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EPA is proposing a draft rule to ensure the New Source Review (NSR) program is more compatible with current air pollution control programs that protect public health and the environment.á Through the Clean Air Interstate Rule, the Clean Air Visibility Rule and the Acid Rain Program, EPA has set a permanent cap on power plant emissions.á The proposal provides the nationally consistent regulatory framework to assure NSR complements the programs that achieve these significant emissions reductions.
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"We are committed to results and making sure we achieve 70 percent emissions reductions from power plants," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson.á "This rule will provide facilities clearer and simpler rules for operating safely, efficiently and affordably.á We'll see deeper, faster, and more efficient emissions reductions."
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The proposed rule would establish a uniform emissions test for existing power plants nationwide by adopting the test used under the Clean Air Act's New Source Performance Standards (NSPS).á A uniform nation-wide emissions test for the NSR program provides regulatory clarity and certainty needed to aid the smooth and effective implementation of these programs.
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As a result of a U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision, an NSPS-style emissions test currently applies for the NSR program in five states.á This proposed rule addresses the court decision by ensuring that the NSR program is implemented consistently across the country.
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Under the amended rules currently in place and under this proposal, new enforcement cases will be pursued if power plants increase capacity and trigger NSR.á This proposal eliminates the disincentives and significant barriers to beneficial projects created under the old NSR rule.á These proposed changes will increase power plant efficiency, reliability and availability of electricity for consumers and businesses to improve plant safety.
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EPA is also proposing two other options for the new emissions test for consideration.á In addition to the existing NSPS test, which compares the maximum hourly emissions achievable before and after a physical or operational change, the agency is proposing a second option that would adjust the NSPS test to compare maximum hourly emissions achieved after the change to those that actually had been achieved before the change.
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The third option is an NSR emissions test based on the mass of emissions per unit of energy output instead of hourly emissions.á The proposal also solicits public comments on revising the NSPS emissions increase test using options two or three.
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An emissions test is used to determine if a physical or operational change at a power plant will lead to emissions increases that could potentially require a facility to install pollution controls.á The proposed rule applies only to existing electric generating units. New electric generating units will continue to be subject to current NSR preconstruction review requirements.
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EPA will accept comment on this proposal for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.á
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Electronic Reporting Encouraged by EPA
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As part of EPA's efforts to make environmental reporting easier, the Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule (CROMERR) has been signed.
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CROMERR allows states, tribes and local governments to accept electronic reporting, including electronic signatures, from regulated facilities under most environmental regulations.á CROMERR will enable facilities to file electronic reports instead of paper reports, thus reducing the cost and effort of data transfer.á CROMERR also complies with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act of 1998, which requires agencies to provide an electronic reporting option for regulated facilities.á CROMERR has been carefully designed to maintain corporate and individual accountability for all reports that currently are sent on paper, ensuring enforcement actions are not in any way affected by this move.á
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EPA programs must comply with CROMERR within two years of its effective date (Sept. 22, 2005).á Under the new rule, each EPA program (air, water, solid waste) may implement electronic reporting as they become ready, without any additional rule-making.á To further assist with the transition, EPA will provide a fact sheet for existing EPA systems that are working on CROMERR compliance, and a step-by step guide for program system managers to determine if they are compliant with the electronic reporting rule.
Final NESHAP for Hazardous Waste Combustors
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EPA issued a National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for hazardous waste combustors (HWCs): hazardous waste burning incinerators, cement kilns, lightweight aggregate kilns, industrial/commercial/institutional boilers and process heaters, and hydrochloric acid production furnaces. EPA has identified HWCs as major sources of hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. These standards implement section 112(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) by requiring hazardous waste combustors to meet HAP emission standards reflecting the performance of the maximum achievable control technology (MACT).
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The HAP emitted by HWCs include arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, dioxins and furans, hydrogen chloride and chlorine gas, lead, manganese, and mercury. The rule includes EPAÆs decisions regarding the February 28, 2002 petition for rulemaking submitted by the Cement Kiln Recycling Coalition, relating to EPA's implementation of the so called omnibus permitting authority under section 3005(c) of RCRA. That section requires that each permit issued under RCRA contain such terms and conditions as permit writers determine to be necessary to protect human health and the environment. In that petition, the Cement Kiln Recycling Coalition requested that EPA repeal the existing site-specific risk assessment policy and technical guidance for hazardous waste combustors and that EPA promulgate the policy and guidance as rules in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.
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Ohio EPA Begins Electronic Permit-To-Install Applications
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The Ohio Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC) has established a way for Permit to Install (PTI) applications to be completed and submitted electronically.áá All permit application forms have been made available in Microsoft Word format and converted to ôactiveö forms.
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Once the electronic PTI application process has been utilized and proves to be a popular method of submitting applications, DAPC will create an e-mail address to submit the permit-to-operate (PTO) applications as well. However, this option is not currently available.
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How to Determine Optimum Insulation Thickness
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The 3E Plus Insulation Thickness Computer Program is a free industrial energy management tool developed by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) to simplify the task of determining how much insulation is necessary to use less energy, reduce plant emissions and improve system process efficiency.
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- áááááááááááááááááááá Calculate the thermal performance of both insulated and uninsulated piping, ducts and equipment
- áááááááááááááááááááá Translate Btu losses into actual dollars
- áááááááááááááááááááá Calculate greenhouse gas emission and reductions
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Designed for facility managers, energy & environmental managers, industrial process engineers, and industrial plant managers, the program is a valuable tool for determining the return on investment of an insulation upgrade on pipes, ducts, tanks, and boilers.
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Environmental Podcasts
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If you have an MP3 player, Ipod, or just about any computer, you can listen to podcasts with the latest environmental news.áá To listen to podcasts you need software that allows you to subscribe to and automatically download the shows you want. The "feed" URL listed for each show is the address you subscribe to in your "podcatcher" software (which automatically downloads the latest shows and stores them so you can move them to your iPod or other MP3 player. It is meant to be cut-and-pasted into your podcatcher software ù it will not yield a viewable page in a conventional browser. HereÆs a listing from the Society of Environmental Journalistists:
- áááááááááááááá Living on Earth: The popular weekly environment news magazine from NPR includes this ability, and other free programs are available for all platforms.
- áááááááááááááá Environment Report:
- áááááááááááááá Earthwatch Radio: Short (1-2 min.) environmental news and features produced by the Gaylord Nelson Institute and the University of WI's Sea Grant. 3-5 episodes weekly.
- áááááááááááááá The Watt: Independent (amateur) podcast on energy. Covers markets, technology, industry, envl effects, and more. By Ben Kenney and other graduate students working on energy projects at Queen's University (Canada).
- áááááááááááááá Our Ocean World: Syndicated radio show offering news and information about ocean issues. Host: Marilyn Cooley.
- áááááááááááááá News from NOAA: Short reports on NOAA science and research, including environmental topics.
- áááááááááááááá The WildeBeat: News and features about environmentally responsible wilderness recreation. Independently produced by Steve Sergeant.
- áááááááááááááá EV World Internet Radio: Electric, hybrid, and alternative-fuel vehicle industry interviews and conference presentations. Hosted by Bill Moore.
- áááááááááááááá Bird Notes: Magazine show by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (UK). Features on birds and the environment.
- áááááááááááááá Off the Grid Radio: Casual interviews and observations from the owner of a solar-powered ecology lodge in Algonquin Park (northern Ontario, Canada).
Failure to Submit Timely Form R for Lead Results in $29,830 Fine
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The EPA announced that it has settled a case with Scientific Technologies, Inc. over its failure to submit timely Toxics Release Inventory reporting forms as required by the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The company was required to report the amount of lead released in 2001 and 2002 at the facility in its yearly TRI forms to the EPA.
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Scientific Technologies designs, manufactures, and distributes electrical and electronic industrial safety controls such as photoelectric and fiber optic sensors, control components, power monitoring electronics, defense electronics and industrial control microcomputers. Lead is used in its manufacturing process.
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Companies processing more than 100 pounds of lead in a year are required to report releases of the chemical to the EPA, but Scientific Technologies failed to file timely TRI Reports disclosing the releases of lead that the facility processed in above-threshold quantities in 2001 and 2002.
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The company has agreed to pay a $29,830 fine for the violations under the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know-Act (EPCRA).
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áôCompanies need to know they are required to report toxic chemical release information, so that its available to communities, states, and emergency responders,ö said Enrique Manzanilla, director of the Communities and Ecosystems Division in the EPAÆs San Francisco regional office.
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Failure to Submit Form R Reports Leads to $45,000 Fine
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SWVA, Inc. has settled alleged violations of federal toxic chemical reporting requirements at its cold steel manufacturing plant in Huntington, W.V., the EPA announced. EPA cited SWVA for violating EPCRA, which requires companies that manufacture, use or process more than a threshold amount of listed toxic chemicals to file an annual toxic chemical release form with EPA and the state. Facilities must also report both routine and accidental releases of toxic chemicals, as well as the maximum amount of any listed chemicals at the facility and the amount contained in wastes transferred off-site.
In a consent agreement with EPA, SWVA agreed to pay a $45,000 penalty for its alleged failure to timely report its 2002 releases of nickel, lead and manganese. The settlement penalty reflects the companyÆs cooperation with EPAÆs inspection of its plant and prompt compliance efforts. The company agreed to resolve this matter without issuance of a formal complaint. As part of the settlement, the company neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but has certified that it is now in compliance with EPCRA requirements.
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Underground Storage Tank Violations Settled
Mitchell Auto Parts of Bruceton Mills, W.V., has settled alleged violations of underground fuel storage tank regulations, the EPA announced. The company agreed to pay a $9,782 penalty to settle alleged violations of federal and West Virginia regulations designed to prevent, detect, and control fuel leaks from underground storage tanks. EPA cited the company for failing to conduct required leak detection and inspections of its 10,000-gallon and 5,000-gallon gasoline underground storage tanks. As part of the settlement, Mitchell Auto Parts neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but certified its compliance with applicable underground storage tank regulations. The settlement reflects the companyÆs cooperation with EPAÆs investigation, and its good faith compliance efforts.
Howard University Settles Violations of Fuel Storage Tank Regulations
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Howard University in Washington, D.C., has settled alleged violations of federal regulations designed to prevent fuel leaks from underground storage tanks, the EPA announced. In a consent agreement with EPA, Howard University has agreed to pay a $59,589 penalty and to comply with applicable underground storage tank regulations. EPA cited Howard University for violating various underground storage tanks safeguards, including monthly monitoring and other required methods to detect underground leaks, spill and overflow protection, annual testing, and adequate financial assurance for cleanups. The violations involved a 3,000 gallon diesel fuel underground storage tanks and 6,000 gasoline underground storage tank at the universityÆs service center, a 12,000 gallon diesel fuel underground storage tank at the Cancer Research Center, a 250 gallon diesel fuel tank at the Divinity School, and a 550 gallon gasoline underground storage tank at the School of Law. The settlement reflects the universityÆs cooperation with EPA and good faith efforts to resolve the cited violations.á As part of the settlement, Howard University neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations.
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Self-Reporting Substantially Reduces Penalty
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The EPA recently reached a $28,822 settlement with Reichhold, Inc., of Azusa, Calif. for failing to submit timely toxics reporting forms as required by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.
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Located in Azusa, Reichhold, Inc. manufactures resins and gel coatings for the composites, coatings, and graphic arts markets. From 2000 to 2002, the company processed several toxic chemicals - including dibutyl phthalate, ethylene glycol and cobalt compounds - in quantities exceeding their annual thresholds.
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"Companies that use potentially hazardous chemicals must follow the EPA's reporting rules - that way we can inform area residents and emergency response personnel of possible chemical hazards in the environment," said Enrique Manzanilla, Communities and Ecosystems Division Director for EPA's Pacific Southwest region. "In this case the company disclosed the violations to the EPA resulting in a penalty reduction."
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The penalty was substantially reduced from $137,287 because the company self reported the violations and has since corrected its reporting. The EPA's self-disclosure audit policy provides incentives for violations that are voluntarily discovered, promptly disclosed and expeditiously corrected.á The greatest incentives are available for companies that self-disclose violations based on a third party audit.
Foundry Settles Violations for Failure to Properly Contain and Label Hazardous Waste
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New Jersey Shell Casting Corp. (NJSCC) has agreed to pay a $6,680 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at its foundry in Marietta, Pennsylvania, the EPA announced. The NJSCC foundry manufactures brass and aluminum castings for the electrical and valve industries. According to EPA, the facility failed to properly contain a small quantity of lead-containing hazardous waste, and did not put the required ôhazardous wasteö label on a hopper that contained this waste. These violations were discovered in an April 26, 2005 inspection by EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The settlement penalty reflects the companyÆs cooperation with EPA in the investigation and resolution of the alleged violations. As part of the settlement, the company has neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but has certified its compliance with applicable RCRA requirements.
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Re-packaging and Selling Unregistered Pesticide Products Results in Penalty
The owner of Air Med of Delmarva, a Dover, Del. indoor air cleaning business, has agreed to pay a $5,460 penalty to settle alleged violations of federal pesticide regulations, the EPA announced. EPA cited Edward Riemer, Air MedÆs owner, for violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), a federal law requiring the registration of pesticide products and pesticide-production facilities, and the proper labeling of pesticides. FIFRAÆs requirements protect public health and the environment by ensuring the safe production, handling and application of pesticides; and by preventing false, misleading, or unverifiable product claims. FIFRA also prohibits the marketing of misbranded, improperly labeled, or adulterated pesticides. EPA alleged that Air Med violated FIFRA by repackaging and selling Bio-Chem Environmental TechnologiesÆ unregistered pesticide products ôBio-Stop+ö and ôBio-Stop+II,ö as an Air-Med ôBio-Stop +ö pesticide product. The alleged violations were discovered in an October 2004 inspection of Air MedÆs facility by the Delaware Department of Agriculture. The settlement reflects Air MedÆs cooperation with EPA, and prompts actions to comply with FIFRA. As part of the settlement, Air Med neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations.
EPA Cites Companies for Unlawful Discharge of Fill Material - $152,500 Penalty
EPA filed a Clean Water Act complaint against the owners and builders of the ôFairfield at Longneckö housing development in Millsboro, Sussex Co., Del.á In a complaint against property owners Anderson Homes LLC and Fairfield at Longneck LLC, and builder Triad Construction Company LLC, EPA seeks a $152,500 penalty for the unlawful discharge of fill material into tidal waters and wetlands, and for inadequate erosion and sediment control at the construction site. Under the Clean Water Act, a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is required before dredged or fill material can be discharged into waterways or wetlands. The requirement helps protect waterways and wetlands, which serve critical ecological functions -- including flood control, water filtration, and wildlife habitat. The law also requires construction operations to take steps to reduce polluted storm water runoff. Poorly managed storm water runoff from construction sites often contains oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients and oxygen-demanding compounds and other pollutants. EPAÆs complaint alleges that, beginning in January 2003, the cited parties allowed the unpermitted discharge of fill or dredged material below the high tide level of Indian River Bay, and into adjoining wetlands. EPA has ordered these parties to mitigate unpermitted discharges to 3.6 acres of tidal waters and wetlands. The cited parties also allegedly failed to implement required erosion and sediment control measures, including completion of sediment basins, installation and maintenance of adequate silt fences, stabilization of disturbed earth, and storm sewer inlet protections.
EPA Seeks $135,000 Penalty for Polluted Storm Water Runoff
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EPA cited Chesdin Limited Inc. for violating the Clean Water Act during construction of the Waterford Landing housing development along Chesdin Lake, in Dinwiddie County, Va. EPA seeks a $135,000 penalty for ChesdinÆs alleged violation of requirements designed to reduce polluted storm water runoff from construction sites. In March 2002, Chesdin Limited of Courtland, Va. commenced construction activities on an 82-acre site without a required Clean Water Act permit from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Sediment-laden storm water runoff from this construction site flows into Lake Chesdin, which is a segment of the Appomattox River. Chesdin obtained a Clean Water Act permit in March 2005. However, Chesdin had not gotten Dinwiddie CountyÆs approval of the siteÆs erosion and sediment control plan, as required by the permit. EPA ordered Chesdin to get county approval, and thereafter comply with the approved plan. Improperly managed storm water runoff from construction sites often contains sediment, turbidity, oxygen-demanding compounds and other pollutants. Under the Clean Water Act, operators of construction activities are required to get permit for the discharge of storm water runoff into waterways. These permits include erosion and sediment management controls and precautionary best management practices such as spill prevention safeguards, material storage, and employee training.
International Shipping Company Sentenced for Falsifying Oil Record Book
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A.P. Moller-Maersk, A/S, of Denmark, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to pay a $500,000 fine on Sept. 26 by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.á Moller-Maersk, which operates a fleet of more than 200 vessels worldwide, was also ordered to develop and implement a fleet-wide environmental compliance program.á The investigation began on May 25, 2004, when members of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office discovered waste oil in the overboard piping of the Motor Vessel Jane Maersk during a routine inspection.á Further investigation by the Coast Guard and EPA's Criminal Investigation Division also uncovered evidence of false entries in the ship's Oil Record Book.á The false entries in the book concerned the operation of the ship's incinerator which, in part, is used to burn waste oil sludge.
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In a related court action, Johnnie Nielsen of Copenhagen, Denmark, who is the ship's second engineer was sentenced to four months' community confinement for his role in concealing and destroying key documents in anticipation of the Coast Guard inspection of the Jane Maersk.á Nielsen further admitted that he had observed engineers on other Moller-Maersk vessels hiding the same key documents prior to pending inspections.
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Failing to properly maintain an Oil Record Book is a violation of the MARPOL Treaty, which is designed to prevent pollution from vessels that can, among other things, represent a threat to fish and other aquatic life.á The case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service and the San Francisco Office of EPA's Criminal Investigation Division with assistance from the Coast Guard Pacific Judge Advocate General's Office.á It was prosecuted by the U.S. attorney's office in San Francisco.
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Dairy Manager Charged with Million Gallon Dairy Waste Discharge
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David Inskeep, former manager of the Inwood Dairy in Elmwood, Ill., was charged on Sept. 21 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act by pumping dairy wastes into the West Fork of Kickapoo Creek.á The Inwood Dairy had approximately 1,250 cows.á To control pollution from the cows, animal wastes were flushed from the barns into a collection point and then pumped into a storage lagoon until they could be legally disposed of.
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On Feb. 14, 2001, an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) official found the lagoon to be near capacity and ordered the defendant to stop pumping waste into it.á On the next day, the lagoon was completely full and the pump was still operating.á At that time, Inskeep allegedly refused to hire waste haulers to remove the waste and threatened to pump waste into the West Fork.á On Feb. 16, an Illinois Circuit Court judge ordered the dairy to immediately stop discharging wastes into the lagoon.á However, on that day and on the next, Inskeep allegedly pumped a combined total of one million gallons of waste from the lagoon into the West Fork through a flexible hose.
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Failing to Conduct Leak Detection Monitoring Results in $75,000 Settlement
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Eastern Petroleum Corp. of Annapolis, Md., settled alleged violations of federal regulations designed to prevent fuel leaks from underground storage tanks, the EPA announced. In a consent agreement with EPA, Eastern Petroleum agreed to pay a $75,000 penalty for alleged underground storage tank violations.
EPA cited Eastern Petroleum for failing to properly conduct required leak detection monitoring for five 30,000-gallon heating oil tanks and for failing to comply with corrosion protection requirements for the five heating oil tanks. The company was also cited for failing to comply with corrosion protection for five other tanks, including three 30,000-gallon diesel fuel tanks, one 10,000-gallon kerosene tank, and one 2,000-gallon tank for spilled petroleum products. The settlement reflects the companyÆs cooperation with EPA and good faith efforts to resolve the cited violations. As part of the settlement, Eastern Petroleum neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations. Prior to the settlement Eastern Petroleum significantly upgraded both its release detection system and its corrosion protection system. Eastern Petroleum has certified that it is currently in compliance with applicable underground storage tank regulations.
EPA Fines Jewelry Manufacturer $215,273 for Clean Air Act Violations
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EPA proposed a $215,273 penalty against Drew-Easton Manufacturing, a Rhode Island jewelry finishing company for failing to comply with federal and state clean air rules that regulate the release of hazardous air pollutants.
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According to the complaint, the company violated state and federal regulations designed to control hazardous trichloroethylene (TCE) emissions from machines that use TCE vapor as a cleaning solvent. EPAÆs complaint comes on the heels of two previous compliance orders issued to Drew-Easton requiring the company to update its degreasing machines so that it would not violate equipment and monitoring requirements set out in federal rules and RI regulations promulgated under the Clean Air Act.
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ôFor years, Drew-Easton failed to comply with air toxics regulations by operating an outdated and substandard degreasing machine,ö said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPAÆs New England office. ôNow that EPA has ensured that the facilityÆs equipment minimizes TCE emissions, the Agency is seeking penalties that reflect the seriousness of the violations and the economic benefits enjoyed by the company by not complying on time.ö
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Until June 2004, Drew-Easton owned an outdated degreasing machine that failed to comply with equipment and operational standards. EPA issued a Notice of Violation and Compliance Order to Drew-Easton in June 2004 that cited these violations, together with numerous monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting violations. In response, Drew-Easton installed a new degreasing machine in August 2004.
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EPA re-inspected the company in December 2004 and found that the new degreaser was still in violation of certain equipment and monitoring requirements. The following month, EPA issued a second Compliance Order requiring the company to install additional cooling coils to minimize TCE vapor emissions from the degreaser tank. The additional control equipment was installed and began operating in April 2005.
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Lead-Paint Notification Rule Affects Landlords
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The former landlords of a rental property in York, Pa., have settled alleged violations of a federal law requiring disclosure of lead-based paint hazards to residential tenants, the EPA announced. In a consent agreement with EPA, Carla Frey and William Frey, Jr. have agreed to pay a $16,300 penalty for failing to disclose known lead-based paint hazards to residential tenants in a building they owned in York, Pa. The Freys were cited under the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992. This federal law requires sellers and landlords of residential housing built before 1978 (when the federal government banned the sale of lead-based house paint) to notify purchasers and tenants about the presence of known lead-based paint hazards, or disclose their lack of knowledge of such hazards. EPA cited Mr. and Ms. Frey for failing to inform tenants about lead-based paint hazards in their building, and for failing to provide records and reports related to these hazards. The alleged violations involve three leases in the 2000-2002 period for the FreysÆ rental property, which they sold in 2004. The settlement reflects Mr. and Ms. FreyÆs cooperation with EPA in resolving this matter, and their past cooperation with the City of York in addressing lead-paint issues in their property. As part of the settlement, the Freys neither admitted nor denied liability for the cited violations.
Oregon DEQ Director Voted President of National Environmental Council
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Stephanie Hallock, director of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) since November 2000, has been unanimously voted as president of the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) for 2005-06.
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The non-profit ECOS is comprised of the environmental agency directors of the 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. ECOS promotes agency-to-agency exchanges in how states conduct their environmental work and also promotes productive state and federal relations on environmental matters. ECOS members elected Hallock during their annual meeting recently in Maine.
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As ECOS president, Hallock will preside over the organizationÆs conducting of business and formulation of policies.
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Environmental agencies throughout the nation face a number of serious challenges, including the erosion of federal budget support for state environmental programs, Hallock said.
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ôI look forward to helping ECOS provide a strong voice for states in protecting our nationÆs environment,ö Hallock said. ôStates, tribes and local governments are on the frontline for protecting our environment and the health of our citizens. Financial support for these activities has eroded at all levels of government, and the states are telling Congress and EPA to stop further cuts in dollars that support core environmental work. Programs that have been in place for almost 30 years are at risk, and fee payers are maxed out.ö
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As ECOS president, Hallock recently wrote a letter on behalf of the organization to EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, stating concerns about declining EPA support for core work that state environmental agencies perform: issuing permits, doing inspections, conducting enforcement action and monitoring environmental quality.
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Hallock, who has been with DEQ since 1988, previously served as ECOS vice president and secretary-treasurer.
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Trivia Question of the Week
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According to the State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators, the amount of fuel consumed in family vehicles in the United States each year is enough to cover a regulation-size football field to a depth of how many miles?
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a. 1 mile
b. 4 miles
c. 10 miles
d. 40 miles
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