Search

The article offers updates related to environmental protection initiatives in the U.S. President Barack Obama and his administration has expressed their intention to strengthen air pollution and mercury policies for the optimization of environmental enforcement. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed implementation of the 1997 8-Hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality standards. The McIlvaine Co. reveals that the $6 billion stimulus package for water industry is expected to improve and expand water infrastructure projects which includes clean and purified water.

The article offers news briefs related to the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released an interim policy that offers reduced penalties to business owners who report environmental violations early. The website www.imvotingfor.org is launched to solicit comments and videos from students at campuses in the U.S. The European Union (EU) has proposed to require new cars to achieve average emissions of less than 120 kg per kilometer of carbon dioxide (CO2).

The article discusses issues related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) use of cost figures when calculating the benefit versus the cost of a proposed rule or to establishing standards. A study conducted by the Associated Press revealed that the EPA has lowered the cost of a proposed rule by almost $1 million over the last five years in their calculations. According to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the EPA overstepped its authority by implementing the cap-and-trade rule for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

The article discusses the significance of the Pollution Prevention Act establish by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1990. According to the article, the act is the national policy created to prevent or reduce pollution at the source whatever feasible. The Congress states that the U.S. emits millions of tons of pollution annually and spends tens of billions of dollars per year controlling it. When the law is enacted, it further admitted that there had been a lack of attention to source reduction historically, but that it was fundamentally more desirable than waste management and pollution control.

The article offers information on how to help ensure accuracy and stability of protocol gases in the U.S. Ten tips are suggested in preventing problems with calibration gases. The first tip suggests reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency list of approved Protocol Gas Verification Program vendors. Furthermore, it implies to make sure that gases are within the expiration dates, as well as to ask the vendors to make gases directly traceable to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or the national measurement institute (NMi) gases. It was believed that proper planning and handling of protocol gases could potentially save costs. INSET: Seven Tips for Understanding and Implementing the EPA's….

The article focuses on stormwater management in the U.S. Stormwater management is the mechanism for controlling stormwater runoff for the purposes of reducing downstream erosion, water quality degradation, and flooding and mitigating the adverse effects of changes in land use on the aquatic environment. One common stormwater management practice used in the country is detention pond. The ponds serve to reduce discharge rates and improve water quality through the storage and settling of particulate matter.

Focuses on the liability of property owners or buyers for environmental damages in the United States. Response actions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA); Details on potential responsible parties aimed by CERCLA; Possible situations invoked by a purchaser during an acquisition of a property.

Focuses on the United States Environmental Protection Agency's proposed framework for its Voluntary Children's Chemical Evaluation Program (VCCEP). Availability of the straw proposal on the Internet; Selection of candidate chemicals; Proposed VCCEP test battery. INSET: VCCEP: The Impact On You.

Suggests another plausible approach to manage and control the environment. Progress attained by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the traditional command-and-control approach; Need to reorient policies through a market-based approach; Types of market-based alternatives; Costs and benefits; Barriers to implementation.

Focuses on the effluent trading pilot demonstration projects being conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) across the United States, as part of efforts to finalize framework for the policy. Experience of successful effluent trading pilots; Obstacles facing effluent trading initiatives; Program requirements; Benefits expected from the project; Outlook for the initiative. INSET: Types of effluent trading..

The article highlights the impact of the changes to Environmental Protection Agency's (EPAs) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead in the U.S. It states that proximity of the sampler to source emissions and populations, meteorological conditions and background conditions must be considered to assess the potential risks of airborne lead. It notes that the changes in federal regulations will require majority of facilities to reassess their monitoring programs to ensure compliance.

The article provides information on a report released by the Investor Responsibility Research Center Inc. (IRRC) institute, which examines the impact of the cap and trade system on businesses in the U.S. The report notes that with such system, 203 of the listed companies would lose 1 percent of their income and 71 more companies would see more than a 10 percent cost increase. Moreover, comments and doubts of businesses over the impact of the systems on their concerns are also mentioned.

The article reports on the claim of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that scientists are wrong about perchlorate causing health risks and that it is not necessary to treat it. The agency ruled out that perchlorate will not result in health risk reduction for persons served by public-water systems. Opponents of the decision argue that EPA's decision was driven by pressures from the Pentagon. Meanwhile, two companies have been fined by EPA for failure to comply with a provision of the Clean Air Act.

The article presents the 10 top considerations and cautions necessary when conducting Phase I environmental site assessments (ESAs) to meet the standards required by the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) in the U.S. It discusses the purpose of performing ESA, the considerations with respect to vapor intrusion and the interrelationships between Phase I ESAs and vapor intrusion, and between their respective practice standards. The cost of vapor intrusion screenings is discoursed.

The article focuses on the impact of the implementation of the Spill Prevention, Containment and Countermeasures (SPCC) regulations on July 1, 2009 on affected companies that have not acted to control spills in the U.S. The author explains that last-minute training of employees in spill control is a major burden for any company. He also emphasizes the need for companies to formulate project as part of their compliance with the SPCC. He observes that the environmental staff of companies are beginning to worry about the possible adverse impact of SPCC regulations on their companies.

The article focuses on the establishment of a new maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency for chemical manufacturers in the U.S. The author discuss the importance of making new system for chemical companies to meet the new MACT standards and installation of several equipment to upgrade the current system used by chemical companies. Moreover, he talks about the options in complying with the standards as well as the proposals for installing a venturi or hydrop scubber in wet electrostatic precipitator.

The article provides advice to business enterprises and industries in the U.S. on how to prepare a hazardous waste manifest. If there is no state-specific manifest form required by either the destination state or the generation state, the federal Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest Form may be used. Tips on filling up the various items in the form are presented. Treatment storage and disposal facility (TSDF) personnel must confirm the receipt of the waste indicated in the manifest. Each shipment should have at least four copies of the manifest.

The article reports on how the United States Army National Guard has integrated a federally mandated environmental management system (eMS) into daily operations. For the Army Guard, eMS has to do with mission readiness and national security. Thus, every soldier, civilian and contract employee in the Army National Guard has to be well versed on the effects of their tasks and to be committed to the mitigation of pollution, continuous improvement, and compliance with environmental regulations and laws.

The article reports on developments regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA has reported that 71 facilities in 29 U.S. states and Puerto Rico have promised to enhance their environmental performance based on the National Environmental Performance Track program. A report from EPA has revealed that air quality in 21 eastern states and the District of Columbia has improved because of its NOx SIP Call rule. Meanwhile, because of air emission violations of ethylene oxide, Cosmed Group Inc. will be paying a $500,000 civil penalty and will be spending an additional $1 million for supplemental environmental projects.

This article deals with the questions related to potential toxicity of nanosized particles and structures, and whether their transport, potential transformation and fate in the environment could harm ecosystems. According to some researchers, the very qualities and properties that make nanosized particles so commercially attractive could make them potentially harmful under some circumstances. For example, the increased surface reactivity of nanosized particles suggests that they exhibit greater biological activity when compared with conventional bulk materials per given mass when taken up by living organisms, assuming the particles are solid. This enhanced biological activity can he beneficial, as in the case of nanosized materials being used as a drug delivery device designed to penetrate cellular barriers, or not beneficial if the biological activity translate to enhanced toxicity that compromises cellular activity or induces some other unwanted effect. United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics has focused its ongoing review of nanomaterials consisting of chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act and is perhaps farther along in considering the regulatory implications of nanotechnology than other EPA program offices.

Talks about strategies of the U.S. government for controlling air pollution. Provisions of the 1970 Clean Air Act; Impact of the usage of exhaust air management systems on motorcycle emissions; Initiative of the government to regulate lawn and garden equipments.

Focuses on addressing regulatory uncertainty in the U.S. energy industry. Regulations for nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide and mercury emissions; Mandate of the Clear Skies Initiative of the Bush administration; Air regulations contributing to the uncertainty.

Profiles some of the most useful United States Environmental Protection Agency Web sites available to air quality professionals. National Ambient Air Quality Standards program; Web address of state implementation program sites; Permits and compliances sites.

States that the United States Environmental Protection Agency will not be accepting the Year 2000 date conversion problem as an excuse for permit violations beginning January 1, 2000. Efforts to disseminate information about the Y2K to municipal and private facilities; Need for operators to test their systems; Effect of the Y2K problem to wastewater treatment plants. INSET: Suggested Web sites providing Y2K information..

Discusses the impact of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation designed to control the release of pollutants from pulp and paper mills in the United States. Changes in the way the industry operates; Environmental benefits from the EPA rule; Pulp and paper mills' need to follow best management practices; Key component of the rule's water effluent guidelines and standards. INSET: And look who's next....

The article reports on the U.S. state's participation in the implementation of plans from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) statewide and federal programs from greenhouse (GHGs) to New Source Review (NSR). It highlights the EPA's official proposal for regulating greenhouse gases on August 12, 2010 in support to the Clean Air Act framework. It elaborates the 2011 GHG Tailoring Rule and the industrial requisition for air permit.

The article reports on the postponement in implementation of the Spill Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule which is expected to take effect on November 10, 2011 for the completion of SPCC requirements for offshore oil industries. It discusses the threats to environment caused by oil drilling industry's oil spills and other pollution issues which opted the implementation of SPCC requirements for owners or operators of offshore facilities. It cites the purpose of the SPCC rule.

The article discusses the new protocol for gas verification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It explores on the necessity of the regulation to be mandated in every gas vendor to supply products that is at least ±2 percent accurate from the tag value of the cylinder contents, however, the user needs of the EPA protocol gas has to make a contract with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Moreover, it notes on how the program works including a payment for the participation of gas manufacturers and vendors in the Protocol Gas Verification Program (PGVP).

The article discusses the role of technology in treating high-volume stationary diesel emission in the U.S. It discusses the environmental issues such as the diesel emission of cargo ships wherein the development of emission tests and discoveries in electrofluidics resulted to the treatment of the emission. It cites the aid of electrofluidics wherein a conducted test revealed reduction rates on the diesel emission among several bays in the U.S. Moreover, it asserts that the demonstration test among ports such as in Long Beach, California showed consistent high removal of emissions.

The article offers information on the issuance of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final rule that adds the category of lead and lead compounds to the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976 (TSCA) Section 8(d)-model HsSDR rule in the U.S. Such a move was requested by the TSCA Interagency Testing Committee (ITC) in its 60th report. The new rule obliged manufacturers including importers of consumer products intended for use by children to report certain unpublished health and safety data to the EPA.

The article offers information about Environmental Protection Agency's clean fuels programs in the U.S. It revealed that the scheme exceeded expectation in their ability to reduce ozone pollutants and other air toxics. Data collected between 1995 and 2005 show that emission reductions were significantly greater than the regulatory requirements which was attributed to reformulated gasoline (RFG) and anti-dumping programs EPA instituted. Topics tackled on the report include gasoline sulfur decreases, RFG nitrogen oxide reductions exceed requirements, RFG toxics reductions exceed requirements and conventional gasoline NOx.

The article reports on the five-four decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a position of the President George W. Bush Administration. It states that greenhouse gas emissions did not constitute pollutants as defined in the Clean Air Act. The Supreme Court decided motor-vehicle emissions make a "meaningful contribution to greenhouse gas concentrations" and to global warming. Moreover, the court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reevaluate its contention that has the discretion not to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

The article reports on the lawsuit filed by several U.S. states against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Over a dozen states have joined in a case against the agency, which seeks to demand the agency to lower the allowed soot levels from smokestacks and exhaust pipes. According to Eliot Spitzer, New York attorney-general, the states were responding to studies that showed the fine material from soot contributes to premature death, asthma attacks and chronic respiratory disease, leading to higher health costs. Furthermore, the states want to reduce the limit by 1 microgram or 2 micrograms of soot allowed per cubic foot of air.

The article reports on the proposal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding toxic air reduction in the country. EPA has proposed an amendment to the air toxics standards general provisions section to invite industrial facilities to reduce air toxic emissions and change their designation as a primary source. In addition, the proposed amendment would allow a major source to become an area source at any time by limiting its potential to emit hazardous air pollutants to below the major source thresholds.

The article reports on the plan of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to gather data on air emissions on 6,000 animal feeding operations (AFO's) in the U.S. According to Granta Y. Nakayama, EPA assistant administrator, the AFO's agreements would ensure air compliance faster than its enforcement action. The AFO's would pay penalty based on the number of animals maintained at the operation and must comply with regulations such as Clean Air Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

The article reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving into two so-called green buildings. Living up to its core mission to protect human health and the environment, the agency is moving its operations and more than 1,600 employees in two state-of-the-science, environment-friendly buildings in Arlington, Virginia. The agency insisted on making large and small innovations during the design and planning stages. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson said the agency is heeding President George W. Bush's call to green the nation's building practices. The buildings have received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification.

The article reports on the initiative of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in requiring all companies to have a hazardous material plan in case of spill emergencies. The government stated that liability is an important incentive mechanism, one that is seeing increasing use in environmental policy. The agency has developed Section 3008 of the Resource and Recovery Act which allows for civil penalties up to $35,500 per day and could also include criminal penalties and additional fines for each violation.

The article reports on the proposal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lower standards for particulate matter (PM). The proposed modifications will substantially tighten short-term exposure to high levels of fine PM by almost 50%. Inhalable PM 24-hour standard is also being proposed for reduction to 70 micrograms per cubic meter. Research has demonstrated a link between PM and various cardiovascular and respiratory problems. The Clean Air Act mandates the EPA to undertake a periodic review of air quality standards. Particle standards were last updated in 1997.

The article reports on the non-participation of the U.S. from the first annual climate conference held in Montreal, Quebec. The meeting is an offshoot of the Kyoto Protocols implementation that began in February 2005. In 1997, the U.S. Congress rejected the accord, and the Bush administration is steadfast in its resolve not to resubmit it to congress. The Kyoto accord mandates member countries to reduce emission of six greenhouse gases to pre-set levels in 35 countries come 2012. The U.S. however assented to enter into exploratory talks anent future courses of action.

The article offers practical steps for manufacturing facilities to avoid having to obtain a stormwater permit in the United States. It discusses the main purpose of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) stormwater management program. Manufacturing facilities should demonstrate to EPA or the state agencies that their activities do not actually impact the stormwater quality. The EPA's no-exposure exclusion is applicable to industrial facilities located in states or territories where EPA is the permitting authority. The article discusses how to determine if a manufacturing facility is truly qualified for no-exposure with respect to stormwater.

The article reports on Corning's diesel particulate filter (DPF) technology. The company had introduced the first cellular ceramic particulate filters to eliminate soot from diesel engine emissions in 1978. DPFs were considered a luxury then but the situation changed when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rule in 2000 which required significant reductions in emissions from heavy-duty vehicle engines by 2007. In order to meet the drastic increase in demand, Corning invested substantial sums in research and in new manufacturing capabilities.

The article reports on developments regarding environmental laws and regulations in various U.S. states. The Colorado Dept. of Public Health and Environment is seeking the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its New Source Review rules. Connecticut authorities are pursuing plans to restrict greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles by adopting California's Low-Emission Vehicle II program. The Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources has hiked penalties for late updates on yearly manure management plans.

The results of a survey of environmental consultants which was conducted by the Milford, Connecticut.-based Environmental Data Resources Inc., the 2005 Environmental Site Assessment Industry Benchmark Report revealed that three out of four consultants who conduct Phase I environmental site assessments (ESA) for commercial property transactions expect that the Environmental Protection Agency's impending rule will require a greater level of effort than current industry practices. The report indicated that a growing awareness of the impact environmental issues can have on property values, some banks, commercial real estate developers are demanding broader scopes for their Phase I ESA often requesting services like asbestos and lead-based paint screenings. The demand for Phase I environmental site assessment services is on the rise, but turnaround times are shrinking, according to the report. The survey indicates the need for best practices and the need to identify trends in the environmental site assessment industry.

The staff of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made recommendations for the agency management to revise the current particulate matter standards for fine particles and the inhalable portion of coarse particles, based on evidence that suggests to EPA scientists that more protection is needed than is provided under current air standards. The air quality standards for PM under the Clean Air Act were first established in 1971. The agency significantly changed the standards in 1987, when they changed the indicator of the standards to regulate inhalable particles smaller than, or equal to, 10 micrometers in diameter. In 1997, EPA again revised the PM standards and established a separate standard for fine particles. EPA released its second draft staff paper on the assessment of PM standards in January 2005 which recommends changing EPA's health-based standards for coarse particles to avoid double-regulating fine particles.

Explains how companies in the U.S. can avoid being required to have a Title V permit according to the Clean Air Act amendments of 1990. Extensive amounts of record keeping and semi- and annual reporting and certifications required in a Title V permit; Strategies for reducing emissions to levels below the limits that require a Title V permit.

Reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to provide $1.6 million in grants for diesel engine retrofit projects. EPA Clean Diesel Campaign grants; Wide variety of projects, including construction, agriculture and port equipment, waste haulers, locomotives, fire trucks and ambulances; Grant recipients located in large and small communities across the country.

The article focuses on the new Web site of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that offers environmental policies and best practices from countries around the world. The online global library provides links to journals, databases, guidelines, programs and case studies involving innovations in air, toxics, waste and water issues. The site provides links to multi-media approaches, including environmental management systems, sustainable transport smart growth and industrial ecology.

Focuses on the policy statement purposely for environmental management systems (EMS) issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Definition of EMS according to EPA; Initiatives aimed at testing EMS to achieve superior environmental performance; Potential benefits associated with EMS.

Offers ways to use U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) web site, www.epa.gov. Interpretation of EPA regulations; Obtaining of copies of EPA's compliance audit protocols; EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online; EPA's Self Audit Policy; Official policy on the Environmental Management System; Links on EPA's web site.

Reports on the usage of ultrafiltration technology by Metcam Inc., a manufacturer of precision sheet-metal components and assemblies in Alpharetta, Georgia. Pursuance on initiatives related to pollution prevention; Interests in finding an alternative to the two traditional options available to metalworking operations; State regulations that require industries to minimize waste.