A committee under the Science and Technology for Sustainability Program (STS) will conduct a study at the request of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Research and Development to help define their efforts to incorporate sustainability concepts into U.S. EPS Agency programs. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of EPA, a launch was held for this study on November 30, 2010, at the Marian Koshland Science Museum in Washington, DC. Ralph J. Cicerone, President of the National Academy of Sciences, Lisa P. Jackson, EPA Administrator, and Bernard Goldstein, chair of the committee that will conduct the study, made remarks at this event. A video of the event is available on the EPA website. Additionally, the first meeting of the committee was held from December 14-15, 2010, in Washington, DC. The agenda and presentations from the meeting have been posted on the STS website.
Category: News
Ski Resorts Get Grades for Environmental Practices
The big ski resort that is involved in serious real-estate development and the local ski area that is involved in “uphill transportation” leave quite different carbon footprints, according to the Ski Area Citizen’s Coalition, and their 2011 Ski Area Report Card aims to inform skiers of the difference.
The action group’s new report card rates ski facilities across the western ski states in four different categories: habitat protection, protecting watersheds, addressing global climate change and environmental practices and policies, according to the group’s web site.
The group released its Top 10 and Worst 10 rankings under the new review system.
See the list at ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER
EPA Issues Guidance On PCB-Containing Fluorescent Lights
On the heels of yesterday’s guidance concerning the proper disposal of CFLs, the EPA has released guidance recommending that schools take steps to reduce potential exposures to PCBs from older fluorescent lighting fixtures. The guidance is based on evidence that the older ballasts contain PCBs that can leak when the ballasts fail, leading to elevated levels of PCBs in the air of schools that should not represent an immediate threat but could pose health concerns if they persist over time.
Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are man-made chemicals that persist in the environment and were widely used in construction materials and electrical products prior to 1978. PCBs can affect the immune system, reproductive system, nervous system and endocrine system and are potentially cancer causing if they build up in the body over long periods of time.
Until the late 1970s, PCBs were commonly used as insulators in electrical equipment because they have a high tolerance for heat, do not easily burn, and are non-explosive. EPA banned the processing and distribution in commerce of PCBs in 1979 pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act due to their toxic effects. However, uses of older PCB-containing ballasts were allowed to continue, provided that the ballasts had not failed and the PCBs were not leaking.
Read the article at ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER
Roundup – 16 Green Building Innovations of 2010
Technology and design are inextricably intertwined in the world of green building. During the last year, we’ve seen some fascinating technologies and clever designs that have the potential to reduce the environmental impact of the built environment in a new way. I hope you enjoy this review of innovation culled from our archives of the last year.
Read the article at JETSON GREEN
EPA DELIVERS REPORT ON 15 YEARS OF ACID RAIN REDUCTIONS
EPA released a report showing the Acid Rain program’s 15 years of success in dramatically reducing sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOX) emissions, saving lives and ecosystems. An analysis in 2010 estimates annual public health benefits of the program at more than $120 billion, about 40 times the estimated cost.
For some of the major accomplishments of the program, go to http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/progress/ARP09.html
EPA Improves Guidance for Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs Cleanup
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today updated its guidance on how to properly clean up a broken compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). Included with the guidance is a new consumer brochure with CFL recycling and cleanup tips. EPA encourages Americans to use CFLs for residential lighting to save energy and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global climate change.
CFLs contain a small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing. When a CFL breaks, some of the mercury is released as vapor and may pose potential health risks. The guidance and brochure will provide simple, user friendly directions to help prevent and reduce exposure to people from mercury pollution.
More information on the clean up guidance: http://www.epa.gov/cflcleanup
More information on CFLs: www.epa.gov/cfl
How to save money by trimming waste disposal costs
Managing your trash may prevent waste — of money. Savings will not be huge, but at a time of declining reimbursements, some practices find it worthwhile to negotiate a bit harder with companies providing such services, pay attention to additional fees and train staff to dispose of waste as cheaply as possible.
The first step is to identify what belongs in the hazardous waste bins and what does not. This varies by state. Waste disposal companies should be able to provide information, but generally, sharps contaminated with blood and other body fluids should be disposed of as hazardous medical waste. Exam table papers and disposable towels usually can go into the office waste stream.
“A lot of waste can go in the regular trash,” Lee said. “Practices need to know what is medical waste and what is not.”
Read the complete article at American Medical News:
Department of Energy Announces up to $74 Million for Fuel Cell Research and Development
The U.S. Department of Energy today announced it is accepting applications for a total of up to $74 million to support the research and development of clean, reliable fuel cells for stationary and transportation applications. The solicitations include up to $65 million over three years to fund continued research and development (R&D) on fuel cell components, such as catalysts and membrane electrode assemblies, with the goal of reducing costs, improving durability, and increasing the efficiency of fuel cell systems. The funding also includes up to $9 million to conduct independent cost analyses that will assess the progress of the technology under current research initiatives and help guide future fuel cell and hydrogen storage R&D efforts. These awards will help support U.S. leadership in the emerging global fuel cell market, while limiting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
“The investments we’re making today will help advance fuel cell technology in the United States,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “This is part of a broad effort to create American jobs, reduce carbon pollution, and help ensure the U.S. stays competitive in the growing clean energy economy.”