. The report estimates the following direct benefits of EPA enforcement orders: pollutants reduced by 890 million pounds, 79 million cubic yards of contaminated soil cleaned up, and 1.4 billion cubic yards of contaminated water cleaned up.
The agency conducted approximately 22,000 inspections or site evaluations, with criminal penalties resulting in about 64 years of incarceration of environmental law violators. The report indicated that more than 1,000 facilities took advantage of the agency’s voluntary disclosure program, also known as its audit privilege policy, which can result in reduced penalties for facilities that self-disclose potential violations.
MIT Develops a 'Paper Towel' for Oil Spills
A mat of nanowires with the touch and feel of paper could be an important new tool in the cleanup of oil and other organic pollutants, MIT researchers and colleagues report in the May 30 online issue of Nature Nanotechnology.
The scientists say they have created a membrane that can absorb up to 20 times its weight in oil and can be recycled many times for future use. The oil itself also can be recovered. Some 200,000 tons of oil have already been spilled at sea since the start of the decade.
“What we found is that we can make 'paper' from an interwoven mesh of nanowires that is able to selectively absorb hydrophobic liquids-oil-like liquids-from water,” said Francesco Stellacci, an associate professor in MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering and leader of the work.
In addition to its environmental applications, the nanowire paper could also impact filtering and the purification of water, said Jing Kong, an assistant professor of electrical engineering at MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and one of Stellacci's colleagues on the work. She noted that it also could be inexpensive to produce because the nanowires of which it is composed can be fabricated in larger quantities than other nanomaterials.
Stellacci explained that there are other materials that can absorb oils from water, “but their selectivity is not as high as ours.” In other words, conventional materials still absorb some water, making them less efficient at capturing the contaminant.
The new material appears to be completely impervious to water. “Our material can be left in water a month or two, and when you take it, out it's still dry,” Stellacci said. “But at the same time, if that water contains some hydrophobic contaminants, they will get absorbed.”
Made of potassium manganese oxide, the nanowires are stable at high temperatures. As a result, oil within a loaded membrane can be removed by heating the oil above its boiling point. The oil evaporates and can be condensed back into a liquid. The membrane-and oil-can be used again.
Two key properties make the system work. First, the nanowires form a spaghetti-like mat with many tiny pores that make for good capillarity, or the ability to absorb liquids. Second, a water-repelling coating keeps water from penetrating into the membrane. Oil, however, isn't affected, and seeps into the membrane.
The membrane is created by the same general technique as its low-tech cousin, paper. “We make a suspension of nanowires, like a suspension of cellulose [the key component of paper], dry it on a non-sticking plate, and we get pretty much the same results,” Stellacci said.
In a commentary accompanying the Nature Nanotechnology paper, Joerg Lahann of the University of Michigan concluded: “Stellacci and coworkers have provided an example of a nanomaterial that has been rationally designed to address a major environmental challenge.”
Emission Reductions Proposed for New Cement Plants
EPA is proposing to reduce air emissions from certain Portland cement plants. The proposed amendments would require affected new, modified, or reconstructed process units to meet emissions limits for particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxides. EPA is also proposing improved monitoring and testing requirements for existing sources, which should result in lower emission levels.
Over the next five years, EPA estimates the proposed standards will reduce the combined emissions of particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 42,000 tons per year. EPA will accept comments for 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
EPA is also announcing that it is developing a dynamic economic model for the cement industry. This model can analyze emission-reduction strategies for multiple pollutants while taking into account plant-level economic and technical factors. The Agency also seeks comments on this model.
EPA Study Confirms Low Mercury Emissions From Chlorine Manufacturing
EPA has completed a study to better characterize fugitive mercury emissions from chlorine manufacturers that use mercury cell technology. There are currently five such facilities nationwide. Study findings show that mercury emissions average about 0.2 tons per year per facility.
EPA is also proposing to require chlorine manufacturers use mercury cell technology to prevent mercury emissions. EPA would require plants not already monitoring mercury emissions to do so. Also, a plant would be required to perform ”work practices,” such as implementing an inspection program for equipment problems, leaking equipment, liquid mercury accumulations, and spills.
EPA will accept comments for 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register.
New ISO Standard Establishes Sustainability Principles for Building Construction
New ISO 15392:2008 standard establishes internationally recognized principles for sustainability in building construction. This standard provides a common ground for communication between stakeholders, such as builders and architects, product manufacturers and designers, building owners, policy makers and regulators, housing authorities, and consumers.
ISO 15392 is based on the concept of sustainable development as it applies to buildings and other construction works, from “cradle to the grave.” Over their life cycle, construction absorbs considerable resources and contributes to the transformation of the environment. As a result, they can have considerable economic consequences and impacts on both the environment and human health.
The foundations elaborated in ISO 15392:2008, Sustainability in Building Construction—General Principles, form the basis for a suite of standards intended to address specific issues and aspects of sustainability. These standards are applicable to buildings and other construction works individually and collectively, as well as to building materials, products, services, and processes.
The building and construction sector is a key sector in national economies, and the built environment is a major element in determining quality of life, as well as contributing to cultural identity and heritage.
Addressing sustainability in buildings and other construction works includes the interpretation and consideration of sustainable development in terms of its three primary aspects—economic, environmental, and social aspects—while meeting the requirements for technical and functional performance.
The principles elaborated in ISO 15392 are based on the belief that while the challenge of sustainable development is global, the strategies for addressing sustainability in building construction are essentially local and differ in context and content from region to region.
The standard acknowledges that these strategies will reflect the context, preconditions, and priorities and needs, not only in the built environment but also in the social environment. The social environment includes social equity, culture, traditions, heritage, health and comfort, social infrastructure, and safe and healthy environments. It may, particularly in developing countries, include poverty reduction and job creation.
ISO 15392:2008, Sustainability in building construction—General principles was prepared by ISO technical committee ISO/TC 59, Building construction, subcommittee SC 17, Sustainability in building construction.
Take the Drive Smarter Challenge
The goal of the campaign is to provide consumers with simple ways to counter rising gasoline costs through driving and maintenance tips. A unique feature of the campaign’s interactive website is a calculator that takes information on your vehicle make and model and immediately calculates your potential money, gas, and CO2 emission savings by taking the recommended Drive Smarter steps.
The calculator also will show how your actions play an important role in curbing our country’s energy use and CO2 emissions by displaying a running tally of the cumulative savings of everyone who has “taken the Challenge.” And, to reward you for your efforts, you can download one of three coupons from AutoZone and ExxonMobil.
Ohio to Adopt Clean Air Interstate Rule
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC) is proposing changes to Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) rules 3745-109-01, 3745-109-04, 3745-109-07, 3745-109-08, 3745-109-11 through 3745-109-14, and 3745-109-17 through 3745-109-21. These rules are related to the Clean Air Interstate program, which is Ohio’s implementation of the federal Clean Air Interstate Rules (CAIR) as first published in Volume 70 of the Federal Register, page 25162 (70 FR 25162).
These changes are necessary as a result of comments submitted by U.S. EPA after the end of Ohio’s CAIR final rulemaking process. In addition, revisions were made to U.S. EPA’s final CAIR rule on Oct. 19, 2007, (72 FR 59190) that will also be incorporated into Ohio’s CAIR rules during this rulemaking.
As part of the rule-making process, DAPC is required by Section 121.39 of the Ohio Revised Code to consult with organizations that represent political subdivisions, environmental interests, business interests, and others affected by the rules. DAPC is offering the public the opportunity to comment on these rules before the division formally proposes them.
Attached, please find copies of draft OAC rules 3745-109-01, 3745-109-04, 3745-109-07, 3745-109-08, 3745-109-11 through 3745-109-14, and 3745-109-17 through 3745-109-21 and a synopsis of the draft changes.
Lee Burkleca, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, DAPC Lazarus Government Center P.O. Box 1049 Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049; 614-644-728-1344.
Asbestos Awareness Seminar to Be Held in Arizona
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Director Steve Owens announced that ADEQ will conduct the second of a series of Asbestos Awareness Seminars on Friday, June 13, in Clarkdale to help demolition and renovation contractors and small communities comply with asbestos regulations.
ADEQ, in partnership with the Arizona chapter of the Environmental Information Association, conducted the first Asbestos Awareness Seminar in April in Holbrook. Another of the seminars will be held August 15 in Kingman. These seminars are free but registration is required. Registration for the Clarkdale seminar—which will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Clark Memorial Clubhouse, 19 N. Ninth Street—is required on or before Wednesday, June 11.
Director Owens launched the Route 66 Asbestos Initiative last October to address potential asbestos problems in small communities throughout Arizona and ensure that asbestos-containing material is handled and disposed of properly.
“Many small communities across the state have older buildings they want to preserve, renovate, or even demolish that contain asbestos,” Owens said. “If asbestos is not handled properly during a renovation or demolition, it can present a huge risk to public health, as well as cause the site to become contaminated. Through the Route 66 Initiative, we are providing technical assistance to communities to ensure that asbestos is dealt with safely and properly and, if there is contamination, find ways to help the community clean up the site.”
Owens noted that as part of the asbestos initiative, ADEQ has designated an outreach specialist in its air-quality division to provide technical assistance and asbestos education to rural communities. “We want local officials to contact us if they have any questions about potential asbestos problems in their communities,” Owens said. “We also want them to alert us about any improper demolition or renovation activities that can present a risk of asbestos exposure to people.”
The seminars are designed for contractors but are open to anyone seeking information about compliance with the asbestos regulations.
Sapphire Energy Unveils Renewable Gasoline
Sapphire Energy recently announced that they have produced renewable 91-octane gasoline that conforms to ASTM certification. The gasoline is made from a breakthrough process that produces crude oil directly from sunlight, CO2, and photosynthetic microorganisms, beginning with algae.
“Sapphire’s goal is to be the world’s leading producer of renewable petrochemical products,” said CEO and Cofounder Jason Pyle, speaking from the influential Simmons Alternative Energy Conference. “Our goal is to produce a renewable fuel without the downsides of current biofuel approaches.
The end result—high-value hydrocarbons chemically identical to those in gasoline—will be entirely compatible with the current energy infrastructure from cars to refineries and pipelines. It’s not biodiesel or ethanol, and no crops or farm land are required.
Company scientists say that they have built a platform that uses sunlight, CO2, photosynthetic microorganisms, and non-arable land to produce carbon-neutral alternatives to petrochemical-based processes and products. First up: renewable gasoline. Critically important, in light of recent studies that prove the inefficiencies and costs of crop-based biofuels, there is no “food versus fuel” tradeoff. The process is not dependent on food crops or valuable farmland, and it is highly water efficient.
“It’s hard not to get excited about algae’s potential,” said Paul Dickerson, COO of the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “Its basic requirements are few: CO2, sun, and water. Algae can flourish in non-arable land or in dirty water, and when it does flourish, its potential oil yield per acre is unmatched by any other terrestrial feedstock.”
Sapphire’s processes are at the forefront of an entirely new industrial category called “Green Crude Production.” Products and processes in this category differ significantly from other forms of biofuel, because they are made solely from photosynthetic microorganisms, sunlight, and CO2; do not result in biodiesel or ethanol; enhance and replace petroleum-based products; are carbon neutral and renewable; and don’t require any food crop or agricultural land.
The final products meet ASTM standards and are completely compatible with the existing petroleum infrastructure, from refinement through distribution and the retail supply chain.
Glidden Paint Fined $39,500 for Improperly Storing Hazardous Waste
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has fined Glidden Paint Company $39,500 after discovering numerous unlabeled containers of used paint solvents that were improperly stored at its Reading plant in violation of the state’s Solid Waste Management Act. During two inspection visits by DEP staff last year—on March 13 and April 16—the solvents were found in 55-gallon drums and listed as regulated hazardous waste.
The inspectors also found numerous containers without required labels designating the material as hazardous waste or with labels that misidentified the contents. Other containers with hazardous waste were not labeled with a required accumulation date.
Glidden also failed to inspect and maintain records of residual waste storage areas and equipment and failed to update its residual waste source-reduction strategy within the past five years as required.
“Improperly storing and labeling industrial waste presents a risk to company’s employees and to the public,” DEP Southcentral Regional Director Rachel Diamond said. “Ensuring these materials are documented and accounted for is of the utmost importance.”
Glidden manufactures paints, coatings, and enamels. This is not the first time the company has been cited for violations. On July 15, 2005, inspectors found 20 drums of hazardous waste without labels and in poor condition. Problems with recordkeeping and labeling were discovered the following March.
Hercules Polishing and Plating Fined $75,000 for Hazardous Waste Violations
Ohio EPA reached a settlement with Hercules Polishing and Plating Inc. for past hazardous waste violations and issued an administrative consent order on May 16, 2008. The violations occurred at its facility located in Canton, Ohio. The settlement includes a $75,000 penalty, of which $60,000 will be deposited into the state's hazardous waste cleanup fund. In lieu of paying the remaining $15,000 of the penalty, Hercules Polishing and Plating Inc. will contribute $15,000 to the Ohio EPA Clean Diesel School Bus Program.
DEQ Laboratory Presents Accreditation 101 Course for Labs
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Laboratory personnel will be presenting a course covering the lab accreditation process for new labs, costs, challenges, and requirements for accreditation. The purpose of the course is to address issues that accredited labs have to deal with on a one-to-one basis.
The course is being offered to laboratory staff members, Stack Testing Lab staff members, and other interested individuals across the state. Accreditation 101 seminar will last approximately three to four hours and may be held quarterly.
The first seminar is being held, Wednesday, June 18, at DEQ’s Acadiana Regional Office located at 111 New Center Drive, Lafayette. The inaugural class will consist of five participating labs. The next course will be in New Orleans in July 2008, followed by a session in Baton Rouge or Shreveport in September or October 2008.
“This course is designed to help each participating lab…and we are pleased to host this and all of the future “face to face” sessions,” DEQ Lab Administrator Melvin Mitchell said. “We will all win as a result of these courses.”
Pandolf-Perkins Co. Fined $85,000 for Violating Environmental Requirements
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed penalties totaling $85,000 to the Pandolf-Perkins Co., Inc., of Worcester Road, Sterling, for violations of state water management, air quality, hazardous waste management, and toxic use reduction regulations.
Inspections were conducted in 2006 and 2007 at the facility that mines and crushes aggregate stone, manufactures asphaltic concrete, and processes recycled asphalt product.
Air pollution control violations included excessive dust emissions and odors from the facility, as well as a failure to obtain the necessary permit to operate stone-crushing equipment. Complaints were lodged with the MassDEP on several occasions and verified by MassDEP personnel. The facility did not obtain a water withdrawal permit as required by the Water Resource Management Act.
Hazardous waste violations included mismanagement of waste oil at the Sterling facility. The facility also failed to file applicable forms with MassDEP for two chemicals as required by the Toxic Use Reduction Act. These two chemicals are constituents of the fossil fuels and paving asphalt used at the facility.
In addition to complying with all applicable regulations and paying a penalty of $23,034, Pandolf-Perkins must design and implement an air pollution control mitigation plan and monitor dust, odor, and noise emissions from its processes.
As part of the settlement, the company has also agreed to undertake a Supplemental Environmental Project totaling $61,966 that will provide equipment to enhance the emergency response capabilities of the Sterling Fire and Police Departments, and provide for the installation of a catalytic oxidation control device on one of the firm's heavy-duty, off-road vehicles that will control particulate matter from the engine exhaust.
"Pandolf-Perkins has made considerable improvements at the facility towards air-borne dust minimization, water conservation, and waste oil spill prevention," said Martin Suuberg, director of MassDEP's Central Regional Office in Worcester.
University Fined for Failure to Report Oil Spill
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed $16,000 in penalties to Clark University in Worcester for violations of the notification provisions of the state hazardous waste site cleanup regulations.
In April 2006, Clark University staff reported that a release of heating oil had occurred in the basement of a three-story student residence owned by the university. Clark officials later determined that the heating oil release had impacted the indoor air within the first-floor living space of the dwelling located at 75 Florence Street.
These conditions required notification to MassDEP within 72 hours, but Clark officials failed to notify MassDEP, and conducted response actions without the required MassDEP approvals.
Under terms of the order, Clark University will pay a $4,000 penalty and apply an additional $12,000 towards the performance of a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP). The City of Worcester will use SEP funds to support ongoing improvements to the city's Brownfields GIS project.
"The environmental project put forth by Clark University will help the city's efforts and make information on Brownfield sites more easily available," said Mary Gardner, deputy director of MassDEP's Central Regional Office in Worcester. "MassDEP approval is required in such cases in order to ensure that indoor air impacts are managed quickly and effectively."
Maryland Joins 14 State Coalition Suing EPA for Adopting Lax Air Pollution Standards
The Maryland Department of the Environment and the Maryland Office of the Attorney General announced that it has joined a coalition of 14 states, the District of Columbia, and the City of New York in suing the federal EPA for failing to protect the public and the environment.
“The Environmental Protection Agency’s lax policies have done little to improve air quality,” Governor Martin O’Malley said. “By joining this lawsuit, Maryland is demonstrating our desire to continue to improve air quality and protect the health of our citizens.”
In March, the EPA acted against specific recommendations made by its own independent science advisors and adopted two new, substantially weaker standards for regulating ground-level ozone pollution, commonly referred to as “smog.” White House officials took an active role in making one of the standards far weaker than the scientifically recommended levels.
“The scientific evidence clearly demonstrates that reducing ozone levels protects our environment and the health of our citizens,” said Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler. “With the summer months already upon us, the EPA needs to act now and implement ground-level ozone standards that will help save lives and preserve our natural resources.”
The federal Clean Air Act requires EPA to regularly review and update two types of standards— known as “primary standards” and “secondary standards”—for the pollutants it regulates in our air. The primary smog standard defines the upper limit of smog concentrations that can be in the atmosphere before causing public health harms, such as chronic lung disease, asthma attacks, and, in some cases, even premature death.
The secondary smog standard defines the upper limit of smog concentrations that can be in the atmosphere before damaging public welfare by reducing crop productivity and harming plants and animals.
The suit was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The states or state agencies filing the suit are California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and Rhode Island. New York City and the District of Columbia also joined in the suit. The coalition will ask the Court to order EPA to adopt standards that will actually be protective.
“Kick the CO2 Habit”—UNEP Says It May Be Easier Than You Think
Some simple measures can more than halve an individual’s daily emissions, with even bigger cuts possible if sectors like power suppliers, automobile makers, as well as aviation and appliance manufacturers contributed more to the greening of global lifestyles.
For example, studies indicate that if every airline passenger reduced to below 20 kg the weight of goods and items carried and bought what they needed on arrival at a duty-free lounge, this could cut global greenhouse gas emissions by two million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) a year.
Other low-carbon lifestyle choices at home and when traveling include:
- Supporting campaigns to encourage airlines to give free coach and rail miles instead of free air miles in order to promote switches to more environmentally friendly forms of transport.
- Waking up with a traditional wind-up alarm clock rather than the beep of an electronic one—this can save someone almost 48 grams (g) of CO2 each day.
- Choosing to dry clothes on a washing line versus a tumble dryer—a daily carbon diet of 2.3 Kg of CO2.
- Replacing a 45-minute workout on a treadmill with a jog in a nearby park. This saves nearly 1 Kg of the main greenhouse gas.
These are the findings from two reports launched on World Environment Day by UNEP under the theme "Kick the Habit! Towards a Low Carbon Economy."
"Greenhouse gas emissions are continuing to rise across the globe with transport including aviation one of the fastest growing sources,” said Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director. “Yet, there are countless management, policy and technological opportunities for dramatically changing this trajectory through more intelligent choices by governments, industry, and the global public."
"Some of these choices are big—from smart taxes to encourage offshore wind farms as opposed to more coal-fired power stations to national policies that favor cleaner and greener forms of mobility up to ones that promote energy efficiency rather than energy consumption," he said. "Others are small, such as perhaps thinking about which appliances we buy, how we travel, and where we source our energy. But multiplied across the world and acted upon by 6.7 billion people, the public has the power to change the future—have the power to personally and collectively influence economies to 'Kick the CO2 Habit."
The UN Guide suggests there are many small 'no regrets' choices that together could reduce daily emissions by someone in Australasia, Europe, and North America—the major contributors to global warming historically—from say 38 Kg to 14 Kg.
The suggestions, requiring little or no change in comfort, may also be relevant in part to some developing country countries, cities, sectors, and people whose carbon footprint is sharply on the rise. Just under half of personal emissions come from things under individuals' control, such as how much we drive and fly and heat and power our homes. Of the remaining 50%, about half comes indirectly from powering the places where we work, 10% more from maintaining infrastructure and government, and about 20% during the production of goods that people buy including food.
How did you start your low carbon day? After switching off your climate neutral wind-up clock and pulling on your zero emission-dried clothes, what about brushing your teeth and having breakfast? Consider the following:
- Opting for non-electric toothbrush will avoid nearly 48 g of CO2 emissions.
- Heating bread rolls in a toaster versus an oven for 15 minutes saves nearly 170 g of CO2.
- Switching from regular 60-Watt light bulbs to energy-saving ones will produce four times less greenhouse gas emissions.
- Taking the train rather than the car for a daily office commute of as little as 8 km will save 1.7 Kg of CO2.
- Shutting down your computer and flat screen both during your lunch break and after working hours will cut CO2 emissions generated by these appliances by one-third.
- Investing in a water-saving shower head will not only save 10 liters of water per minute, but will also slash CO2 emissions resulting from a three-minute hot shower by half.
And what about when you are at work, how energy saving is your home? Heating, cooling, and lighting our homes and using household appliances consumes more than 10% of global energy supplied. Meanwhile, buildings account for about 30% of greenhouse gas emissions—perhaps even more—according to UNEP's Sustainable Building and Construction Initiative.
Yet, the average household in a country like the United Kingdom could save around two tons of CO2 annually by making its home energy-efficient by improving insulation, heating systems, and lighting. Try turning down the thermostat. The Guide suggests that lowering the temperature of a 90-squaremeter apartment by just a couple of degrees would save 6% in energy consumption and lower energy bills.
The UN Guide underlines how many companies, cities, organizations, and indeed whole countries are going that extra mile by embarking on strategies to achieve zero-emission businesses, communities, and economies. A great deal of this transition to a Green Economy is being federated and empowered under the banner of UNEP's Climate Neutral Network (CN Net), which was launched in February 2008.
The idea of climate neutrality is also catching on worldwide. The CN Net includes participants from across the developing world, such as the solar-powered Chinese city of Rizhao to the entire Central American nation of Costa Rica, which is striving to achieve climate neutrality in time for its 200 years independence celebrations in 2021.
"It is clear that we are glimpsing a Green Economy emerging across communities and countries, across the world. Driving this transition is the sobering science on the impacts of climate change if we fail to act, but also the abundant economic opportunities if economies become more resource efficient. Companies and consumers are demanding and acting to realize change and some countries are starting to deliver it," Steiner said.
"It is now up to governments everywhere to step up to the bar and ensure that a Green Economy becomes a global, long-lasting phenomenon,” he added. “That level of ambition will be put to the litmus test in just 18 months when nations must agree on a new and fully formed climate convention treaty in Copenhagen in late 2009."
3M Fined $30,000 for Air Permit Violations
EPA Region 5 has reached an agreement with 3M Co. on alleged clean-air violations at the company's Abrasive Systems Division at 10746 Innovation Road, Cottage Grove, Minn.
The agreement, which includes a $30,000 penalty, resolves EPA allegations that 3M violated monitoring and recordkeeping requirements for systems to control particulate matter emissions from its calciners and dryers.
The alleged violations were discovered during an EPA inspection in October 2006. EPA said 3M has since demonstrated compliance with these requirements.
Elmendorf Air Force Base is Alaska’s First EPA Performance Track Facility
Elmendorf Air Force Base was recently named one of the newest members of the EPA National Environmental Performance Track program, making it the first Alaska facility to be accepted into the program.
Performance Track rewards facilities that voluntarily exceed regulatory requirements; implement systems for improving environmental management; work with their communities; and set three-year goals for improvements in environmental performance. Only facilities with a record of sustained compliance with environmental requirements are eligible to participate in this program.
"Performance Track members view environmental challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement," Performance Track Director Dan Fiorino said. "The innovative approaches they use to reduce their facilities’ environmental footprints are earning them deserved recognition by the government, media, business, and financial communities."
Elmendorf joins more than 530 U.S. facilities in their commitment to consistently exceed environmental requirements. Since its inception in 2000, members have collectively reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 309,780 metric tons of carbon-dioxide equivalent, increased their use of recycled materials for production processes by 559,991 tons, and reduced water consumption by 5.2 billion gallons.
Over the next three years, Elmendorf Air Force Base has committed to eliminating cadmium from their parts washer-rinsing solution, allowing the re-use of the clarified rinse water; reducing sediments in storm water discharges by 95%; reclaiming a 70-acre solid waste landfill for use as a moose browse habitat; and reducing their use of jet fuel by almost 1.4 million gallons.
As part of Performance Track, Elmendorf Air Force Base is eligible for numerous program benefits, including EPA recognition; national and local networking opportunities; and regulatory and administrative incentives that reduce paperwork, increase flexibility, and help facilities focus on environmental improvement.
Electronics Company Fined $46,300 for Toxic Chemical Reporting Violations
EPA reached a $46,300 settlement with the Rockford Corporation of Tempe, Ariz., for failing to submit toxic chemical reports, a violation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).
Rockford Corporation, located at 546 South Rockford Drive, failed to submit timely, complete, and correct reports detailing the amounts of lead compounds processed at its facility from 2002 through 2004. Rockford Corporation, which manufactures circuit boards for car radios, self-disclosed their violations but failed to satisfy EPA’s Audit Policy.
“Facilities that process particularly toxic chemicals, such as lead compounds, must follow reporting rules to ensure area residents and emergency response personnel are informed of possible chemical hazards locally,” said Enrique Manzanilla, Communities and Ecosystems Division Director, for the EPA’s Pacific Southwest region. “This penalty should remind others that we are maintaining a close watch over chemical reporting practices and are serious about enforcing community right-to-know laws.”
Exposure to lead and lead compounds may result in high blood pressure, digestive problems, and muscle pain; exposure to low levels of lead can severely harm children under the age of six.
Although the Rockford Corporation did not release lead compounds into the environment, it was required to report lead compound processing to the EPA because the facility was over the applicable reporting thresholds from 2002 through 2004. The company failed to timely submit reports to the agency for any of those years.
Under the EPA's Audit Policy, the agency may reduce penalties up to 100% for violations that are voluntarily discovered through an audit or management system, discovered independently of government, promptly disclosed to the agency, quickly corrected, and satisfy other audit policy conditions. The policy excludes criminal acts, violations resulting in serious actual harm to public health or the environment, and repeat violations.
Each year, the EPA compiles information submitted the previous year regarding toxic chemical releases; this publicly available Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) database lists the amounts of reported toxic chemical releases to the environment.
One Facility's Waste Is Another's Energy Source
EPA recognized three Energy Star Combined Heat and Power () Awards winners for using CHP to reduce their energy use by more than 18%. CHP, also referred to as cogeneration, is an efficient, clean, and reliable approach to generating power and thermal energy from a single fuel source. By installing a CHP system, a facility can increase operational efficiency and decrease energy costs, while reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Awardees included:
Calpine Columbia Energy Center (Gaston, S.C.) for its combustion turbine-based CHP system that produces up to 500 MW of electricity and one million pounds of steam per hour. The local utility grid receives all of the generated electricity, while an adjacent manufacturing plant productively utilizes the steam. This highly efficient CHP system requires 30% less fuel than typical alternatives.
University of New Mexico CHP Project (Albuquerque, N.M.) for its natural gas-fired CHP system at the Ford Utilities Center. Part of a major energy infrastructure upgrade project, the CHP system supplies the campus with roughly one-third of its total electricity demand and produces steam to help meet the space heating, space cooling, and domestic hot water production needs of more than 25,000 students, staff, and faculty. With an operating efficiency of almost 65%, the CHP system requires 20% less fuel than typical alternatives.
Verizon Garden City Fuel Cell Project (Garden City, N.Y.) for its fuel cell CHP system. Located at a Verizon call routing center, the CHP system is the largest U.S. commercial fuel cell installation of its kind. Hot water that would otherwise be wasted is recovered and used for the space cooling and heating of an office building that serves more than 35,000 telecommunication customers. With an operating efficiency of almost 60%, the CHP system requires 25% less fuel than typical alternatives.
Since 1999, EPA has given the Energy Star CHP Award in recognition of organizations and institutions that install exceptionally efficient CHP systems. EPA's CHP Partnership seeks to reduce the environmental impact of power generation. EPA works closely with energy users, the CHP industry, state and local governments, and other stakeholders to support the development of new projects that have significant energy, environmental, and economic benefits. The program plays a vital role in efforts to achieve a collaborative, public-private goal of doubling the capacity of CHP in the United States to 92 gigawatts (GW) by 2010.
Spencer Environmental and Its President Sentenced for Hazardous Waste Violations
The U.S. District Court for Oregon sentenced Spencer Environmental Incorporated (SEI) and its president, Donald M. Spencer, on Friday for violating hazardous waste laws under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). In a related matter, SEI’s former engineer, Durbin Hartel, was indicted by a federal grand jury for obstruction of justice and lying to investigators.
SEI and Spencer admitted to three felony violations of RCRA hazardous waste laws on Oct. 12, 2007. The court sentenced SEI today to pay $150,000. Of this amount, $75,000 will fund various environmental projects in Oregon administered by the congressionally established National Fish and Wildlife Fund (NFWF) through the Oregon Governor’s Fund for the Environment. Judge Haggerty sentenced Spencer to six months in prison and one year of supervised release.
The case arose from an investigation into a fire at SEI’s former facility. SEI was an Oregon corporation that operated a recycling and wastewater treatment facility located in Portland. SEI contracted with industrial companies to collect and recycle material including used oil and antifreeze, and to collect, treat, and dispose of wastewater. Spencer was the founder and president of SEI. As president, Spencer had the authority to exercise control over every aspect of the handling of waste and used oil at SEI’s Foster Road plant.
RCRA, in addition to regulating hazardous waste, establishes standards for handling used oil that are designed to minimize the risk of fire and release of used oil into the environment. Between April 2000 and June 2003, employees at the SEI Foster Road plant repeatedly violated the RCRA standards for handling used oil by routinely spilling used oil, overfilling a waste pit used for oily waste, and failing to properly clean up spills when they occurred. This resulted in the release of used oil outside the Foster Road plant, including at least one spill that spread to a storage facility occupied by an appliance retail company next door to the plant. Following the sale of SEI’s facility, a fire broke out when a welding spark touched off used oil residue in a pit and quickly spread to other oil-soaked parts of the facility, largely destroying the facility and leading to the contamination of Johnson Creek, a tributary of the Willamette River known to contain threatened salmonids.
The related indictment charges Durbin Hartel, the former engineer for SEI, with covering up the investigation into a worker’s death at SEI’s facility. Timothy Smith, a summer employee of SEI, was told to pressure wash a 10,000-gallon wastewater tank. Following the cleaning, Smith suffered lung damage that progressed and ultimately resulted in his death. Hartel allegedly filled the wastewater tank with a viscous sludge or rocker lube to conceal its former contents. Attempts to determine what substance caused Smith’s injury were thwarted by the wastewater tank having been filled. When Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division investigators interviewed Hartel, he denied any knowledge of the tank being filled with sludge despite having allegedly ordered an SEI worker to fill the tank.
"Spencer Environmental and its corporate official are paying the price for lax environmental oversight," said Eileen Sobeck, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. "Today’s sentencing and the indictment of SEI’s former engineer reaffirm the Department’s commitment to protecting the environment and worker safety, as well as ensuring that there is a level playing field for those corporations that conduct business in an environmentally responsible manner."
"We have made the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office here in Oregon,” U.S. Attorney Karin J. Immergut said.
“Oregonians care deeply about the environment, and my office will continue to pursue cases against those individuals and companies who flagrantly disregard environmental laws."
The case was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division; the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality; the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division; and prosecuted by Trial Attorney J. Ronald Sutcliffe of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dwight C. Holton for the District of Oregon.
Construction Firm to Pay $300,000 to Settle Storm Water Violations
Colorado Structures, Inc., (CSI) a construction management firm that specializes in building big-box commercial stores in the western United States, has agreed to pay a $300,000 penalty and implement a company-wide storm water compliance program to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations, the Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on June 6.
CSI, as part of the settlement joined by the state of Colorado, will implement a company-wide program to significantly reduce storm water pollution at its construction sites. The company has agreed to comply with storm water permitting requirements; develop a management system to improve its oversight of operations; inspect sites daily; train site personnel on federal storm water requirements; take quick corrective actions when problems related to storm water runoff arise; and provide quarterly progress reports to EPA.
"Storm water runoff from construction sites poses a threat to the environment by washing sediment, debris, and other pollutants into surrounding waterways and degrading water quality," said Ronald J. Tenpas, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. "We will continue to work with EPA to enforce the Clean Water Act and to prevent this type of pollution from entering our nation’s waterways."
Construction projects like those involved in this case have a high potential for environmental harm because they cover large areas of land. Today’s announcement is part of a national enforcement initiative aimed at reducing pollution from storm water discharges from construction sites.
"Protecting the quality of our nation’s waters is a top priority," said Robert E. Roberts, EPA’s Regional Administrator in Denver. "Today’s announcement makes clear that we will enforce the Clean Water Act to achieve that goal."
According to the complaint filed along with the settlement, beginning in 1999, EPA and state inspectors found a pattern of failures to comply with storm water requirements. EPA documented violations at 16 construction sites in Colorado, California, Nevada, and South Dakota, including violations of applicable permits and the failure to obtain a permit.
The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires that construction sites have controls in place to prevent pollution from being discharged with storm water into nearby waterways. Each site must have a storm water pollution prevention plan that sets guidelines and best management practices that the company will follow to prevent runoff from being contaminated by pollutants. EPA also requires that all construction projects larger than one acre obtain a federal permit.
Without on-site controls, runoff from construction sites can flow directly to the nearest waterway and can cause beach closings, swimming and fishing restrictions, and habitat degradation. As storm water flows over construction sites, it can pick up pollutants, including sediment, used oil, pesticides, solvents, and other debris. Polluted runoff can harm or kill fish and wildlife, erode stream banks, and affect drinking water quality.
CSI operates in the western United States and is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., with offices in Oregon and California. It is a general contractor for and developer of big-box stores, such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Fred Meyer, and Safeway. The CSI violations cited in the complaint were documented during construction of Wal-Mart and Home Depot stores.
The Justice Department and EPA have previously concluded an enforcement action against Wal-Mart, which involved many of the same sites as in the CSI complaint. CSI was a contractor for Wal-Mart at the time the violations occurred. Under the CWA, CSI also may be held liable for these violations as an operator at these sites.
The consent decree, lodged in the U.S. District Court in Denver, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. CSI is required to pay the penalty within 30 days of the court’s approval of the settlement, of which $50,000 will go to the state of Colorado.
Yale Launches Online Environmental Magazine
Edited by Roger Cohn, the former editor of Mother Jones and Audubon magazines, Yale Environment 360 aims to become one of the leading websites for commentary and reporting on the crucial environmental issues of the day.
The magazine's inaugural edition features articles by noted environmental advocate and author, Bill McKibben; New Yorker staff writer, Elizabeth Kolbert; climate scientist, Richard C.J. Somerville; marine biologist and author, Carl Safina; British journalist, Fred Pearce; and many other writers and thinkers. The first issue contains reports, analysis, and Op-Ed-style pieces on such issues as climate change, the concept of "clean coal," the impact of water shortages on global food supplies, and the challenge of crafting an innovative energy policy in the United States. E360's initial postings also showcase reporting from China, the Amazon, and Russia and include a thought-provoking interview with Nobel Prize winner Rajendra K. Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Cohn said that Yale Environment 360 will feature authoritative opinion, analysis, and in-depth reporting and will post original articles by leading journalists, scientists, environmentalists, green entrepreneurs, and policy makers from around the world. The site will also provide a forum for discussing global environmental issues, as well as varied multimedia.
Yale Environment 360 is a publication of the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and Yale University and is supported by grants from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
"Yale is our home base," said Cohn, "but Yale Environment 360 will be looking out at the world and examining the major environmental issues of the day."
According to Gus Speth, dean of Yale's School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, the new website is coming online "at a moment of unprecedented concern about environmental issues, sparked in large measure by mounting evidence of the effects of climate change." That intensifying interest, coupled with the virtual nature of Yale Environment 360, Speth noted, has created an opportunity to publish a site that will appeal to a wide international audience of policy makers, scientists, journalists, environmental activists, and general readers.
Cohn comes to Yale Environment 360 from a distinguished journalism career, much of it focused on the environment. As editor-in-chief of Mother Jones, from 1999 to 2005, he revitalized the magazine, winning the prestigious National Magazine Award for General Excellence. Prior to that, he was executive editor of Audubon, helping lead the magazine during a period when it became nationally known for its cutting-edge environmental reporting. Cohn previously was a staff writer at The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he served as one of the nation's first environmental reporters.
New TCEQ Executive Director Named
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) voted unanimously to appoint Mark Vickery as the executive director of the agency effective June 17, 2008. Vickery has served as the deputy executive director since May 1, 2004. He succeeds Glenn Shankle who is retiring from state government. Vickery previously served as deputy director for the office of permitting, remediation and registration, as well as for the office of compliance and enforcement.
Vickery began his career in state government 21 years ago as an enforcement coordinator with the Texas Water Commission, a predecessor agency of TCEQ. His experience includes work in all areas of the agency, including industrial and hazardous waste enforcement, municipal solid waste compliance and enforcement, waste tires, and as director of field operations, which included supervising more than 800 employees in 16 regional offices across Texas.
As the deputy executive director, Vickery served as the agency’s chief operating officer and provided oversight of the day-to-day operations of more than 2,900 employees and an annual operating budget in excess of $564 million.
“Mark Vickery’s depth of knowledge and extensive experience with the TCEQ made him the ideal candidate for this position,” said TCEQ Chairman Buddy Garcia.
Vitamin C Could Help Shield Lake Superior From Deadly Fish Disease
A Michigan Technological University professor has developed a new water treatment that could help keep a deadly fish disease out of Lake Superior.
David Hand, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Michigan Tech, has devised a simple way to treat ballast water in vessels ranging from pleasure craft to ore boats. His method is designed to kill the virus that causes viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS), an often-fatal disease that has been attacking fish populations in the lower Great Lakes.
Hand's treatment is simple. The ballast water is disinfected with sodium hypochlorite—ordinary household bleach. Then it is treated with ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, which neutralizes the bleach before the water is released into the lake.
With good initial results, Hand has tested his method on the Ranger III, a National Park Service vessel that shuttles visitors and staff between the mainland and Isle Royale National Park.
In the next few weeks, the Great Ships Initiative will conduct independent lab tests on his system at the University of Wisconsin–Superior to help determine if it is safe, effective, and inexpensive. Other partners in the effort are the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"VHS has had a devastating effect on the musky population in Lake St. Clair and affects 23 species of game fish," said Phyllis Green, superintendent of Isle Royale National Park and the midwest coordinator of the park service's VHS Prevention Team. "It's important that we keep it out of the Lake Superior basin or at least slow its spread. Our aim is to find a low-tech, low-cost, interim solution that can stop the spread of VHS."
Since 2003, VHS has caused massive die-offs of fish species ranging from walleyes to salmon in all of the Great Lakes, except Superior. Infected fish die from bleeding of their internal organs and often have open sores and bruised-looking, reddish tints on their skin.
As bad as it is, VHS is only part of the problem Hand wants to address. Exotic species have been hitchhiking throughout the Great Lakes via ballast tanks since 1959, when the St. Lawrence Seaway opened. And, as global trade increases, the problem will only get worse.
"Ships unload their ballast water from all over the world, and with it all kinds of exotic, invasive species, from viruses and bacteria to the zebra mussel," said Hand. It's unfair to point the finger only at ocean-going ships, says Hand, a devoted angler and boat owner himself. All boaters should sterilize their bilge, ballast, and livewell water.
"Not only do we need to prevent the salties from bringing in new viruses, we also need the lake carriers from the lower Great Lakes to treat their ballast, because the VHS virus is already in Lakes Huron, Michigan, and Erie, and we don't want it in Superior," he said. "We really need something for all ships, as well as pleasure boats."
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Trivia Question of the Week
Dutch engineer Roelof Schuiling recently made what recommendation for dealing with the growing lack of space for solid waste disposal?
a. Solidify the waste into pyramids that can serve as tourist traps
b. Scatter the waste into the stratosphere, to stabilize climate change
c. Dehydrate and pelletize the waste and mix it into animal feed
d. Stabilize and solidify the waste into drywall-type slabs, then use it to create housing for the world’s homeless populations