The EPA is proposing to prohibit the use of certain chemicals that significantly contribute to climate change where safer, more climate-friendly alternatives exist.
This action is estimated to reduce GHSs by up to 42 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2020, equal to the carbon dioxide emissions from the annual electricity use of more than five million homes.
“President Obama called on us to take action against potent greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. Today, we are issuing a new proposal that builds on the innovative work businesses across the country have already made to reduce and replace some of the most harmful chemicals with safer, more climate-friendly alternatives that are available and on the market today,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “This action will not only result in significant reductions of harmful greenhouse gases, but it will also encourage businesses to continue bringing safer alternatives to market.”
The proposed action would change the status of certain high-global warming potential (GWP) HFCs that were previously listed as acceptable under the SNAP Program to be unacceptable in specific end-uses based on information showing that other alternatives are available for the same uses that pose lower risk overall to human health or the climate.
The HFCs and HFC-containing blends affected by the proposal are used in aerosols, motor vehicle air conditioning, retail food refrigeration and vending machines, and foam blowing.
The agency received input from industry, environmental groups, and others through workshops and meetings over the past year on this proposal.
EPA will accept comment on the proposal for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Cleveland RCRA and DOT Training
Greensboro RCRA and DOT Training
Dallas RCRA and DOT Training
EPA’s New Solvent Wipe, Shop Towel Rule Demystified
- Does the rule apply to both cloth and paper wipes and rags?
- What solvents can be on the towels, and which are prohibited?
- Does the rule also apply to towels that contain characteristic hazardous waste?
- Can P or U-listed wastes be on the towels?
- How must the towels be stored on-site?
- Do they need to be tested for anything?
- How long can they be stored?
- How must the containers be marked or labeled?
- How must they be prepared for transportation?
- Where can you ship them and what are the disposal and recycling options?
- What are the documentation requirements?
- How is the new rule impacted by current state regulations?
How to Implement OSHA’s Globally Harmonized Hazard Communication Standard
OSHA has issued a final rule revising its Hazard Communication Standard, aligning it with the United Nations’ globally harmonized system (GHS) for the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals. This means that virtually every product label, material safety data sheet (now called “safety data sheet” or SDS), and written hazard communication plan must be revised to meet the new standard. Worker training must be updated so that workers can recognize and understand the symbols and pictograms on the new labels as well as the new hazard statements and precautions on SDSs.
Environmental Resource Center is offering live online training for you to learn how the new rule differs from current requirements, how to implement the changes, and when the changes must be implemented.
EPA Proposes Flammable Substitutes for Ozone Depleting Refrigerants
The proposed refrigerants include one hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant—HFC-32—and four hydrocarbon refrigerants—ethane, isobutane, propane, and R-441A. This proposed rule, if finalized as proposed, would list one or more of these substitutes as acceptable subject to use conditions in a number of stationary air conditioning (AC) and refrigeration end-uses under the SNAP program, including: household refrigerators and freezers, retail food refrigeration, very low temperature refrigeration, non-mechanical heat transfer, vending machines, and residential and light commercial AC and heat pumps. The use conditions would set requirements to ensure that these substitutes do not present significantly greater risk in the end-use than other substitutes that are currently or potentially available.
All of the end-uses proposed in this rule are for stationary refrigeration or AC; EPA previously addressed flammable refrigerants in motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC). On June 13, 1995, at 60 FR 31092, the Agency found all flammable substitutes to be unacceptable for use in MVAC unless specifically listed as acceptable subject to use conditions because of flammability risks and the lack of sufficient risk assessment and sufficient information to demonstrate safe use in that end-use at that time. Some of these risks are unique to motor vehicles. In recent years, EPA has listed three low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants as acceptable subject to use conditions for motor vehicles (i.e., R-152a, R-1234yf, and R-744)
Standards of Performance for Grain Elevators
The Agency is proposing to clarify certain provisions in the existing subpart DD. The EPA is also proposing a new subpart DDa for grain elevators, which would apply to affected facilities that commence construction, modification or reconstruction after July 9, 2014, and includes the proposed clarifications for subpart DD and several new provisions. In response to Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, the EPA conducted an analysis of subpart DD. In considering the directives of the Executive Order, the EPA conducted several analyses to determine the effectiveness of subpart DD, to determine whether subpart DD is still relevant, and to determine whether subpart DD is excessively burdensome. Based on the results of these analyses, the EPA concluded that subpart DD is still effective, relevant, and not excessively burdensome.
Simpson Strong-Tie Company Fined Nearly $40,000 for Hazardous Waste Violations
The company operates a manufacturing plant located at 3100 Falls Cliff Rd., Baltimore, Maryland, and has agreed to pay a $39,400 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations. Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc., manufactures epoxy-based products, grout and cement products, and fiberglass molds.
RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid costly cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste. By complying with regulatory requirements for managing hazardous waste, the company will significantly reduce the possibility of accidents that could contaminate soil and groundwater.
The alleged violations included failure to make hazardous waste determinations, failure to keep hazardous waste containers closed, failure to label and date hazardous waste containers, and failure to provide proper EPA identification numbers on hazardous waste manifests.
The settlement penalty reflects the company’s compliance efforts, and its cooperation with EPA in the resolution of this matter. 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.
Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico Auto Crushing Company Addresses Hazardous Waste and Used Oil Violations
The EPA has reached a legal settlement with W.R. Recycling of Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, resolving alleged violations of federal hazardous waste law. W.R. Recycling is the owner and operator of an auto crushing and scrap recycling business. As part of the settlement announced recently, W.R. Recycling will make a range of site improvements to control runoff and invest $133,000 in a project to purchase and install equipment that will ensure the clean extraction, removal and storage of harmful liquids from all the vehicles it handles. These upgrades will benefit the environment and the community and are not legally required to bring the company into compliance. In addition, W.R. Recycling will come into compliance with all federal laws and pay a $29,000 penalty.
“Recycling old cars has many benefits, but the process must be done in a way that does not cause pollution,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “This agreement will modernize the car recycling operation in Cabo Rojo, ensuring that the facility is complying with all environmental laws.
Under the settlement’s terms, W.R. Recycling will construct a sealed concrete pad, with a drainage collection system and an oil water separator, on which all vehicles it handles will be processed, crushed, and stored prior to shipping of the crushed cars for metal recovery. A roof will be built over the vehicle crushing area to shield the fluids collection and crushing processes from rainwater. The company will also purchase and use specialized recovery equipment to ensure the clean extraction, removal, and storage of transmission and engine oil, gasoline and diesel fuel, coolant, and refrigerants. This recovery equipment will ensure that all vehicle fluids are collected and segregated for reuse or recycling. The facility improvements and new equipment will help prevent the release of hazardous wastes into the environment during W.R. Recycling’s operations.
Among the equipment purchased by W.R. Recycling is a mobile automotive fluid recovery unit that will enable the company to process scrap vehicles not only at its Cabo Rojo base but also at other locations in Puerto Rico where there are no other scrap operators. In areas that lack scrap processors, cars are often abandoned and the fluids and hazardous components are left, resulting in the potential for leaks and releases into the environment. Vehicle fluids and potentially hazardous car parts such as mercury switches, lead wheel weights, batteries, and airbag cartridges should be reused or recycled.
As a result of these inspections, the EPA issued a legal complaint to the company. Among the violations cited in the complaint were the company’s failure to make hazardous waste determinations for the fluids and discarded materials it generates, its failure to minimize the releases of hazardous materials, the disposal of hazardous waste without a permit, the improper disposal of used oil, and the failure to label used oil storage containers.
CCS (USA) Inc. to Pay $2.5 Million Penalty to Resolves Water, Hazardous Waste, and Air Violations
Houston-based CCS (USA) Inc. and several of its operating subsidiaries will pay a $2.5 million civil penalty relating to operations at its Shreveport, Louisiana, industrial wastewater treatment plant, the Department of Justice, EPA, and the state of Louisiana announced recently.
CCS acquired the plant in 2006 through its purchase of two closely held companies owned by John Emerson Tuma. Tuma is now serving a five-year prison sentence for illegally discharging untreated and improperly treated wastewater from the plant into the Red River and Shreveport Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW).
After discovering these violations, CCS ceased wastewater treatment operations at the facility. Under EPA supervision, CCS removed the hazardous wastes illegally stored there.
The $2.5 million civil penalty will be split evenly between the United States and state of Louisiana.
The stipulation of settlement, filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, is subject to a 45-day public comment period and approval by the federal court.
Michigan Launches Task Force to Review Pipeline Safety
DEQ Director Dan Wyant and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette recently announced they will co-chair a multi-agency government task force to take a close look at pipelines transporting petroleum products around the state.
Formal oversight for interstate gas and oil pipelines comes from the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. But the vast network of lines transporting petroleum products over and under Michigan has the potential to impact Michigan’s environment and communities.
“We have an obligation to do all we can to protect public health and the environment in Michigan,” said DEQ Director Dan Wyant. “People around the state have expressed concern about pipelines, and we want to make appropriate information available to the public about the energy infrastructure network beneath our feet. This task force is assembled to respond to those concerns and shed some overdue light on key issues.”
“We have a responsibility to practice good stewardship of our lands and waterways, and that includes working aggressively to minimize risk at every turn,” Schuette said. “We’re launching this pro-active effort to safeguard our natural resources by trying to avoid tragedy before it strikes. The task force will serve as an advocate and voice for protecting the health, safety and welfare of Michigan citizens.”
The Great Lakes Petroleum Pipeline Task Force includes the Michigan Attorney General’s office as well as DEQ, the Michigan Public Service Commission, Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Office of the Great Lakes, Michigan Department of Transportation, and Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division.
Wyant and Schuette in May issued a formal inquiry to Enbridge regarding the status, condition and future of the company’s pipeline under the Mackinac Straits. A response is anticipated soon, and will be reviewed by the new task force.
Other topics the group will address include:
- The state’s emergency management preparedness for spills
- Coordination of permitting issues for pipeline upgrades and replacement
- The creation of a state website to serve as an information clearinghouse for residents who have questions or concerns about pipelines
Idaho Transportation Department Mishandles Asbestos Waste
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has agreed to a settlement with the EPA for alleged violations of federal asbestos regulations. EPA has alleged that ITD hired inmates from the St. Anthony Idaho Work Camp (Idaho Department of Correction) to perform renovation work involving removal of asbestos-containing floor tile at an ITD Maintenance Shop in Rigby, Idaho. The workers had not been trained in asbestos handling, and proper asbestos management practices were not used. The settlement includes a $55,800 penalty.
In April 2013, ITD hired St. Anthony Idaho Work Camp (Idaho Department of Correction) inmates to remove approximately 460 square feet of old flooring tiles and underlying mastic using mechanical buffers and chippers. Asbestos-containing material from this project was then placed in a trash dumpster, in violation of asbestos waste disposal regulations. That waste was later removed from the site by a private hauler to a landfill that was not approved to receive asbestos contaminated material. EPA learned of the project after receiving complaints from a worker and a supervisor at the job site.
Ed Kowalski, Director of EPA’s Office of Enforcement, voiced concern about ITD’s lack of diligence in surveying the building for hazards before staffing the job and beginning work.
“By relying on a 30 year-old worksite survey, the Idaho Transportation Department needlessly exposed untrained workers and supervisors to asbestos,” said Kowalski. “These workers and their supervisors deserve the same protections all members of the public enjoy from health risks posed by asbestos.”
Documents associated with the case indicate that an asbestos survey was performed by ITD in the ITD Maintenance Shop in July 1989. The single collected sample tested negative for asbestos, however industry standards call for collecting multiple samples when conducting an asbestos survey. Nearly seven months after the flooring renovation project was completed, (and after learning of EPA’s alleged violations in November, 2013) ITD hired a consultant to perform a new asbestos survey of the building. The survey included collecting bulk samples, wipe samples, and air samples. Two of the three samples from that testing showed positive results for asbestos, and the air sample was inconclusive. ITD then vacated the work area and brought in a professional cleanup crew to remove asbestos contamination.
By signing the agreement and consenting to its terms, ITD neither admits nor denies the allegations described by EPA.
Former CEO of New London Manufacturing Company Pleads Guilty to Violating Clean Water Act
As a condition of his guilty plea, FARIA resigned from the company on March 7, 2014, and shall have no role in the operations or management of Faria Limited.
“Any CEO operating a factory in Connecticut who ignores federal and state environmental laws risks not only significant fines, but also a jail sentence,” said US Attorney Daly. “The Clean Water Act applies to every industrial entity doing business in Connecticut. For at least seven years, Thomas Faria knowingly violated the law by directing his employees to discharge industrial wastewater into the public sewage system without a permit, and without monitoring the chemical levels of the discharge. He pursued this illegal course over the objection of a manager who urged him in writing to bring the company into compliance with the law. This Office will vigorously prosecute corporate officers whose decisions and actions, in the name of corporate profits, threaten Connecticut’s natural resources and harm the public’s right to a clean environment. We recognize and thank the EPA for their invaluable work in protecting the environmental integrity of Connecticut’s rivers and the Long Island Sound.”
“Blatant disregard for our environmental laws occurs whenever greed and poor judgment intersect,” said Acting Special in Charge Gauthier. “EPA, along with the Department of Justice and our federal and state partners, work tirelessly to protect New England’s natural resources and to ensure that there are serious repercussions for decisions like those of Thomas Faria.”
“Connecticut’s laws and regulations concerning the handling of industrial discharges are designed to protect public health and natural resources,” said Commissioner Klee. “Mr. Faria’s blatant disregard for those requirements stands in sharp contrast to the majority of business leaders in our state who understand that respect for and compliance with environmental rules is consistent with growth and a strong bottom line. The no nonsense handling of this case by the US Attorney’s office sends a strong signal to all businesses that it clearly pays to ‘do the right thing’ at all times when it comes to our environment.”
According to court documents and statements made in court, the Clean Water Act requires that every company obtain a permit from the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“CT DEEP”) before it can discharge its industrial wastewater to the public sewage system, commonly known as the publicly owned treatment works (“POTW”). Companies are also required, among other things, to test and monitor their industrial wastewater monthly to ensure that the chemical levels in the wastewater do not exceed federal and state limitations.
Sheffield Pharmaceuticals (“Sheffield”) has a factory at 170 Broad Street in New London that manufactures a wide range of over-the-counter pharmaceutical creams, ointments, and toothpastes. From approximately 1986 to July 2011, Sheffield discharged industrial wastewater from its New London manufacturing operations to the New London POTW without a permit and in violation of Connecticut’s approved pretreatment program. The New London POTW discharges to the Thames River in southeastern Connecticut. During this entire time period, Sheffield lacked a pretreatment system at its factory to treat its industrial wastewater prior to discharge to the New London POTW, performed no regular monitoring of its discharges of industrial wastewater, and submitted no monthly monitoring reports to the CT DEEP.
After becoming the company’s president and chief executive officer in April 2003, FARIA soon learned through his own employees that Sheffield was discharging pollutants, including the toxic metal zinc, in its industrial wastewater without the required permit. FARIA also learned that in order to obtain a permit from CT DEEP, the company would have to install, at significant expense, a wastewater pretreatment system that would pretreat its industrial wastewater prior to discharging it to the New London POTW. Although FARIA’s own employees urged him to make the financial investment to bring the company into compliance, FARIA chose not to do so. FARIA continued this illegal course even when four environmental consulting firms, which the company had hired, advised him that the discharge of industrial wastewater to the public sewage treatment system, without a pretreatment system and CT DEEP permit, is illegal.
On April 20, 2011, the CT DEEP conducted an unannounced inspection of Sheffield. After finding that the company had no wastewater discharge permits, the CT DEEP inspector issued a Notice of Violation and cited the company for discharging manufacturing and laboratory wastewater without a permit. On or about May 27, 2011, Faria Limited, LLC, submitted a permit application to CT DEEP so that the company could legally discharge industrial wastewater from its New London facility into the New London POTW. By July 2011, the company had installed a wastewater pretreatment system at its factory to pretreat the pollutants contained in its industrial wastewater prior to its discharge to the New London POTW.
FARIA pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly violating, or causing to be violated, the Clean Water Act, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of three years of imprisonment and a fine of not less than $5,000 but not more than $50,000 per day of the violation. Judge Thompson scheduled sentencing for October 6, 2014.
Maryland Department of Environment Issues Enforcement Actions
The Maryland Department of the Environment recently announced major enforcement actions in recent months for alleged violations of State and federal environmental laws to protect public health and our land, air, water, and wetlands resources.
“The Maryland Department of the Environment’s top priority is to protect public health and our environment. A consistent baseline of enforcement action prevents further pollution and risks to public health,” said MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers. “The majority of Maryland businesses and citizens comply with environmental laws. A strong and fair enforcement program protects their investment in environmental protection and ensures that those who choose to ignore their responsibilities do not impact the environment, health, and quality of life of all Maryland residents.”
Stormwater Permit Violations Lead to Jay Cooke State Park Improvements
Minnesota Power, a Duluth-based utility company, allowed Twin Ports Excavating, LP, to conduct excavation work near the utility’s boat launch as part of a development project.
During a June 13, 2012 MPCA inspection, MPCA staff observed that work on the site was taking place without a proper state permit, and without taking the proper precautions to keep sediment from flowing into the reservoir, a popular site for fishing and recreation. Minnesota Power staff were instructed to stop construction work until a permit was obtained and controls were put into place to reduce erosion and sediment runoff.
Nearly a week later, a citizen made a complaint that included photos of sediment-laden water flowing from the site into the reservoir. The MPCA inspector returned to the site and found additional stormwater violations related to lack of sediment controls on the construction site. The inspector again produced a list of required actions that must be taken before construction could resume.
Site conditions did not improve until July 25, when Minnesota Power notified the MPCA that construction activities had been stopped. On July 26, Minnesota Power applied for the required permit. All of the required corrective actions were made by September 12, 2012.
In lieu of a penalty, Minnesota Power will make at least $53,000 in improvements at Jay Cooke State Park. Anticipated to begin in August, the work is expected to stabilize ongoing erosion caused by the 2012 region-wide flood, at a hillside adjacent to the Oldenberg Point Overlook.
In this situation, the agency determined the actual cost of improving the state park overlook was approximately twice of what a penalty would be and settled the enforcement action with Minnesota Power with this environmentally-beneficial project.
Innovent Air Handling Penalized for Air-Quality Violations
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has penalized Greenheck Fan Corp., doing business in Minneapolis as Innovent Air Handling, LLC, a manufacturer of large heavy-duty air handling systems, for operating a paint booth that did not have a required air emissions permit.
The company conducted an environmental audit of all of its North American manufacturing locations in 2009, including the Minneapolis facility. The audit revealed that the previous owner of the facility had installed a spray coatings booth in 2006 without obtaining a required MPCA air quality permit for the installation and operation of the booth.
When the company discovered the lack of a permit, they took steps to bring the paint booth into compliance. In 2011, they hired a consultant to help determine what type of permit was needed, and submitted an application to the MPCA for a type of air emission permit called a registration permit, which is suitable for certain facilities with small amounts of emissions. However, the potential air emissions from the facility exceeded the maximum levels for which a registration permit would be appropriate, and the MPCA rejected the application.
Meanwhile, the company was required under state law to submit an annual emission inventory report to the MPCA for each year the paint booth was in operation, and to this date the MPCA has not received these reports.
To resolve the violations, Greenheck agreed to pay $50,000 to the state as a civil penalty. In addition, the company proposed to undertake work valued to at least $315,000 to switch over to paint with non-hazardous emissions in the facility’s primary paint system over the next 15 years, and to minimize the use of other paints or coatings in the facility.
The switch-over project may exceed $315,000 in cost, but the enforcement agreement obligates the facility to spend at least that much. The agreement also specifies that if the facility abandons the project prior to completion, it will pay an additional civil penalty of at least $78,750 to the state.
In addition to paying a the civil penalty and committing to the paint switch-over project, Greenheck also agreed to submit the required annual emission inventory reports for 2006 to 2012 and to pay unpaid air emission fees for those years. The company also will apply for the proper category of air quality permit and operate the facility in compliance with it until it is issued.
EPA Takes Action To Bring Suffolk County Company into Compliance with Pesticides Regulations
The EPA has reached an agreement with Air Techniques, Inc., of Melville, New York, to settle violations of federal law governing pesticides. The company, which sell wholesale cleaners and a surface disinfectant that are used to clean instruments, equipment and surfaces in dental offices and medical facilities, sold unregistered pesticides and imported pesticides into the US without proper notification. The company will pay a $375,000 penalty and come into compliance with federal pesticide law.
Some pesticides have been linked to illnesses in people, ranging from skin and eye irritation to cancer, and may also affect the hormone or endocrine systems. In many situations, there are non-chemical methods that will effectively control pests.
"Pesticides can make people sick, particularly if they are not used according to instructions,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. “Companies that sell pesticides without making sure these products are properly registered and labeled put people’s health and safety at risk.”
Under federal pesticide law, products that contain an unregistered pesticide as an active ingredient or claim to kill or repel bacteria or germs are considered pesticides and must be registered with the EPA prior to distribution or sale. The agency will not register a pesticide until it has been tested to show that it will not pose an unreasonable risk when used according to the label directions.
During a May 15, 2013 inspection of Air Techniques’ Melville, New York, warehouse, the EPA discovered the following violations of federal pesticides law:
- Two pesticides that Air Techniques sold from its warehouse, the “Monarch Enzymatic Cleaner,” and the “Monarch Waterline Cleaner,” were never registered with the EPA
- Air Techniques acquired the rights to sell a registered pesticide, BioSurf, from a Canadian company, which it then sold in the US under the name “Monarch Surface Disinfectant.” Air Techniques failed to file proper paperwork with the EPA for this newly-named product, in violation of federal pesticides law.
- The product instructions Air Techniques included with its “Monarch Surface Disinfectant/Dry Wipes Combo Pack” substantially differed from those on the EPA-approved labeling for the registered pesticide, BioSurf, and the Monarch Surface Disinfectant distributor product
- Air Techniques imported the “Monarch Surface Disinfectant,” and “Monarch Enzymatic Cleaner” into the US without properly notifying the EPA
More than 5,500 Buildings to Compete in EPA’s Fifth-Annual Energy Star Battle of the Buildings
More than 5,500 buildings nationwide are going head-to-head to reduce their energy use. In support of President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, which calls for businesses to cut in half the amount of energy they waste over the next 20 years, the competition specifically targets wasted energy in commercial buildings, and will motivate businesses to improve energy efficiency, reduce harmful carbon pollution, and save money.
“The competitive spirit is alive and well among the building teams working to improve their energy efficiency in this year’s Battle of the Buildings,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “After four successful years, we’re excited to see the innovative ideas that will emerge from the competitors as they find new ways to save energy and money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment.”
In the only coast-to-coast competition of its kind, dozens of different types of commercial buildings are facing off in this year’s Energy Star Battle of the Buildings. This year’s theme, “Team Challenge,” features teams of five or more buildings who will work together to reduce their collective energy use as much as possible over the course of a year. For example, “Team Staples” includes 17 Staples stores, while 15 Whole Foods stores will support each other as part of “Team Whole Foods Market.” In New Castle County, Delaware, 13 elementary schools will compete as part of a team, and they’re going up against their county’s five middle schools and six high schools. In Hillsborough County, Florida, fire stations will team up to compete against libraries.
This year marks the fifth year that EPA has hosted the Battle of the Buildings. The competition—and positive environmental impacts—have grown exponentially since that time. Altogether, last year’s competitors saved an estimated $20 million on utility bills. Nearly 50 buildings in the competition demonstrated energy use reductions of 20% or greater.
Commercial buildings in the United States spend more than $100 billion in annual utility bills and are responsible for approximately 20% of both the nation’s energy use and GHG emissions. By improving the energy efficiency of the places they work, play, and learn, the competitors will save energy and reduce harmful GHG emissions that contribute to climate change.
Competitors will measure and track their buildings’ monthly energy consumption using EPA's online energy measurement and tracking tool, Energy Star Portfolio Manager. Building teams will work to optimize or upgrade equipment, retrofit lighting, and change occupants’ behaviors—all with help from Energy Star. The team that reduces its buildings’ average energy use the most, on a percentage basis over a 12-month performance period, will be declared the winner. In addition to the team competition, 700 individual buildings are also competing in a special water reduction category, and will work with EPA’s WaterSense program to apply best practices for commercial building water management.
EPA will maintain a website devoted to the competition, featuring a list of the competitors and their starting, midpoint, and final standings, a live Twitter feed where competitors will post updates on their progress and an interactive map of the competitor’s locations. Midpoint results will be posted in October, with the winner announced in April 2015.
Products, homes, and buildings that earn the Energy Star label prevent GHG emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency requirements set by the EPA. From the first Energy Star qualified computer in 1992, the label can now be found on products in more than 70 different categories, with more than 4.8 billion sold. Over 1.5 million new homes and 23,000 buildings have earned the Energy Star label.
Environmental News Links
Trivia Question of the Week
What was one of the first changes made to computers as part of the Energy Star Program?
a) A decrease in screen brightness
b) The ability to go to sleep or a low power mode
c) More efficient processing
d) Smaller size