Category: News

SAN FRANCISCO — Republic Services of Southern Nevada has begun large-scale construction work under oversight by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at Sunrise Landfill, a 440-acre closed municipal solid waste landfill, located three miles outside of Las Vegas city limits in Clark County.

The $25 million construction project, expected to last through 2012, was awarded to Las Vegas Paving Company and will employ 40 local construction workers. The project stems from a 2008 Consent Decree requiring Republic, the landfill operator, to install extensive stormwater controls, an armored cover, and landfill gas monitoring system; complete and monitor a groundwater monitoring system; and develop a long-term operation and maintenance strategy.

“EPA is requiring this work to protect a vital drinking water source for communities from Las Vegas to Phoenix,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “This will prevent the release of over 17 million pounds of contaminants each year.”

Under the settlement, Republic is utilizing clean diesel technology to place 1 million cubic yards of soil and rock within the site. These efforts are especially important because diesel exhaust is linked to reduced lung capacity and asthma, and is a likely human carcinogen.

The EPA-approved remedy ensures effective control of the landfill with a durable and cost-effective landfill cover and stormwater system that address the unique geographic and climatic characteristics of Nevada’s arid desert landscape. Since 2008, five new groundwater monitoring wells have been drilled and 41 wells completed for quarterly sampling, as well as 30 landfill gas monitoring probes installed around the perimeter of the landfill.

An inadequate cover and stormwater system coupled with a storm in September 1998 resulted in a discharge of waste into the Las Vegas Wash and, ultimately, Lake Mead — a primary drinking water resource for southern Nevada, including the Las Vegas metro area, as well as the Phoenix metro area and southern California.

Sunrise Mountain Landfill is unlined and contains more than 18 million tons of waste, including municipal solid waste, medical waste, sewage sludge, hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, and construction waste.

The landfill was operated on behalf of the County by entities related to Republic Services of Southern Nevada from the 1950s through 1993. Following the landfill cover failure in 1998, EPA cited Republic Dumpco and the Clark County Public Works Department for violations of the Clean Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. At that time, EPA ordered the company to implement a stormwater control plan; repair the existing drainage system; upgrade the landfill cap to federal standards; control and monitor methane and groundwater; and submit a plan to maintain and monitor the site.

For more information, visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/waste/sunrise andhttp://www.epa.gov/region9/waste/features/sunrise-landfill

VIRGINIA CITY, Nev., Feb. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Comstock Mining Inc. (the ‘Company’) (NYSE Amex: LODE) announced today that the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) has issued to the Company a Class I, Air Quality Operating Permit. This permit authorizes the remaining construction and pre-mining work culminating in the production of gold and silver later this year.

‘This is the final major operating permit that enables our production goals for this year,’ stated Corrado De Gasperis, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. ‘The permit facilitates our safe transition into production. We look forward to hiring the remaining operating personnel and commencing operations.’

Receipt of NDEP’s Class I Air Quality Operating Permit to Construct (OPTC) AP1041-2761 (FIN A0404) means final construction and production activities can begin for the Lucerne Starter Mine. This permit enables many prerequisite activities and the Company will now begin organizing and implementing certain scheduled tasks including final pond constructions, followed by the installation of the crushing facility, installation of the expanded Merrill Crowe facility, and completing the expansion of the Heap Leach pad. Mine preparation, and ore stock piling will follow in a scheduled sequence, optimized to ensure the earliest possible gold production.

These activities complement ongoing pre-production activities that were independent of the Air Quality permit, including the recent completion of the Company’s new process solution pond, acquisition of a metallurgical lab and progressing the environmental sampling in the starter pit area.

‘We are now in the final phases of our project schedule for production startup,’ statedCorrado De Gasperis, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. ‘We look forward to the first pour, production growth on our Comstock properties and positive cash generation from the starter mine.’

About Comstock Mining Inc.

Comstock Mining Inc. is a Nevada-based gold and silver mining company with extensive, contiguous property in the Comstock District.  The Company began acquiring properties in the Comstock District in 2003.  Since then, the Company has consolidated a significant portion of the Comstock District, amassed the single largest known repository of historical and current geological data on the Comstock region, secured permits, built an infrastructure and brought the exploration project into test mining production.  The Company continues acquiring additional properties in the district, expanding its footprint and creating opportunities for exploration and mining.  The goal of its strategic plan is to deliver stockholder value by validating qualified resources (at least measured and indicated) and reserves (probable and proven) of 3,250,000 gold equivalent ounces by 2013, and commencing commercial mining and processing operations with annual production rates of 20,000 gold equivalent ounces.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release and any related calls or discussions may contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements include statements about matters such as: future prices and sales of and demand for our products; future industry market conditions; future changes in our exploration activities, production capacity and operations; future exploration, production, operating and overhead costs; operational and management restructuring activities (including implementation of methodologies and changes in the board of directors); future employment and contributions of personnel; tax and interest rates; capital expenditures and their impact on us; nature, timing and accounting for restructuring charges, gains or losses on debt extinguishment,  derivative liabilities and the impact thereof; productivity, business process, rationalization, restructuring, investment, acquisition, consulting, operational, tax, financial and capital projects and initiatives; contingencies;environmental compliance and changes in the regulatory environment; offerings, sales and other actions regarding debt or equity securities; and future working capital, costs, revenues, business opportunities, debt levels, cash flows, margins, earnings and growth.

The words ‘believe,’ ‘expect,’ ‘anticipate,’ ‘estimate,’ ‘project,’ ‘plan,’ ‘should,’ ‘intend,’ ‘may,’ ‘will,’ ‘would,’ ‘potential’ and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of doing so. These statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical and current trends, current conditions, possible future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees, representations or warranties and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Some of those risks and uncertainties include the risk factors set forth in our SEC filings and the following: the current global economic and capital market uncertainties; the speculative nature of gold or mineral exploration, including risks of diminishing quantities or grades of qualified resources and reserves; operational or technical difficulties in connection with exploration or mining activities; contests over our title to properties; potential dilution to our stockholders from our recapitalization and balance sheet restructuring activities; potential inability to continue to comply with government regulations; adoption of or changes in legislation or regulations adversely affecting our businesses; business opportunities that may be presented to or pursued by us; changes in the United States or other monetary or fiscal policies or regulations; interruptions in our production capabilities due to unexpected equipment failures; fluctuation of prices for gold or certain other commodities (such as silver, copper, diesel fuel, and electricity); changes in generally accepted accounting principles; geopolitical events; potential inability to implement our business strategies; potential inability to grow revenues organically; potential inability to attract and retain key personnel; interruptions in delivery of critical supplies and equipment raw materials due to credit or other limitations imposed by vendors; assertion of claims, lawsuits and proceedings against us; potential inability to maintain an effective system of internal controls over financial reporting; potential inability or failure to timely file periodic reports with the SEC; potential inability to list our securities on any securities exchange or market; and work stoppages or other labor difficulties. Occurrence of such events or circumstances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows or the market price of our securities.  All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement.

Neither this press release nor any related calls or discussions constitutes an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

Contact information for Comstock Mining Inc.:
P.O. Box 1118
Virginia City, NV 89440

info@comstockmining.com

http://www.comstockmining.com

EPA is releasing a technical manual for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) to provide states, producers, and the general public (1) general information on Clean Water Act and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program requirements for CAFOs, (2) information to explain CAFO permitting requirements under the Clean Water Act, and (3) technical information to help states and producers understand options for nutrient management planning.

It is EPA’s intent that this is a living document that will be updated periodically to incorporate new and emerging approaches to CAFO management, including those focused on manure reuse and recycling and use for energy generation.  Interested parties are encouraged to bring to EPA’s attention questions and suggestions concerning the content of this manual at any time. EPA will consider this input and update this document periodically to ensure that this manual is as helpful as possible.

For more information and to view a copy of the manual: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/caforule.

Source: Business Wire

More than 750,000 people have viewed the site dedicated to eliminating construction waste

WESTMINSTER, Colo.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– ZamRay.com, described byEngineering News Record as the “Craigslist of the construction world,” is celebrating its first year in business with the announcement that the unique site has already surpassed more than 750,000 viewers and over 2.5 million page views. The company provides the construction industry with a way to reuse materials that might have otherwise been destined for a landfill. Contractors can also transform extra project items into revenue. The site currently has thousands of listings for everything from dump-trucks and ceiling fans to screwdrivers and safety cones.

General contractors and architects have also been able to apply LEED points to projects through the reuse of materials on the site.

Contributing to the early success of ZamRay.com is the fact that construction waste surpasses 136 tons per year according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Those numbers, combined with the 2.5 million views, has drawn international investment interest to the company.

“It’s a natural fit for the companies involved in the ‘built environment’ that want to ‘build green,’” said Kurt Fisher, the founder of ZamRay.com. “We’re providing a way for companies to connect and find a home for excess materials that might otherwise go into a dumpster. We’re a fledgling company, with a bright idea that is beginning to take off. Needless to say, we’re beginning to draw the attention of investors who are interested in finding green causes to invest in.”

More information is available by visiting ZamRay.com.

Source: Itronics Inc.

RENO, NV — (Marketwire) — 02/02/12 — Itronics Inc. (PINKSHEETS: ITRO) is pleased to announce that it has been named runner up Medium Entrepreneurial Technology Company of the Year in the upcoming NCET Technology Awards/Reno Gazette Journal Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Dr. John Whitney, founder and President, will be presented the award on February 16, 2012, at the awards dinner at the Eldorado Hotel Casino in Reno by Lieutenant Governor Brian K. Krolicki.

‘We are pleased by the recognition and all the employees of Itronics are delighted to be honored with this award. Reno has been our home for 24 years and to be one of its ‘top’ entrepreneurial technology companies is a great honor indeed,’ said Dr. Whitney. ‘Itronics’ technologies maximize sustainability, including eliminating toxic photowaste by stripping out silver and converting the demetalized liquid into environmentally beneficial fertilizers.’

The NCET Technology award celebrates individuals and companies who have greatly enhanced the growth and prestige of the Nevada Technology Community. It recognizes outstanding leaders at all levels of business.

Itronics has won a number of other prestigious awards including being one of five finalists for the Kirkpatrick Chemical Engineering Award in 2001, the most prestigious worldwide award in chemical engineering technologies. Itronics was awarded second place, Highly Commended in the Environmental Technology category, at the prestigious Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) 2005 Worldwide Environmental Award ceremonies at the Royal Courts of Justice in London, England and was awarded the USA Gold Award at the House of Commons in London in November 2005 as part of the International Green Apple Environmental Awards contest, one of the largest and most prestigious of its kind in the world.

Itronics won the International Green Hero award in 2006 for its leadership on environmental issues. Itronics’ GOLD’n GRO fertilizer was named one of the top 10 new technologies representing the best of agricultural innovation by the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers in its December 2005 publication ‘Communicator.’ Dr. John Whitney, Itronics President, was selected as Nevada’s Inventor of the Year in 2000 and is a member of the Inventor’s Hall of Fame at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Whitney was also named ‘Entrepreneur of the Year,’ Agriculture/Environment in 2008 by The Business Report of Northern Nevada, published by the Reno Gazette-Journal.

About Itronics

Headquartered in Reno, Nevada, Itronics Inc. is a ‘Creative Clean Technology’ company. Itronics, through its subsidiary, Itronics Metallurgical, Inc. is the only Company with a fully permitted ‘Beneficial Use Photochemical, Silver, and Water Recycling‘ plant in the United States that converts used photoliquids into pure silver and GOLD’n GRO liquid fertilizers. The Company is developing environmentally compatible mining technology, provides project planning and technical services to the gold mining industry, and operates the popular InsideMetals.com web site, http://www.insidemetals.com, which provides a value-added WORLD VIEW of Gold Producer Stocks, Mineral Producer Stocks, Junior Gold Stocks, and Junior Mineral Stocks.

VISIT OUR WEB SITE: http://www.itronics.com

Contact:

Paul Knopick
888-795-6336

Burbank, Calif.-February 2012 – Although it is illegal to throw used needles and syringes in the trash in California, more than 936 million home-generated sharps end up in the waste stream annually, according to CalRecycle. This is often due to the lack of convenient return options for users of these medical products.

Nationally, 13.5 million people use sharps outside the healthcare setting with up to 7.8 billion needles and syringes improperly disposed of each year, according to data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To find solutions to this problem, the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) recently co-hosted and facilitated a workshop at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, Calif.

The workshop brought together retailers, manufacturers, recyclers, and waste management companies as well as academics, government representatives, and people from non-governmental organizations. Together, they looked at the problem and a range of possible solutions and opportunities in such areas as technology, partnerships, and sustainable design.

Part of the surge in used needles comes from the rising number of people with diabetes, accounting for 90 percent of the sharps generated, according to Tom Erickson, CEO of Ulti-Med, Inc. While 4 percent of users put used needles in a puncture-resistant container, 3 percent flush them down the toilet and 93 percent throw them in the trash. “Only 4 percent of sharps are disposed of in a puncture-resistant container and delivered to an approved medical collection site,” said Erickson. The only manufacturer that bundles containers with needles, Ulti-Med manufactures insulin syringes and pen needles in the U.S. and Canada.

Read the complete article at Diabetes Health

Release Date: 02/10/2012

WASHINGTON – Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted the final health assessment for tetrachloroethylene – also known as perchloroethylene, or perc – to EPA’s Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) database. Perc is a chemical solvent widely used in the dry cleaning industry. It is also used in the cleaning of metal machinery and to manufacture some consumer products and other chemicals. Confirming longstanding scientific understanding and research, the final assessment characterizes perc as a “likely human carcinogen.” The assessment provides estimates for both cancer and non-cancer effects associated with exposure to perc over a lifetime.

EPA does not believe that wearing clothes dry cleaned with perc will result in exposures which pose a risk of concern. EPA has already taken several significant actions to reduce exposure to perc. EPA has clean air standards for dry cleaners that use perc, including requirements that will phase-out the use of perc by dry cleaners in residential buildings by December 21, 2020. EPA also set limits for the amount of perc allowed in drinking water and levels for cleaning up perc at Superfund sites throughout the country, which will be updated in light of the IRIS assessment.

“The perc health assessment released today will provide valuable information to help protect people and communities from exposure to perc in soil, water and air,” said Paul Anastas, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This assessment emphasizes the value of the IRIS database in providing strong science to support government officials as they make decisions to protect the health of the American people.”

The toxicity values reported in the perc IRIS assessment will be considered in:

• Establishing cleanup levels at the hundreds of Superfund sites where perc is a contaminant
• Revising EPA’s Maximum Contaminant Level for perc as part of the carcinogenic volatile organic compounds group in drinking water, as described in the agency’s drinking water strategy
• Evaluating whether to propose additional limits on the emissions of perc into the atmosphere, since perc is considered a hazardous air pollutant under the Clean Air Act

The assessment replaces the 1988 IRIS assessment for perc and for the first time includes a hazard characterization for cancer effects. This assessment has undergone several levels of rigorous, independent peer review including: agency review, interagency review, public comment, and external peer review by the National Research Council. All major review comments have been addressed.

EPA continues to strengthen IRIS as part of an ongoing effort to ensure the best possible science is used to protect human health and the environment. In May 2009, EPA streamlined the IRIS process to increase transparency, ensure the timely publication of assessments, and reinforce independent review. In July 2011, EPA announced further changes to strengthen the IRIS program in response to recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences. EPA’s peer review process is designed to elicit the strongest possible critique to ensure that each final IRIS assessment reflects sound, rigorous science.

More information on the perc IRIS assessment: http://www.epa.gov/iris/subst/0106.htm

More information on perc: http://epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/perchloroethylene_fact_sheet.html

Ryan Matley, Rocky Mountain Institute

Stories about the death of U.S. manufacturing are a recurring theme since the “Japanese invasion” of electronics and autos in the early 1980s, and the sector hemorrhaged 5.5 million jobs over the past decade. But U.S. manufacturing is far from dead, in fact providing a rare bright spot in today’s economy.

Manufacturing employment has grown each of the last two years, driven by a rebounding auto sector, and now employs 11.7 million people. A number of trends are coinciding to make U.S. manufacturing increasingly competitive globally. Wages and benefits are growing rapidly in China — as Obama noted in his speech — at the same time that U.S. manufacturing wages are falling. The risks of operating a supply chain that stretches halfway around the world are growing: rising transportation costs, the threat of import duties, less product flexibility, slower time to market, intellectual property theft, and product safety/reputation risks are growing concerns when moving manufacturing offshore. All of these factors are translating into making U.S. manufacturing more appealing.

Efficiency and whole-system design can help industry accelerate these growing advantages. Analysis from Reinventing Fire, RMI’s blueprint to running a 158 percent bigger 2050 U.S. economy powered by efficiency and renewables reveals that the industrial sector can achieve 84 percent greater production using 9 to 13 percent less energy, and save $0.5 trillion net.

For example, with RMI’s help, Texas Instruments (TI) built a new, million-square-foot semiconductor fabrication plant in Richardson, Texas. This facility, opened in 2009, was the first LEED Gold rated semiconductor facility, and its innovative design saved $4 million in annual energy operating cost and 35 percent of its water use compared with TI’s previous chip fab built just four miles away. Building this facility added up to less than 1 percent of the construction budget.

Read the complete article at Sustainable Industries