Regulatory Clouds Darken Horizon but BCI Still Chalking Up Successes

was no longer coming from Washington State and he said BCI is focusing on California — an area where BCI has had a long involvement. Miksad noted that despite being involved in protracted conversations there was little interest in policymakers in seeing how rules could be implemented. “It’s a problem,” he said.

As part of this the thorny issue of blood lead levels continues to pre-occupy the regulatory landscape — even though as his charts showed the lead battery business has proven itself adept at being ahead of the curve. He discussed the almost impossibility of removing lead from blood at the levels being sought and the huge cost that would mean for the industry. A startling figure. Compliance with proposed legislation could, in some instances, cost around 45% of profits every year for 10 years. It would be unfair to say there was a concerted groan from the audience but it was hard not to be shocked by presentation of such a stark figure.

Miksad’s State of the Battery Union Speech closed on a positive rallying call. BCI has been around for the past 100 years, “we look forward to seeing how we fare in the next century.” not to be named. “It was a clear favourite by a long chalk, in that it named and achieved very clear objectives and goals.”

Certainly, C&D Technologies’ theme — the ‘Power of the Plus”

— hit one of the sweet spots in current advances in lead battery performance. The campaign was created to increase awareness and generate leads for its PLP — Pure Lead Plus — battery.

WGBI Announces Expansion of Membership and Sponsors

The president of Women in the Global Battery Industry

Julie McClure opened what was the group’s second meeting at a BCI convention.

As the group’s membership drive continues apace — now some 200 members and counting — McClure said the group was looking forward to welcoming new members onto its subcommittees to expand its program of activities.

Ahead of WGBI’s own convention networking reception yesterday, it was also revealed that the group has already raised $75,000 in sponsorships.

Poster Researchers in Spotlight

There were nine entries for the first BCI Poster Research Showcase, launched at this year’s convention, to turn the spotlight on undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral level researchers and assistants involved in scientific work on lead and other battery types.

As Battery Street Journal went to press, the winner of all nine entries chosen by BCI’s judging panel was yet to be revealed.

However, BSJ learned that Women in the Global Battery Industry, which judged posters submitted by the women entrants only, had selected Camila Alves Escanio for the entry she presented: Carbon fiber/polyaniline/lead composite with low hydrogen evolution activity with potential application in lead acid battery.