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Greenbytes: August 31, 2006 Edition
In this Issue
Greetings from EPA New England. We hope you find this edition of Greenbytes useful and we encourage you to give us feedback. For information on subscribing or unsubscribing see the section at the end of this message.
As this issue of Greenbytes is finalized, we are near the end of our New England summer. People are wrapping up warm weather vacations with family and friends, and we collectively turn our attention back to the kids returning to school and adults returning to jobs.
We can’t allow this moment to slip by without highlighting several of the major accomplishments EPA and our state partners have enjoyed over the past several months.
In June and early July, exciting new technology came to visit New England in the form of a brown package truck. EPA was proud to host a new prototype UPS truck, developed with EPA-patented hybrid technology, which stands poised to deliver increases in fuel efficiency by 60 to 70 percent in urban driving, and lowered greenhouse gas emissions by reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) by 40 percent compared to the conventional UPS diesel delivery trucks. The new truck visited Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Some New Englanders were also able to get a first-hand look at EPA’s exciting new marine research vessel, The Bold, as it made its second visit to our waters. Specifically, The Bold made port calls to Boston and to Portland, Maine as it conducted research off the New England coast.
During summer, many of us focus on beaches and the pleasure of relaxing by the shore. In EPA’s case, we’ve continued our commitment to work with our state counterpart agencies by providing significant funding for expanded water quality monitoring at New England beaches. This year, EPA committed nearly $1.15 million to New England states to support healthy beaches programs. Over the past five summers, the Clean New England Beaches program has supported regional efforts to conduct and expand beach water quality monitoring, and make information available to the public, with nearly $5 million.
Our work with coastal areas didn’t end there; we are also proud to report that more of New England’s coastline now carries a “No Discharge” designation than was the case a year ago. During the past two months, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine have all added significant portions of their coastal waters to include this health-protective designation, helping to ensure that our waters are clean and safe for recreation and fisheries. At this point, all coastal waters in New Hampshire and Rhode Island also carry the “No Discharge” designation.
As we look forward to the beauty of a New England autumn, we are of course looking forward to continuing our work to protect environmental resources. One highlight we expect in the next several months is when Boston hosts the “Brownfields 2006” Conference. We hope to see many of you there!
Feature:
In Each Season, Every New England Home Can Save Energy and Money
By Robert W. Varney
While everyone who drives a car is keenly aware of higher fuel costs, sometimes it is easy to overlook the rising energy costs to power our homes. Rising gasoline costs reflect a growing price for all energy - electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and propane are up by 20 to more than 30 percent - which has dramatic implications for running our households.
With gas prices topping $3 a gallon encouraging us to reduce our driving, we should also consider strategies to save money by reducing energy used when we wash dishes, run a load of laundry or cool our homes. One of the most simple, but effective, ways to save energy is to replace a light bulb.
If all 5.3 million New England households replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient compact fluorescent bulb, our states and residents would save more than $36 million a year and reduce energy demand by 431 million kilowatt-hours – preventing as much carbon dioxide (CO2) as taking 55,200 vehicles off the road.
The average home uses more energy and is responsible for more pollution than a typical vehicle. Energy burned to power the buildings where we live and work accounts for a significant portion of the air pollution in New England. The average American household spends $1,900 per year on energy – and New Englanders typically spend about 25 percent more. Nearly half the bill goes to heating and cooling.
The silver lining here is that there are significant savings to be found with better energy efficiency. Roughly a third of the energy used in all buildings in the U.S. – homes as well as commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings – is wasted. Thus, a typical home can cut 30 percent or more from its energy bills with basic energy upgrades.
From the way you cool and heat your home to the choices you make in an appliance store, there are a number of simple steps you can take to make your home energy demands easier on the environment and on your pocketbook. Here are a few examples:
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Air Conditioners: During hot summer weather, many people are glad to have either central air conditioning or an “in the window” room unit. Whatever your needs, look for the Energy Star label and ensure you are purchasing a high efficiency unit. Buy only the size your living space requires – an oversized unit uses more energy and produces uneven cooling. Also, ensure your windows, doors and ducts are sealed well – this helps keep air conditioned air in the house, working for you.
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Thermostats: For savings of up to $100 a year, install a programmable thermostat to adjust your home's temperature settings when you're away or sleeping. A common misperception is that it takes more energy to cool off (or heat up) a house than it takes to keep it cool all the time. Turning up the thermostat in summer (or down in winter) will always save energy.
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Lights: Turning off lights when leaving a room saves energy. Changing the five most frequently used lights in your home to energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs can save about $60 each year. If each New England household changed the five light bulbs they use the most, the reduced emissions to the air would be the same as taking 280,500 cars off the road.
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ENERGY STAR: When you replace appliances or shop for electronics, look for the Energy Star label on lamps, dishwashers, clothes washer and dryers, air conditioners, DVD players or any one of 35 other products. Energy Star clothes washers use half the energy of other machines; Energy Star lights and fixtures use just one-third the energy of standard fixtures. Consumer electronics account for 15 percent of household electricity use. Many electronics products use energy even when switched off. Electronics equipment with the Energy Star label save energy when off. Better yet, all Energy Star products deliver these savings without sacrificing quality.
These and other energy saving measures make sense from the point of view of your family’s budget. But they also help preserve the forests, trees and rivers, the air around you and the water you drink. Energy is the biggest source of air pollution contributing to global warming, acid rain and mercury and other toxic substances in our air, water, and soil. Plus, these steps help our country reduce its dependency on foreign oil.
Useful Links:
More Energy Star information on Cooling Your World.
To learn more about how to save energy in your home, Energy Star has a “Home Energy Yardstick” to show how your home performs compared to others, and provides useful tips about improving energy efficiency.
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AIR QUALITY:
Beat the Summer Heat
A number of easy steps can be taken to protect against the number one weather-related cause of death in the U.S. – excessive heat. Earlier this summer, EPA released an “Excessive Heat Events Guidebook” to help people understand heat-related health impacts and highlights best practices that can save lives. The guidebook also provides public-assistance options for emergency managers, state and local officials, and meteorologists. To protect yourself from abnormally high heat, remember to: seek air conditioned environments; drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids; check on vulnerable people who may need help, including the elderly, ill, homeless, or socially-isolated individuals; and wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothes.
Stationary Diesel Engines to Dramatically Reduce Emissions
New EPA requirements will limit air emissions from new stationary diesel engines by up to 90 percent. The stationary compression ignition internal combustion engines are used at facilities such as power plants and chemical and manufacturing plants to generate electricity and to power pumps and compressors. The EPA standards will limit emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons from new or reconstructed stationary diesel engines to the same stringent levels required by EPA's non-road diesel engine regulations.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3/fact_sheets/ci_nsps_fnl_fs.html
EPA Prevents Illegal Imported Engines from Endangering U.S. Air Quality
Over the past nine months, the import of more than 11,000 pieces of illegal gasoline and diesel-powered vehicles and equipment – including tractors, lawn and garden equipment, off-road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and electric generators – has been prevented due to the combined efforts of EPA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. EPA has assessed nearly $800,000 in civil penalties against the importers. Under the Clean Air Act, new gasoline and diesel engines sold or distributed in the U.S. must meet EPA emissions requirements to protect public health and the environment from air pollution. Prospective purchasers should look for an emissions label before buying engines or equipment; if the label is missing, the equipment most likely is an illegal import and should be avoided.
US EPA Clean Air Act Mobile Source Importation Settlement Information Fact Sheet
Clean Air Rules Strengthened for Dry Cleaners
In a significant action to protect public health, EPA has tightened rules for all dry cleaners that use the chemical perchloroethylene (perc) - including a phase-out of the chemical in dry cleaners located in residential buildings. While the potential for health effects from most dry cleaners across the country are generally low, EPA found that a small number of dry cleaners located in residential buildings posed a risk that warrants action. For residential buildings, the final rule requires the phase-out of perc machines as they wear out. By 2020, dry cleaning machines in residential buildings are prohibited from using perc; they may continue to operate if they use alternative technologies. In the interim, owners of perc machines will use enhanced technology to detect and repair leaks as they occur.
More information on Dry Cleaning Emission Standards.
Fuel Economy Report for 2006 Cars and Trucks
EPA’s annual fuel economy trends report for model year 2006 cars and light trucks shows that, while vehicles are the fastest and heaviest since 1975, they maintain an average 21.0 miles per gallon (mpg) - the same as last year. The report, "Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 Through 2006" provides data on the fuel economy and technology characteristics of new light-duty vehicles (cars, vans, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks) for model years 1975 through 2006. Since 1992, average real-world fuel economy has been relatively constant, ranging from 20.6 to 21.4 mpg.
EPA Continues Review of Ground-Level Ozone Standards
In an ongoing effort to ensure that federal air quality standards reflect the latest air pollution and health effects research, EPA is releasing its second draft Staff Paper on ground-level ozone, second drafts of the Human Exposure Analysis and the Health Risk Assessment and the first draft Technical Report on Ozone Exposure, Risk and Impacts Assessments for Vegetation. This work is undertaken because the Clean Air Act requires EPA to set, and periodically review, National Ambient Air Quality Standards for ozone and five other major pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment. Initial staff options and conclusions for the Administrator's consideration include:
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Primary standards -- A range of health-based (primary) 8-hour ozone standards. Options identified include retaining the current primary standard at 0.08 as well as an option revising it to 0.07 parts per million.
- Secondary standards -- Adopt a form that would better protect vegetation from ozone damage. Changing to a cumulative standard that gives greater weight to higher concentrations would accomplish this.
More information:
BROWNFIELDS 2006 CONFERENCE UPDATE:
Brownfields 2006, a free conference, is expected to draw a national audience of over 5,000 professionals working in the field of brownfields redevelopment. The conference will be held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center from Nov. 13-15, 2006. The planning for the EPA and International City/County Managers Association 11th Annual Brownfields Conference is continuing, and as we near the end of summer there is much to report.
Last Chance to Submit Poster Ideas
There are still a few spaces left in the Brownfields 2006 Poster Gallery, but applications to participate must be submitted by Friday, September 1. To have your idea for a poster considered, please send the following information: Poster Title; Poster Abstract - a 1-2 paragraph description of the poster; Name of Poster Presenter; Contact Information for the Poster Presenter.
Workshops and Walking Tours
There will be ten sites for mobile workshops and walking tours in and around the Boston metropolitan area, offering multiple opportunities for conference participants to see brownfields redevelopment projects in the Boston metro region. Communities and sites hosting this year's mobile workshops and walking tours include:
Mobile Workshops:
Providence, R.I., including the Save The Bay Center
East Boston and Boston Harbor
Lawrence, Somerville, Lowell, Mass.
Boston's Dudley Corridor
Genzyme Center (Cambridge, Mass.)
Industri-Plex (Woburn, Mass.)
Jordan's Furniture Complex in Reading, Mass.
Walking Tours:
Boston Convention and Exhibition Center
Artists for Humanity EpiCenter in Boston
Transaction Forum
The Conference will feature a Transaction Forum on Nov. 13 – a unique networking event that will bring together site owners and developers to stimulate real estate transactions. If you are a brownfield property owner, developer, investor, broker, local government or economic development authority, register for this free event today.
Register by Oct. 20 
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Town Meeting Plenary
Ray Suarez, a senior correspondent with PBS's The News Hour with Jim Lehrer, will moderate this year's popular “Town Meeting Plenary” session.
Travel Scholarships
Travel scholarships are available, and community-based stakeholders are encouraged to apply.
More information: Brownfields 2006 conference website
COMBINED ANIMAL FEEDLOTS (CAFOs):
Advances in Controlling Air Pollution from Farm Country Animal Feeding Operations
EPA will take the next important step to gather air emissions data from agricultural animal feeding operations (AFOs) and to ensure compliance with environmental laws. This step consists of certain AFOs voluntarily taking part in a nationwide monitoring study to evaluate their air emissions. By the late 1990's EPA concluded that there were not sufficient air emissions data to determine potential regulatory requirements for AFOs under the Clean Air Act. Last January, EPA offered individual AFOs an opportunity to voluntarily sign consent agreements committing them to conduct a nationwide study to monitor and get a better handle on the nature of their air emissions.
Under these consent agreements, a total of 1,856 swine, 468 dairy, 204 egg-laying and 40 broiler chicken (meat-bird) operations will collect air emissions data. The 2,568 agreements represent 6,267 farms (an AFO can include more than one farm). The surveys are expected to begin this winter. Within 18 months following the monitoring study's conclusion, EPA will evaluate all data and publish emission-estimating methods for AFOs. These methods will allow AFOs to estimate their emissions and comply with applicable federal regulatory requirements as appropriate. This approach will achieve compliance with environmental laws much faster than any other enforcement mechanism.
More information on animal feeding operations air agreements.
Rule Proposed to Control Effluent from Large Animal Feedlots
A proposed rule would require concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), such as large pig, veal and poultry, beef and dairy farms, to continue to properly manage the manure they generate under National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements and Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for CAFOs. Under the EPA proposal, CAFOs that discharge - or propose to discharge - pollutants will be required to apply for a permit. The proposal would require applicants to submit a nutrient management plan with their permit application which would undergo public notice and review – including enforceable elements of the permit. Best conventional technology for fecal coliform bacteria is clarified in the proposal.
More information on proposed revisions to CAFO NPDES rule.
ENERGY ISSUES:
Boutique Fuels Report
An EPA-led task force of states convened to identify opportunities to increase cooperation on gasoline supply decisions and analyze boutique fuels issued a final report concluding, in part, that if a fuel supply disruption occurs, boutique fuel requirements may make it more difficult to move gasoline supplies around the country. The report indicates that boutique fuels continue to pose a challenge to the movement of fuel when supply disruptions occur. The report did not reach final conclusions regarding the precise effect of boutique fuels on the price of gasoline – stakeholder opinions were divided on this issue.
More information on the Boutique Fuels Task Force.
New Coal Technology Examined for Cleaner Energy
A new technology called Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) can help provide electricity from coal in an environmentally sustainable way by partially burning coal to generate gas. EPA examined the environmental impacts of IGCC technology as part of the agency's continued efforts to understand how the latest available science and technology could lead to a cleaner method to generate power from coal. EPA’s review concludes that IGCC can lower air emissions, lower water usage and produce less solid waste, and may have the potential to provide a more cost effective approach to capture carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, produced during coal combustion.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/airmarkets/articles/control.html
Natural Gas Regulatory Roadmap Released
An EPA report, "Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Regulatory Roadmap," offers guidance to industry on maintaining high environmental standards while new Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) facilities are being built. The document outlines the environmental obligations that EPA is required to enforce, and may help provide greater regulatory certainty during the construction and operation of LNG facilities, both onshore and offshore.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES:
Applicants Sought for $19 million in Watershed Grants
EPA will award up to $19 million in grants to help clean up and restore the nation's waterways, under two grant categories. Proposals must reach EPA by Oct. 16 for “capacity-building” grants, and by Nov. 15 for “project-implementation” grants. Capacity-building grants provide for education and training, whereas implementation grants involve actions such as protection and preservation. EPA will evaluate and rank submissions based on criteria outlined in each notice. Watershed organizations receive the awards based on how likely they are to achieve environmental results in a relatively short time.
More information on the Targeted Watersheds Grants Program.
Grants for Community Nonprofits Working to Reduce Environmental Risks
Two programs are making grant funds available to groups working to improve New England’s environment from the ground up. EPA's New England regional office is seeking applications for two national funding programs designed to assist local groups working to reduce environmental risks in communities. These funding programs are the “EJ Small Grants” program and the “EJ Collaborative Problem-Solving” program.
Proposed “EJ Small Grants” projects, worth $50,000 each, must be designed to form collaborative partnerships, educate the community, develop a comprehensive understanding of the local environmental and/or public health issues and identify ways to address these issues at the local level. EPA anticipates awarding at least one grant in the New England region. The purpose of proposed “EJ Collaborative Problem-Solving” projects, worth $100,000 each, must be to address an existing local environmental and/or public health issue. However, these projects cannot focus only on education or training. EPA expects to award at least one of these grants in the New England region.
Eligible applicants must be either a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization as designated by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service; or a non-profit organization, recognized by the state, territory, commonwealth or tribe in which it is located. The deadline to submit completed application packages for these grants is Oct. 23.
More information on environmental justice grants.
EPA Infuses Nearly $1 Billion into Drinking Water Programs
States, territories and tribes will share more than $940 million from three EPA grant programs to support the quality and security of the nation's drinking water, helping to protect water supplies for more than 270 million people across the U.S. More than $837 million will be targeted to Drinking Water State Revolving Funds programs, which will help states, territories and tribes finance infrastructure improvements to public water systems. Another $98 million in grants will fund the Public Water Supervision System, which provides resources to implement and enforce drinking water regulations and programs under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Finally, EPA will provide $5 million in FY 2006 counter-terrorism grants to states and territories to help provide drinking water utilities with technical assistance and training to improve the readiness of first responders at drinking water systems, including practicing emergency response and recovery plans.
More information:
Students: $1.25 Million in Sustainability Grants Available
Because creativity and good ideas know no generational bounds, EPA is tapping into students’ innovation in finding solutions to environmental challenges through the “People, Prosperity and the Planet” competition. Under P3, EPA may award up to $1.25 million in grants enabling teams of college students to research, develop and design scientific and technical solutions to sustainability challenges that protect the environment while achieving continued economic prosperity. EPA will award as many as 50 grants up to $10,000 each to teams of students attending colleges, universities and other post-secondary educational institutions. The money will be used to research and develop sustainable solutions during the 2007-08 academic year. In spring 2008, teams will compete for EPA's P3 Award, including an additional award worth up to $75,000 to further develop and implement the most promising project in the field. Interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged, including representatives from multiple engineering departments and/or departments of chemistry, architecture, industrial design, economics, policy, social sciences, business, communication, etc. Proposals are due by Dec. 21.
MERCURY:
Mercury Report Highlights Accomplishments; Outlines Path Forward
Domestic releases and uses of mercury have decreased significantly over the last 25 years. For example, U.S. mercury air emissions have been reduced by 45 percent since 1990, and mercury use in products and processes decreased 83 percent between 1980 and 1997. "EPA's Roadmap for Mercury," the first-ever comprehensive overview of agency mercury activities, describes progress and ongoing efforts in reducing mercury in the environment, both domestically and internationally. The roadmap not only highlights the agency's decade-plus efforts to address mercury risks to human health and the environment, but also helps the agency maximize coordination of its diverse efforts in advancing EPA's long-term goal of reducing risks associated with mercury. In addition to providing a roadmap for EPA activities, the report provides important information about EPA's mercury efforts to other federal agencies, our partners in state, tribal and local governments and to the public.
Little Switches Add Up to Big Cuts in Mercury Pollution
A new EPA program seeks to cut mercury air emissions nationally by up to 75 tons over the next 15 years. The National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program is designed to remove mercury-containing light switches from scrap vehicles before the vehicles are flattened, shredded, and melted to make new steel. Although the U.S. automobile industry halted use of mercury-containing light switches in 2002, an estimated 67.5 million switches are currently in use in older vehicles and available for recovery. Each year, the steel industry recycles more than 14 million tons of steel from scrap vehicles, the equivalent to nearly 13.5 million new automobiles, making vehicles the most recycled consumer product and the steel industry one of the largest consumers of recycled materials in the world.
Together with existing state mercury switch recovery efforts, this program will significantly reduce mercury air emissions from the furnaces used in steel making -- the fourth leading source in the United States after coal-fired utility boilers, industrial boilers and gold mining. Under the program, automobile dismantlers will remove the mercury-containing light switches from scrap vehicles prior to the vehicles being flattened and then shredded at scrap recycling facilities. The program will also provide a financial incentive for those who remove mercury switches.
More information: National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program.
PARTNERSHIPS:
Healthcare Group Commits to Improving Energy Efficiency in Hospitals
Making a public commitment to improve energy efficiency in hospitals by 10 percent, the American Society for Healthcare Engineering of the American Hospital Association announced it is joining the Energy Star Challenge by launching a two-year campaign to educate its members about the environmental and economic benefits of pursuing energy efficiency improvements in healthcare facilities. Energy Star is a government-backed program helping businesses and consumers protect the environment through superior energy efficiency – boasting more than 8,000 partner organizations. In 2005 alone, Americans with the help of Energy Star, saved about $12 billion and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 23 million vehicles.
PESTICIDES & TOXICS:
Ten Year Effort Yields Tangible Accomplishments
August 3, 2006, marked the tenth anniversary of the enactment of the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA), triggering the most comprehensive overhaul of the Nation’s pesticide and food safety laws in decades. The centerpiece of the law was the requirement that EPA review and reassess the tolerances (maximum permitted residues) for all food-use pesticides within a decade. EPA is proud to report that tolerance reassessments were completed for more than 99 percent of the 9,721 subject tolerances. Each of these individual decisions required a detailed review of tens of thousands of studies and test results on toxicity, chemistry, and environmental data. EPA’s work resulted in the revocation or modification of nearly 4,000 food tolerances.
EPA’s pesticide standards significantly advance food safety, public health, and environmental protection. This 10-year effort, based on sound science and broad public participation, has resulted in the most protective measures for all Americans, especially infants and children.
More information: Accomplishments under the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA)
Innovative Recipients Recognized for Turning Brown into Green Chemistry
Leading researchers and industrial innovators were recognized earlier this summer for significant contributions in advancing pollution prevention through Green Chemistry Challenge Awards. Over the past 11 years, the winners' work has led to the elimination of 750 million pounds of hazardous chemicals and solvents, saved more than 550 million gallons of water, and prevented more than 280 million pounds of carbon dioxide. EPA’s Green Chemistry Challenge promotes research to develop less-toxic alternatives to existing technologies, and to reduce or eliminate waste generation in industrial production.
More information: Green Chemistry
Guidance to Reduce Mechanics' Exposure to Asbestos
EPA is updating its guidance to protect the health of auto mechanics that may be exposed to asbestos when working on automobile brake pads. A draft brochure, “Current Best Practices for Preventing Asbestos Exposure Among Brake and Clutch Repair Workers,” contains information for both automotive professionals and home mechanics. The brochure includes work practices that may be used to avoid asbestos exposure. When finalized, the brochure will supersede the existing Guidance for Preventing Asbestos Disease Among Auto Mechanics, known as the "Gold Book." The draft brochure is available for public comment until Oct. 23.
Asbestos is the common name given to a number of naturally occurring mineral fibers that have been used in manufactured goods due to their high tensile strength, resistance to heat, and chemical stability. Because of these properties, asbestos fibers have been used in a number of products, including automobile clutch and brake parts.
RECYCLING & WASTE MANAGEMENT:
Hazardous Waste at Academic Laboratories: Proposed Rule
EPA is proposing alternative hazardous waste generator requirements applicable to college and university laboratories in New England. The NEU Laboratories XL project began the development of a performance based approach to regulating hazardous waste from university labs to enhance laboratory safety and illustrate systems for managing the environmental impacts of labs. The new proposal provides a flexible and protective set of regulations that address the specific nature of hazardous waste generation in college and university laboratories. EPA will accept public comment on the proposed rule until Sept. 20.
More information: Project XL
New Standards Seek to Increase Recycling of Cathode Ray Tubes
The federal hazardous waste management requirements for cathode ray tubes and CRT glass destined for recycling have been streamlined, seeking in part to reduce the amount of lead in landfills. EPA is setting simpler, more manageable standards for unbroken CRTs because the risk of lead releases from them is very low. Under the new regulations, used, unbroken CRTs are not regulated as hazardous waste unless they are stored for more than a year. EPA is changing CRT waste management requirements to eliminate confusion that previously prevented CRTs from being reused and recycled. About 57 million computers and televisions are sold in the United States annually, although many new models may not contain CRTs.
More information: Final Rules on Cathode Ray Tubes and Discarded Mercury-Containing Equipment
UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS:
UST Delivery-Prohibition Grant Guidelines and Tribal Strategy Finalized
Two key provisions of the underground storage tank amendments of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 have been finalized: the delivery prohibition grant guidelines and a strategy for implementing the underground storage tank program in Indian country. The delivery-prohibition grant guidelines describe the procedures that states must use for prohibiting fuel delivery to ineligible underground storage tanks. States receiving federal funds under Subtitle I of the Solid Waste Disposal Act must implement these guidelines by Aug. 8, 2007. The tribal strategy identifies key issues and actions for strengthening EPA and tribal relationships, and improving implementation of the underground storage tank program in Indian country. It was developed with considerable input from tribal representatives, and is the foundation for future underground storage tank work and collaboration between EPA and tribes. EPA will work with tribes to implement the strategy and provide a progress report to Congress by August 8, 2007.
Read The Final Grant Guidelines and Final Tribal Strategy.
Greener Computers and Monitors Will Soon Hit the Market
More environmentally friendly computer equipment will soon be available to large volume purchasers thanks to manufacturers like Dell, HP, and others that now have products that meet the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) standard. EPEAT-registered computer products have reduced levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury to better protect human health, and are easier to upgrade and recycle, in addition to meeting the government's Energy Star guidelines for energy efficiency. EPEAT, a project funded through a grant by EPA and managed by the Green Electronics Council, promotes continuous improvement in the environmental design of electronic products and informs purchasers of the environmental criteria of electronic products.
WATER ISSUES:
Revised Rule Proposed for Lead in Drinking Water
EPA has proposed to tighten the lead portions of the lead-and-copper rule for drinking water. The proposal seeks to revise monitoring requirements to ensure that water samples show how effective lead controls are; clarify the timing of sample collection and tighten criteria for reducing the frequency of monitoring; require that utilities receive state approval of treatment changes so that states can provide direction or require additional monitoring; require that water utilities notify occupants of the results of any testing that occurs within a home or facility; and require systems to reevaluate lead service lines that may have previously been identified as low risk after any major treatment changes that could affect corrosion control. The EPA proposal also would ensure that consumers receive information about how to limit their exposure to lead in drinking water.
More information: Revisions to the Regulations Controlling Lead in Drinking Water Fact Sheet
EPA PERSONNEL CHANGES:
Leadership Changes at General Counsel
EPA’s (former) General Counsel, Ann Klee tendered her resignation effective July 31. To replace Ms. Klee, the President has nominated Roger Martella to serve as EPA’s General Counsel. An integral part of the EPA team since October of last year, Martella brings exceptional experience defending key environmental decisions and regulations for numerous government agencies while serving as the Principal Counsel for Complex Litigation in the Justice Department's Natural Resources Section.
New Inspector General
President Bush has nominated Alex A. Beehler to serve as EPA’s Inspector General. Beehler has a strong background in federal environmental policy, currently serving the Department of Defense (DoD) as the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense who provides advice and assistance for all environmental, safety, and occupational health policies and programs in the department. At this post, his priorities have included the implementation of DoD's environmental readiness initiative in response to challenges of encroachment, the Defense Environmental Restoration Program, unexploded ordnance management, explosive safety, and pollution prevention.
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Sept. 12, 2006
Raymark Advisory Committee, Stratford, CT -
Sept. 13, 2006
Massachusetts Military Reservation Plume Cleanup Team -
Sept. 14, 2006
Fort Devens Restoration Advisory Board -
Sept. 14, 2006
Weymouth Naval Air Station Restoration Advisory Board, S. Weymouth, MA
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NPDES – Draft Permit for Logan Airport – Comment period extended
NPDES – Recent Vermont permits
NPDES – Recent Connecticut permits
Sediment Oxygen Demand Studies – Updated
Greater Boston Breathes Better - Updated info
No Discharge Areas in New England – Updated info
Northeast Diesel Collaborative - updated info
Clean Beaches Initiative - updated into
Small Business in New England – updated info
Earth Artists – New kids’ artwork added
Honors Attorney Fellowship – Application deadline Sept. 25
Environmental Education page - updated
GE - Housatonic site - new data and reports
Brownfields – What’s New and Updated info
Nyanza Superfund Site – updated info
Army Materials Technology Laboratory Superfund Site – Updated info
Fort Devens Superfund Site – Updated
Atlas Tack Superfund Site – Updated
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