EPA recently released updated environmental and public health indicators in an online database, making information about the current and historical condition of the nation’s environment and human health more accessible to the public. You can use the database to explore 85 individual indicators—on our air, water, land, human exposure, health, and ecological condition—using interactive graphs, tables, and maps, and download the data for each indicator.
Indicators are developed using up-to-date information from EPA, other federal agencies, state agencies, and non-governmental organizations. The indicators are peer-reviewed to meet high standards for accuracy, representativeness, and reliability.
Examples of environmental and public health trends include:
- Nationwide, emissions of key air pollutants have decreased between 1990 and 2011. As a result, national average ambient air concentrations of the six criteria pollutants—carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide—decreased considerably.
- Total US emissions of major greenhouse gases (GHGs) associated with human activities increased by 6% from 1990 to 2013, but have decreased by 9% from their 2005 levels. Electricity generation continues to be the largest source of these emissions.
- Between 2005 and 2012, the percentage of food with detectable pesticide residues has decreased. Also, poison control center reports show a 49% decrease in the rate of pesticide exposure incidents between 1998 and 2012.
New Exclusions for Solvent Recycling and Hazardous Secondary Materials
EPA’s new definition of solid waste rule will present new opportunities for waste recycling outside the scope of hazardous waste regulation. Environmental Resource Center will present a webcast on the new Definition of Solid Waste rule on Monday, June 29th at 2:00 pm Eastern Time. This rule, which goes into effect on July 13, 2015, will maintain critical environmental protections while streamlining the regulatory burden for wastes that are legitimately recycled.
The first of the two exclusions is an exclusion from the definition of solid waste for high-value solvents transferred from one manufacturer to another for the purpose of extending the useful life of the original solvent product by keeping the materials in commerce to reproduce a commercial grade of the original solvent product.
The second, and more wide reaching of the two exclusions, is a revision of the existing hazardous secondary material recycling exclusion. This exclusion allows you to recycle, or send off-site for recycling, virtually any hazardous secondary material, and it will not meet the definition of solid waste. Provided you meet the terms of the exclusion, the material will no longer be hazardous waste.
Learn how to take advantage of these exclusions at Environmental Resource Center’s live one-hour webcast. You will learn:
- Which of your materials qualify for the exclusion?
- What is a secondary material?
- Which solvents can be remanufactured, and which cannot?
- What is a tolling agreement?
- What is legitimate recycling?
- What are the generator storage requirements?
- What documentation must be maintained?
- What are the off-site shipping requirements?
- What are the training and emergency planning requirements?
- Can the recycler be outside the US?
EPA Issues New Industrial Storm Water General Permit
If you were permitted under the 2008 MSGP and need to obtain coverage under the new permit, you must submit your Notice of Intent (NOI)—in accordance with the 2015 MSGP’s updated NOI requirements—by September 2, 2015.
At this interactive session, you will learn how to:
- Obtain a storm water discharge permit
- Develop and implement an effective SWPPP
- Select and implement effective control measures (including best management practices)
- Develop and document inspection procedures
- Implement an effective monitoring and sampling plan
- Meet your permit’s training requirements
- Comply with reporting and recordkeeping requirements
- Certify no-exposure
- Comply with permit renewal requirements
- Terminate permit coverage
EPA’s Revises Underground Storage Tank Regulations
These are the first major revisions to the UST regulations since 1988.
The rules establish new requirements for the use of equipment to reduce releases to the environment, as well as detect releases, should they occur.
Attend Environmental Resource Center’s live webcast on August 3rd to learn how to meet the UST requirements that impact your site. You will learn:
- Existing UST regulations and requirements
- EPA’s approved leak detection methods
- New requirements for:
- Secondary containment for new and replaced tanks and piping
- Operator training
- UST system capability for certain biofuel blends
- Operation and maintenance for UST systems
- Removed deferrals for emergency generator tanks, airport hydrant systems, and field constructed tanks—making these tanks fully regulated
- Updating codes and practices
Bring your questions to this live, interactive webcast.
Dallas RCRA and DOT Training
Birmingham RCRA and DOT Training
Indianapolis RCRA and DOT Training
EPA Changes the Listing Status for Several Ozone Depleting Substances Under the SNAP Program
EPA is changing the listing status for certain hydrofluorocarbons in various end-uses in the aerosols, refrigeration and air conditioning, and foam blowing sectors pursuant to the Agency's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program.
The changes are being made based on information showing that other substitutes are available for the same uses that pose lower risk overall to human health and the environment.
TSCA Section 5 Premanufacture and Significant New Use Notification Electronic Reporting
The new version of the e-PMN software will operate as a cloud software system rather than as a downloadable software system
In addition, the direct final rule extends electronic reporting requirements to notices of bona fide intent to manufacture; corrects some regulatory cross- references in 40 CFR parts 720 and 721; standardizes the use of ‘‘manufacture’’ and similar language in 40 CFR parts 720, 721, and 725; and specifies electronic reporting procedures for the notification of new manufacturing sites pursuant to 40 CFR 723.50(j)(6)(ii).
New Jersey Extends Due Date for Regulated Medical Waste Annual Generator Report
In New Jersey, Regulated Medical Waste () generators who generated 200 lb or more of regulated medical waste during the reporting period of June 22, 2014 to June 21, 2015, are required to submit an Annual Generator Report.
Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:26-3A.21(d), the RMW Annual Generator reports are required to be submitted to the DEP by July 21st of each calendar year. Due to printing and mailing delays for this year’s Regulated Medical Waste (RMW) Annual Generator Report form, generators were not able to submit completed reports by the July 21, 2015 deadline.
Therefore, DEP has extended the deadline to address the situation where RMW generators cannot comply with the requirement of submitting an annual report by the July 21st deadline. To allow for the delays in printing and mailing, the DEP has extended the due date for submission of this report to September 18, 2015. This extension is for the 2015 RMW Annual Generator Report only; the due dates for the 2015 RMW Transporter Annual Report and the 2015 RMW Intermediate Hander/Destination Facility Annual Report remain at July 30, 2015.
The DEP began mailing report forms the week of July 13, 2015. If you are required to submit a RMW Generator Report and you have not received a report form in the mail by Friday, July 24, 2015, or if you have any questions regarding the annual report, please contact the DEP at 609- 292-7081 and press 4 at the prompt.
Ohio Air Pollution Model General Permit Available for Application
The Ohio EPA is making available for application through the Division of Air Pollution Control two modifications to model general permits for unpaved roadways and parking areas, and three modifications to model general permits for storage piles. Ohio EPA provided a 30-day comment period on the draft terms and conditions of these model general permits beginning on May 4, 2015 and May 18, 2015, respectively. After considering all comments received, Ohio EPA developed these final model general permits and began accepting applications on July 20, 2015.
ALS Environmental Fined $16,667 for Hazardous Waste Violations
The violations were found during an inspection of the Kelso laboratory in late 2013 and through additional disclosures by ALS in 2014. These ranged from illegal disposal of dangerous waste, not meeting training requirements for employees handling dangerous waste, and recurring violations of dangerous waste container management. The mishandling of chemicals and waste can jeopardize the health and safety of employees and create expensive and lengthy environmental cleanups.
ALS Environmental produces a wide array of dangerous waste, including corrosives, heavy metal-laden water, and spent methylene chloride solvent. Skin and eye irritation, nausea, and respiratory issues are some of the health problems stemming from exposure to these wastes.
The penalty was originally set at $25,000, but with the expedited settlement agreement, the recommended penalty is reduced by one-third and ALS Environmental waives its right to appeal. This process saves the state and the firm the costly expense of litigation during an appeal process.
MPCA Completes 52 Enforcement Cases in the Second Quarter of 2015
In its ongoing efforts to promote environmental compliance, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) concluded 52 enforcement cases in 32 counties throughout Minnesota during the second quarter of 2015. Penalties from all 52 cases totaled $311,303.
Environmental enforcement investigations often take several months, and in highly complex cases more than a year. Although, in rare instances, they can involve courts, they are most often negotiated settlements where the goal is compliance with environmental rules. Fines issued are targeted to match the environmental harm, economic advantage gained or environmental corrective actions.
In addition to these 52 recently completed cases, the MPCA also has 63 ongoing enforcement investigations, 11 of which were opened as new cases during the second quarter of 2015. Not all investigations lead to fines or other official action.
Imposing monetary penalties is only part of the MPCA’s enforcement process. Agency staff continue to provide assistance, support and information on the steps and tools necessary to achieve compliance for any company or local government that requests it.
Washington Proposes Stormwater, Wastewater Discharge Permits
Permits help protect clean water by setting limits on how much pollution may be discharged into the environment.
Permit fees help the state recoup its costs to implement the permit program. Fees can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, depending on the type of activity the permit covers.
Ecology is accepting public comments on the proposal through September 9.
Two Mineral Processing Facilities Violate TRI Reporting Requirements
An EPA settlement with two North Canaan mineral processing companies for the companies’ alleged failure to file required toxic release inventory information requires that two local emergency response units be provided with $28,700 of equipment that will help firefighters to better protect local residents in emergencies.
The Toxics Release Inventory is a public right-to-know requirement that tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment.
The settlement requires that Specialty Minerals and Minteq jointly purchase and donate emergency response equipment and training materials and/or classes to the Canaan Fire Company and the Torrington Fire Department, which will allow for field readings and monitoring of conditions during hazardous materials incidents and for personal protection of emergency responders who might encounter hazardous chemicals in the field.
“Failing to file toxic inventory forms deprives the community of its right to know about releases and the presence of toxic chemicals in the neighborhood,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “EPA is pleased that in this settlement, two local communities will benefit from their local fire departments having access to specialized equipment to better protect health during emergencies.”
A "release" of a chemical means that it is emitted to the air or water, or placed in some type of land disposal.
Flathead County School District Penalized for Underground Storage Tank Act Violations
The Montana Department of Environmental Quality announced that Flathead County School District 1 has agreed to resolve violations of the Montana Underground Storage Tank Act that occurred at the West Valley School in Kalispell, Montana.
District 1 failed to conduct a compliance inspection in a timely manner, and failed to perform a line tightness test, or other appropriate monthly monitoring method, on lines under suction. Shasta Steinweden of DEQ’s Enforcement Division explained that by not performing a line tightness test or monthly monitoring method, an owner or operator may not know if the line develops a leak.
District 1 has agreed to test the suction line, obtain a reinspection, and pay a $210 penalty.
Pan Am Railways Fined $152,000 for Clean Water Act Violations
The company has agreed to pay a fine of $152,000 to resolve the violations.
According to allegations in a complaint filed by EPA this past winter related to the Waterville facility, Pan Am violated the conditions of the Maine “Multi-Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity,” as well as federal Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations.Debris piles were located on site without proper controls in place, and oil staining was observed throughout the site. EPA asserted that the company failed to maintain certain erosion control measures.
EPA had also filed another complaint alleging similar violations related to the company’s East Deerfield, Mass. facility. The facility also failed to stabilize an area of the site where significant erosion was occurring. In addition, EPA alleged that the company failed to fully implement its SPCC plan at this site as well.
As part of the settlement, in addition to the financial penalty, Pan Am also agreed to undertake an Environmental Culture Assessment (ECA) and develop and implement action plans to improve the current environmental culture at five of its New England facilities located in: East Deerfield, Massachusetts, Ayer, Massachusetts, North Billerica, Massachusetts, Waterville, Maine, and South Portland, Maine. The goal of the ECA and action plans is to reduce the impact of rail operation on the environment.
Each site must have a stormwater pollution prevention plan that describes the best management practices that the company will follow to prevent runoff from being contaminated by pollutants.
Without adequate on-site controls, stormwater runoff can flow directly to the nearest waterway and can cause water quality impairments such as siltation of rivers, beach closings, fishing restrictions, and habitat degradation. As stormwater flows over these sites, it can pick up pollutants, including sediment, biological and chemical oxygen demand, and oil and grease. The law also prohibits the discharge of process waste waters without a permit. Untreated wastewater discharges and stormwater runoff can harm or kill fish and wildlife and can affect drinking water quality.
Every year, thousands of gallons of oil are spilled from oil storage facilities, polluting New England waters. Even the effects of smaller spills add up and damage aquatic life, as well as public and private property. Spill prevention plans are critical to prevent such spills or, if they do occur, adequately address them.
Navistar Inc. Fined $250,000 for Violating State Air Emissions Regulations
Navistar, Inc., paid $250,000 in penalties to the Air Resources Board for failing to follow proper testing procedures for one of its diesel exhaust filters, as required by state law.
“Companies that are in the business of providing pollution control technology for vehicles must make sure that their products actually do what they say they will do,” said ARB’s new Enforcement Chief, Todd Sax. “Navistar sold diesel particulate filters in California without proper testing at specified intervals, in violation of our air quality laws. To their credit, once they were notified of these infractions, they took prompt action and cooperated fully with ARB.”
The state’s Verification Procedure requires compliance testing for each category of diesel particulate filters after a certain number of units are sold or leased in the California market. Results of these tests must be submitted to ARB’s Executive Officer after each phase of testing in the form of a compliance report.
Navistar failed to follow the in-use compliance requirements of the Verification Procedure for the DPX™ Catalyzed Soot Filter System. The company had sold more than 200 in California, with many installed on school buses in the San Diego County region, which should have triggered the required testing.
Illinois-based Navistar has agreed to follow all required procedures and paid $187,500 to the Air Pollution Control Fund to support air quality research, and $62,500 to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to clean up school bus fleets throughout the state.
Diesel exhaust contains a variety of harmful gases and more than 40 other known cancer-causing compounds. In 1998, California identified diesel particulate matter as a toxic air contaminant based on its potential to cause cancer, premature death, and other health problems.
Connecticut Property Management Companies Fined $48,000 for Lead Paint Disclosure Lapses
The Disclosure Rule requires owners/managers of rental properties to provide prospective renters both with general information about lead-based paint risks and to provide specific information on whether or not there is known lead-based paint in a rental unit prior to the individual signing a lease. By fully disclosing the required information, individuals can make an informed decision about whether to lease a particular property. The settlement also requires the settling companies’ staff who either renovate, repair or do painting in residential units that may have lead-based paint be properly trained to prevent releasing uncontrolled lead paint dust/debris during their work.
Overall, the companies provide about 600 rental units of housing around Hartford, much of which was built before 1978 when lead-based paints were still being used on residential properties. The properties involved in this settlement are located on Adelaide, Buckingham, Congress, Elliott, Hudson, Lincoln, Park, Wadsworth, Garden, and Winter Streets, Allen Place, and Wethersfield Avenue in Hartford.
Under Federal laws, owners and managers of residential properties built before 1978 must provide prospective tenants notice about lead-based paint prior to signing a lease. They must also ensure that any staff or contractors who do renovation, repair, or repainting in pre-1978 housing are trained and certified in lead-safe work practices.
Exposure to lead is especially dangerous for infants and children, and can cause lowered intelligence, reading and learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced attention span, hyperactivity and behavior problems. Adults with high lead levels can suffer difficulties during pregnancy, high blood pressure, nervous system disorders, memory problems, and muscle and joint pain.
EPA Agreement with Port Authority and Port Terminal Operators Will Cut Harmful Pollution from Idling Trucks in Newark and Beyond
Under the agreements, the Port Authority, APM Terminals North America, Maher Terminals and Port Newark Container Terminals will reduce truck idling at the port of Newark and take other actions to reduce harmful air pollution from diesel exhaust.
The Port Authority’s actions will include providing funding for truck owner-operators to replace their old trucks serving the port with newer, less-polluting trucks, and placing anti-idling signs on port roadways. The Port Authority will also provide funding up to $1.5 million (if approved by its Board of Commissioners) for terminal operators who connect their cargo handling equipment to alternative sources of power such as electricity. In addition, the Port Authority will assist the truck operators to create a system to manage truck traffic to further reduce air pollution.
“Diesel pollution from idling trucks can make people sick and damage the environment. It is imperative that trucks, especially in heavily congested port areas, reduce idling,” said Judith Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. “The children of Newark suffer from asthma at a rate three times higher than the state average. These agreements should help relieve the burden.”
The terminal operators will provide anti-idling instructions at gate entrances, install anti idling signs, and undertake a variety of additional driver education efforts to reduce idling. The three major terminal operators also will provide a total of $600,000 to the City of Newark, to be used to pay for green infrastructure projects in areas that are most impacts by air pollution from port operations. These projects may include vegetative barriers, plantings, and landscaping. The Newark metropolitan area has unhealthy air that does not meet air quality standards for smog. Smog and diesel exhaust particles pose serious health risks, including aggravating the symptoms of asthma and other respiratory problems.
Under New Jersey state law, diesel-powered motor vehicles are generally prohibited from idling for more than three consecutive minutes when they are not in motion.
The EPA appreciates the valuable support provided in this instance by the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the US Department of Justice.
North Coast Regional Water Board Reaches $25,000 Settlement over Sediment Discharges in Mendocino County
The Cleanup and Abatement Order, issued in January 2011, alleges that Plowright III had reconstructed existing roads, built new ones and used a bulldozer to move earthen material into watercourses, including Little Mill Creek. The creek feeds into the Navarro River and provides habitat for Steelhead trout and feeds streams that harbor Coho salmon.
On January 24, 2014, the Regional Water Board initiated an enforcement action against the Plowrights for failure to comply with the provisions of the Cleanup and Abatement Order. The Plowrights had failed to complete the full scope of the cleanup and replanting required under the order, and they did not monitor or report adequately to maintain compliance. On June 16, the Regional Water Board approved a stipulation for entry of judgment and proposed judgment.
The judgment requires the Plowright’s to pay $25,000 in penalties for water code violations, correct existing and ongoing violations and requires continued monitoring. All existing violations have been remedied, with the monitoring provisions required by the judgment still to be completed. The penalty will be paid to the State Water Resources Control Board’s Cleanup and Abatement Account.
The North Coast Regional Board posted the proposed judgment on May 15, and the Mendocino County Superior Court adopted the judgment on June 23.
Company, Owner Sentenced in Asbestos Dumping Case
Donzell Moore of Toledo was sentenced in Lucas County Court of Common Pleas after pleading guilty in June to two charges related to asbestos removal and disposal during demolition of the former Champion Spark Plug facility on Upton Avenue in Toledo.
“I take illegal dumping and asbestos disposal crimes very seriously. The people who commit this crime believe they are saving a few dollars, but in the process they put public health at risk,” said Ohio EPA Director Craig W. Butler. “I appreciate the public providing tips that led to the convictions, and thank our local, state and federal partners who brought these men to justice.”
Moore, 41, pleaded guilty on June 4 to charges of complicity to remove asbestos without a certification or license, a felony, and illegal disposal of construction and demolition debris, a misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail with work release, three years of community control and 240 hours of community service. He also was ordered to pay $25,274.37, jointly with his company, to Ohio EPA for cleanup costs. The court also reserved a 12-month prison sentence if Moore violates the terms of his community control.
Moore’s company, Moorhouse Real Estate Development, LLC, also was ordered to pay court fines totaling $10,750. The company pleaded guilty to complicity to remove asbestos without a certification or license and removing asbestos without notifying Ohio EPA and illegal disposal of construction and demolition debris.
“Our communities are not dumping grounds,” Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said. “Those who dump dangerous materials illegally and on someone else’s property must be held accountable. In this case, Mr. Moore put Lucas County residents at risk, and now he is facing the consequences of his actions.”
In October 2012, Moore paid scrap worker Ronald Gibson, 57, to illegally remove and dispose of friable (easily crumbled) asbestos pipe insulation from the Champion facility in anticipation of demolishing the boiler building. Gibson, of Holland, illegally disposed of the asbestos insulation in rural western Lucas County and in large trash bins behind an apartment complex in West Toledo.
The dump site in western Lucas County was discovered in November 2012 on private property off Old Stateline Road in Monclova Township. After evidence was collected, the asbestos insulation was cleaned up and properly disposed of by an Ohio EPA contractor.
Ohio EPA worked with the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation and US EPA and, with help from public tips, the investigation led to Gibson. Gibson pleaded guilty to removing asbestos without a license or certification, an unclassified felony; removing asbestos without notifying Ohio EPA, an unclassified misdemeanor; and illegal disposal of construction and demolition debris, a second degree misdemeanor.
Gibson was sentenced on April 15 to one year and 90 days in jail and a $750 fine on the latter two counts. He received three years’ community control including 160 hours of community service and was ordered to pay $5,374.37 in restitution. The jail time was suspended on condition he complete the terms of his community control and cooperate in the prosecution of Moore and his company.
Friable asbestos is easily crumbled and its fibers can become airborne. If inhaled into the lungs, it can cause serious health problems. For this reason, asbestos is a highly regulated material with special handling and disposal requirements.
The criminal investigation was a collaboration of multiple agencies at the local, state and federal level as part of the Northwest Ohio Environmental Crimes Task Force, which also included assistance from the Toledo Division of Environmental Services and Ohio Department of Health’s Environmental Abatement Section.
Byron-Bethany Irrigation District Served with Draft Administrative Civil Liability, $1.5 Million Penalty
This allegation is the first such enforcement complaint for a senior water right holder in 2015, related to drought conditions.
Byron-Bethany Irrigation District, located in Byron, has a pre-1914 right of May 1914 to draw water from the intake channel at the Banks Pumping Plant in Contra Costa County formerly known as Italian Slough. On June 12, 2015, the State Water Board notified all pre-1914 appropriative right holders with a priority date of 1903 or later in the Sacramento-San Joaquin watersheds and Delta that there was insufficient supply available to meet the needs of all water right holders, and that water was no longer available for diversion under their right.
Diversion records kept by the Department of Water Resources and posted to the California Data Exchange Center indicate that Byron-Bethany continued to divert water until approximately June 25, despite knowing from June 12 that water was no longer available under its priority of right.
The proposed Administrative Civil Liability is based on the enhanced drought penalty structure approved by the Legislature and signed by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 2014.
Byron-Bethany Irrigation District may request a hearing before the State Water Board within 20 days of receiving the draft complaint. If the District does not request a hearing, the State Water Board intends to adopt the Administrative Civil Liability Order.
The State Water Board has committed significant resources to ensuring the water rights priority system is maintained during the drought. In 2015, as in 2014, the State Water Board informed more than 5,000 water right holders that there is not enough water to meet their needs and has committed staff resources to conduct field inspections once again.
Chatham Property Owner Settles Allegations of Damage to Coastal Wetlands for Nearly $180,000
A Chatham property owner will pay close to $180,000 to settle allegations that he destroyed protected coastal wetlands on the shore of Stage Harbor in Chatham by allegedly driving a 9,000 lb, track-driven loader down a narrow foot path to the beach at low tide, Attorney General Maura Healey announced recently.
The complaint, filed in Suffolk Superior Court with the consent judgment, alleges that David C. Rogers used the track loader to dig up at least 2,000 square feet of salt marsh on the shore and damaged coastal resources, including some areas on three adjacent lots of property owned by others. Rogers owns a 2.47-acre coastal property on Sears Point Road in Chatham and was granted permits from the Chatham Conservation Commission to demolish a large residential home and construct a new residential home in its place along with a boathouse and swimming pool on his property.
“Our shared coastal areas provide important environmental resources and must be safeguarded,” AG Healey said. “Our office will continue to work to enforce environmental laws and protect valuable coastal wetlands.”
“The property owner had received three separate approvals for work on this property and knew the requirements needed to protect the natural resources there,” said Commissioner Martin Suuberg of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). “Despite that knowledge, he still used equipment that badly damaged the salt marsh, tidal flats and shellfish that inhabited the area.”
“The Town is very pleased that the matter has been settled and looks forward to the restoration of the coastal environment,” Chatham Town Manager Jill Goldsmith said.
The AG’s Office alleges in the complaint that Rogers abandoned the track loader when it became partially submerged in the mud and silt of the tidal flats, leaving a small sheen on the water. The Chatham Shellfish Constable closed off the area to shellfishing for a month, although testing ultimately showed no contamination.
The consent judgment requires that Rogers pay a $140,000 civil penalty for allegedly violating the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, the Public Waterfront Act, and the Clean Waters Act. It also requires Rogers to implement a coastal wetland restoration and monitoring plan approved by the MassDEP.
Rogers will spend up to $220,000 to restore the salt marsh, dune, and coastal bank areas he damaged, according to the consent judgment. Salt marshes are important and sensitive ecological areas which protect against storm damage and provide habitats for shellfish and other marine life.
Since the alleged violations were discovered, Rogers has cooperated with MassDEP and the Chatham Department of Natural Resources toward developing a plan to assure that all damaged coastal wetlands are properly restored. If he completes all of the restoration work required by the consent judgment to MassDEP’s satisfaction, the state will waive $50,000 of the $140,000 penalty.
As part of the settlement, Rogers will also fund a $39,000 coastal wetlands enhancement project in Chatham, to be identified and implemented by the Town.
EPA Introduces New Safer Choice Labels and Recognizes Five Chicago Area Partners
EPA Region 5 Administrator Susan Hedman recently highlighted the benefits of the Agency’s new Safer Choice label and congratulated five Chicago area Safer Choice award-winners at an event at the Loyola University Chicago Searle Biodiesel Lab.
“EPA’s new Safer Choice label helps people choose products that are safer for safer for families, pets, communities and the environment,” Hedman said. “Our Safer Choice Partners of the Year are demonstrating that safer chemicals are also good for business.”
This summer, EPA’s new Safer Choice label began appearing on consumer products such as household soaps and cleaners. To qualify for the Safer Choice label, a product must meet stringent human and environmental health criteria.
The local award winners include:
- AkzoNobel (Chicago)
- ISSA, The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association (Northbrook)
- Jelmar, LLC (Skokie)
- Loyola University Chicago, Institute of Environmental Sustainability (Chicago)
- Stepan Company (Northfield)
Nationwide, 21 entities won EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year awards. Currently, the Safer Choice program has nearly 500 formulator-manufacturer partners that make more than 2,000 products for retail and institutional customers.
More than 6,500 Buildings Face Off in EPA’s Sixth Annual Energy Star Battle of the Buildings Competition
“I'm excited to announce the start of the 2015 Battle of the Buildings competition and although we will only announce one first place team, all of our competitors are winners because they will save money on their utility bills, increase efficiency and help protect our planet for generations to come,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “Year after year, competitors from across the country—from firestations and schools to our local ballparks—show us the power of collaboration, creativity, and competition to save energy and water."
In the only coast-to-coast competition of its kind, dozens of different types of commercial buildings face off in each year's Battle of the Buildings. The Team Challenge features groups of five or more buildings that will work to reduce their collective energy use over the course of a year. This year’s teams hail from supermarket, retail, government, school, banking, and many other types of organizations.
Last year’s team winner, the small town of Woodville, Alabama, has returned for another round of energy saving. Other community teams include Des Moines, Iowa’s 37 elementary schools, competing against the county’s middle and high schools. The City of Los Angeles’ animal shelters are competing against the city’s libraries, offices, and facilities from the general services and sanitation departments.
And along with the team challenge, this year’s competition offers exciting individual building contests, with both the William Jefferson Clinton and the George Bush Presidential Libraries competing, and Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, hoping to score more savings than Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions.
Competitors measure and track their energy and water consumption online using EPA's Energy Star Portfolio Manager tool. Over the course of the competition, participants work to optimize or upgrade equipment, retrofit lighting, and change occupants’ behaviors—with help from Energy Star. The team and individual buildings that reduce energy use the most on a percentage basis over a 12-month performance period will be declared winners.
More than 1,000 buildings are competing in a special water reduction category and will work with EPA’s WaterSense program to apply best practices for commercial building water management. Midpoint results will be posted in early October, and the winners will be announced in May 2016.
This is the sixth year EPA is hosting the Battle of the Buildings, and the competition and positive environmental impacts keep growing. Last year’s competitors saved a combined total of more than two billion kBtus and an estimated $50 million on utility bills. More than 60 buildings in the competition demonstrated energy use reductions of 20% or greater over the course of the year.
Commercial buildings in the United States are responsible for 17% of the nation’s energy use and GHG emissions at a cost of more than $175 billion annually. By improving the energy efficiency of the places Americans work, play, and learn, the competitors help save energy and reduce harmful GHG emissions that contribute to climate change.
Energy Star is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA’s Energy Star program for guidance on saving energy, saving money, and protecting the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer emissions that contribute to climate change.
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Trivia Question of the Week
Which of the following produces the least amount of NOx and carbon monoxide emissions, calculated in grams per minute?
a) 2011 Ford Raptor pickup truck
b) 2012 Fiat 500
c) Ryobi 4-stroke leaf blower
d) Echo 2-stroke leaf blower
