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Envirobytes - An Environmental Newsletter
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending December 5, 2008>
EPA GRANT ENABLES CHARTER SCHOOL TO DEMO RENEWABLE FUEL PROJECT
Students at the Wissahickon (Pa.) Charter School demonstrated their project to turn used vegetable oil from a local restaurant into fuel to run the school's van. The SmartFuel project funded by an EPA environmental education grant, gave the students the practical experience of improving the environment by producing a biodiesel (a less polluting alternative to fossil fuel) while at the same time reusing vegetable oil. "To ensure a clean, secure energy future, EPA is proud to help the next generation understand the lasting environmental and health benefits of renewable fuels," said EPA regional administrator Donald S. Welsh.
EPA OFFICIALS ATTEND PHARMACEUTICALS MEETING
On Dec. 2-3, in Washington, D.C., the Product Stewardship Institute (PSI) sponsored its second national dialogue meeting on pharmaceuticals. EPA was represented by managers and staff from its Office of Water, Office of Solid Waste, and other divisions, as well as Regions 3 and 6. EPA Deputy Administrator for Water Ben Grumbles opened the two-day session highlighting the EPA approach to the issue of emerging contaminants. EPA's strategy is to bring better understanding of the issue by building partnerships, using regulatory tools, and strengthening science. For information on this emerging issue, go to EPA's pharmaceuticals Web site at http://www.epa.gov/ppcp/ .
REGION 3 SOLID WASTE GRANT GARNERS MORE THAN 88 TONS OF PAPER
EPA Region 3's Solid Waste Program awarded a $12,500 grant to the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) to implement paper recycling programs in the Central Virginia schools during the 2007-2008 school year. According to the latest grant report the 28 CVWMA schools enrolled in the program have collected 88.7 tons of paper from September 2007 to November 2008. All of this paper was being sent to landfills prior to this effort. For further information on the school recycling program in Central Virginia go to: http://www.cvwma.com/education_and_outreach/education_resources/school_recycling/pilot_program.wbp. 
US INVESTS IN METHANE RECOVERY AND FUEL USE TO STIMULATE GLOBAL MARKETS
The third annual Methane to Markets (M2M) partnership report (developed collaboratively by EPA and other agencies) highlights America's global efforts to reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. M2M is a public/private partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the cost-effective recovery and use of methane while providing clean energy to markets around the world. M2M recovers methane from agricultural waste, coal mines, landfills, and oil and gas systems for use as clean energy. The U.S. has provided about $28.5 million through 2007 to support a wide range of methane reduction projects and activities. For more information on the report, go to http://www.epa.gov/methanetomarkets/accompreport.htm
EPA AWARDS PESTICIDE REGISTRATION IMPROVEMENT GRANTS
Pesticide Registration Improvement Renewal Act Partnership grants (PRIA2 grants) totaling nearly $1 million have been awarded for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) projects that reduce pesticide risk. The grants support the demonstration of innovative IPM practices, technologies, outreach and education as an environmentally effective and common-sense approach to pest management. Five projects were selected for their use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches to advance public-private partnerships that focus on efforts to reduce risk associated with the use of pesticides. For more information about the grant program, please visit http://www.epa.gov/pesp/pria2grants.htm
EPA TO INCLUDE LARGE TRUCKS AND BUSES IN CLEAN AIR REQUIREMENTS
New EPA requirements will help heavy-duty vehicles run more cleanly by requiring them to include OBDs (on-board diagnostic systems) which monitor emission control systems and have previously been required on passenger cars since the mid-1990s. Specifically, OBDs accurately pinpoint malfunctions when seeking repairs and are an important tool to prevent pollution by improving air quality and helping states meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards. The final rule is a major step in EPA's efforts to work with the California Air Resources Board to develop a consistent national heavy-duty OBD program. For more information, go to http://www.epa.gov/obd/regtech/heavy.htm
INTERNET-BASED WATERSHED PLANNING COURSE FEATURES REGION 3 EXAMPLES
The EPA Region 3 Blacks Creek Restoration Plan and the Mill Creek Watershed Implementation Plan (both in Pennsylvania) are being featured in the Texas M&M Watershed Planning Course offered on the Web. The Region 3 plans serve as examples in restoring and protecting water quality. State Nonpoint Source Programs in Region 3 have developed more than 100 watershed plans that await full implementation. For more information, go to http://watershedplanning.tamu.edu/resources.php .
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