Region 1: EPA New England
Serving Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont & 10 Tribal Nations
Greenbytes: July 29, 2005 Edition
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
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:
Join New England's "Best Workplaces
for Commuters" List
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Department of Transportation and other New England organizations have teamed up to identify companies and organizations which offer superior commuter benefits such as mass transit subsidies, telecommuting programs and carpool matching services. Participating companies and organizations will also have an exclusive opportunity to appear on New England’s list of Best Workplaces for Commuters. The 2005 list of Best Workplaces for Commuters will be released to the public in October 2005.
To date, 126 New England employers – representing over 173,000 employees – have earned the distinction of being placed on the list of New England’s Best Workplaces for Commuters. New England employers represent the full spectrum of the American workforce including large corporations with 13,000 employees to small businesses with five employees. They represent some of the best-known universities, bio-pharmaceutical companies and hospitals in the country, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Yale University, Fletcher Allen Healthcare in Burlington, VT, the University of New Hampshire and Millennium Pharmaceuticals in Cambridge, MA. Now, in addition to their core area of business, these employers are distinguished by their commitment to providing outstanding commuter benefits and commuter transportation solutions.
The Best Workplace for Commuters designation requires employers provide their employees with a comprehensive package of commuter benefits which include;
- at least one primary benefit (monthly transit/vanpool pass subsidy, cash in lieu of parking or a significant telecommuting program that reduces six percent of commute trips on a monthly basis);
- at least three supporting benefits (preferred parking for carpoolers, carpool/vanpool incentives, lockers/showers for bikers or walkers, incentives for living near work, etc.);
- a central point of contact for commuter information;
- access to a regional TMA or employer-provided Guaranteed/Emergency Ride Home program.
In addition, employers must commit to ensuring that at least 14 percent of their employees are not driving alone to work.
If your organization already offers outstanding commuter benefits to its employees, you deserve special recognition for reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality and contributing to New England’s quality of life. If not, here is an opportunity to establish strong commuter benefits and join the list of New England’s Best Workplaces for Commuters.
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Ground-Level Ozone Progress to Continue
To continue progress toward meeting a stronger 8-hour ozone standard, EPA is taking final action to revoke the prior, less stringent 1-hour standard. In the same action, EPA is making exceptions for 14 "Early Action Compact" areas, which will still be covered by the 1-hour standard as they work to meet the 8-hour standard ahead of schedule. Due to the terms of the compact, these areas must keep certain 1-hour ozone controls in place until they meet the more protective 8-hour ozone standard. In exchange for a deferred effective date of their 8-hour ozone designation, Early Action Compact areas have agreed to take action to achieve clean air earlier than required under the 8-hour standard -- no later than Dec. 31, 2007. In light of the revocation of the 1-hour ozone standard, minor technical changes were also made to the Code of Federal Regulations to accommodate the areas that are technically still covered by the old standard.
To learn more about this action, visit: http://www.epa.gov/ozonedesignations/
Updated Schedule for Re-registration and Tolerance Reassessment
of Older Pesticides
EPA has released an updated schedule for completing reassessment reviews of older pesticides during the next several years. By following this schedule, the Agency plans to meet its statutory deadlines to complete tolerance reassessment for all food uses of pesticides first registered by the Agency earlier than 1988. This work will be completed by August 3, 2006. Decisions for other, non-food use pesticides subject to the Agency's re-registration program will be completed by October 3, 2008. The revised decision schedule is available at http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/candidates.htm In issuing this schedule, the Agency also renews its commitment to a robust, inclusive public participation process. Neither public involvement nor sound science will be jeopardized in meeting our goals.
To assist stakeholders and the public in planning their involvement, EPA also has updated its Public Comment Period Schedule, indicating when opportunities for public comment are expected to begin for pesticides undergoing reviews. This schedule, which covers a 6-month period and is updated quarterly, is available at http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/publicsched.htm
New Environmental Research Fellowship Opportunities Available
Approximately 100 new fellowships will be awarded for research in environmental fields of study through the agency's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. The STAR program provides educational support for full-time masters and doctoral level students who plan to pursue environmental careers; with a focus on developing future leaders in environmental science, education, assessment, and restoration efforts. Deadline for applications is Oct. 18, 2005. Awards for this selection process will be made by May 30, 2006 for the fall term.
More than 1,300 applicants compete each year for approximately 100 fellowships through a rigorous merit review process. EPA has awarded more than 1,000 fellowships to students in almost every state and the District of Columbia. Examples of project areas undertaken by previous fellows include environmental engineering, environmental health sciences, toxicology, and the ecology of aquatic and terrestrial systems. Fellows will receive up to $37,000 per year, with masters degree candidates eligible for up to two years of support and doctoral candidates for a total of three years. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or be lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Information on STAR fellowships is available at: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/fellow. Detailed application information can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2006/2006_star_fellow.html
Emissions Trading Alternative Proposed to Help Improve
Visibility
Expanding upon the Clean Air Visibility Rule, EPA is proposing an emissions trading program to help state and tribal governments improve visibility in national parks and wilderness areas. EPA's proposal outlines an alternative emissions trading program that gives flexibility for states or tribal government in ways to apply Best Alternative Retrofit Technology (BART). The BART requirements would be satisfied if the trading program meets or exceeds the visibility benefits resulting from BART. The BART requirements of the Clean Air Visibility Rule apply to industrial facilities, built between 1962 and 1977, that emit air pollutants that reduce visibility by causing or contributing to regional haze. The Clean Air Visibility Rule, including the BART requirements finalized on June 15, 2005, will provide approximately $240 million annually in visibility improvements in southeastern and southwestern parks. The rule will also provide substantial health benefits in the range of $8.4 - $9.8 billion each year -- preventing an estimated 1,600 premature deaths, 2,200 non-fatal heart attacks, 960 hospital admissions, and more than 1 million lost school and work days. The total annual costs of this rule range from $1.4 to $1.5 billion. Today's proposal applies to an emissions trading alternative that states and tribes may use to improve visibility in specially protected areas.
The proposed emissions trading rule will be open for public comment for 45 days after publication in the Federal Register. EPA will take final action on this issue by November, 2005. For information about EPA's regional haze program, this proposal and how to make public comment visit: http://www.epa.gov/visibility.
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Durham , CT-EPA to hold Public Hearing on cleanup plan for the Durham Meadows Superfund Site
Acton , MA-Public comment period extended for proposed cleanup plan of W.R. Grace Site
Fall River , MA -Textile firm cited for Clean Air violations
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Public Hearing on the Proposed Cleanup Plan for W.R. Grace
Site
Acton, MA
August 4, 2005
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"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.
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