![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Envirobytes - An Environmental Newsletter
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending May 30, 2008
EPA ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS BY JUNE 30 FOR ITS NEW ENVIRONMENTAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
EPA is accepting nominations, by June 30, to select individuals and groups that are making significant contributions to reduce pollution, and/or protect public health and the environment in the region (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia or the District of Columbia). The EPA Mid-Atlantic Environmental Achievement Awards will be presented in three categories: business and industry, non-profit or volunteer organization, and state, local or federal government agency. EPA will review the nominations, select the winners, and hold an awards ceremony at its regional office in Philadelphia on Sept. 18.
MARINE AND AVIATION COMMUNITIES REMINDED OF THEIR REFORMULATED GASOLINE USE REQUIREMENTS
The Clean Air Act requires that cities with high levels of ozone pollution (non-attainment areas) use reformulated gasoline because it is 15 to 17 percent less polluting than conventional gasoline. With the approach of summer, marinas in Region 3 are required to use reformulated gasoline, and to follow the special precautions in its use. Airfields are being reminded that since the Federal Aviation Administration has not yet cleared ethanol-containing blends for use in aircraft, they must use conventional, non-ethanol-based gasoline at this time. Information on the use of reformulated gasoline can be found at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/rfg.htm
EPA CAN HELP SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH MOLD AND INDOOR AIR PROBLEMS
The EPA Tools for Schools program improves a school's indoor environment through the adoption of voluntary indoor air quality management practices. For instance, EPA will offer assistance with mold mitigation and with improving indoor air quality to a Pennsylvania elementary school that in April discovered stachybotrys (a species of black mold) inside the school building's plaster and interior walls. Students had to be relocated to three separate sites as the school undergoes interior demolition, mold mitigation and reconstruction for a year. For information on EPA's mold remediation and prevention program for schools, go to (http://www.epa.gov/mold/intro.html.
CLEANMED 2008 CONFERENCE HELD TO CLEANUP THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY'S ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT
The CleanMed 2008 conference, held in Pittsburgh May 21-22, was attended by EPA staff, healthcare providers, medical equipment providers, governmental, and nonprofit organizations. The conference focused on reducing toxic chemicals; reducing climate change's impact on healthcare; developing responsible purchasing policies; sustainable food practices and purchases; pharmaceuticals in the environment; green buildings and energy efficiency. EPA attendees found the conference interesting because the healthcare industry is increasing its focus in greening and in becoming more sustainable, which coincides with EPA goals to assist the industry in pollution prevention and compliance assistance.
EPA FUNDS PROJECT TO ASSESS POTOMAC RIVER CRYPTOSPORIDIUM
EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Potomac Drinking Water Source Protection Partnership, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, and several water utilities in the Potomac River Basin cooperated on a Cryptosporidium source tracking project in the Potomac River Watershed. The project addresses the prevalence of illness-causing pathogens such as cryptosporidium in the Potomac River and the protection of river sources from contamination. A draft report is being reviewed by EPA for approval and final publication.
EPA GRANT PROVIDES SAFE SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER TO W. VA. PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICT
EPA awarded a $97,200 grant to the River Road Public Service District in Westover, W. Va. to replace and extend a private waterline and its existing drinking water system to serve the National Church Hollow Road section of the District. The homes (which currently rely on private wells for their source of drinking water) are affected by past mining activities that have deteriorated the water quality. The new system will provide customers with a safe, reliable source of drinking water meeting the Safe Drinking Water Act standards while providing adequate water for fire protection. Construction is estimated to start in March 2009.
EPA AWARDS $ 9.8 MILLION TO PROTECT VIRGINIA'S DRINKING WATER
On May 22, EPA awarded a $9.8 million EPA Drinking Water State Revolving grant to the Virginia Department of Health to protect the quality and safety of Virginia's drinking water through infrastructure improvements. The organization will use $6.7 million of federal money plus $1.9 million in state matching funds to provide low-interest loans to communities for drinking water system improvements that protect public health. Projects to be funded include two treatment facility upgrades, 17 extensions of distribution lines to underserved communities, two storage tanks and three new wells. For more information on the program, go to http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwsrf/allotments/
EPA HOSTS A FORUM ON WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE
A major challenge to the nation is how to sustain its water and wastewater infrastructure to ensure clean and safe water to all communities. To address the challenges, representatives from local, state, and federal governments and industry met in Philadelphia from May 20-23 to participate in a train-the-trainer Forum on Sustaining Water and Wastewater Infrastructure. The forum delivered critical messages and practical applications to water and wastewater treatment plant owners, operators, and decision makers on infrastructure management, water conservation practices and software applications.
PROFESSIONAL RECYCLERS GROUP SUPPORTS RECYCLING IN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOLS
On May 22, EPA participated in the Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania's (PROP) Education Committee in State College, Pa. EPA staff presented information on various pilot recycling programs such as the plastic bottle pilot at the Conrad Weiser Middle School; the paper recycling pilot program at various schools in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northampton, and Monroe Counties; and the paper recycling pilot at six of the City of Philadelphia elementary schools. PROP supported EPA's efforts by providing trophies, web space, and educational material for the programs.
POLLUTION PREVENTION COORDINATORS MEET TO DEVELOP STRATEGIC PLAN
EPA staff and national and regional coordinators of pollution prevention programs (P2) met on May 19 in Baltimore, Md. to discuss the development of a national P2 program strategic plan. EPA staff also attended the National Environmental Summit at the same location from May 20-22 titled "Accelerating Environmental Performance: Pathways to Action" which provided examples of environmental leadership by business and government. The sessions highlighted a variety of environmental topics including the EPA Performance Track program which enables an organization to reduce its environmental impact and increase its operating efficiency. For more information go to: http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack/about.htm. To find out how EPA's P2 programs reduce waste at the source, go to http://www.epa.gov/oppt/p2home/index.htm
To subscribe to eBytes send a blank email to:
join-usepar3news@lists.epa.gov
To unsubscribe, send a blank email to:
leave-usepar3news@lists.epa.gov
