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Greenbytes: May 19, 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.


Feature: Greater Boston Breathes Better Partners Poised for Results

Recently, the Greater Boston Breathes Better (GB3) partners hosted a half-day workshop to discuss a promising new strategy to reduce diesel emissions from construction equipment through contract requirements. 

Area institutions participated along with local contractors in a three hour workshop to discuss the costs and benefits of implementing this strategy.  Representatives from the Big Dig, Conn. Dept. of Transportation and the Mass. Dept. of Environmental Protection shared their unique experiences with developing and implementing contract requirements, while experts from Cummins Northeast and Johnson Matthey gave presentations on the available technologies.

Launched last November, the GB3 partnership brings together members of federal, state and local government, private industry, area institutions and non-profit organizations, all working together to reduce emissions from transportation and construction sources. 

To date, GB3 partners have leveraged more than $8 million in federal, state and private funds to equip over 1600 diesel vehicles in the Boston area with advanced pollution controls, reducing per vehicle emissions between 20 and 90 percent.  Impressive achievements for a group still months away from its first anniversary!

Diesel engine exhaust contributes significantly to air pollution in the Boston area.  The fine particles in diesel exhaust can cause or aggravate a number of health problems.  People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children are considered at greatest risk from particle pollution.  One of the most effective ways to reduce emissions from diesel engines is through the use of advanced pollution control devices. 

The GB3 partners - EPA, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the cities of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville, Massport, Sprague Energy, Burke Oil, Skanksa USA, MIT, Harvard University, MASCO (representing the hospitals in Longwood Medical Area), Environmental Defense, NESCAUM and the New England Asthma Regional Council - are working to find effective strategies to reduce these, and other, harmful emissions.  Many GB3 members have already taken voluntarily steps to reduce pollution from diesel engines:

Reducing pollution from diesel engines is a high priority for EPA and brings important public health and air quality benefits to both the people working on these sites and to those living in surrounding communities.  Together, through voluntary partnerships like GB3 and the National Clean Diesel Campaign, we are building a cleaner future.

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Proposals for New Clean Diesel Projects Due June 29

EPA is making available nearly $1.5 million to further advance the goals of the Northeast Diesel Collaborative. The Northeast Diesel Collaborative is a partnership of public and private organizations working to reduce diesel pollution and improve air quality in the eight northeastern states. Proposals are encouraged from state and local governments, federally-recognized tribes, environmental organizations, colleges and universities, hospitals and other non-profits interested in establishing innovative projects to reduce diesel emissions in their communities. Projects will be funded in the following four categories: Marine Vessels and Ports, Construction, Locomotives/Rail, or School Buses. Projects may include, but are not limited to, a variety of diesel emissions reductions strategies such as add-on pollution control technology, engine replacement, idle reduction technologies, or cleaner fuel use. Proposals are due June 29, 2006.

Major Sectors Show Environmental Stewardship Advances

The number of buildings meeting green building standards doubled last year.  Paint and coating manufacturers now reclaim 97 percent of all waste solvents for further use. Steel recycling has reached a 20-year high.  The forest products sector now leads all manufacturers in use of co-generation, a highly efficient process that creates heat and electricity from a single source. These are just a few of the environmental performance trends highlighted in a new EPA report. Through EPA's Sector Strategies Program, more than 20 national trade associations – representing 12 major sectors of the U.S. economy – are working with the agency to improve their environmental performance while also reducing unnecessary administrative burden.  The participating sectors represent more than 780,000 facilities in manufacturing (cement, forest products, steel, metal casting, metal finishing, paint and coatings, shipbuilding, and specialty-batch chemical) and non-manufacturing sectors (colleges and universities, construction, ports, and agribusiness).  Collectively, these sectors contribute nearly $2.1 trillion to the gross domestic product and $5 billion in environmental spending each year.  The report also provides a first-time look at how EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) data can be used to target the greatest hazard reduction opportunities when managing chemicals. 

Air Toxics Reductions from Municipal Waste Combustors Locked In

To ensure continued reductions in air toxics, EPA finalized a rule tightening emissions limits for large municipal waste combustors (MWCs).  Large municipal waste combustors are trash incinerators that burn more than 250 tons a day of solid waste.  The final rule will ensure that high performance levels at MWCs are maintained.  EPA is also finalizing several changes to the rules to simplify implementation.

New Interactive Web Site - Totally Rad

From seeing a stadium laser light show to receiving an x-ray, radiation is part of our lives.  That's why EPA has launched “RadTown USA,” a new web site that uses an animated town to provide basic information on radiation in the environment.  RadTown USA is a virtual community showing the wide variety of radiation sources commonly encountered in everyday life.  The RadTown site features houses, a school, stadium, construction site, flying plane, moving train and much more to highlight and explain the many common sources of radiation. 

New Study Finds Keys to Success for Asthma Programs

Asthma programs that address environmental triggers work best when closely connected to front-line health care providers and local communities, according to an international study of over 400 asthma programs. The study, called the Asthma Health Outcomes Project, found that the asthma programs used a variety of approaches, such as educating health care providers or intensive home visits with follow-up support to families, to address environmental triggers that make asthma worse.  The programs work to improve health outcomes, such as reduced emergency room visits, improved quality of life, and fewer missed days of school or work. 

Clean-Burning Gas Benefits Will Continue with More Flexibility

Recently final action took effect that will provide U.S. oil refiners with more flexibility while maintaining the significant clean air benefits of the reformulated gasoline (RFG) program.  As required by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, EPA is removing the RFG two-percent oxygen content requirement that reduces production burdens while continuing to protect the environment.  RFG is made up of many components to ensure low vehicle emissions.  Although oxygenates can be used to produce RFG, other gasoline components can be used to ensure that RFG continues to meet its clean air requirements. RFG is required by the Clean Air Act in large metropolitan areas with the greatest ozone pollution, but other areas may choose to use RFG to take advantage of its clean air benefits. EPA estimates that RFG reduces emissions of ozone-forming pollutants by 105,000 tons per year, the equivalent of eliminating the ozone pollution from 16 million cars.  RFG also reduces toxic pollutants by about 24,000 tons per year, the equivalent of eliminating the toxic emissions from over 13 million vehicles.

New Model Serves as Resource for States to Cut Truck Fuel Use

To help facilitate more consistent, effective state truck idling laws, EPA has developed a model that states can consider adopting to help strengthen idling reduction efforts, reduce fuel consumption and improve industry compliance.  Reducing idling conserves energy, helps the environment and saves industry money.  Each year, truck idling consumes over one billion gallons of diesel fuel, resulting in the emission of 11 million tons of carbon dioxide, over 180,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, as well as emission of fine particulate matter and other air toxics.  The model is based on input from workshops EPA held across the country last year with the trucking industry, states, and environmental and health groups.

EPA Unveils First-Ever Assessment of U.S. Wadeable Streams

A new study called the Wadeable Streams Assessment is the first consistent evaluation of the streams that feed rivers, lakes, and coastal waters. Conducted between 2000 and 2004, the study was based on sampling at 1,392 sites selected to represent the condition of all streams that share similar ecological characteristics in various regions. The survey found that stream conditions vary widely across the diverse ecological regions of the country, and that streams in the West were in the best condition. The study measured key chemical and physical indicators that reveal stress, or degradation of streams. The most widespread stressors observed are nitrogen, phosphorus, and streambed sediments, which smother aquatic habitat and degrade conditions for fish. 

A Better Image with Less Energy

A typical home office with a fax, printer, copier and scanner is projected to save more than $300 over the life of the products thanks to new Energy Star specifications for imaging equipment. For the first time, the specifications cover energy use when the product is in use as well as in standby. The new specifications were developed because market research showed that technology had evolved in response to the Energy Star program, raising new opportunities to improve efficiency. On average, Energy Star qualifying imaging equipment will be 30 percent more efficient than conventional models. The revisions to the will save consumers more than $3 billion over the next five years and avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the emissions of more than four million cars. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $12 billion on their energy bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 23 million vehicles.

Tools Will Help Small Drinking Water Utilities Monitor Drinking Water

EPA has released a set of user-friendly multimedia products to help small drinking-water utilities determine federal monitoring requirements and prepare water compliance samples under the Safe Drinking Water Act. The tool kit features an interactive Rule Wizard web site that provides a complete list of all of the federal monitoring requirements for a selected type and size of public drinking water system, a companion tool—the Interactive Sampling Guide for Drinking Water Operators—that features a CD-ROM with a video and a slide presentation that illustrates proper sampling procedures, and case studies which are also presented on the CD-ROM to help public water system owners and operators work with state and local agencies when contaminants are detected. The Interactive Sampling Guide for Drinking Water Operators brochure provides an overview of the CD-ROM and the Rule Wizard, that will be sent to EPA's state and technical assistance partners for distribution to public water systems. 

The CD-ROM is available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791), the Water Resource Center (202-566-1729), and the National Service Center for Environmental Publications (1-800-490-9198). 

National Guidance Issued to Prepare Ships as Artificial Reefs

EPA and the Maritime Administration have jointly released guidance recommending environmental best management practices (BMPs) for cleaning ships that are to be sunk as artificial reefs. This guidance will promote consistency and help to ensure that obsolete and decommissioned military and commercial vessels sunk for this purpose will be environmentally sound. The guidance identifies materials or categories of materials that may be onboard ships, where they may be found, general clean-up performance goals, and information on how to achieve those goals. Verifying that the BMP goals were met can help support permit and certification decisions for vessel-to-reef projects. Reaching the clean-up goals, along with strategic site selection, will set the scene for these vessels to benefit the environment as artificial reefs.

First U.S. Voluntary Standard for Computers in Place

 A new voluntary performance standard has been established to help large computer buyers make environmentally sound purchases. The standard has been established to help purchasers reduce the environmental impact of desktop and laptop computers and monitors they buy, use and discard. The new standard offers criteria in eight categories --- material selection; environmentally sensitive materials; design for end of life; end-of-life management; energy conservation; product longevity and life-cycle extension; packaging; and corporate performance.

 

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Press Releases

Bookmark for EPA New England News: http://www.epa.gov/region1/pr/press.html

05/12/2006 Seven Brownfields Grants Totaling $1.4 Million Awarded in Rhode Island - Part of Nearly $70 Million Funded Nationwide
05/12/2006 Eleven Brownfields Grants Totaling $3 Million Awarded in Vermont - Part of Nearly $70 Million Funded Nationwide
05/12/2006 Ten Brownfields Grants Totaling $2 Million Awarded in Massachusetts - Part of Nearly $70 Million Funded Nationwide
05/12/2006 Ten Brownfields Grants Totaling $2 Million Awarded in Connecticut - Part of Nearly $70 Million Funded Nationwide
05/12/2006 Eight Brownfields Grants Totaling $2.3 Million Awarded in Maine - Part of Nearly $70 Million Funded Nationwide
05/12/2006 Brownfields Grant for $200K Awarded in Raymond, New Hampshire - Part of Nearly $70 Million Funded Nationwide
05/11/2006 Hartford Metropolitan District Fined $850K for Illegal Sewage Discharges - Settlement Will Significantly Reduce Sewage Discharges in Hartford Area
05/10/2006

Rohm and Haas Facility in Mass. Recognized by EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track Program
05/09/2006 Six New England Facilities Accepted Into EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track Program
05/08/2006 UNH Applauded by EPA for First ENERGY STAR Residence Halls in U.S.
05/05/2006 Rhode Island Officials and EPA Celebrate Clean School Bus Efforts - EPA Announces $1.5 million for New Clean Diesel Projects
05/05/2006 Judge’s Ruling Confirms EPA Fine for Lead Paint Violations by Two Rhode Island Companies
05/03/2006 Connecticut Company Pays Fine for Ozone Violations in North Haven
05/03/2006 Granite State Individuals and Groups Receive Prestigious Regional Environmental Awards
05/03/2006 Connecticut Citizens Receive Prestigious Regional Environmental Award
05/03/2006 Bay State Individuals and Groups Receive Prestigious Regional Environmental Awards
05/03/2006 Rhode Island Researcher Receives Regional Environmental Award
05/03/2006

Environmental Officials will Discuss Ongoing Superfund Cleanup at Public Meeting in Gray, Maine
05/03/2006 Burlington’s Peter Clavelle Receives EPA Lifetime Achievement Award
05/03/2006 Maine Citizen and Two Groups Receive Prestigious Regional Environmental Awards
04/27/2006 Environmental Cleanup Continues at Somers Plating Site in Conn
04/26/2006 Students from Marshfield, Mass. Receive Presidential Award for Environmental Project
04/26/2006 Massachusetts General Hospital Commended for Second-hand Smoke Program
04/24/2006 Fine Proposed Against Cambridge, Mass. Candy Maker for Ozone Violations
04/21/2006 Charles River Report Card: Continued Progress Cleaning ‘That Dirty Water’
04/20/2006 EPA and DOJ Reach $4 Million Settlement at Chase Brass and Copper Site in Watertown, Conn.
04/18/2006 Rhode Island Landlord to Pay Penalty and Take Steps to Reduce Risk of Lead Poisoning
04/18/2006 Keene N.H. Fined for Violations at Wastewater Treatment Plant
04/18/2006 Wilmington Mass. Olin Chemical Site Added to National Superfund List
04/18/2006 Settlement Results in Yale Fine for Hazardous Waste-Related Financial Violation

Automatically receive all EPA New England news releases:
http://www.epa.gov/region1/pr/pr-ne-subscribe.html

 

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Meetings & Conferences

Index of May and June meetings

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What's New on the Web

Greater Boston Breathes Better - Updated info

NPDES - Remediation NOIs

NPDES - Final State Permits

Storm Water reports - Mass

Drinking Water – Technical Assistance Organizations

Rivers/Watersheds – Ipswich River

Rivers/Watersheds - updated fact sheets

Public Notices

Toxic Releases Inventory

EPCRA Web page

Brownfields – What’s New and 2006 Grants

GE - Housatonic site - new data and reports

Aerovox Superfund site - updated

RSS Now Available for EPA New England info:

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In The News Daily Email Service

"In The News" is a free daily service that provides links to today's top newspaper stories about the New England environment and links to related EPA New England information.

In The News Email Service: As soon as today's edition of "In The News" has been posted we will inform you via email.

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