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Envirobytes - Archive
ENVIROBYTES, A SUMMARY OF ISSUES AND EVENTS FOR WEEKS ENDING JANUARY 27, 2012 TO FEBRUARY 3, 2012
SCHOOLS INVITED TO APPLY FOR EPA-SPONSORED GREEN RIBBON SCHOOLS RECOGNITION PROGRAM TO BECOME MORE ENERGY, WATER AND RESOURCE EFFICIENT SCHOOLS
EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin is inviting all mid-Atlantic region schools to apply for the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) Green Ribbon Schools Recognition Pilot Program which awards schools for achieving energy efficient, sustainable and healthy environments. Schools first apply to their state's Department of Education by February 23rd to be nominated for the award, then the names of up to four nominees are sent to DOE by March 22 for final selection. For more information, go to http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/applicant.html.
E-3, AN EPA MULTI-AGENCY PROGRAM, HELPS PARTICIPATING MANUFACTURERS ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE POLLUTION PREVENTION GOALS
The Virginia Manufacturing Technology Center in Wythville, Va., received an E3 (Energy, Economy and Environment) grant from EPA to help the organization in collaboration with others bring E-3 concepts to the Appalachian Corridor. E-3 helps organizations achieve more efficient sustainable pollution prevention goals through energy/environmental assessments, Lean and Green events, and promotion of renewable energy, among others. For more information on E-3, go to http://www.e3.gov. For information on the E-3 initiative in Southwest Virginia, go to http://www.e3.gov/ground/summaries.html#swva
EPA TO PROVIDE NEARLY $10 MILLION TO CLEAN UP THE NATION’S BEACHES; LAUNCHES IMPROVED WEBSITE FOR ADVISORIES AND CLOSURES
EPA announced Jan. 31 that it will provide $9.8 million in grants to 38 states, territories and tribes to help protect the health of swimmers at America’s beaches. The agency also launched an improved website for beach advisories and closings, including the most current water quality and pollution testing information. The 2012 grant solicitation will close on Feb. 29. For beach advisory information, go to http://watersgeo.epa.gov/BEACON2/. For information on grants, go to http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/beachgrants/index.cfm.
WEBSITE TARGETS CHILDREN AND EDUCATORS; SHOWS HOW EPA IS WORKING TO RESTORE AND PROTECT ESTUARIES
Estuaries face many challenges and are endangered by pollution from population growth and uncontrolled land-use. These activities can contribute to unsafe drinking water, beach and shellfish bed closings, harmful algae blooms, declines in fisheries, loss of habitat, fish kills, and a host of other problems. EPA has a Website geared for educators and students that explains how you can help protect these natural treasures at: Oceans and Coasts for Children, Students and Teachers.
EPA RELEASES THIRD REPORT ON WATER PROGRAM STRATEGY FOR CLIMATE CHANGE
EPA has released its third report highlighting progress toward achieving goals of its National Water Program Strategy for Responding to Climate Change in 2010 and 2011. The strategy, first published in October 2008, described climate change impacts on water programs, defined goals and objectives for responding to climate change, and identified a set of key actions that could be undertaken. The report is available at: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/climatechange/implementation.cfm.
MID-ATLANTIC K-12 SCHOOLS MAKE TOP TWENTY LIST OF PURCHASERS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
The EPA Green Power Partnership announced the top twenty K-12 schools that significantly increased their green power purchases and improved their energy footprints. Prominent among these are: the Norwood School in Bethesda, Md. committed to purchasing 100 percent wind power; the Bullis School in Potomac, Md. committed to purchasing 100 percent wind power; Sidwell Friends in Washington, DC committed 37 percent of its power from onsite generation of wind and solar; and the Maret School in Washington, DC committed to 100 percent wind power. For more information, visit: https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/top20k-12schools.htm.
HEALTHY WATERS BLOG CURRENT HIGHLIGHT
FLUSH OR DRAIN, WILL CAUSE A STRAIN - Flushing and draining is not the only way pharmaceuticals enter our wastewater. EPA has been working to better understand the implications low levels of pharmaceuticals in aquatic systems have on human health. Do you have any suggestions on how EPA can improve its programs to reduce the impact? Let us know! http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/.
