Category: News

Fluorescent Tubes: DOE Requires Better Energy Efficiency

Posted: April 15, 2014
Source: Energy Manager Today.com

The Department of Energy issued a pre-publication notice of proposed rulemaking regarding energy conservation standards for general service fluorescent lamps and incandescent reflector lamps.  The tube-shaped fluorescent lamps covered by the ruling consume almost five percent of all national electricity consumption, according to a blog posting on the Natural Resources Defense Council.

NRDC applauds the new rules for fluorescent tubes but is less pleased with the rules covering incandescent reflector lamps, the bulbs that go into recessed cans and flood lights.

“Unfortunately DOE was prohibited from setting standards for a large portion of this market due to a funding prohibition caused by a Congressional rider,” according to NRDC.

Redefining ‘Waters of the United States’

Posted: April 10, 2014
Source: Environmental Leader.com
By: Jon Elliott, President, Touchstone Environmental, Contributor, Specialty Technical Publishers

The Clean Water Act (CWA) provides federal agencies with authority to regulate a wide range of activities that may affect “waters of the United States”—sometimes called “navigable waters.” These activities include water quality planning and discharge regulation by the EPA and delegated states, and regulation of projects that may lead to “dredge and fill” of waters, through permits issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

How Have the Definitions Evolved?

CWA does not provide a statutory definition of the waters it covers, and CWA Section 502 defines “navigable waters” as “waters of the United States, including territorial seas.” This vague and circular definition has left agencies and courts to decide which waters are covered, and therefore which CWA programs apply. Not surprisingly, EPA and the Corps established expansive interpretations, which for decades allowed them to regulate a wide range of activities. The US Supreme Court upended these interpretations in a series of decisions beginning in 2001. First, in Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County v. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [SWANCC], the Court ruled that the Corps lacks jurisdiction over “isolated” waters and wetlands that are not “adjacent” to navigable waters—such as “prairie potholes,” mudflats, and freshwater seasonal ponds. Then, in Rapanos v. United States, the Court (in a 4-4-1 fragmented opinion with Justice Kennedy’s opinion the effective decision of the Court) ruled in 2006 that the Corps can exert jurisdiction over non-adjacent wetlands when it can demonstrate on a case-by-case basis that there is a “significant nexus” between the wetlands and navigable waters (in addition, opinions signed by eight of the justices required that the wetlands be at least “relatively permanent”).

These Supreme Court decisions led the agencies to evaluate their jurisdiction over waters on a case-specific basis far more frequently, complicating their regulatory programs. To attempt to clarify and streamline regulation, on March 25 they have jointly proposed a definition that incorporates the Supreme Court’s guidance. The central provision of this 370 page document is the following definition:
Continue reading Redefining ‘Waters of the United States’

EPA Strategic Plan Charts Direction for Next Four Years

Posted: April 10, 2014

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its fiscal year (FY) 2014 to 2018 Strategic Plan today, which provides a blueprint for advancing EPA’s mission to protect public health and the environment across the country.

The plan envisions a new era of partnerships with state and local governments, tribes, federal agencies, businesses, and industry leaders to achieve environmental benefits in a pragmatic, collaborative way.

“EPA will address the increasingly complex array of environmental challenges we face by advancing a rigorous research and development agenda that informs and supports our policy and decision making with timely and innovative technology and sustainable solutions,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “We are heeding President Obama’s call for action on climate change, the biggest challenge for our generation and those to come by building strong partnerships at home and around the world. We are working to mitigate this threat by reducing carbon pollution and other greenhouse-gas emissions and by focusing on efficiency improvements in homes, buildings and appliances.”

The five strategic goals in EPA’s plan include:

•           Addressing climate change and improving air quality;
•           Protecting America’s waters;
•           Cleaning up communities and advancing sustainable development;
•           Ensuring the safety of chemicals and preventing pollution; and
•           Protecting human health and the environment by enforcing laws and assuring compliance.
Continue reading EPA Strategic Plan Charts Direction for Next Four Years

Study looks at wood pellets as potential source of jobs, energy savings

Posted: April 7, 2014
Source: LaCrosse Tribune.com

The Coulee Region could save millions of dollars a year in energy costs, create more than a hundred jobs and slash carbon dioxide emissions by creating a market for wood pellet fuel, according to a new study.

Commissioned by the Mississippi River Regional Planning Commission, the study grew out of meetings in the Kickapoo River Valley after the floods of 2007 and 2008, where discussions focused on how to create a more resilient economy, said Greg Flogstad, director of the planning commission.

The area is dependent primarily on agriculture and tourism, but lacks a third “leg” for the stool.

“There wasn’t much being done with forest wood products,” Flogstad said.

Funded by $52,000 in grants from the federal Department of Commerce and the Wisconsin Department of Administration, the report is designed to outline a model of economic development
Continue reading Study looks at wood pellets as potential source of jobs, energy savings

U.S. Government Announces $1.1 Billion for Henderson Perchlorate Clean Up

Posted: March 3, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO – A settlement announced today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice secured $1.1 billion in funds to cleanup a former chemical manufacturing site in Henderson, Nev.

The Henderson site is the largest perchlorate groundwater plume in the country. The plume has contaminated Lake Mead, which feeds into the Colorado River, a major source of drinking water in the Southwest. Perchlorate can interfere with the production of thyroid hormones, which are needed for prenatal and postnatal growth and development, as well as for normal metabolism and mental function in adults.

“This historic $1.1 billion settlement will result in cleaning up the nation’s largest perchlorate plume and ensuring that 15 million people throughout the West will have access to safe drinking water,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the EPA Pacific Southwest.
Continue reading U.S. Government Announces $1.1 Billion for Henderson Perchlorate Clean Up

Washoe County Health District Wins Prestigious EPA Clean Air Excellence Award

Posted: April 2, 2014
Source: EPA

Washoe one of nine winners nationwide

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today is presenting the 2014 Clean Air Excellence Award to the Washoe County Health District’s Air Quality Management Division for their innovative work launching the “Keep It Clean” public awareness campaign.

The campaign increases public awareness and engages the citizens of Reno, Sparks and Washoe County, on air quality issues. There are three major community action components to Keep It Clean: Know the Code, a woodburning advisory program; Rack Em Up, an alternative transportation program; and nOzone, a smog prevention program. Each of these encourages emissions reductions and empowers citizens to take positive actions to reduce ozone and particulate matter throughout the year.

“Washoe County’s clean air awareness campaign is helping citizens to take simple steps – like bike riding to school and reducing wood burning – that reduce ozone and particulate matter year round,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest

“It’s a significant achievement for anyone to receive this award and it’s really something for a small County staff of 18 to be recognized,” said Washoe County Health District AQMD Director Charlene Albee.

From improving indoor air quality in Tribal communities in the Northwest to installing solar panels in Tennessee, award winners demonstrate a commitment to improving the air that we breathe and addressing climate change. This year’s other winners are:

Clean Air Technology
Montgomery County Resource Recovery Facility – Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection, Northeast Maryland Waste Disposal Authority, and Covanta Energy – Dickerson, MD
Community Action
Regional 8-Hour Ozone Flex Planning – Central Texas Clean Air Coalition – Austin, TX
Ducktown 28-Kilowatt Solar Array – City of Ducktown – Ducktown, TN
Education Outreach
Idle Free Louisville – Kentuckiana Air Education – Louisville, KY
Improving Tribal Indoor Air Quality — Tribal Healthy Homes Northwest – Issaquah, WA
Regulation/Policy Innovations
Seaport Air Quality Program – Port of Seattle – Seattle, WA
Transportation Efficiency Innovations
Clean School Bus NC: Kids Breathe Here – North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Department of Public Instruction – Raleigh, NC
FPL’s Clean Fleet and Consumer Education Program – Florida Power & Light Company – Juno, FL
Thomas W. Zosel Outstanding Individual Achievement Award
Richard A. Valentinetti – Vermont Agency of Natural Resources

For more information on Washoe County Health District’s campaign and graphics, please visit: www.ourcleanair.com
More information: http://www.epa.gov/air/cleanairawards/index.html

Media Contact: Margot Perez-Sullivan, perezsullivan.margot@epa.gov

Houston oil company endorses Nevada’s proposed fracking rules

Posted: March 24, 2014
Source: Fuel Fix.com

ELKO, Nev. (AP) — A Houston-based oil company has endorsed the state’s proposed rules governing hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking.

The proposed regulations support proven technologies to safely develop Nevada’s oil and gas, said Kevin Vorhaben of Noble Energy Inc., which is exploring for oil in three Elko County locations.

They also would ensure safety to human health and the environment, he said at a public workshop in Elko on Wednesday hosted the Nevada Division of Minerals.

“These innovative proposed rules support the use of proven horizontal holes and hydraulic fracturing technologies to safely develop Nevada’s discovered and undiscovered oil and gas resources,” Vorhaben said, calling the regulations “tough” and “thorough.”

Black crude: Northeast Nevada eyed for more oil exploration

But some residents viewed the company’s endorsement as reason to wonder if the minerals division’s proposed regulations are too lax, the Elko Daily Free Press reported.
Continue reading Houston oil company endorses Nevada’s proposed fracking rules

EPA Asks Americans to Join the Race to Stop Water Leaks

Posted: March 17, 2014

WaterSense celebrates Fix a Leak Week Beginning March 17

WASHINGTON – Easy-to-fix household leaks account for more than one trillion gallons of water wasted each year across the United States, equal to the annual household water use of more than 11 million homes. In the race against water waste, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is urging people to fix household water leaks during the sixth annual Fix a Leak Week, March 17 through 23, 2014.

Water leaking from dripping faucets, showerheads and worn toilet flappers in one average American home can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry. These types of leaks are often easily correctable, in many cases requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings. Fixing household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills.

“A household can waste thousands of gallons from leaky plumbing fixtures and sprinkler systems, which is especially bad news if your community is suffering from a drought,” said Nancy Stoner, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water. “Three simple steps—checking for leaks, twisting and tightening pipe connections, and replacing fixtures where needed can help people conserve water and save money on their utility bills.”

Finding and fixing leaks is simple to do in three easy steps:
Continue reading EPA Asks Americans to Join the Race to Stop Water Leaks