its subsidiaries provide 91 percent of all domestically produced natural gas in Ukraine. Naftogaz is the largest company in Ukraine.
SC Ukrtransgaz, a subsidiary, operates Ukraine's natural gas transmission system, which transits over 80% of the gas traveling from Russia to Western Europe. It consists of 38,200 kilometers of pipelines, 73 compressor stations, and 13 underground gas storage facilities.
Naftogaz has five plants that process gas and gas condensate as well as a network of natural gas vehicle refueling stations. The network consists of 91 stations capable of filling 75,000 vehicles with compressed natural gas daily. Naftogaz develops and maintains gas distribution systems within Ukraine. Throughout its infrastructure, Naftogaz plans to implement energy-saving measures such as replacing old compressors, installing co-generation units at compressor stations, and building power plants at oil and gas production sites.
Plains Exploration & Production Company
The Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is very pleased to welcome Plains Exploration & Production Company (PXP) as an official partner in the Natural Gas STAR Program. PXP is an independent oil and gas company primarily engaged in acquiring, developing, exploring, and producing oil and gas properties. PXP's principal focus areas include mature properties as well as newer properties. PXP produced 33.5 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) in 2008 and reported year-end proved reserves of 292 million BOE. PXP was founded in December 2002 as a result of a spin-off from Plains Resources Inc. and is headquartered in Houston, Texas with core operations located in Los Angeles and San Joaquin Basins onshore California; offshore California; Gulf of Mexico; Gulf Coast region; and Texas.
Technology Spotlight: Update on Membrane Dehydration
The previous Partner Update examined U.S. Department of Energy work to compared membrane dehydration to the more conventional glycol dehydration, where membrane dehydration has the potential for reduced methane emissions. This article provides additional examples.
About 15 years ago, a technical article was published detailing the use of a membrane process in the United States as a substitute for an amine/glycol sweetening and dehydration system. Twelve years later, a follow up article2 presented an analysis of the successful operation of a three-train membrane system processing 45 million standard cubic feet per day (MMcfd) of natural gas at 1000 pounds per square inch to a specification of less than 2 moles carbon dioxide and less than 7 pounds/MMcfd water.
From these implementations, a list of advantages and disadvantages of membranes for dehydration can be explored.
- Advantages
- Simple design: small footprint suited for offshore
- Simple one step process: ideal for unmanned operations
- Energy efficient
- Zero emissions are possible
- Lower construction and operating costs
- Disadvantages
- Dependent on membrane separation quality
- Dependent on feed gas composition
- Fouling
- Water saturation negates permeability process
- Requires a use or sink for permeate gas
Membranes may play an increasing role in gas processing with evolution of efficient and durable membranes. Natural Gas STAR will continue to follow the evolution of this technology.
In the News
Below is a summary of several recent Natural Gas STAR and Methane to Markets pieces featured in publications and conferences.
New York Times Article Highlights Methane Emissions Reduction
A recent article published in the "New York Times" emphasizes methane emissions reductions as being a profitable and effective way of curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Key topics covered by the article were:
- Natural Gas STAR Partner EnCana is using infrared cameras for leak detection and repair
- Natural Gas STAR Partner BP is reducing wellhead methane emissions.
- Methane has a much shorter atmospheric lifetime than carbon dioxide, and therefore methane emissions reductions can have a more immediate impact and benefit on climate change.
The full article can be found here .
Methane to Markets Submission Awarded "Best Paper" at World Gas Conference
A Methane to Markets report highlighting the efforts of participants in the Partnership was awarded "Best Paper" at the 24th World Gas Conference (WGC), which took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina on October 5 to 9, 2009. The paper, Methane's Role in Promoting Sustainable Development in the Oil and Natural Gas Industry (PDF) (21 pp, 236K), discusses projects undertaken by PEMEX, Pluspetrol, Gazprom, and EnCana to reduce methane emissions cost-effectively. The "Best Paper" award is a longstanding tradition of the IGU, with a two-step selection process involving the IGU Technical Committees and a jury established especially for the final selection stage. The paper was selected from 240 papers accepted to the conference.
The projects examined by the paper were implemented in Mexico, Argentina, Russia, and the United States. These case studies illustrate how the methane emissions source, geography, energy market, and costs can vary, but a common result is reduced emissions and positive net cash flow.
Pipeline & Gas Journal Article Shares Efforts to Quantify Cast Iron Main Emissions
A recent article published in the "Pipeline & Gas Journal" on Comgas, the distribution company of Sao Paulo, Brazil and Natural Gas STAR International Partner, provides data on methane leaks from cast iron distribution mains.
Since 2005, Comgas, the largest natural gas distribution company in Brazil by distribution volume, has measured leak rates from 912 segments of cast iron pipelines. The article outlines Comgas's measurement methods and results, and it compares them to the EPA/GRI study Methane Emissions from the Natural Gas Industry, which is used as the basis for the U.S. Inventory and Natural Gas STAR presentations. The analysis shows that the average volume of natural gas lost from cast iron distribution networks can vary and points to the need for further study of loss rates globally. For example, the Comgas study yielded average leak rates of almost double that in the U.S. Inventory.
In 1993 Comgas converted from town gas to natural gas, with the dryer natural gas causing cast iron joints to dry and gas leakage to increase. This in part motivated Comgas to undertake the measurement study and emissions reduction measures. During the first five years of this effort, Comgas spent $82 million to rehabilitate 250 kilometers (155 miles) by inserting polyethylene pipes into the existing cast iron network—eliminating the equivalent of 125 MMcf per year of gas losses.
A copy of the article will be posted on the Natural Gas STAR website.
Prospective Projects Spotlight Ideal Distribution Facility: Gate Stations and Surface Facilities
Since the inception of the Natural Gas STAR Program, distribution Partners have reported many voluntary cost-effective technologies and techiques to reduce methane emissions, with projects applicable to virtually every part of the gas distribution process. Considering these projects together provides a new approach to reducing emissions, creating an ideal low methane emissions facility.
Natural Gas STAR Partners around the globe face a diverse set of conditions and markets in which to operate, and the ideal facility concept can help structure a strategy for finding and implementing the most cost-effective projects for a specific setting. For Partners expanding into new construction, the ideal facility approach can provide an up-front focus on the value of reduced methane emissions and incorporate it into facility design. For Partners scheduling significant facility or system overhauls, the ideal facility approach can identify efficiency improvements. The ideal facility approach also treats methane capture and use projects as a system-wide investment which can viably compete for funding with other project types on a financial basis. The approach is implemented below using a sample distribution system. The system's process flow is defined, paths to the atmosphere are identified, mitigation projects for each source are considered, and financial performance of the projects is considered.
Background: Gas Distribution Methane Emissions
Below is process flow diagram for natural gas distribution. Natural gas from a high pressure transmission line is routed to a distribution gate station where the pressure is stepped down and the gas is metered and odorized. Gas leaves the gate station and enters the distribution network which includes high and low pressure mains, meter and regulating vaults, low pressure service lines, and customer meters. Major methane emissions sources along this route are also identified in the diagram and include equipment leaks, line leaks, and pressure regulator vents.
This process flow depiction of methane emissions identifies key paths to the atmosphere and the affected parts of the system. Diagramming distribution systems allows all identified emissions sources to be paired with cost-effective project options. Below is a list of projects that can be considered in a system-wide review of methane emissions.
Emission Reduction Opportunities: Achieving the Ideal Natural Gas STAR Facility
Below is a list of key Partner-reported projects that can form the basis of an ideal Natural Gas STAR distribution facility.
Directed Inspection and Maintenance (DI&M) (PDF) (18 pp, 204K) has proven to be a cost-effective way to detect, measure, prioritize, and repair equipment leaks to reduce methane emissions. A DI&M program begins with a baseline survey to identify and quantify leaks. Repairs that are cost-effective are then made to the leaking components. Subsequent surveys are based on data from previous surveys, allowing operators to concentrate on the components that are most likely to leak and are profitable to repair.
Cast Iron Joint Sealing Robot (CISBOT (PDF) (11 pp, 592K)) is a miniature robotic system developed with funding from Con Ed and Enbridge Consumers Gas that seals leaking joints with an anaerobic sealant, without service disruption and with minimal excavation. In addition to sealing leaks, the anaerobic sealant injections act as a packing within the joint and help reduce future leaks.
Insert Gas Main Flexible Liners (PDF) (2 pp, 60K) has been reported by Partners where replacement of lines with plastic piping is not feasible or permitted (e.g., bridge crossings). Thin-walled plastic liners can be pulled through long lengths of buried piping and bonded at joints to minimize gas leaks.
Composite Wrap (PDF) (19 pp, 248K) is a permanent, cost-effective pipeline repair technology, suitable for non-leaking defects such as pits, dents, gouges, and external corrosion that restores the pressure-containing capability of the pipe without service disruption. Use of composite wrap as an alternative to pipeline replacement can reduce safety risks, decrease pipeline downtime, and avoid methane emissions from pipe blowdowns.
Excess Flow Valves (PDF) (2 pp, 64K) automatically shut off ruptured gas service lines, preventing catastrophic accidents and methane emissions to the atmosphere. Excess flow valves used by Partners respond to the high-pressure differential created when a line is severed by snapping shut to stop the flow of gas.
Lower Distribution System Pressure (PPT) (14 pp, 892K) minimizes leak rates. Peak demand pressures are set for extended periods of time to meet customer demand but are necessary only for fraction of the time. Higher than necessary pressure intensifies leak rates and increases maintenance costs. Natural Gas STAR Partners have reported adjusting distribution system pressures for shorter intervals to better match current demand, reducing methane emissions and maintenance costs while increasing gas savings.
Converting high-bleed pneumatic devices to low-bleed (PDF) (17 pp, 260K) has resulted in significant methane emissions reductions for Natural Gas STAR Partners. The retrofit or complete replacement of worn units can provide better system-wide performance and reliability and improve monitoring of parameters such as gas flow and pressure.
Management practices to reduce methane emissions such as developing greenhouse gas inventories to track methane emissions, encouraging all levels of personnel to develop new project ideas, monitoring ongoing projects, and viewing such projects as business opportunities can help create a corporate culture to further optimize operations and emissions reductions.
Many other project types are available for consideration. Other Partner reported emission reduction technologies include testing gate station pressure relief valves with nitrogen gas, using hot taps for in service pipeline connections (PDF) (19 pp, 308K), and pipeline damage prevention (PDF) (11 pp, 80K).
Implementation and Economics: Ideal Distribution Facility Example
Exhibit 2 illustrates potential emissions reductions that can be obtained by implementing the technologies and practices mentioned above. The total methane emission from the surrogate facility is estimated to be 3,321 Mcf/year. The potential emissions savings from projects with low investment and positive cash flow is 1,801 Mcf per year, resulting in gas savings of $12,600 at a gas value $7 per Mcf.
The investment to cover the implementation of the methane emissions reduction technologies and practices illustrated by Exhibit 2 would include the capital cost of the DI&M leak detection and measurement equipment, composite leak repair sealant, plastic liners, and flow valves. Using data provided by manufacturers and operators and assuming that multiple facilities share capital equipment, the capital cost required is $6,400 or $3.57 per Mcf gas saved in the first year. Operating and maintenance costs include labor costs for conducting surveys and repairs, which is estimated to be $10,700 per year or $5.96 per Mcf gas saved per year. Savings are in the form of reduced emissions and increased throughput and depend on gas price. Example project economics are shown in Exhibit 3.
Capital & Installation Costs
Annual Labor & Maintenance Costs
Gas Price per Mcf
Annual Value of Gas Saved
Payback Period in Years
The ideal distribution facility concept can offer companies a positive cash flow business opportunity with additional climate change benefits. As highlighted in this example, addressing methane emissions at the facility level has the advantages of considering multiple emissions sources to capture, considering multiple methods to capture them, and moving forward with the most profitable methods. This type of coordinated effort to reduce methane emissions facility wide can result in additional efficiencies such as carrying implementation successes to other locations or identifying additional methane emissions reduction projects. The ideal distribution facility concept may vary from location to location, but viewing methane emissions as an unrealized revenue stream is the first step towards achieving it.
Upcoming Event: Methane to Markets Partnership Expo
New Delhi, India
March 2 to 5, 2010
The Methane to Markets Partnership Expo is the premier international forum for promoting methane recovery and use project opportunities and technologies. The second Partnership Expo will be held in India and will cover methane capture-and-use projects in agriculture, coal mines, landfills, and oil and gas. The Expo's program will feature:
- Four sector-specific conference tracks. Key methane capture and use technologies and policy issues as well as barriers to project development and how to overcome them.
- Methane Marketplace. Methane recovery and use projects for immediate financing or implementation and technology providers showcasing the latest products and services.
- Partnership working meetings. Government and industry discussions on how Methane to Markets can effectively promote methane capture and use projects and activities around the world.
For more information, see www.globalmethane.org/expo/index.htm .
Natural Gas STAR Contacts
Program Managers
Jerome Blackman (firstname.lastname@example.com)
Phone: (202) 343-9630
Carey Bylin
(202) 343-9669
Roger Fernandez (email@example.com)
(202) 343-9386
Suzie Waltzer
(202) 343-9544
Natural Gas STAR Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (6207J)
Washington, DC 20460
For additional information on topics in this Update, please contact
Jerome Blackman.


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Thai politicians have devoted so much time on this issue, rather than govern the country. No wonder Thailand remains very much Third World.
Posted by jimbo on November 3, 2013 12:54
How can the parliament be so stupid to pass an amnesty bill on October 31, the day before official high season for tourism?
Posted by Sherlock on November 3, 2013 13:03
According to many reports across a range of Thai media outlets across the country, this amnesty bill will cause severe discontent, the first signs of which are already evident. The lid will literally blow off the pressure cooker.
Posted by Logic on November 3, 2013 13:32
Hopeless situation and for many people in tourism businesses we are in the position of 'WAIT AND SEE' but the outcome may not be so funny....
Posted by Whistle-Blower on November 3, 2013 13:41
I am sure the timing is not coincidental. It is timed for maximum impact. This has been a long time in the planning & was a fairly inevitable outcome once YS was elected proxy PM.
Posted by Logic on November 3, 2013 16:05
whistle blower?...The Lord for help?....C'mon now are you serious?
Posted by zig on November 3, 2013 17:57
Why have you omitted this is not yet law. It has to be approved by the upper house, which is unlikely.
Posted by gee on November 3, 2013 18:14
Only a very small group of protesters in Bangkok. That won't register with the tourists at all.
Posted by Remarkable on November 4, 2013 00:40
Sunday August 28, 2016

subset: commoncrawl


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Location: Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research
Title: Validity of using backward Lagrangian Stochastic technique in measuring trace gas emission from treatment lagoon Authors
Submitted to: American Society of Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: June 17, 2011
Publication Date: October 16, 2011
Citation: Ro, K.S., Johnson, M.H., Stone, K.C., Hunt, P.G., Todd, R.W., Flesch, T. 2011. Validity of using backward Lagrangian Stochastic technique in measuring trace gas emission from treatment lagoon [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Society of Agronomy-Crop Science Society of America-Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting, October 16-19, 2011, San Antonio, Texas. Technical Abstract: This study evaluates the accuracy of measuring trace gas emission from treatment lagoons using backward Lagrangian stochastic (bLs) technique. The bLs technique was originally developed for relatively homogeneous terrains without any obstacles causing significant windflow disturbance. The errors associated with using the bLs technique for emission sources with obstacles such as fences or building can be minimized by collecting downwind concentration data far away from the obstacles. Because treatment lagoons in the Southeast region area are usually surrounded by tree lines, it may not be possible to obtain downwind concentration data with enough fetch. Instead, we assume that the microclimate condition within the treatment lagoon boundary can be isolated and its wind turbulence adequately characterized by a 3-dimensional sonic anemometer installed within the treatment lagoons. This assumption allows us to use the bLs technique; however, its accuracy in this type of application is not known at this time. In this study, we compared the emission rate of methane estimated using the WindTrax, a computer based bLs technique, with known mass rates released through a 47-meter by 47-meter floating pipe network on a 65-meter by 65-meter reservoir. Tunable diode laser absorption spectrometers (TDL) were used to collect path integrate concentration (PICs) data. Experimental variables include laser height and location, berm height, and release rate. The experiments are still on-going and the results will be presented at the meeting.


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Adelson's Vanishing Billions
Maxwell Murphy reports:
Las Vegas Sands founder and head honcho Sheldon Adelson is $34 billion poorer than he was a year ago, but at least he won't face the punishing dilution the casino operator's other shareholders are about to experience.
While the $2.14 billion fundraising Sands announced Tuesday will markedly dilute Adelson's controlling ownership interest, the company's other investors will suffer positively brutal dilution that will reduce their proportionate stakes in Sands by 56% or so and they'll now own just 13.6% of the company. By contrast, Adelson's ownership will go to 51.3% from 68.9%, dilution of 25.5%, but he'll only retain even that large a stake by ponying up $525 million to participate in the offering.
Assuming underwriters exercise their over-allotment option, Sands will issue 200 million common shares at $5.50 apiece, an over 31% discount to Monday's close, for $1.1 billion. Concurrently, Sands will issue bundled units consisting of one share of perpetual cumulative preferred stock yielding 10%, redeemable beginning in three years, and one warrant to buy about 16.7 shares of Sands at $6.50 each. About $519.6 million worth of units will be sold to the public, and another $525 million will be purchased by Adelson.
This brings Adelson's commitment to Sands to $1 billion in just six weeks. Adelson on Sept. 30 gave the company $475 million in exchange for convertible notes yielding 6.5% and due in five years. The convertible illustrates how rapidly and terribly Sands, the gambling sector and the broader U.S. economy are bottoming. Just over a month ago, Sands needed under $500 million and now it needs more than $2 billion more to pad its coffers against the downturn.
A Sands spokesman didn't return a call seeking comment.
Moreover, the convertible had an initial conversion price of about $49.65 a share. As a result of the new offering, the convertible will now convert with the common offering's price of $5.50, so Adelson will soon receive nearly 86.4 million shares, rather than fewer than 9.6 million.
Including all the stock and warrants being offered to the public and Adelson, Sands could see dilution of roughly 460.5 million shares, well more than doubling the existing shares outstanding count of about 355.5 million that Sands reported as of Halloween in its most recent quarterly filing. That means investors considering investing in Sands should view it as a company with more than 815.9 million shares and value it accordingly.
Meaning, with Sands shares recently changing hands at $5.75 a share, down about 28%, Sands effectively has a market capitalization of roughly $4.7 billion. Ironically, that's almost $2 billion higher than Sands' market cap at Monday's closing bell, but it means that if investors were correct in their Monday pricing of Sands, then the stock should be trading in the $3.50 neighborhood. That said, if the $2 billion and change is all Sands needs to stave off a bankruptcy filing and husband it through the downturn, such a premium might be wind up being justified.
But the price is steep. The interest on the convertible issue would have totaled $30.9 million a year while the interest on the new preferreds will reach nearly $105 million annually. Plus, whenever Sands decides to redeem the preferreds, it will pay a 10% premium that will penalize it an extra $105 million all told.
Since large gaming companies peaked in October last year, Sands has lost more than $48 billion in market capitalization, and Adelson has seen a whopping paper loss of about $34 billion. Then, he owned 69% of a $52.88 billion company, or about $36.4 billion worth, and now he owns roughly 51% of a $4.7 billion one (pro forma for the offering), or about $2.4 billion.
It doesn't make as many headlines, but Adelson's one of the few individuals on earth who has seen more paper wealth disappear over the past year than legendary casino magnate Kirk Kerkorian. To go with all the pain of his crashing Ford Motor stake, Kerkorian has watched $13.4 billion disappear from a controlling MGM Mirage stake that was worth about $15 billion at its all-time high, as MGM's market cap has tumbled to under $3 billion from about $28.7 billion.
The problems at Sands highlight the troubles plaguing other large casino concerns, namely hefty debt burdens, cash flows strapped by the febrile economy and costly projects that will require more resources, resources that may be hard to come by given the state of the union.


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Lodge Logic Splatter Screen
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Journal of Materials Chemistry was published between 1991 and 2012. From issue 1, 2013, it was replaced by three new journals: Journal of Materials Chemistry A, B and C
carbon nanotubes in biomedicine
Corresponding authors
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Flinders University, Sturt Road, Bedford Park, Adelaide, Australia
Fax: +61 88201 2905
Tel: +61 88201 2817
Fax: +61 88201 2905
Tel: +61 88201 2817
Division of Information Technology, Engineering and Environment, Mawson Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, Australia
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
J. Mater. Chem., 2012,22, 8748-8758
Received 16 Dec 2011, Accepted 08 Feb 2012
First published online 12 Mar 2012
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Journal of Materials Chemistry - Information Point


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Definition of escape road in English:
escape road
nounchiefly British
A slip road, especially on a racing circuit, for a vehicle to turn into if the driver is unable to negotiate a bend or slope safely.
Example sentences
- I very nearly followed Jason up the escape road on the first lap.
- Bit by bit he caught the BMW, which then shot up an escape road with brake failure, leaving the Alfa in the lead with four laps to go.
For editors and proofreaders
Line breaks: es¦cape road
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January 9, 2013, Del Mar, California_ USA_| Encinitas resident Devin Brown, 22, collects jackets and blankets from a donation box at the Bindu Yoga studio in Del Mar, one of eight locations she has set uo donation boxes. She started a blanket drive in memory of her uncle, who was homeless and died in a park last week. |_Mandatory Photo Credit: Photo by Don Boomer/UT San Diego/Copyright 2012 San Diego Union-Tribune, LLC


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Israel Tours and other Bible Land Tours of World of the Bible
June Israel Tour and Bible Land Tours
Dr. Randall Price This year is making his 100th trip to Israel and the lands of the Bible, most of them guiding groups on tours of Israel, Jordan, and Turkey. He started the Tour part of his ministry after studying at the Hebrew University in Israel and seeing how it changed his perspective and realized a need for pastors in particular and believers in general to gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the land of Israel and under-standing the Bible in the context of it's geographic and cultural setting. Our Israel tours are typically limited to one bus (50 people) to keep the tour personal and allow complete access to Dr. Price and his wife Beverlee during the tour. Occasionally, depending on the tour, this limit will increase beyond 50.
2016 Israel Adventure Tour itinerary is posted below.
"I wouldn't trade the experience for anything! I'm thrilled to have finally gone to Israel, and I don't think anybody could have been better tour directors then Randall and Beverlee Price, nor could the tour sites themselves have been have been more appropriate and exciting."- Ron T., Lenexa, KS
"We just returned from the World of the Bible Study Tour hosted by Dr. Price and his wife Beverlee. We have been traveling to Israel for many years now with one of the leading ministries of the Southeast assisiting it in many ways and know Israel very well. Considering this knowledgeable background, we both have the utmost respect for Dr. Price and cannot say enough about his tours. They are professional, educational, informative, and the best planned itinerary we have ever had. Dr. Price and Beverlee are two of the most godly, pleasant down to earth couple we have ever met in any ministry. While Dr. Price took care of the daily tour affairs, Beverlee was constantly attending to everyone's needs. We have been exposed to a lot of other ministry tours and can in all honesty recommend World of the Bible Study Tours over all others. " - Bob & Beverly C., Sevierville, TN
Israel/Mt. Sinai Tour 2010
As a seminary student and a Christian interested in study of the written Word, I am thankful for all of the new images in my mind when reading the Bible. I will not easily forget my whole experience, but especially the time at Mount Sinai, Ein Gedi, Masada and Jerusalem. Those are among my favorites. I enjoyed every bit of it and definitely would recommend it to first-timers to Israel. I saw everything I could possibly want to have seen. One of the best parts of the trip were the people! The pilgrims and the tour leaders. Randall and Beverlee were enjoyable hosts and Kenny and Ovad really made the trip! Heather B.
Israel/Jordan Tour 2011
Arlin and I have been blessed to join many Christian tours (groups) over the years. Each one has provided a dimension to our lives. It is another blessing that everything written on your website about your tour is true. There is the dimension of fellowship and enrichment that cannot be described, only experienced by joining you. Thank you to your ministry for that. Arlin and Lois P., Fullerton,California
Israel/Petra Tour 2012
Our trip was perfect !!! I am a picky traveler .... I always told my husband we were travel snobs because we liked traveling in comfort, and this trip did not disappoint! My favorite part of the trip was Randall's scripture reading and mini sermons! I could not have gone with any other tour and had nearly the experience. The hotels were wonderful, the pace of the days was perfect, Kenny, our tour guide, was excellent, and our travel companions are my new friends :) Julaine C., Houston, TX
Israel/Jordan Tour 2013
I want to thank the Price's, Kenny, and David for the wonderful experience of a life-time. Jan and I could not be more joyous about the experience and truly believe it will be personally beneficial in my opportunities to teach and preach. The trip was the perfect combination of the spiritual, educational, and physical. The enthusiasm and patience of the leadership on this tour was outstanding. When you blend all the personalities, spiritual maturity, and expectations present in the tour and really consider how well everything was conducted and accommodated - it is remarkable. The trip far-exceeded Jan and I's personal expectations, and will always be at the top of our treasured memory possessions. Jim B., San Antonio, TX
Israel/Greece Tour 2014
The experience was wonderful. I have been to Israel 3 other times with other tour groups and this by far was the best tour! Randall and Beverlee were wonderful! Thank you both for making us feel welcomed and special. Jim and Kathy J. , Litella, GA
World of the Bible Summer 2016 Israel Tour
Come Enjoy the Land of Israel and Celebrate Dr. Price's 100th visit to the Land !
Israel Adventure Tour June 4thth - June 15th, 2016
12 Days -Total Price* from Newark Liberty: $4149
with Optional Second Timers Extension(June 14th -25th)
10 Days -Extension Price: $2850
Note: As a separate Tour the Second Timers tour will be June 14th-25th with Airfare: See Below
*Total price includes United airfare from Newark Liberty, 4 and 5 star Hotels with half board (Breakfast and Dinner),
and all Guide/Bus/Tips cost. Price given is cash price (payment by check). Credit Card can be accepted but with 3 percent upcharge.
Downloadable PDF brochure and registration form posted below. Tour Term details are in brochure.
Please note that due to local conditions changes may be made to the itinerary before or during the time of travel.
DAY 1 - Saturday, June 4 - Meet our tour group in NEWARK (EWR) by 8pm (if possible arrive by 7pm) for a 10:50pm departure on United Airlines for our flight to the land of Israel.
DAY 2 - Sunday, June 5- Arrive TEL AVIV at 4:15pm and transport to JERUSALEM the holy city and a drive around the city walls. Check-in to the DAN JERUSALEM HOTEL.
DAY 3 - Monday, June 6 - JERUSALEM - Begin our first full day visiting the MT OF OLIVES for an overview. Next we learn about Israel's history at the ISRAEL MUSEUM visiting the MODEL OF SECOND TEMPLE JERUSALEM, the SHRINE OF THE BOOK, the museum of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the ARCHAEOLOGICAL WING with finds that reveal Israel's past.Our afternoon takes us to DAVID's CITY to see the recently excavated remains of the palace and WARREN'S SHAFT and SPRING TOWER from the Jebusite & Canaanite periods, and to walk through HEZEKIAH'S WATER TUNNEL. We conclude our day visiting the new excavations at the POOL OF SILOAM in the KIDRON VALLEY. Overnight at the DAN JERUSALEM HOTEL.
DAY 4 - Tuesday, June 7 - JERUSALEM - Today we enter the TEMPLE MOUNT, site of the Jewish Temple to walk on the ancient platform and visit the WESTERN WALL. Next we visit the JEWISH QUARTER to see the TEMPLE INSTITUTE, where preparations are being made for a future Temple, the FIRST TEMPLE MODEL, the BROAD WALL and the BURNT HOUSE. In the afternoon we explore the TEMPLE MOUNT EXCAVATIONS and the WESTERN WALL TUNNEL which allow us to "walk where Jesus walked" on the original street beside the Temple Mount. Overnight at the DAN JERUSALEM HOTEL
DAY 5 - Wednesday, June 8- COASTAL PLAIN - Following the Mediterranean Sea we arrive at CAESAREA, the resort of Roman officials such as Pontius Pilate and prison of the Apostle Our next stop is MEGIDDO, the name synonymous with Armageddon to tour the ancient site. Next we go to the NAZARETH VILLAGE where we will experience a re-creation of daily life & customs in Jesus' day! We climax our day high above the SEA OF GALILEE on MT ARBEL for a panoramic view of the ancient sites associated with Jesus' ministry and the 2,000 year-old city of TIBERIAS. Overnight at the CAESAR PREMIER HOTEL situated beside the sea.
DAY 6- Thursday, June 9 - GALILEE - Begin today on the MOUNT OF BEATITUDES site of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Then descend by foot along the "pilgrim's path" to TABGHA (Peter's Primacy) where Jesus met the disciples after His resurrection. Then visit CAPERNAUM, the synagogue where Jesus preached, and see the JESUS BOAT, a 2,000 year old fishing boat and take our own BOAT RIDE across the sea of Galilee to EIN GEV. In the afternoon we journey to the GOLAN HEIGHTS to see the archaeological site of TEL DAN with a gate from Abraham's time and the high place of Jeroboam and CAESAREA PHILIPPI (palace of Herod Philip and Temple of Pan. Return to the Galilee for a Baptismal service at YARDENIT and return to the CAESAR PREMIER HOTEL beside the Sea of Galilee.
DAY 7- Friday, June 10 – JORDAN VALLEY/JUDEAN DESERT- Begin our day at BETH-SHEAN, one of the largest archaeological sites in Israel with Egyptian, Philistine, and Roman remains. We then drive to Jericho and then Qumran, site of the community that produced the Dead Sea Scrolls and of Dr. Price's excavations on the southern plateau and then on to EIN BOQEK to check-in to the beautiful DAVID DEAD SEA RESORT HOTEL (formerly Le Meridian Hotel). Leisure time to enjoy the amenities of the hotel's spa (optional), the immense swimming pool or experience floating in the DEAD SEA at the hotel's private beach. Delicious evening buffet.
DAY 8 – Saturday, June 11 – JUDEAN DESERT- Begin the day at MASADA site of the Jew's final stand against the Romans in A.D. 73, ascending by cable cars to see the remains of Herod's palatial fortress. Next we drive to EIN-GEDI where David hid from Saul and composed some of the psalms. Then return to the beautiful DAVID DEAD SEA RESORT Hotel .
DAY 9 - Sunday, June 12- BETHLEHEM- Christmas comes early this year as this morning you enter BETHLEHEM. Climb the HERODIAN, the mountain-fortress of Herod the Great where the infamous king's still lies entombed, then to the SHEPHERD'S FIELD (YMCA) to sing Christmas carols inside a shepherd's cave (with manger outside!). Next we enter the CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY, the traditional birthplace of Jesus and site of Jerome's translation of the Latin Vulgate. After time to shop at an OLIVE WOOD STORE we go on to Jerusalem and check in to the DAN JERUSALEM HOTEL.
DAY 10 - Monday, June 13- JERUSALEM - Begin today at the Temple Mount Sifting Project to experience some real archaeological workin sifting soil removed directly from under the Temple Mount. Next we return to the MT of OLIVES and walk down "disciples path" to DOMINUS FLEVIT, the place where Christ wept over Jerusalem and to the GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE where He prayed. We then visit CAIAPHAS' HOUSE, the home of the high preist that presided over the Jewish trial of Jesus. We end the day with a reflective visit to Yad Vashem, the Jewish Holocaust Memorial and then return to the DAN JERUSALEM HOTEL.
DAY 11 - Tuesday, June 14- JERUSALEM - Begin today walking the VIA DOLOROSA, Jesus' path to the cross. Entering at St. Stephen's Gate, with a visit to St. Anne's Crusader Church and seeing the POOL OF BETHESDA. Continuing on the Via Dolorosa we come to the Church of the Flagillerium and the LITHOSTROTHOS ending at the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE, the traditional site of the crucifixion and tomb of Jesus. Our reflection on the sufferings of the Savior climax at the GARDEN TOMB with a COMMUNION SERVICE under the olive trees. Special FAREWELL DINNER at an exclusive Isralei restaurant and then to BEN-GURION Airport for your security check-in and 11:55 P.M. flight to the U.S.. Second Timers group returns to the DAN JERUSALEM HOTEL.
DAY 12 - Wednesday, June 15- Israel Group arrives at Newark at 4:20am, transfer to domestic flights for home with your wonderful memories of the land of Israel!
2016 June Israel Adventure Tour Itinerary and Registration Form -
ISRAEL SECOND TIMERS ITINERARY - June 14th-25th
12 Days -Total Price* from Newark Liberty: $4169
*Total price includes United airfare from Newark Liberty, 4 and 5 star Hotels with half board (Breakfast and Dinner),and all Guide/Bus/Tips cost. Price given is cash price (payment by check). Credit Card can be accepted but with 3 percent upcharge. Downloadable PDF brochure podted below. Tour Term details will be in brochure.
Please note: This tour does not repeat sites normally visited during our basic tour. Many of these sites have not been regularly visited by tour groups for two decades and some of the sites are off-the-beaten path sites and archaeological sites and will require some walking by foot in undeveloped areas. We have not offered this unique tour for quite some time and may not for some time to come. We encourage those who are able to do this tour as we cannot guarantee that these sites will be available in the near future.
DAY 1 - TUESDAY, JUNE 14 – Depart UNITED UA90 Late night from Newark to Ben-Gurion Airport, Israel.
DAY 2 - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 – Arrive Ben-Gurion, meet guide and driver and bus to NETANYA hotel for overnight.
DAY 3 - THURSDAY, JUNE 16 – Drive to MT. CARMEL to visit the site of the Brook Kishon (MUHRAGHA), site of Elijah's contest with the prophets of Ba'al, and the DRUZE VILLAGE. Next we go north to ROSH HANIKRA (Misraphot Mayim), near the border of the Israelite tribes at the time of the Conquest (Joshua 13:6), and Jewish sages referred to by the Jewish Sages as the cliff as "The Ladder of Tyre." We then tour the archaeological site of SEPPHORIS (Roman city in Galilee where Joseph and Jesus may have worked). Overnight in Tiberias at Caesar Premiere situated on the SEA OF GALILEE.
DAY 4 - FRIDAY, JUNE 17 - Begin the day visiting GAMLA (the Masada of the north) where the Jewish People made a last stand in the Galilee. Then we travel to QATZRIN and its restored Jewish town from the second-century AD. Next we head to the BANIAS to tour of the PALACE OF HEROD PHILIP at CAESARIA PHILLIPI. Our afternoon takes us to the modern city of SAFED (center of mystical Judaism in the past and present) and to HAZOR (city conquered by Joshua and later a Solomonic fortress). Return to the Caesar Premiere hotel. Evening at leisure to enjoy the marina with its many shops and amusements along the Sea of Galilee.
DAY 5 - SATURDAY, JUNE 18 –Today we visit the New Testament sites of MAGDALA (site of a newly-excavated ancient synagogue), CHORAZIN (first-century town condemned by Jesus), KURSI (home of the Gadarene demoniac delivered by Jesus), and BETHSAIDA (Old Testament site of Geshur and possibly New Testament fishing village of Peter, Andrew, and Philip). End the afternoon with an easy climb up MOUNT ARBEL to view the entire Galilee and remember the battle fought there that established Herod's reputation. Return to the Caesar Premiere hotel with option to enjoy Israeli night-life at the marina after the end of Shabbat.
DAY 6 - SUNDAY, JUNE 19 – We start our day today at EIN HARROD (Gideon's Spring) and then drive to JERICHO to visit KING HEROD'S WINTER PALACE. Next we go GESHER EL YAHUD (possible site of John the Baptizer's baptism of Jesus), and the INN OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN with its new archaeological museum. Returning to Jerusalem we visit the ECOLE BIBLOQUE and its First Temple period burial tomb complex. Overnight in Jerusalem at the Dan Jerusalem. Evening at leisure or optional evening activities.
DAY 7 - MONDAY, JUNE 20 - We begin our day with a Palestinian guide and driver so we are able to enter the territories under the Palestinian Authority. Our first stop is the site of HEBRON, the first capital of Israel under King David and the place of the MACPELAH CAVE (Tomb of the Patriarchs) and afterward enjoy the unique wares at the HEBRON GLASS FACTORY followed by a special cultural event lunch (included) at the TENT RESTAURANT. Our afternoon takes us to the site of ancient GIBEON (modern AL-JIB), site of the high place where Solomon received his famous dream (1 Kgs. 3:4-14) and famous as a wine-producing city in the 7th century BC. and site of the Pool of Gibeon (2 Sam. 2:13; Jer. 41:12). Then to the site of GIBEAH (modern TEL EL FUL), site of Saul's palace with remains of King Hussein of Jordan's abandoned palace from 1967. We end the day at TEL AL-NASBEH (the Bronze Age archeological site where Saul was crowned king, 1 Sam. 10:1). Visible ruins include a gate dating back to the 9th century BC and a massive wall. Return to Jerusalem for overnight at the Dan Jerusalem.
DAY 8 - TUESDAY, JUNE 21 – Today we continue in the territories under the Palestinian Authority to begin our day in Biblical SHECHEM (modern NABLUS), visiting the sites of MT. EBAL (site of Joshua's altar) and MT. GERAZIM (site of the Samaritan Temple). Then to the Samaritan village in Nablus to meet the HIGH PRIEST of the SAMARITANS and see this people's SACRIFICAL SITE (where sacrifices still take place every Passover). In the afternoon we go to the site of ancient SAMARIA to view the remains of King Ahab's palace and of the Roman site of SEBASTAE. We return to Nablus to tour TEL BALATA (ancient Shechem) and its museum and to visit JOSEPH'S TOMB and JACOB'S WELL, where Jesus met the Samaritan woman (John 4). Return to Jerusalem for overnight at the Dan Jerusalem. Optional evening activities.
DAY 9 - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22 –We have a full day today as we regain our Israeli guide and driver. We begin at the site of TEL SHILO (Biblical SHILOH) to see the remains of the city and the TABERNACLE SITE (Josh. 18:1). Next we go to TEL MARASHA (site of fascinating Sidonian burial caves), and then to the ELAH VALLEY (where David had his battle with Goliath), 1 Sam. 17:1-54). Next we walk off the beaten path to the ancient Judean city of SHA'ARAIM (KHIRBET QEIYAFA), 1 Sam. 17:52, to tour the archaeological remains of a FORTRESS OF KING DAVID. Here we will visit an archive (site of the oldest Hebrew/Canaanite inscription) and a room where ritual vessels were recently discovered. Then we go to another archaeological site, TEL ES SAFI, the site of the ancient Philistine city of GATH, where the captured Ark of the Covenant was once stored (1 Sam. 5:8) and the home town of the giant Goliath (1 Sam. 17:23). and then to TEL EKRON (the well-known Philistine city of the Bible - 1 Sam. 5:10; 2 Kgs. 1:3-16; Amos 1:8). Here we will view the outdoor display of Philistine culture located at Kibbutz Revadim. We end our day at EMMAUS (site of the road walked by Jesus and the disciples after the resurrection – Lk. 24:13-35). Overnight in Jerusalem at the Dan Jerusalem hotel.
DAY 10 - THURSDAY, JUNE 23 – Today we will enter JAFFA GATE in the Old City to view the ROMAN 10TH LEGION MARKER and to tour the exhibits and ruins associated with ancient Jerusalem at the TOWER OF DAVID MUSEUM. Next, we go to the second-century Roman level beneath the DAMASUS GATE to view its archaeological reconstructions and the plaza of the Emperor Hadrian. In the afternoon we will enter beneath the rock walls and foundations of the Old City to visit SOLOMON'S QUARRIES/CAVE OF ZEDEKIAH, and then to the Jewish Quarter to see the ISRAELITE TOWER and its archaeological testimony to the Babylonian invasion of the city. Next we will visit the archaeological site of NEBI SAMUEL with remains spanning the biblical periods. Overnight in Jerusalem at the Dan Jerusalem hotel.
DAY 11 - FRIDAY, JUNE 24 – City of JERUSALEM. Begin today on the MT. OF OLIVES to visit the historic churches situated there including the PATER NOSTER CHURCH (site of the Lord's prayer – Lk. 11:1-4) and toward Bethany to the CHURCH OF THE ASCENSION (Lk. 24:50-51). Then visit the village of BETHANY to enter the traditional TOMB OF LAZARUS (Jn. 11:1-44). Return to nearby Jerusalem to for free time in the Old City (re-visit famous first-timer sites such as the Western Wall, the Jewish Quarter, the Via Dolorosa and Church of the Holy Sepulcher, or just enjoy walking through the endless shops of the Old City Bazaar. We leave in late afternoon to drive to the biblical city of JOPPA to see the HOUSE OF SIMON THE TANNER (Acts 10:6, 32) and to enjoy a farewell dinner at a Mediterranean beach restaurant before transferring to Ben-Gurion for our return flight to Newark at 11:10 PM.
DAY 12- SATURDAY, JUNE 25 – Arrive 4:15 AM in Newark, NJ and transfer to domestic flights home.
2016 June Israel Adventure 2nd Timers Tour Brochure and Registration Form
The Stones Cry Out (book) introduces you to the places and personalities involved in revealing biblical history. Read about and see exclusive photos of the sites you will visit on our tour. Many charts and diagrams also help you get a grasp of the various historical time periods and new archaeological discoveries.
The Stones Cry Out DVD/Video takes you on an archaeological journey hosted by Dr. Price letting you preview many of the places you will experience on the tour.
World of the Bible Tours (WBT) is the tour ministry division of World of the Bible Ministries. WBT organizes and conducts inspirational study tours to the Bible lands to give Christians a firsthand and life-changing experience with the living world of the Bible.
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There are over 1,650 restaurants which offers a little taste of everything under the sun and then some! Prime steak and home-style southern specialties are a must, but what would be a beach vacation without sampling the famous local seafood: succulent shrimp, sweet blue crab and briny oysters!
Whether you're dining beside the sea, in a friendly bistro or under a brightly-colored umbrella, you'll find nothing compares to the taste of a dining experience in Myrtle Beach.
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A history fix.
August 26, 2016
If we are going to use taxpayer dollars for job training, we must be assured the programs will create new jobs, argues Anthony P. Carnevale.
August 26, 2016
The long-lasting unequal outcomes in higher education -- especially among Latino, black, Native American and underserved Asian-American students -- are evidence that we haven't made needed changes in the classroom, writes Estela Mara Bensimon.
Recent Articles
August 28, 2016 - 6:07pm
August 28, 2016 - 4:34pm
Offering another view of the higher education landscape.
August 26, 2016 - 3:29am
That U of C "welcome" letter comes from a place of fundamental weakness.
November 26, 2008
A new book considers how the brain responds to information overload. Scott McLemee thinks it's more than a distraction.
November 25, 2008
For the past two seasons I have been obsessed with the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch" and anxiously anticipated its return for a third season. I love the action, the characters and the storylines. However, it was not until recently that it dawned on me that my I enjoy the show because fishing opilio crab is not much different from modern-day enrollment work.
November 24, 2008
Ellen J. Goldberger writes that it's time to move past the customer service image for higher education. She proposes a new way to talk about what happens in academe.
November 21, 2008
There is still far too much data that we don't have about how higher education is performing, Dennis P. Jones argues.
November 20, 2008
From Iraq, Rich Morales, a Yale alum, White House fellow, and battalion commander, weighs in on the university's debate over restoring an officer training corps to its campus.
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Your pooch will love playing with you when you bring this toy along outside or to the park. The Jr. Ring Dog Toy is tough and long lasting, Great as a Frisbee or a tug toy or flyball training -- soft edges won't hurt gums. Squeaks to your dogs delight.
Tuff Scale: 8
For Dogs: Under 20 lbs
Size: 7" x 1/2"
Squeakers: 3
Toys are made with four layers that contain two layers of industrial grade luggage fabric, one layer of plastic coating and the soft fleece outside layer. Together, these layers offer a durable and long lasting toy. Two layers of cross stitching and linear stitching provide extra strength. A final piece of black trim is sewn with three linear stitches to make a total of seven strong seams.
Veterinarian Recommended and Approved. This toy is easy to wash, simply toss in with laundry and air dry. With the ability to float, this toy makes a great water sport addition.
Warning: You are responsible for your dog's safety. These toys are for play, not chewing and may result in injury if your dog would ingest any part of the toy.
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My favorite part of writing this column is having the chance to research the historic, domestic or sociological significance of the stuff we all have, collect or inherit. However, I want to stress that what I do here is not an appraisal. What I write is an educated opinion of the fair market value of an item, based on photographs and descriptions.
The IRS defines fair market value as "the price at which a property would change hands ... in an open market between a willing buyer and a willing seller, ... both having reasonable knowledge of relevant facts." The fair market value of an item might shock its owners: It has to take into account market factors and trends; age is usually not a factor, and sentimental value cannot be factored in.
This past week, my husband and I reviewed our own estate plans and documents. These plans include our will and, for the first time in many years, I actually read the boilerplate legal information regarding the future settling of our estate. Even I was concerned to read that our executors would be required to "Identify, inventory and obtain a Date of Death Fair Market Valuation for all our assets." How is this to be decided?
Every week, I receive a number of telephone calls and emails from individuals, executors and private fiduciaries with the same question. Some already have had appraisals done for insurance purposes and I, as a certified appraiser, have to explain the many definitions and nuances falling under "appraisal."
A personal property appraisal is a legal document, which must conform to the specific purpose and function required. Reasons to get an appraisal are varied and can include:
Before contracting with an appraiser, you should verify the appraiser's education, experience and credentials; her most recent continuing education courses; that she is familiar with not only monetary values but legal standards; that her reports conform to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice; and that she can clearly demonstrate the methodology, purpose and function of the appraisal.
Not all circumstances require an appraisal. Some instances may be fine with an evaluation by an individual with expertise in a particular field. TV shows such as "Antiques Roadshow" are fun and enlightening.
I recall an instance where clients wanted an "appraisal" of an annotated copy of the Betty Crocker Cookbook, from an estate. A Fair Market Value Appraisal would not have helped these clients -- who included sisters who each wanted the book -- since sentimental value cannot be taken into account. I advised the family to have the whole book scanned and decide who would receive the original and who would get the scanned copy or copies.
I've frequently volunteered my time at appraisal events hosted by organizations as fundraising programs. These are informative and sometimes instructional; they may help you make decisions, but they are only educated opinions.
For more information about appraisal standards and credential requirements, check out the websites of these respected nonprofit organizations:
International Society of Appraisers, www.isa-appraisers.org
Appraisers Association of America, www.appraisersassociation.org and
American Society of Appraisers, www.appraisers.org.
If you don't have a will, I urge you to write one. You can find templates in bookstores and on the Internet. Your heirs will thank you.
Jane Alexiadis is a personal-property appraiser. Send questions, a brief description and measurements to email@example.com.


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DMV 2 Go is a fleet of five mobile customer service centers ready to bring DMV services to Virginians at convenient locations. DMV 2 Go visits:
View DMV 2 Go Calendar.
View 2016 Schedule by Jurisdiction.
The handicapped-accessible* full service office-on-wheels is equipped to process all DMV transactions including:
*The smallest DMV 2 Go mobile office does not have a wheelchair lift or Virginia Internet portal.
Want DMV 2 Go to come to you? To schedule a DMV 2 Go visit at your location, the following criteria must be met:
*Major events taking place on weekends will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Determining factors include:
If you would like to schedule a visit, send an email to the DMV 2 Go staff in your region:
DMV Connect serves Virginians who may not be able to travel to a DMV office.
Provided by the DMV Communications Office


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American English: /ˈmoʊʃ(ə)nləs/ British English: /ˈməʊʃ(ə)nləs/
Translation of motionless in Spanish:
- inmóvil
sin moverseExample sentences
- The victim's partner lay unconscious and motionless on the pavement for seven minutes after the attack.
- Hundreds of people were standing, motionless and quiet, watching the screens with open mouths.
- When I got to him he wasn't breathing, and was lying motionless on the road.
Definition of motionless in:
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Grammar and usage help for Spanish:
= trending


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The "gift of time" provides the Opera with new community partnerships, free backstage tours for children, beautifully landscaped grounds, detail work on costumes, props and scenery, an introduction to opera for pueblo youth and more!
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The Guilds have launched and expanded some of the Opera's most successful outreach activities through active chapters located across the state. Opera is an interest and passion that Guild members love to share.


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'Conan O'Brien Can't Stop' Gets Unique Distribution Deal
On Sunday, the South By Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas hosted the world premiere of "Conan O'Brien Can't Stop," an intimate documentary that traces O'Brien's journey from angry ex-"Tonight Show" host to re-energized "Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On TV Tour" entertainer. The comic doc — which features scenes of O'Brien pummeling his writers, putting up with overzealous fans and making fun of actor friends like Jack McBrayer — was warmly embraced by the SXSW crowd, and thanks to a unique distribution deal announced yesterday, will soon be available to Team Coco fans around the country.
In a split-rights arrangement, AT&T will be the multi-platform distributor and marketing partner (putting up P&A) for the film and will preview it to their AT&T U-verse TV subscribers before the film is released theatrically. Additionally, the company Abramorama will handle theatrical distribution and Magnolia Home Entertainment owns the remaining Video-on-Demand (VOD) and home entertainment rights.
According to director Rodman Flender, he and O'Brien both claim credit for the idea of doing the documentary. "When the tour was initially announced, no one had any idea what it was going to be so I told him that I wanted to document the events," says Flender. "He said he'd think about it, and then a week later, he called me and said, 'I have an idea. I think you should document this tour.'"
Flender, a college friend of O'Brien's and fellow member of the Harvard Lampoon, consequently spent the next several months following O'Brien and his writers and crew around, shooting well over 100 hours of footage. After the tour ended in mid-June of last year, Flender then hied himself to his editing room and began working on a cut of the film, realizing that he was dealing with a time-sensitive subject.
Almost as difficult as whittling a film down to 88 minutes was showing it to O'Brien himself. Flender says the first time he screened a rough cut of his film for his subject, he practically had to handcuff the talk shot host to his chair. "You have to keep in mind that he was in a different, more positive frame of mind at that point, with the TBS talk show in a good groove," he said. "So getting him to relive these moments was a bit like Malcolm McDowell in 'A Clockwork Orange."
Flender adds that the version O'Brien initially saw didn't have any of the musical performances that perforate the final film. "My editing process is that I get down to the bare bones first and then weave in the show elements," he says. "That first version was 90 minutes of him yelling at people and being unhappy, so that had to have been difficult. But to his credit, he let me make the movie I made."


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San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed said Tuesday he would consider softening the city's recently approved medical marijuana ordinance after critics succeeded in qualifying a referendum to repeal the new rules.
The ordinance the City Council approved in September would shrink the number of medical marijuana collectives allowed in the city from more than 100 to just 10, in addition to requiring them to grow all of the marijuana they distribute on site.
Critics collected more than 49,000 signatures in a month to repeal the law, which they argued would require the creation of marijuana superstores that federal drug agents would shut down.
Reed had said after the petitions were submitted last year that if the medical marijuana activists qualified a referendum he was inclined to let city voters decide on the ordinance in June. He also asked that the council at next week's meeting raise the city's tax on medical marijuana collectives from 7 to 10 percent to cover election costs.
But the mayor said Tuesday he'd consider allowing more pot clubs and otherwise modifying the ordinance to address critics' concerns.
"There are some changes I could support," Reed said. "The question is whether a council majority will support them. My preference is that we can negotiate some kind of ordinance that we can all live with."
The petition needed at least 29,653 valid signatures, representing 8 percent of registered voters in San Jose, to qualify a referendum. A sample examination by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters in November initially led city officials to believe the petition had qualified without the need to check the whole batch of signatures. But that proved not to be the case.
After scrutinizing the entire petition, however, the registrar's office concluded Dec. 30 that there were 31,103 valid signatures.
"We're very gratified that the voters wanted us to look at this and find something more workable," said James Anthony, chairman of the Citizens Coalition for Patient Care, which raised $200,000 in a month for the referendum drive.
The ordinance has been suspended since the petition was submitted. And now that the petition has qualified a referendum, the council either must put the matter on the ballot at the next regularly scheduled municipal election in June, call a special election or repeal the ordinance.
The law's critics want the city to repeal the ordinance and replace it with something more to their liking.
A medical marijuana referendum might be an unwelcome addition to a June city ballot for which Reed is seeking a vote on his controversial pension reform measure. And if Major League Baseball in the coming weeks gives the Oakland A's permission to move to San Jose, as has been widely rumored, a ballpark vote also could also end up on the ballot.
San Jose became the largest Northern California city to approve regulations allowing medical marijuana collectives with the council's 8-3 vote on the ordinance in September. The drug remains illegal under federal law, and the U.S. attorney's office has stepped up prosecutions in recent months in response to a proliferation of pot clubs that prosecutors characterize as nothing more than dope dealers.
Reed said he would consider more than doubling the number of city-allowed pot clubs to as many as 25, the number recommended by the city's planning commission, as well as permitting some off-site cultivation. He also said he'd consider a different process for winnowing down the number of shops.
The ordinance called for the first 10 pot clubs to submit qualified applications online to be approved. City administrators said the idea was to avoid the cost and delay of a formal bidding process.
But critics complained that a "first-come" system wouldn't ensure that the most responsible operators were chosen.
All of the storefront collectives are technically illegal under San Jose law because the city doesn't have any zoning that allows them. The council in September also approved zoning to allow medical marijuana collectives in certain commercial and industrial areas, but suspended the new zoning pending implementation of the regulations that were challenged by the referendum.
Reed said he'll call for the council to postpone any decision on the marijuana law and tax until its Jan. 24 meeting to allow council members time to consider a compromise.
"We're still hopeful," Anthony said, "that we can come to some workable arrangement with the City Council."
Contact John Woolfolk at 408-975-9346.


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Eat some brains with the Regular Zombie from Plants vs. Zombies! This 3 3/4-inch Plants vs. Zombies Regular Zombie Pop! Vinyl Figure presents an instant classic in this Regular Zombie from the popular Plants vs. Zombies app game, poised to add some pop culture to your house in a unique stylized form you've probably never seen before. Bring the Zombie and Plants vs. Zombies home today! Ages 5 and up.. Price: $9.99
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e4 – It's Worth Every Penny!
"Why do you shoot mainly with the D4?" This is a ~real~ common question and very valid since it costs more than any other Nikon body. To me it's real simple, Custom Setting e4! I've been talking about this Custom Setting since the D4 first arrived on my desk and it's not changed. Not found in any other Nikon, Custom Setting e4 permits you to disengage the exposure compensation setting in the body so it only effect the camera body meter and not the flash. With every other camera body, when you dial in exposure compensation, any amount you dial in the body automatically effects the flash. So if you dial in -2 in the camera body to underexpose the ambient light by 2 stops, you've also have dialed in -2 into the flash. With the D4 using Custom Setting e4 engaged, you dial in -2 into the body, the flash exposure hasn't changed. This one Custom Setting basically gives our flash 3 more stops of light!
Putting this into practice, here's my "artsy fartsy" photo of our friend Meb. You can see the sun in the top right corner and the shadow it casts on the ground on the left. So it is very much at play in the photo. The lighting is simply two, SB-900s. I've dialed into the camera body -3.3 exp comp which is giving me the exposure for the ambient light. With any other camera, that would have made the flash almost useless in this situation since all the flash can do is a +3. When you take the -3.3 in the body and add the +3 in the flash, the flash is now at ZERO! But with e4 engaged, the +3 on the flash is actually +3 and the final effect you can see on the left side of Meb.
Yes, I have the D800 in my camera bag and now the D600 and use them when their big MP is required. But the camera body I turn to day in and day out is the D4. Yes, it costs more to buy, yes, it has a whole lot less megapixels an no, that doesn't matter to me or more importantly, my business. And that's the one variable that most photographers understandably can't relate to and why my choice of the D4 seems odd. It's a tool doing things no other bodies do, tools I need to be a successful visual communicator.
NOTE:It appears the D600 has the same feature (though different designation). It's been pointed out to me it's on the Menu but I've not had the opportunity to read the IB yet to confirm. Something to do on the plane flight east today.


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