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P3 represents People, Prosperity and the Planet. This competition is focused on benefiting people, promoting prosperity, and protecting the planet through innovative designs to address challenges to sustainability in both the developed and developing world. The competition has two phases. Initially, interdisciplinary student teams compete for $10,000 grants. Recipients use the money to research and develop their design projects during the academic year. Then, in the following spring, all P3 grant recipients attend the National Sustainable Design Expo featuring the EPA's P3 Award competition in Washington, D.C. [Read More] Exploratory Investigations in Food Allergy (R21): through NIH-NIAID EPA, as part of its Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program, through its interagency partner NIH as well as the Food Allergy Project and the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, are seeking applications for research projects on the mechanisms of and risk factors associated with IgE-mediated food allergy and related co-morbid conditions, focusing on ex vivo studies with human specimens and on studies with current or new animal models of food allergy. [Read More]
EPA, as part of its Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) program, is offering Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) undergraduate fellowships for bachelor level students in environmental fields of study. The deadline for receipt of pre-applications is December 19, 2007 at 4:00 PM EST. Subject to availability of funding, the Agency plans to award approximately 20 new fellowships by July 31, 2008. Eligible students will receive support for their junior and senior years of undergraduate study and for an internship at an EPA facility during the summer between their junior and senior years. The fellowship provides up to $17,000 per year of academic support and up to $7,500 of internship support for a three-month summer period. [Read More] FELLOWSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT: Fall 2008 EPA Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Fellowships For Graduate Environmental Study Open Date: 08/21/2007 - Close Date: 10/23/2007. Summary: EPA, as part of its Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) program, is offering Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Graduate Fellowships for masters and doctoral level students in environmental fields of study. The deadline for receipt of pre-applications is October 23, 2007 at 4:00 PM EST. Subject to availability of funding, the Agency plans to award approximately 15 new fellowships by July 31, 2008. Master's level students may receive support for a maximum of two years. Doctoral students may be supported for a maximum of three years, usable over a period of four years. The fellowship program provides up to $37,000 per year of support per fellowship. More info at http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2008/2008_gro_grad.html from EPA and other National News Sources NSF Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase I Solicitation FY-2008 (SBIR/STTR) The National Science Foundation (NSF), an independent agency of the Federal Government, invites eligible small business concerns to submit Phase I proposals for its FY 2008 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. NSF will support high quality projects on important scientific, engineering, or science and engineering education problems and opportunities that could lead to significant commercial and public benefit if the research is successful. [Read more] California, Illinois Budgets Have Mixed Results for Research California lawmakers reached a budget agreement last week, preserving partial funding for an initiative aimed at supporting high-tech research and innovation. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unveiled the $95 million Research and Innovation Initiative in January to provide funding to several university-based projects focused on clean energy, biotechnology and nanotechnology research and commercialization. The fiscal year 2007-08 state budget includes $70 million in lease revenue bond funding for the Energy Biosciences Institute and the Helios Project at the University of California (UC). UC Berkeley will receive $40 million for the Energy Biosciences Institute to focus on the development of alternative fuel, and $30 million is allocated for the Helios Project, an initiative by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to create sustainable, carbon neutral sources of energy. Lawmakers also approved $6 million for UC labor research programs. Not included in the budget is $15 million in operating funds for the California Institutes for Science and Innovation. UC officials hope to re-engage policymakers on the subject in the future, according to a press release from the UC Office of the President. The FY 2007-08 Enacted Budget is available at: http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/ from ETVoice... ETV ESTE PROJECTS ISSUE VENDOR SOLICITATIONS EPA is seeking vendors to participate in the ETV Environmental and Sustainable Technology Evaluations (ESTE) project for Pesticide Drift Reduction Technology. ESTE funding will be used to validate a protocol for testing the effectiveness of pesticide spray drift reduction technologies. These technologies include drift- reduction application equipment and drift-reduction adjuvant chemicals that can be used with ground-boom or aerial equipment for spraying pesticides onto row or field crops, and that can be tested in either a low- or high-speed wind tunnel. Vendors will not receive an ETV Program verification of their products as a direct result of this protocol validation effort. For more information, please see the FedBizOpps notice available at http://www.fbo.gov/spg/EPA/OPPTS/OPP/ESTE%5FDRT%5F1/Synopsis.html, or contact Michael Kosusko, EPA, at (919) 541-2734 or kosusko.mike@epa.gov The ETV ESTE project for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Tracking of Hazardous Wastes Across International Borders is seeking interested vendors to participate in a project to develop a test plan for evaluating RFID technology for shipping certain chemicals/materials from generator to receiver. The shipping scenario would include checkpoints along the way, including across North American borders. Selected vendors would have the freedom to design the tagging configuration and the type of tags used. EPA is looking for innovative solutions for this difficult shipping scenario. Vendors will not receive an ETV Program verification of their products as a direct result of this protocol validation effort. For more information, please contact Katrina Varner, EPA, at (702) 798-2645 or varner.katrina@epa.gov ETV COLLABORATES WITH EPA SBIR PROGRAM TO PROMOTE TECHNOLOGY COMMERCIALIZATION The EPA is one of 11 federal agencies that participate in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Through the SBIR Program, EPA makes awards to small, high-tech firms to help develop and commercialize cutting-edge environmental technologies. The EPA SBIR Program issues annual solicitations for Phase I and II research proposals. As part of Phase II, SBIR offers an additional funding option of up to $50,000 for firms whose technology has been accepted into EPA's ETV Program. In 2007, Hydro International completed verification testing of their in-drain treatment technology through the ETV Water Quality Protection Center. Hydro International is the first SBIR Phase II technology developer to exercise the Verification Option and receive additional SBIR Phase II funds for ETV testing and evaluation. The final verification report and statement for this technology are expected to be completed in September 2007 and will be published to the ETV Web Site. For more information on the EPA SBIR Program, please visit http://es.epa.gov/ncer/sbir/ ETV VERIFICATIONS ETV has completed verification testing and reports for 389 innovative environmental technologies! For a full list of ETV verifications, visit http://www.epa.gov/etv/verifications/verification-index.html BAGHOUSE FILTRATION PRODUCT VERIFIED MOBILE SOURCES DEVICE VERIFIED UPCOMING CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS September 30-October 4, 2007 -- The Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA) 2007 Annual Conference. Boca Raton, FL. This conference is targeted to Federal, state and local drinking water officials and provides these key decision-makers with information on products and services related to safe drinking water. NSF International, the verification organization for the ETV Drinking Water Systems Center, will exhibit and provide information on ETV activities for verification of drinking water treatment systems. For more information, please visit http://asdwa.earthhost.biz/ October 1-3, 2007 -- The 22nd Annual Conference of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators (ASDWA). Fort Lauderdale, FL. This conference is targeted to Federal, state and local drinking water officials and provides these key decision makers with information on products and services related to safe drinking water. NSF International, the verification organization for the ETV Drinking Water Systems Center, will exhibit and provide information on ETV activities for verification of drinking water treatment systems. October 7-10, 2007 - The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) 93rd Annual Conference will be held October 7-10, in Pittsburgh, PA. This conference will include keynote addresses, educational sessions, workshops, and field demonstrations to provide participants with opportunities for acquiring new tools and techniques to address the problems facing communities and local government administrators. The ETV Program will exhibit with the EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory. For more information, please visit http://www.icma.org/main/sc.asp October 7-10, 2007 -- The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) 93rd Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA. This conference will include keynote addresses, educational sessions, workshops, and field demonstrations to provide participants with opportunities for acquiring new tools and techniques to address the problems facing communities and local government administrators. The ETV Program will exhibit with the EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory. For more information, please visit http://www.icma.org/main/sc.asp October 13-17, 2007 -- The 80th Annual Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference (WEFTEC 2007), San Diego, CA. This annual meeting provides a forum for knowledge and technology in the water and wastewater fields. The ETV Program will exhibit with the EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory. For more information, please visit http://www.weftec.com/home.htm October 29 - November 1, 2007 -- The National Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Fall Conference 2007. Richardson, TX. This national conference provides attendees with a comprehensive overview on how to apply for and be awarded federal SBIR/STTR grants. It will also provide networking opportunities for small business owners, government officials, and industry leaders. The ETV Program plans to participate. For more information, please visit http://www.sbirtexas.com December 4-6, 2007 -- "Partners in Environmental Technology Technical Symposium and Workshop, Meeting DOD's Environmental Challenges," hosted by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP). Washington, DC. This event will feature more than 350 posters supporting technology transfer, exhibit booths offering information about funding opportunities, a special session providing a summary of SERDP and ESTCP program development and opportunities to conduct research and demonstrations, and networking with approximately 1,000 environmental professionals. The ETV Program will exhibit with the EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory. For preliminary technical session topics and other conference information, please visit http://www.serdp.org/Symposium/, or contact 703-736-4548 or partners@hgl.com November 4-8, 2007 -- The American Water Works Association (AWWA) Water Quality Technology Conference and Exposition. Charlotte, NC. This annual conference brings together the industry's leading water quality experts to exchange the latest research and technical information. Conference topics include such subjects as monitoring and detection techniques, treatment processes, organic and inorganic contaminants, and distribution system water quality. The ETV Program will exhibit with the EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory. For more information, please visit http://www.awwa.org/Conferences/Content.cfm?ItemNumber=3544&navItemNumber=3545 January 9-11, 2008 -- International Advances in Pesticide Application 2008. Robinson College, Cambridge, United Kingdom. This international conference, hosted by the Association of Applied Biologists, provides an opportunity to discuss pesticide (and biopesticide) application issues in an informal setting with platform and poster presentations. Key workers from research institutes, industry and regulatory authorities will provide a unique mix of biological and engineering sciences. The ETV ESTE project for Pesticide Drift Reduction Technology will present on "Encouraging the Use of Drift Reduction Technologies in the United States." For more information, please visit http://www.aab.org.uk/contentok.php?id=48&basket=wwsshowconfdets January 27-30, 2008 -- The 11th Annual Energy and Environment Conference (EUEC) on Air Quality, Mercury, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy. Tucson, AZ. Tim Hansen, Southern Research Institute, will represent the ETV Greenhouse Gas Technology Center and will present on "Performance Verification of Greenhouse Gas Technologies under the EPA's ETV Program." The ETV Program will also exhibit. For more information, please visit http://www.euec.com/ Visit the ETVoice Archive at http://www.epa.gov/etv/etvoice/index.html to catch up on information previously highlighted. The ETV Web Site, at http://www.epa.gov/etv/ has additional information on the ETV Program covering general program topics, as well as detailed information on each of the ETV verification centers. UPCOMING SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) WORKSHOPSSeveral of the events listed below are non-EPA sponsored events, EPA lists them for your information only and is not responsible for the content or the information distributed at the listed events. Fore more information about these events, go to the web address listed for each or go to: http://www.zyn.com/sbir/cal/ October 4, 2007 -- Phase II SBIR/STTR Proposal Preparation Workshop. Orlando, FL. More information is available by contacting kchadwick@bus.ucf.edu or lmyers@mail.ucf.edu October 5, 2007 -- Phase I SBIR/STTR Proposal Preparation Workshop. Daytona Beach, FL. More information is available by contacting rmichael@co.volusia.fl.us October 12, 2007 -- Phase I SBIR/STTR Proposal Preparation Workshop. Boca Raton, FL. More information is available by contacting kmoore34@fau.edu October 29 - November 1, 2007 -- Fall 2007 NATIONAL SBIR/STTR SBIR Conference. Richardson, TX. More info at http://www.texasone.us/site/PageServer?pagename=nat_conference October 29 - November 1, 2007 -- Phase I and abbreviated Phase II proposal preparation workshops and a National SBIR Conference. Dallas, TX. More information is available at: http://www.sbirtexas.com November 8-9, 2007 -- Phase I SBIR/STTR Proposal Preparation Boot Camp. Melbourne, FL. More information is available by contacting Boregan@trda.org December 4-5, 2007 -- Virginia's 13th Annual SBIR & Federal Funding Conference. More info at http://www.cit.org/events/index.html UPCOMING EVENTS OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2007 ITRC INTERNET-BASED TRAINING COURSES The Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) offers a wide variety of Internet-based training courses on innovative environmental technologies and approaches specific to the areas of site characterization, monitoring and remediation. Upcoming courses:
On-line course registration opens 4–6 weeks before each session. Go to http://clu-in.org/studio/seminar.cfm#upcoming ITRC is a program of the Environmental Research Institute of the States (ERIS), a nonprofit corporation operating in support of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS). Registration information for the ITRC’s no cost courses is available at: http://clu-in.org/studio/ or http://www.itrcweb.org October 2-4, 2007 -- Desert Remedial Action Technologies Workshop, Phoenix, AZ. This will be the first EPA-sponsored workshop to focus on remedial technologies being successfully applied in desert environments. The program will emphasize field applications and case studies for technologies being applied to dissolved phase volatile organic compounds (VOCs), (specifically tricholoroethene [TCE]), perchlorate, and chromium. More info at http://www.clu-in.org/download/misc/DesertRat_Call_for_Abstracts.pdf All inquiries regarding submission and content of abstracts should be addressed to Mary Aycock, Aycock.Mary@epa.gov, 415-972-3289. October 10-13, 2007 -- Children's Environmental Health Workshop. Washington, DC. Purpose: Building Bridges from Research Findings to Providing Health Care to Our Children, co-sponsored workshop on children's environmental health and progress review for the STAR grants. Contact: Nigel Fields fields.nigel@epa.gov, phone: 202-343-9767. October 15-17, 2007 -- Cellulosic Ethanol Summit - Integrating Communities in the Value Chain to Build a New Industry. Washington, DC. See http://www.infocastinc.com/cell07.html October 17-18, 2007 -- Long-Term Monitoring Optimization (LTMO) Training. Seattle, WA. Responsible parties, Federal Facilities, and EPA have used LTMO methods at more than 100 sites nationwide and are likely to use them at more sites in the future. The methods are used to support decision making regarding optimal location and frequency of groundwater monitoring and to support changes to existing monitoring networks. As a result, it is important for regulators to be familiar with LTMO methods and technical support mechanisms such that appropriate decisions can be made. The training includes a 1-day lecture on a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods including: the Monitoring and Remediation Optimization System (MAROS); the Geostatistical Temporal-Spatial (GTS) algorithm; and the Three-Tiered Monitoring Network Optimization (MNO) approach. A 4-hour hands-on training sessions with the MAROS software program will be offered on the second day for a limited number of attendees. While the training is designed primarily for state and federal regulators, federal facilities cleanup managers, potentially responsible parties (PRPs), and contractors are welcome to participate at no cost. State and federal regulators will receive registration priority. For details about this training and to register, visit http://www.trainex.org October 18–19, 2007 -- Research Needs for Community Based Risk Assessments Workshop. Research Triangle Park, NC. The purpose of this workshop will be to determine what the state of the science is in the area of community-based risk assessment. Contact: Deborah Segal, 202-343-9797. October 18–19, 2007 -- SSTI's 11th Annual Conference - Transforming Regional Economies. Baltimore, MD. More info at http://www.ssticonference.org/ October 21-24, 2007 -- The 12th National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference -- Marketing Renewables in a Carbon-Conscious World, Philadelphia, PA. The 12th National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference is the industry's paramount annual gathering attended by leading renewable energy and green power industry stakeholders. More info at http://www.renewableenergymarketing.net/gp12/ October 29-31, 2007 -- Sediment Remediation Course. Atlanta, GA. This three-day course is sponsored by the EPA Hazardous Substance Research Center/ South and Southwest. The course provides environmental professionals in industry, consulting and government with practical information on how to evaluate the technical suitability of monitored natural recovery, dredging and excavation, or in situ capping remedies for contaminated sediments. It focuses on issues and limitations associated with each alternative, including information on selecting, designing and constructing remedies that maximize long-term effectiveness and minimize short-term impacts. It will also discuss case studies involving the three remedial approaches. For more information and to register, see http://www.smwg.org/ November 6, 2007 -- Scientific Session at the American Public Health Association on Consequences of Global Change on Human Health. Convention Center, Washington, DC. This session will present research on the potential impacts of climate variability and change on some health outcomes known to be associated with weather or ecological change: temperature-related morbidity and mortality; water-borne diseases; and vector-and rodent-borne diseases. The speakers, some of whom participated in the first Health Sector Assessment in 2001 under the United States Climate Change Science Program, will describe research supported by U.S. EPA's Science to Achieve Results grant program designed to build upon the assessment's conclusions. The interdisciplinary research teams all have partnered with a key stakeholder or end-user of the research results including, nonprofit organizations, citizens groups, and public health authorities and these collaborations also will be described. A description of EPA's role in the development of the 2001 Health Sector Assessment and current work on a second assessment document will motivate the research presentations. Contact Barbara Glenn, 202-343-9721 November 8–9, 2007 -- Financing Renewable Energy Conference - Using Tax Credits to Finance Solar, Wind, and Other Renewable Sources. Miami, FL. See http://www.novoco.com/events/conferences/2007/energy_fall/index.php November 8–9, 2007 -- Collaborative Science and Technology Network for Sustainability Workshop. The Four Points Sheraton 1201 K Street, NW November 14, 2007 -- 2007 Southeast Regional Collegiate Environmental Science & Health Symposium. Atlanta, GA. EPA Region 4, EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD), and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry/National Center for Environmental Health/Centers for Disease Control (ATSDR/NCEH/CDC) will host the second annual Southeast Regional Collegiate Environmental Science and Health Symposium, in Atlanta, Georgia. Contact Kara Belle 404-562-8322, Tom Baugh 404-562-8275, or Estella Waldman 202-343-9803. November 14-16, 2007 -- 2007 INVESTORS CIRCLE FALL CONFERENCE & VENTURE FAIR. Boston, MA. Application deadline August 10, 2007. This is the premier meeting place for angel investors, professional venture capitalists, philanthropic investors, and entrepreneurs who are using private capital to promote the transition to a sustainable future. Our 2006 Fall Conference attracted well over 300 attendees, including over 150 investors. Our last three conferences have resulted in over $12 million in total investment in approximately 1/3 of presenting ventures, with additional investments pending. Each month Investors' Circle screens applications and selects companies to circulate to our membership of accredited investors. Our 2007 Fall Venture Fair presenters will be chosen from those candidates that have circulated within 6 months of the application deadline. Investors' Circle is seeking submissions from companies in the following sectors: energy & environment, food & organics, health & wellness, education & media, and community & international development. For more information go to: http://www.investorscircle.net December 11-13, 2007 -- Mercury Control Technology Meeting. Hilton Hotel - Pittsburgh, PA. For more information go to: http://www.netl.doe.gov/events/07conferences/mercury/index.html April 24-25, 2008 -- Call for Abstracts! 2008 Conference on Design and Construction Issues at Hazardous Waste Sites. Loews Philadelphia Hotel, 1200 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA. This conference is hosted by EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers. It will provide a forum for discussion among professionals from the private and public sectors regarding design and construction issues at hazardous waste sites including current approaches, management techniques, lessons learned, and application of technologies. Abstracts are due by November 16, 2007. For abstract guidelines or to register please see the conference website at https://superfund.usace.army.mil/2008DCHWS May 5-8, 2008 -- National Brownfields Conference. Cobo Center, Detroit, MI. The National Brownfields Conference is a comprehensive conference focused on cleaning up and redeveloping abandoned, underutilized, and potentially contaminated properties in the nation. The U.S. EPA and International City/County Management Association (ICMA) co-sponsored National Brownfields Conference 2008 expects nearly 6,000 attendees, over 150 educational sessions, more than 200 exhibitors, and networking events. Brownfields 2008 Call for Ideas. Abstracts, proposals for complete sessions, or simply an idea for the conference are being accepted through September 14. More information is available at http://www.brownfields2008.org/en/Ideas.aspx May 19-22, 2008 -- 6th International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds. Monterey, CA. The Conference has become one of the world’s leading environmental remediation conferences. The Fifth Conference (May 2006) was attended by 1,650 scientists, engineers, regulators, remediation site owners, and other environmental professionals representing universities, government site management and regulatory agencies, and R&D and manufacturing firms from around the world. Approximately 775 platform and poster presentations were given in 61 technical sessions, and 4 panel discussions were held. Rounding out the technical information available to registrants were 70 exhibits of environmental remediation capabilities and equipment and 11 short courses. See http://www.battelle.org/environment/er/conferences/chlorcon/default.stm June 10-13, 2008 -- Call For Abstracts!! Triad Investigations: New Approaches and Innovative Strategies. Amherst, MA. This national conference will include training sessions, workshops, and platform sessions focused on implementation of new tools, approaches, and strategies for hazardous waste site characterization, site remediation, and site redevelopment. Equipment demonstrations will augment the exhibitions to bring practical applications to the technical theory and case studies presented during the conference. Also featured will be cutting edge tools and techniques for sampling and monitoring related to real-time information, continuous monitoring, and long-term monitoring for site closure and stewardship. Best practices and lessons learned will be emphasized throughout the training sessions, platform sessions, and workshops. See http://www.umass.edu/tei/conferences/triad.html From NETL -- the National Energy Technology Laboratory .. . Regional Partner Launches Drilling Test in DOE’s Carbon Sequestration Program As an integral part of the DOE's effort to develop carbon sequestration technologies to capture and permanently store greenhouse gases, the Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) Partnership has begun drilling operations to determine the suitability of a North Dakota lignite coal seam to simultaneously sequester the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and produce valuable coalbed methane. The PCOR Partnership -- one of seven partnerships in the Department of Energy’s Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership Program, which is managed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory -- plans to inject at least 400 tons of CO2 to a depth of approximately 1,200 feet into an unminable lignite seam in Burke County, ND. [Read more] NETL and USAF Release Feasibility Study for Conceptual Coal+Biomass-to-Liquids Facility DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE/NETL) and the US Air Force have released a study that examines the feasibility of producing l00,000 barrels per day of jet fuel from coal and biomass. The coal+biomass-to-liquids (CBTL) facilities could also cut life-cycle emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary greenhouse gas, by 20 percent compared to conventional petroleum processes. The study provides a performance baseline that can be used to show how CBTL with carbon capture and storage would capitalize on domestic energy resources, provide a buffer against rising petroleum and natural gas prices, and mitigate output of CO2. [Read more] DOE-Patented Process Improves Energy Recovery, Reduces Coal Prep Wastes What began as a small in-house laboratory experiment to find a way to use discarded coal products called "fines" has now led to a full-scale demonstration that can boost coal operator profits, reduce waste at their plants, and recover valuable energy sources for consumers. An efficient, cost-effective process for recovering coal fines is significant in today's energy marketplace because 2 billion tons of coal fines are impounded in the United States, and about 50 million tons are added to that total each year at more than 700 coal impoundment sites. In full-scale tests conducted by CQ Inc., of Homer City, Pa., the GranuFlow(TM) process - which was developed and patented by scientists at the Office of Fossil Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) - has shown that it can recover and clean a significant portion of coal fines to produce an added source of energy for the nation's future. [Read more] From NETL LabNotes... NETL R&D for Mercury Capture Draws Attention of ACS For National Meeting Three technologies invented by NETL researchers have been licensed to industry for commercial development to help meet the national goal of capturing more than 90 percent of mercury emissions from U.S. coal-fired plants by 2010. NETL is a leading science and technology center studying effective ways to remove mercury and other metals from fuel gases and flue gases from coal-fired power plants. [Read more] NETL Researchers Use CT Scan To Study Carbon Dioxide in Coal When most people think of a CT scan, the image that comes to mind is lying on a narrow support, being told not to move, and being moved inside a round opening where mysterious technology produces X-ray images of relevant parts of their bodies. But NETL researchers in the Office of Research and Development are using the same computerized X-ray tomography (CT) to measure carbon dioxide concentrations throughout coal cores. This type of research is essential as policy makers decide whether or not they will try to deal with excess carbon dioxide by storing it permanently in geologic formations. [Read more] New Technique Developed to Assess Catalyst Activity with Fuel Gases Researchers in the Energy System Dynamics Division of NETL’s Office of Research and Development are teaming with Carnegie Mellon University and West Virginia University to develop sensor arrays that can respond to rapid changes in fuel gas composition. The ability to detect and respond to changes is increasingly important because of the anticipated increased usage of liquefied natural gas in the nation’s pipeline system. This University Research Initiative project will take advantage of an analytical technique developed by NETL researchers. [Read more] NETL Researchers Study CO2 Sequestration in Unmineable Coal Seams Researchers in the Geosciences Division of NETL’s Office of Research and Development have shown that that changes to the produced water chemistry and the potential for mobilizing toxic trace elements from coal beds are important factors to be considered when evaluating deep, unmineable coal seams for CO2 sequestration. A team of researchers, led by Dr. Sheila W. Hedges, has conducted an initial investigation into the potential environmental impacts of CO2 sequestration in unmineable coal seams. [Read more] NETL Prepares Novel Membrane from Metal Organic Framework Researchers in the Chemistry and Surface Science Division of NETL’s Office of Research and Development have prepared and tested a novel gas separation membrane based on advanced materials called metal organic frameworks, or MOFs. Results of NETL research on the membrane will be presented for the first time in the Fuel Chemistry Division of the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society in Boston during August. [Read more] NETL Completes Power Plant Field Test for Monitoring of Fireside Corrosion Researchers in the Materials Performance Division of NETL’s Office of research and Development have completed a five-month field test of a tool that power plant operators can use to monitor the corrosion of boiler components. Air-cooled electrochemical corrosion sensors, designed and built at NETL, were placed in four locations of a boiler at the location and depth of the waterwall at the Covanta Marion, Inc., waste incineration plant in Brooks, Oregon. Sensors were replaced after one- to two-month intervals to study their degradation and to replace the thermocouples. Initial results show that this technology was able to follow changes in corrosion due to process changes such as startup and shutdown. [Read more] NETL Researcher performing experiments at DOE’s National Synchrotron Light Source Researcher Todd Gardner of the Separations and Fuels Processing Division in the Office of Research and Development is using synchrotron radiation at the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS) at Brookhaven National Laboratory to investigate the properties of catalysts that could be used for diesel fuel reforming, and perhaps also as efficient catalysts for carbon dioxide-methane reforming. Synchrotron radiation is produced when electrons are accelerated to near the speed of light. Researchers use it to investigate fundamental properties of materials. [Read more] from TechDirect... Decision Support Tool (DST) Matrix Version 2.0 The Decision Support Tool (DST) Matrix has been updated in order to stay current with the evolution of environmental investigation and remediation technology. DSTs are interactive software tools used by decision-makers to help answer questions, solve problems, and support or refute conclusions. They can be incorporated into a structured decision-making process for environment site clean-up. The matrix is a table that provides general information about each DST, such as the types of files that may be imported to, or exported from, the DST, the characteristics of applicable sites (contaminants and media) and the functions it performs. The DST Matrix Version 2.0 includes five new DSTs in the matrix, one new mini-case study and updates the information on the 20 DSTs that were included in Version 1.0, including notes about new features, new versions and documentation. View and use at http://www.frtr.gov/decisionsupport/ New Cost and Performance Information on Cleanup Technologies The Federal Remediation Technologies Roundtable (FRTR) recently published 38 new case study and technology assessment reports. These reports document the cost, performance, and lessons learned in implementing a wide range of hazardous waste site cleanup technologies in the field, ranging from large-scale demonstrations to full-scale applications. Visitors to the Web site can search these reports by remedial technology, optimization method, and other criteria. With these new additions, a total of 756 reports are now available in four areas - 393 cost and performance case study reports describing the use of remediation technologies; 175 reports describing the use of site characterization and monitoring technologies; 110 case studies describing long-term monitoring/optimization of remediation technologies; and 78 reports describing the assessments of remediation technologies at hazardous waste sites. View or search these reports at http://www.frtr.gov/costperf.htm Abstracts of Remediation Case Studies, Volume 11 (EPA 542-R-07-004) This new report, published by the FRTR, is a collection of abstracts summarizing 10 cost and performance case studies on the use of remediation technologies at contaminated sites. The case studies include several different technologies for treating soil or groundwater contamination or acid rock drainage, with 3 reports addressing soil cleanup, 4 reports focusing on groundwater and 3 reports focusing on treating acid rock drainage (August 2007, 92 pages). View or download at http://clu-in.org/techpubs.htm From the Department of Energy ... DOE to Provide Nearly $20 Million to Further Development of Advanced Batteries for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability Kevin M. Kolevar recently announced DOE will invest nearly $20 million in plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) research. Five projects have been selected for negotiation of awards under DOE's collaboration with the United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) for $17.2 million in DOE funding for PHEV battery development projects and; DOE will provide nearly $2 million to the University of Michigan (U-M) to spearhead a study exploring the future of PHEVs. [Read more] DOE Commits $610,000 to Support NGA’s Effort to Further State-Level Commitment U.S. Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman recently announced that DOE will provide $610,000 (Fiscal Year 2007) to support the National Governors Association’s (NGA) work to enact meaningful energy policies at the state level, furthering the Department’s ongoing commitment to increase state and federal cooperation and collaboration. DOE will invest $550,000 in NGA’s Securing a Clean Energy Future Initiative and; $60,000 in support of NGA’s critical efforts to increase electricity assurance. [Read more] Department of Energy Selects U.S. University-led Teams for $30.7 Million in Nuclear Research Grants DOE recently announced the selection of 11 U.S. university-led grant recipient teams for cooperative research projects under DOE’s Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI) for up to $30.7 million over three years (FY’07-’09). NERI is a DOE initiative focused on developing advanced nuclear energy systems and providing state-of-the-art research concerning nuclear science and technology. [Read more] Department of Energy to Make Available up to $33.8 Million to Support Commercial Production of Cellulosic Biofuels DOE recently announced a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) that will make available up to $33.8 million to support the development of commercially viable enzymes - a key step to enabling bio-based production of clean, renewable biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol. As part of the President’s Twenty in Ten Plan, DOE is pursuing a long-term strategy to support increased availability and cost-effective use of renewable and alternative fuels. Twenty in Ten seeks to displace 20 percent of U.S. gasoline usage by 2017 through diversification of clean energy sources and increased vehicle efficiency. [Read more] DOE Announces Energy Assistance for New Orleans Public Schools;
DOE Secretary Samuel W. Bodman recently announced that DOE’s EnergySmart Schools Program will commit up to $1.5 million in technical assistance to provide as many as 75 comprehensive energy audits in public schools throughout the New Orleans area, identifying up to 25 percent in potential energy savings. Audits will include analysis of heating and cooling systems, lighting, and structural elements, such as roofing and building envelope assessments. In support of energy efficient rebuilding in New Orleans and on the Gulf Coast, these comprehensive audits will lay out opportunities for New Orleans’ public schools to save up to $1 million annually on utility bills. [Read more] Department of Energy Awards $3.8 Million in Funding to 38 U.S. Universities for Nuclear Research Infrastructure DOE recently strengthened its commitment to advancing nuclear power by awarding $100,000 to 38 universities to enhance nuclear research and development (R&D) under President Bush’s Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP). The one-time GNEP University Readiness awards total $3.8 million in funding and will include upgrading laboratories; improving reactor facilities; purchasing state-of-the-art equipment; providing increased faculty support and further enhancing nuclear-related curricula. GNEP is part of a President Bush’s Advanced Energy Initiative and aims to close the nuclear fuel cycle by reducing proliferation risks, reducing waste and further increasing energy security around the world. [Read more] DOE Launches Major Initiative to Increase Energy Savings Across the Nationwide DOE Complex by 30 Percent DOE Secretary Samuel W. Bodman recently launched the Transformational Energy Action Management (TEAM) Initiative, a Department-wide effort aimed at reducing energy intensity across the nationwide DOE complex by 30 percent. The TEAM Initiative aims to meet or exceed the aggressive goals for increasing energy efficiency throughout the federal government already laid out by President Bush. Reducing energy intensity by 30 percent across the DOE complex will save approximately $90 million in taxpayer dollars per year, after projects are paid for. [Read more] from Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) ... R&D Partnerships Available for Utility-Scale Wind Turbine and Ocean Energy Technologies The DOE Wind and Hydropower Technologies Program released its first call for proposals from companies or organizations interested in a research, testing, or product development partnership. These cost-neutral Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) partnerships will leverage industry experience and needs with the technology research and development expertise available at the National Renewable Energy and Sandia National Laboratories to solve industry's key questions in utility-scale wind and, subject to FY08 Congressional Appropriations for an Ocean Energy Program, ocean energy technologies. [Read more] National Governors Association Launches Clean Energy Initiative The National Governors Association (NGA) committed on September 12th to promoting clean energy policies across the country. The NGA's new "Securing a Clean Energy Future" initiative will enlist the efforts of all governors to enact meaningful clean energy policies at the state level. Specifically, the initiative will promote state policies that encourage energy efficiency and conservation; promote non-petroleum fuels; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and accelerate the research and development of advanced clean energy technologies. [Read more] DOE to Provide up to $2 Million for Tribal Renewable Energy Projects DOE announced on September 14th that it will make up to $2 million available to 15 Native American tribes and Alaskan villages. The selected tribes and villages will negotiate for the awards to support advancing renewable energy technologies on tribal lands and rural Alaskan villages. Six of those selected will study the feasibility of using renewable energy technologies on tribal lands, while nine will take first steps in implementing such technologies. [Read more] Nordic Financial Group Plans to Invest in U.S. Geothermal Power Glitner, a Nordic financial group, opened a New York office for its U.S. subsidiary on September 6th with the intent to invest heavily in geothermal power projects in the United States. Glitner has experience with geothermal development in Iceland and wants to carry that experience over to the United States, which it considers to be at the forefront of geothermal energy development. [Read more] Illinois Requires 25 Percent Renewable Power by 2025 Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich signed a bill on August 28th that requires the state's electric utilities to draw on renewable energy for 25% of their electricity needs by 2025. The renewable energy requirement starts at 2% of the power supply on June 1st, 2008, and ratchets up to 10% of the power supply on June 1st, 2015, then increases by 1.5% per year until 2025. [Read more] Kentucky Sets Incentives for Biofuels and Renewable Energy Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher signed wide-ranging energy legislation on August 30th that creates a variety of incentives for biofuels and renewable energy. House Bill 1 creates incentives of up to half the capital investment in a project that creates alternative fuel from biomass or that creates electricity from renewable energy sources. To qualify, a biofuel facility must involve a capital investment of at least $25 million and a renewable power facility must involve a capital investment of at least $1 million. [Read more] from EnergyTechNet ... Washington-Based Biomass Company Secures $3 Million in Funding Alternative Energy Retailer reports that Bellevue, Washington-based Greenwood Technologies has secured $3 million dollars in growth financing from Copia Associates, a private investment firm that provides capital and management assistance to emerging and middle market companies. "Clean energy is a global need and we are excited to gain the financial backing of Copia as a testament to our market proposition," says Greenwood's founder Tom Eckmann. "This funding is the next step in our goal to introduce more homes and businesses to the most energy-efficient hydronic wood and biomass boilers on the market." Founded in 2005, Greenwood Technologies manufactures wood- and biomass-based central heating appliances. Its clean burning, wood-fired hydronic furnaces are available through dealers and retailers across the U.S., Canada and the Pacific Rim. [Read more] Domestic Renewable Energy Use Increased in 2006 According to preliminary data released by the Energy Information Administration, total renewable energy consumption increased 7 percent between 2005 and 2006, reports the Dayton Daily News. South African Solar Innovator Achieves Technological Breakthrough After more than 13 years of hard work, Vivian Alberts will see the start of production of his innovative solar panel in Germany next month, according to a recent article in Business Report. The panel is thinner and up to 50 percent cheaper than those produced anywhere else in the world. After Alberts' research breakthrough, his employer, the University of Johannesburg (UJ), formed Photovoltaic Technology Intellectual Property (PTIP) to commercialise the photovoltaic technology. In August 2005 PTIP entered into a licence agreement with Germany's IFE Thin Film Technology. After restructuring, IFE became Johanna Solar Technology (JST), the universal successor of IFE. JST has seven shareholders, including state-owned Central Energy Fund. Its private sector investors include Richemont, VenFin and Anglo Coal. The company completed a €72 million (R712 million) production plant in Brandenburg, near Berlin, in March. New Technology Converts Low Rank Coal into “Green Fuel” Silverado Green Fuel, Inc. has designed a technology that can use low-rank coal (LRC), which represents half of the U.S.'s coal reserves, and help make America energy self-sufficient for decades to come, reports PRWeb.com. The company is planning to use this new technology to turn low-rank coal into "Green Fuel". This Green Fuel is made by "pressure cooking" low-rank coal to dehydrate the particles and release waxes and resins, leaving the particles in a safe, high-energy state, and suspended in their originally extracted water. [Read more]
from Technology News and Trends Multi-Process Phytoremediation System Field Tested on POPs Researchers continue to explore innovative strategies for addressing environmental contamination caused by persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Recent studies by the University of Waterloo demonstrate POP degradation through a multi-process phyto-remediation system (MPPS) based on accelerated remediation kinetics from multiple physical and biological processes. Greenhouse and pilot tests indicate that the process removes polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), and chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) from soils while stabilizing metals. [Read more] ART System Performance Enhanced by Effective Site Assessment EPA’s Region 7 office has used analytical data from small-diameter tree cores over the past eight years to identify shallow areas of soil and ground water with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the Riverfront Superfund site, located along the Missouri River in New Haven, MO. As an initial site assessment technique, tree-core analysis continues to significantly reduce the extent of analytical sampling (and associated costs) needed to identify contaminant source areas at the Riverfront site and to facilitate cleanup design and implementation. [Read more] EPA Compares Three Soil-Gas Sampling Systems for Vapor Intrusion Investigations Activated Carbon Applied to Sediment Potentially Reduces PCB Bioavailability Alcoa, Inc., EPA, Stanford University, and the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC) are conducting a joint in-situ pilot study to evaluate use of activated carbon (AC) for reducing bioavailability of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in river sediment. The study is taking place along the Grasse River in Massena, NY, 3.5 miles southeast of the Alcoa Massena West Plant. Past aluminum-manufacturing discharges from the facility resulted in PCB contamination of sediment and accumulation in the food chain, including fish. Recent laboratory studies on sediments from the Grasse River and other surface waters confirmed that AC incorporated into surface sediment effectively reduces PCB bioaccumulation in benthic organisms, which in turn is expected to reduce PCB concentrations in fish over time. [Read more] from Technology Innovation News Survey (TINS)... Passive Mine Water Treatment Tested In Norway Previous mining history in Norway has resulted in ongoing release of acid mine drainage. Preservation of the historical sites in mining areas does not allow for remediation technologies that result in significant alteration of the historical landscape. Therefore, alternative remediation techniques such as passive mine water treatment have been tested. [Read more] Sediment Dredging At Superfund Megasites: Assessing The Effectiveness Dredging remains one of the few approaches available for cleaning up contaminated sediments because it is an effective means to remove contaminated sediment mass permanently from the environment. But removing mass may not be enough to achieve desired cleanup levels or long-term goals for reducing risks, because dredging inevitably leaves residual contamination behind. The Committee on Sediment Dredging at Superfund Megasites examined 26 dredging projects, five of them at megasites, and evaluated whether they had attained their cleanup and risk-reduction goals. Dredging alone achieved expected cleanup results at only a few of the sites the committee analyzed. At many others, capping was also necessary to contain the remaining contamination at acceptable levels. [Read more] Research Examines Phytostabilization at Mining Sites in Arid and Semi-Arid Environments Technologies such as phytoremediation continue to show success in immobilizing metal contaminants and reducing acid rock drainage at mining sites [March 2006 TNT]. Superfund Basic Research Program (SBRP) researchers at the University of Arizona recently conducted field and greenhouse studies to evaluate phytostabilization at two semi-arid sites in Arizona. This type of phytoremediation aims to revegetate barren sites by replanting native plants capable of sequestering metals in the root zone without metal uptake in shoot tissues. Studies focused on identifying simple, low-cost revegetation strategies with minimal site preparation, compost application, or vegetation maintenance. [Read more] |
