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Envirobytes
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending February 8, 2008
REVISED STANDARDS PROMPT NEW AIR QUALITY DESIGNATIONS
EPA is reviewing the mid-Atlantic states’ recommendations as to which areas are not meeting EPA air quality standards and should be designated as nonattainment under a revised, national air quality standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). EPA will make a final determination by Dec. 18, after which citizens will be provided with critical information about air pollution levels in their communities. Particulate matter are minute particles (2.5 micrometers in size or smaller) mixed with droplets in the air that are of great risk to public health and the environment. To learn more about PM2.5 and the revised standards, go to http://www.epa.gov/oar/particlepollution/naaqsrev2006.html
SHARON, PA TO ADOPT PRETREATMENT LIMITS FOR FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS
An Administrative Order was issued to the City of Sharon, Pa. to adopt pretreatment limits for the discharge of animal based fats, oils and greases (FOGs) from food service establishments. The city’s wastewater treatment operations will be able to reduce total suspended solids by 1,501 lbs/year, biochemical oxygen demand by 375 lbs/year, and chemical oxygen demand by 11,892 lbs/year (three measures that determine treatment plant efficiency). It is expected that blockages from the city wastewater treatment plant’s FOG discharges will decrease as FOG reduction activities become part of plant management operations, its maintenance program and daily practices.
EPA-SPONSORED RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER GROUP TACKLES CLIMATE CHANGE
On their 35th training session, 42 members of the region's successful senior retired environmental education training program visited the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge on Jan. 31 to attend a climate change training presentation by Carol Butler, a member of the Pennsylvania Resources Council. Up to now, more than 200 senior volunteers, from 29 Retired Senior Volunteer Program chapters, have participated in the environmental education train-the-trainer programs and have exceeded their initial goal of reaching 20,000 people with their environmental know-how.
EPA PERSONNEL TAKE PART IN UPCOMING UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL PROGRAM INSPECTOR TRAINING COURSE
EPA regional staff helped in the development of the national Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program inspector training course to be held this year in Dallas, Tx. from March 10-13. This course is required of state and federal UIC personnel to qualify to conduct the UIC inspections necessary to protect underground sources of drinking water from contamination. Training includes learning to identify wells that do not comply with operating requirements or that have a potential to endanger underground sources of drinking water. For information on the underground injection control program, go to http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/uic/
BALTIMORE (MD) HARBOR NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS TMDL MEETS EPA APPROVAL
EPA has approved the Baltimore Harbor nitrogen and phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), with the exception of the Deep Channel portion which will remain on Maryland’s list of nutrient impaired waters until further action is taken. Overall, the Baltimore Harbor TMDLs represent significant and important improvements in water quality protection. The approved final decision rationale documents are available at http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/tmdl/ The approved final TMDL/WQA documents are available at www.mde.state.md.us/tmdl For basic information on TMDLs, go to http://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/tmdl/primer.htm
EPA WORKSHOP PROVIDES ENERGY EFFICIENCY TRAINING TO PHILADELPHIA-AREA HOSPITALS
The EPA regional office provided Philadelphia-area hospitals with an Energy Star Portfolio Manager Web-based benchmarking tool workshop at its computer training center in Philadelphia. Training featured an on-line interactive seminar where hospitals entered a building’s energy-use data into the Web-based Energy Star Portfolio Manager to determine its energy performance rating and the best energy efficiency choices for the hospital. High performing buildings use much less energy than average buildings with no compromise in comfort. For information on the Energy Star Portfolio Manager, go to http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=evaluate_performance.bus_portfoliomanager
EPA STAFF INTERVIEWED ON GREEN BUILDINGS
NBC-TV Channel 10 News (Philadelphia) reporter Terry Ruggles interviewed EPA’s Lorna Rosenberg (regional green building coordinator) about the environmental benefits of green buildings and EPA programs such as Energy Star that encourage these efforts. Besides conserving energy, green buildings can reduce the need for resources, have lower operating costs, raise employee productivity, and become more sustainable than conventional buildings.
EPA LECTURERS PARTICIPATE IN GLOBAL WARMING TEACH-IN AT FROSTBURG STATE UNIVERSITY, MD.
EPA staff joined more than 1,500 colleges, schools and community groups and colleges across the country to take part in the Focus the Nation “teach-in,” a national grassroots effort to discuss global warming and its possible solutions. EPA’s Maggie Passmore participated in the panel at Maryland’s Frostburg State University on natural resource impacts, with a presentation on the downstream effects of mountaintop coal mining. At the same Frostburg “teach-in,” EPA’s Tom DeMoss participated in the panel on balancing people, planet and profit, with a presentation on the stream restoration industry.
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