Category: News

EPA Proposes Rule to Protect Consumers from Harmful Chemicals Found in Homes and Schools

Posted: January 8, 2015

WASHINGTON – Today, EPA is taking action to protect consumers from new uses and imports of the harmful chemicals Toluene Diisocyanates (TDI).

These chemicals are currently widely used in residual amounts in the production of polyurethanes and consumer products, such as coatings, elastomers, adhesives, and sealants and can be found in products used in and around homes or schools. Diisocyanates are well known dermal and inhalation sensitizers in the workplace and can cause asthma, lung damage, and in severe cases, death.

The proposed decision would give EPA the opportunity to evaluate the use of, and if necessary, to take action to prohibit or limit all products containing over 0.1 percent of the chemical including imported products that make their way into the United States.

EPA’s proposed action, a Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), would require manufacturers (including importers) to notify EPA at least 90 days before starting or resuming new uses of these chemicals in consumer products at levels above 0.1 percent by weight.  EPA would then have the opportunity to evaluate the intended use of the chemicals and, if necessary, take action to prohibit or limit the activity.

Additional information on the proposed SNUR on TDI and related compounds and how to provide comments can be found at:  http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/tdi.html

EPA to Hold Public Hearings in California, Texas and Washington, D.C. on Proposed Smog Standards

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold three public hearings on the proposed updates to the national air quality standards for ground-level ozone, also known as smog. EPA has proposed to strengthen the standards to a level within a range of 65 to 70 parts per billion to better protect Americans’ health and the environment, while taking comment on a level down to 60 ppb. The agency estimates that the benefits of meeting the proposed standards will significantly outweigh the costs, preventing asthma attacks, heart attacks, missed school days and premature deaths, among other health effects. Continue reading EPA to Hold Public Hearings in California, Texas and Washington, D.C. on Proposed Smog Standards

Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Dental Category; Extension of Comment Period

Posted: December 19, 2014
Source: EPA Effluent Guidelines Proposed Rule: Dental Category

Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Dental Category; Extension of Comment Period

EPA received requests for an extension of the period for providing comments on the proposed rule entitled, “Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Dental Category,” published in the Federal Register on October 22, 2014. EPA is extending the comment period from December 22, 2014 to February 20, 2015.

Comment period ends in 63 days (02/20/2015)

EPA Announces 2014 Annual Environmental Enforcement Results

December 18, 2014

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released its annual enforcement and compliance results reflecting a focus on large cases driving industry compliance and that have a high impact on protecting public health and the environment.

“By taking on large, high impact enforcement cases, EPA is helping to level the playing field for companies that play by the rules, while maximizing our ability to protect the communities we serve across the country,” said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Despite challenges posed by budget cuts and a government shutdown, we secured major settlements in key industry sectors and brought criminal violators to justice. This work resulted in critical investments in advanced technologies and innovative approaches to reduce pollution and improve compliance.”

In fiscal year 2014, EPA enforcement actions required companies to invest more than $9.7 billion in actions and equipment to control pollution and clean up contaminated sites. EPA’s cases resulted in $163 million in combined federal administrative, civil judicial penalties, and criminal fines. Other results include: Continue reading EPA Announces 2014 Annual Environmental Enforcement Results

Hazardous Materials Recycling Rule Finalized

Posted: December 11, 2014
Source: Environmental Leader.com

The EPA has finalized a hazardous materials recycling rule that requires, among other things, off-site recycling at a facility with a RCRA permit or verified recycler variance.

The agency says this will allow it and individual states to verify that a facility has the equipment and trained personnel to safely manage the material, adequate financial assurance, is prepared to respond in case of an emergency, and can demonstrate that the recycling is not disposal in the guise of recycling.

The new verified recycler exclusion also includes a public participation requirement for recyclers seeking variances, so that communities are notified prior to the start of recycling operations.
Continue reading Hazardous Materials Recycling Rule Finalized

EPA Announces New ENERGY STAR Tool for Homeowners to Save Money, Energy This Winter

Posted: December 9, 2014

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching its ENERGY STAR Home Advisor, an online tool designed to help Americans save money and energy by improving the energy efficiency of their homes through recommended customized and prioritized home-improvement projects.

“As we enter the winter months, homeowners can use our new ENERGY STAR Home Advisor to increase energy efficiency and save money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “When homeowners take advantage of this important tool and increase the energy efficiency of their homes, many families will notice savings on energy bills and improvements in the comfort of their homes.”

The updated ENERGY STAR Home Advisor guides the homeowner through a “do-it-yourself” energy assessment to create an ENERGY STAR home profile.  Based on the newly created profile, the Home Advisor provides customized, prioritized recommendations for improvements. From these recommendations, users can create their own to-do lists of projects such as adding insulation to the attic or replacing an HVAC air filter.

Over time, users can update their home profiles as they make improvements, see the positive environmental impacts of the changes they’ve made, get additional recommendations, and update their “to-do” lists for future projects. The home profiles can also be printed and used at the time of sale.

The announcement is part of EPA’s Energy Efficiency Action Week, during which EPA regional offices across the country will hold events to increase awareness about the energy and cost savings associated with energy efficiency upgrades, especially in the winter months.

More on EPA’s ENERGY STAR Home Advisor: www.energystar.gov/homeadvisor
Continue reading EPA Announces New ENERGY STAR Tool for Homeowners to Save Money, Energy This Winter

Obama Administration Selects Los Angeles, Calif., Ajo, Ariz. and Fallon, Nev. to Develop Local Food Projects, Encourage Economic Expansion

Posted: December 5, 2014

26 communities selected nationwide for Local Foods, Local Places Initiative

SAN FRANCISCO — Today, on behalf of the White House Rural Council, six federal agencies joined to announce 26 communities selected to participate in Local Foods, Local Places, a federal initiative providing technical support to integrate local food systems into community economic action plans. Over the next two years, the project will aim to increase access to locally grown, healthy fruits and vegetables for residents while boosting economic opportunity for farmers/producers in various areas.

The Youth Policy Institute in Los Angeles, Calif. will receive technical assistance to create a community-supported agriculture program that can improve the health of low-income residents by increasing access to local foods, boost economic opportunities for farmers and producers in the region, and help revitalize distressed neighborhoods.
Continue reading Obama Administration Selects Los Angeles, Calif., Ajo, Ariz. and Fallon, Nev. to Develop Local Food Projects, Encourage Economic Expansion

U.S. EPA honors 2014 Green Power Leaders

Posted: December 3, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented its annual Green Power Leadership Awards to 23 businesses and organizations for their efforts to significantly advance the green power market by using electricity from renewable energy including solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, and low-impact hydroelectric sources.

“By using green power, these businesses and organizations are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the impacts associated with climate change, and protecting public health,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Our partners demonstrate that green power is both accessible and affordable while also growing the renewable energy market.”

EPA presented the awards at the Renewable Energy Markets Conference in Sacramento, Calif. The following businesses and organizations in the Pacific Southwest were among the winners nationwide:

On-Site Generation Partner of the Year

City of Las Vegas, Nev. reinvests 100 percent of its savings from solar projects into more renewable energy and conservation, with the goal of becoming a net-zero energy city by 2020. Las Vegas installed 3.3 megawatts of solar photovoltaic panels at its wastewater treatment facility, which, combined with energy retrofits and solar panel installation at city facilities, will save more than $2.5 million per year in energy costs.

Close to one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions or about 40 percent of America’s carbon pollution comes from power plants. By using green power, communities, businesses and organizations can dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create jobs, improve public health and help transition the United States to cleaner energy sources.

The 23 award-winning partners were chosen for their exemplary use of green power from more than 1,300 partner organizations. EPA, through the Green Power Partnership, works with organizations to use green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel-based electricity use. Green Power Partnership organizations currently use over 7.6 billion kilowatt-hours of green power annually.

More on the 2014 Green Power Leadership award winners: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/awards/winners.htm