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Environmental Leader has produced a chart of Public Perceptions of Environmental Issues for the time period of 1989 – 2011.  The data source was from Gallup.  http://www.environmentalleader.com/charts/public-perceptions-of-environmental-issues-2011/

 

Environmental Leader has produced a chart of Public Perceptions of Water Pollution for the time period of 1989 – 2011.  The data source was from Gallup.  http://www.environmentalleader.com/charts/public-perceptions-of-water-pollution/

 

On June 1, EPA mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin joined Delaware’s Environmental Secretary and representatives of the Clean Air Council and Mid-Atlantic AAA to unveil the administration’s new fuel economy label that will be affixed to model year 2013 cars and trucks (including plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles). The label will greatly clarify information for buyers on the fuel efficiency and estimate of a vehicle’s fuel costs, savings, and impact on the environment. For more information, go to http://fueleconomy.gov/label or http://www.epa.gov/carlabel or http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy.

 

EPA proposed on June 9 to gather information on the nanoscale materials present in pesticide products to determine if a pesticide being registered is harmful and may cause unforeseen adverse effects on human health and the environment. The new proposed policy options will soon be published in the Federal Register. Comments on the Federal Register notice will be accepted until 30 days after publication. The notice will be available at www.regulations.gov in docket number EPA–HQ–OPP–2010-0197. For more information or to read the proposed notice, go to http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/regulating/nanotechnology.html

 

EPA has made public more than 150 chemicals in 104 health and safety studies formerly claimed confidential by industry including in products such as air fresheners, non-stick and stain-resistant materials, fire-resistant materials, nonylphenol and perfluorinated compounds, and lead. EPA is providing free access and updated postings on declassified information to the TSCA Inventory in the EPA and Data.gov websites, and the ability to electronically search EPA’s database of more than 10,000 health/safety documents and many widely encountered chemicals. For more information, go to http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/transparency.html

Americans aren’t very concerned about global warming, or at least not as concerned as the rest of the developed world.  A recent Gallup survey found that only a very slim majority of Americans see global warming as a threat, while over 43% claimed the seriousness of the issue has been generally exaggerated. What’s more, the research indicates Americans are becoming less worried about the consequences of climate change.

The question is, why, despite the evidence that has been presented, do so many people in this country remain skeptical about global warming? As someone who works in the energy management field, I’ve given a lot of thought to this question. And while I don’t agree with those who deny climate change, I think I understand why they do. After speaking with hundreds of people about this topic, I’ve identified a few key reasons why so many Americans don’t buy in to global warming.

Reason one: Climate Science is Complex

Let’s face it – the science behind climate change can be difficult to understand; and the United States isn’t known for the strength of its math and science education, at least not the typical K-12 curriculum. It’s been almost ten years since No Child Left Behind was signed into law, yet international evaluations show our students’ grasp of basic science is still subpar.

The average American, therefore, isn’t going to pore over scientific research just so they better understand the affect of increased CO₂ on the environment. They’ll either trust that the science is valid or they won’t, which is why an issue like the Climategate controversy so damaging. These sorts of incidents shake the confidence of those who accept the validity of the science even though they don’t completely understand it.

Read the complete article at Environmental Leader

Energy Improvement Finance Program for Older Affordable Housing Developments

WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced Green Refinance Plus, a program between HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Fannie Mae to allow owners of existing affordable rental housing properties to refinance into new mortgages that include funding for energy- and water-saving upgrades, along with other needed property renovations.

Under the program, FHA and Fannie Mae will share the risk on loans to refinance existing rent-restricted projects while permitting owners to borrow additional funds to make energy-saving improvements to their properties.

Donovan and Fannie Mae’s Executive Vice President for Multifamily Business Ken Bacon unveiled the program at a senior housing development in the San Francisco Bay Area where HUD is investing in energy-saving green retrofits.

“All across the country, owners of affordable housing properties are looking for a way to refinance their mortgages and to make energy improvements and other needed renovations at the same time,” said Donovan.  “This program kills two birds with one stone – it preserves our affordable rental stock and it helps finance upgrades that will save energy and money over the long haul. We must make the smart investments in a more energy independent economy.  These investments will strengthen our economy, create the new industries and new jobs of the future and reduce our dependence on an ever fluctuating oil market. ”

Bacon added, “Green Refinance Plus supports Fannie Mae’s ongoing commitment to creating a more sustainable rental housing market that is affordable to low- and moderate-income families.  This program will provide more renters with renovated apartments in which to live, allow building owners to better manage their energy costs, and help communities by reducing the environmental footprint of our rental properties.  Leveraging existing technology and expertise to bring proven energy and cost savings to rental housing is a win for everyone.”

California Congressman Pete Stark said, “Today’s event highlights an exciting new refinancing opportunity for owners of affordable housing to make energy- and water-saving upgrades.  It’s appropriate that the Green Refinance Plus program is being unveiled by Secretary Donovan at the Eden Issei Terrace in Hayward, in the heart of a community poised to help propel our country’s clean, green energy economy.”

Approximately every 10-to-15 years, owners of existing multifamily affordable properties typically refinance their mortgages.  In older apartment buildings, however, owners are hard-pressed to find additional financing to maintain or improve the physical condition of their properties, including making energy-efficient upgrades.  Beginning next month, Fannie Mae and its participating lenders will begin accepting applications to refinance owners’ debt as well as improve the energy efficiency of their properties.

Green Refinance Plus is intended to refinance the expiring mortgages of Low Income Housing Tax Credit and other affordable projects and to lower annual operating costs by reducing energy consumption.  Fannie Mae and HUD anticipate approximately $100 million in initial refinance volume with an average loan amount of $3.5 to $5 million. FHA will insure up to an additional four-to-five percent of the loan amount, or an average of approximately $150,000 to $250,000 per loan, to provide additional loan funds to pay for i) property improvements that save energy and water costs for owners and tenants, such as energy efficient windows and ENERGY STAR appliances, as well as ii) other needed property renovations.

Property owners will be able to select the energy- efficiency upgrades that make the most economic sense for their properties.  Borrowers will obtain a “Green Physical Needs Assessment” completed by a qualified provider.  This assessment identifies property improvements that both reduce energy and operating costs and will help borrowers make rehabilitation choices that will give them the greatest energy savings for their investment.

Green Refinance Plus is an enhancement of the Fannie Mae/FHA Risk-Share program, begun in the 1990s. It will provide funding for the refinance, preservation and energy-efficient retrofits of older affordable multifamily housing properties, including those that are currently in Fannie Mae’s or FHA’s portfolios. This program allows for lower debt service coverage and higher loan-to-value ratios, to generate extra loan proceeds for property rehab and energy-efficient retrofits.

Read more about FHA/Fannie Mae’s Green Refinance Plus Program.

 

The decision to send your hazardous secondary materials to an off-site recycling business should be followed by a careful review of the qualifications of available recyclers.

There appear to be concerns among regulatory agencies that some recyclers of hazardous materials are not handling the materials they receive in a responsible manner. Improper management can increase liability of the originating company.

EPA recommends that managers investigating recycling opportunities ask candidate businesses some basic questions. For example:

• Ask for a general description of the business, including a point of contact, number of employees, years in business and ownership history, site information and history, summary of operations, and services offered.
• What is the facility’s record of compliance with federal and state regulations?
• Does the recycler normally accept the materials you want recycled?
• Can the recycler describe the processes and procedures for recycling, reuse, or resale?
• Is there a reliable market for the salable products?
• Are any residuals from the recycling process managed in a manner that is protective of human health and the environment?
• Can the recycler provide names and locations of businesses, landfills, or incinerators to which it sends products and/or residuals?
• Does the recycler maintain appropriate environmental liability insurance and are mechanisms in place to ensure cleanup costs would be covered if the facility unexpectedly closes or has to perform an environmental cleanup?

In addition, obtaining references should be part of any business transaction of this type.

EPA has published a short brochure, Choosing a Responsible Recycler, available here.