Metalcasting Career Center Released
On Monday, Dec. 17, AFS launched its web-based Metalcasting Career Center at www.afsinc.org/careercenter. In partnership with JobTarget, AFS is bridging the gap between metalcasting employer and employee, with an initial posting of more than 1,700 metalcasting related positions.

Metalcasters wishing to browse open positions or post a resume may do so at no charge, while employers wishing to post employment opportunities or review resumes will incur a fee. AFS Corporate Members will receive premiere positioning when posting job openings on the website, and also have access to purchasing multiple job postings at a discounted rate.

"AFS is proud to release the first Metalcasting Career Center," said Jerry Call, AFS executive vice president. "The website will enhance the metalcasting industry by bringing together employers and employees in a way like never before, once again leading the metalcasting industry."

As part of the Metalcasting Career Center launch, MODERN CASTING and ENGINEERED CASTING SOLUTIONS magazines have redesigned their web-based classifieds for better functionality. Advertisers of used equipment and services now will have an opportunity for enhanced web exposure to accompany their print ads. For more information, contact Dave Krugman, AFS pr and marketing coordinator, at dkrugman@afsinc.org or 800/537-4237.

EPA Signs Area Source Rule for Iron, Steel Casters
On Dec. 15, 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed the final iron and steel foundry area source rule. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on January 2, 2008. EPA issued the standard based on generally available control technology (GACT) for the control of the following urban hazardous air pollutants (HAPs): chromium, lead, manganese and nickel. The final rule sets emission limits for large area source foundries and requires all area source metalcasting facilities to comply with pollution prevention management practices and notification and record keeping requirements.

Originally, EPA had considered a production threshold level of 500 tons of metal melted, but this would have impacted a very large number of small area source facilities. EPA proposed a production threshold level of 10,000 tons, and then ultimately settled on a production threshold level of 20,000 tons in the final rule, to minimize the number of area source facilities that would have to comply with the applicable emissions limit.

EPA estimated that the final rule would result in the following emissions reductions for iron and steel facilities nationwide: 380 tons per year of particulate matter (PM), 13.7 tons per year of metal HAPs, and 32 tons per year of organic HAPs. The total capital cost for the industry would be approximately $17 million and the total annualized compliance cost would be approximately $4.8 million. EPA also estimated that metalcasting facilities would generate 440 tons of hazardous waste and would consume 4,440 megawatts per hour of electrical energy each year as a result of the final rule.

Internet Course Survey Available
AFS and its Cast Metals Institute (CMI) are developing short format (1.5-to 2-hour) internet courses. In order to determine the subjects to include, a short survey has been made available. Take a few moments to fill it out, and you will be entered into a drawing to receive a free CMI course.