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Envirobytes - An Environmental Newsletter
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending September 12, 2008
EPA TEMPORARILY WAIVES VIRGINIA, MARYLAND AND DC’S REFORMULATED GASOLINE REQUIREMENTS DUE TO HURRICANES
Due to the current havoc caused by hurricanes Gustav and Ike, starting immediately, and ending on Oct. 7, EPA has temporarily waived reformulated gasoline use in Washington, DC, Baltimore, Md. and the Richmond and Hampton Roads, Va. ozone nonattainment areas where federal reformulated gasoline is required to be sold. This waiver allows the sale of conventional gasoline where normally prohibited, and allows conventional fuel to be brought in from nearby gasoline markets. For details on the towns and counties for which the fuel waiver applies, go to www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/caa/fuelwaivers/
EPA ADDS HYDROGEN FUEL CELL VEHICLE TO ITS GREEN FLEET
Committed to increasing its alternative fuel vehicle fleet to reduce harmful emissions and increase fuel efficiency, EPA has entered into a grant agreement with the Department of Energy for a six-month lease on a fourth generation Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell Car as the newest addition to the agency's green fleet. With hydrogen as its only fuel, this vehicle emits no greenhouse gases, and is an alternative to traditional, petroleum-based vehicles that emit carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and other pollutants. For information on Greening of EPA's Fleet, go to: epa.gov/greeningepa/greenfleet/index.htm
EPA PODCAST FEATURES WATERSENSE PROGRAM
The WaterSense program is one answer to the need to conserve water at a time when clean water is a fragile, finite commodity in a world faced with increased population and economic expansion. WaterSense is an EPA-sponsored voluntary partnership program promoting water efficiency and water-efficient products and practices. The podcast provides valuable information on the program, its labeled products, and how businesses and organizations can join the WaterSense program to protect the environment and save water. The podcast is available at http://www.epa.gov/region03/multimedia/index.html
NEW EPA ONLINE TOOL PROVIDES WORKPLACE ENERGY SAVING TIPS
The EPA Energy Star program's new online tool, Energy Star@Work, provides useful tips and information to save energy and protect the environment in the workplace. Commercial building and manufacturing plant energy use accounts for nearly half of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 50 percent of energy consumption nationwide. The average American worker spends almost 8 hours a day at the workplace where they can make a significant impact in the fight against climate change. Energy Star@Work illustrates how to save energy and fight global warming by making many of the same green choices at work that are made at home. For more information, go to http://www.energystar.gov/work\
EPA APPROVES MARYLAND PROGRAM TO REDUCE EMISSIONS AT 15 COAL-FIRED ELECTRIC GENERATING UNITS
On Sept. 4, EPA published a Federal Register notice approving Maryland’s regulation to limit emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) for 15 coal-fired electric generating units located at 7 power plants in Maryland. The regulation will help bring Maryland into attainment with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for 8 hour ozone and fine particulate matter by the 2010 attainment deadline. When implemented, the regulation will result in an about 75 percent reduction in NOx and 85 percent reduction in SO2 from the affected sources’ 2002 emission levels. This final rule is effective on Oct. 6, 2008. For more information, go to http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-AIR/2008/September/Day-04/a20000.htm
REGION 3 AWARDS PESTICIDE MISUSE INITIATIVE GRANT TO PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Region 3 awarded a $14,500 Pesticide Misuse Initiative grant to Pennsylvania State University for a project titled Developing and Delivering Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Messages for Residential and Public Areas. This project aims to reduce potential health risks to humans from pests and conventional pest management practices. The project will develop IPM messages on lawn care, pest control and pesticide safety and a series of IPM displays for use at the U.S. Botanical Garden in Washington, DC and by extension educators through the Northeast. IPM posters will be utilized in public transportation systems in cities such as Philadelphia, Pa. and Washington, DC. The IPM program uses knowledge of a pest’s habits and needs to implement pest prevention. For more information, go to http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsheets/ipm.htm
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