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Envirobytes - An Environmental Newsletter
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Weeks Ending November 21, 2008 and November 28, 2008
EPA TO SET POLLUTION CAPS FOR CHESAPEAKE BAY RESTORATION
On Nov. 20, EPA renewed its commitment to develop a Chesapeake Bay-wide pollution cap known as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) of the major river basins in the 64,000-square-mile Chesapeake Bay watershed by December 2010. The TMDL will be used to allocate nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment "loadings" in all bay watershed jurisdictions (New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia). EPA Region 3 will develop the TMDL and work with state agencies to determine what actions are needed to implement the caps to proceed with bay restoration efforts. For more information, go to http://www.epa.gov/owow/tmdl/
REGION 3 WATERSENSE PROGRAM SHOWS GAINS
The EPA WaterSense program encourages consumers to save water, conserve energy, and protect the environment by buying quality, water-efficient WaterSense labeled products. Under the program, EPA partners with manufacturers, retailers and distributors, local and state governments, utilities, water districts, trade associations, nonprofits, certified irrigation professionals, and professional certifying organizations to bring water-efficient products to market and spread the word about the need for smart water use. The region now leads the nation with 170 pledges for first quarter Fiscal Year 2009. Currently, the City of Philadelphia Water Department, The York Water Company, and the Central Delaware County Water Authority have joined the program. For additional information, go to http://www.epa.gov/watersense
AGREEMENT WILL HELP IMPROVE SEPTIC WASTEWATER SYSTEMS
Wastewater treatment systems serving 25 million homes nationwide will be improved under an agreement between EPA and 14 national organizations pledging to implement effective wastewater management programs, and to exchange information providing technical assistance to members, states and local municipalities. Nearly one quarter of the nation's housing and commercial development depend on onsite and septic wastewater treatment systems. Septic systems perform at a high level when properly sited, designed, and maintained. However, failing septic systems pose a great threat to surface and groundwater, and are a threat to groundwater quality. For more information on EPA's wastewater treatment system program, go to http://epa.gov/owm/septic
EPA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT TO ADD PHARMACEUTICAL WASTE TO MORE STRINGENT HAZARDOUS WASTE RULE
EPA is proposing to streamline the classification system for disposing of hazardous pharmaceutical waste (now classified as non-hazardous under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act), by adding pharmaceutical waste disposal under the more stringent Universal Waste Rule. The federal Universal Waste Rule includes batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and lamps. Note: The proposed rule does not apply to pharmaceutical manufacturing or production facilities. Comments will be accepted for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. For information on the proposed rule, go to http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/wastetypes/universal/pharm.htm
UPDATED ACTION PLAN LOOKING TO COST EFFECTIVE, ENERGY EFFICIENT FUTURE
Initiated in 2005 by EPA and the Department of Energy, the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency is directed by a leadership group of 30 electric and gas utilities, 20 state agencies and 12 other organizations. This initiative is designed to help electric and natural gas ratepayers increase energy efficiency while saving money. The updated action plan -- National Action Plan Vision for 2025: A Framework for Change -- outlines strategies to lower the growth in energy demand across the country by more than 50 percent, and shows ways to save more than $500 billion in net savings over the next 20 years. These actions may help to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to emissions from 90 million vehicles. The documents and the action plan are available at: http://www.epa.gov/eeactionplan
REPORT LISTS EPA'S 2008 ENVIRONMENTAL AND FINANCIAL PROGRESS
EPA has released a new report that describes the agency's environmental and financial progress over the past year. The Performance and Accountability Report highlights EPA's efforts to dramatically reduce air pollution, improve water quality, make significant strides in cleaning up Superfund sites, increase health and environmental safety through pesticide and chemical evaluation, and avoid pollution through strong enforcement actions in fiscal year 2008. The report meets the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act and other management-related statutes. The 2008 Performance and Accountability Report is available at http://www.epa.gov/ocfo/par/2008par/index.htm
SUPERFUND CLEANUP EFFORTS MAKE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS
The EPA Superfund program that cleans up the most serious hazardous waste sites across the country and readies them for productive reuse continues to make significant progress. Construction was completed at 30 sites in 2008, for a cumulative total of 1,060 sites or approximately 67 percent of the sites on the National Priorities List. In 2008, 85 sites were designated as ready for future reuse, with all measures in place to ensure that the sites are protective over the long term. This reflects the high priority EPA places on cleaning and restoring contaminated properties and ensuring the protection of human health and the environment. Information on the Superfund's fiscal year 2008 accomplishments is available at http://www.epa.gov/superfund/accomp/numbers08.htm
EPA INCREASES RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD FOR 2009
Under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, EPA is responsible for revising and implementing regulations to ensure that gasoline sold in the United States contains a minimum volume of renewable fuel. The Renewable Fuel Standard program will increase the volume of renewable fuel required to be blended into gasoline from 7.76 percent in 2008 (roughly 9 billion gallons), to an increase in 2009 of 10.21 percent ensuring that 11.1 billion gallons of renewable fuels are blended into transportation gasoline. Based on the standard, each refiner, importer and non-oxygenate blender of gasoline must determine the minimum volume of renewable fuel it must ensure is used in motor vehicle fuel. For more information, go to http://www.epa.gov/otaq/renewablefuels/index.htm
KOPPERS, INC. JOINS VOLUNTARY PARTNERSHIP TO REDUCE PRIORITY CHEMICALS
EPA Region 3 presented Koppers, Inc. with a plaque for their enrollment as a National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) partner, a voluntary EPA program which focuses on reducing 31 Priority Chemicals found in the nation's products and wastes. The Follansbee, W. Va. plant manufactures carbon pitch, refined tars, specialty and soft pitch (roofing pitch) using crude coke oven tar as the raw material. Koppers committed to a source reduction goal of 50,154 pounds of Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs) and 8,680 pounds of Benzo(ghi)perylene, and to a recycling and recovery goal of 13,049 pounds of PACs and 1,000 pounds of Benzo(ghi)perylene, by December 2009.
EPA SEEKS PROPOSED GUIDELINES TO CONTROL POLLUTION FROM CONSTRUCTION SITES
EPA is seeking comments on its proposed guidelines to control the discharge of pollutants from construction sites. The proposal would require all construction sites to implement erosion and sediment control best management practices to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges. Sediment is one of the leading causes of water quality impairment, including reducing water depth in small streams, lakes and reservoirs. This proposal, if implemented, would significantly reduce the amount of sediment and other pollutants discharged from construction sites. For information on the proposal, go to http://www.epa.gov/ost/guide/construction/
CELEBRATE THE ENVIRONMENT: GO GREEN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WITHOUT BREAKING YOUR BUDGET
EPA can help you save money and protect the environment during the holidays. There are many ways to reduce waste, reuse items, and recycle products and prevent them from ending up in a landfill. Unwanted electronics can be donated to local charities, community groups, local schools, or nonprofit organizations. Gifts can be selected that are made with recycled material and have less packaging. There are many green electronic products in the market. If you are preparing for the upcoming digital TV transition, extend the life of your current TV by purchasing a converter box. To get more ideas from others on being green, go to http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2008/11/26/more-holiday-cheer-less-holiday-waste/ For tips to reduce holiday waste, go to http://epa.gov/osw/wycd/funfacts/winter.htm Donate or recycle your electronics at http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm
EPA CAN HELP CONSUMERS SELECT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY VEHICLES
If you're shopping for a car or light truck this year, EPA can help. There are some simple ways to find the best one for your family. There are also easy ways to improve your fuel economy, regardless of what model you drive. When shopping for a car, go to EPA's Green Vehicle Guide to look for vehicles that earned EPA's SmartWay designation, meaning that they are among the cleanest, most fuel-efficient. Use the Green Vehicle guide at http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles For Gas mileage tips, go to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/drive.shtml To see how other people are going green this holiday season go to http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2008/11/24/celebrate-the-environment-getting-there-in-an-environmentally-friendly-way/
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