![[logo] US EPA](../gif/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Envirobytes - Archive
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for weeks ending February 11, 2011 and February 18, 2011
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR AT EVENT ANNOUNCING $16 MILLION TO FINANCE DELAWARE'S WATER INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS
At an event held in Dover, Del on Feb. 16 marking the 100th meeting of the Delaware Clean Water Advisory Council, Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin joined DNREC Secretary Collin O'Mara and others to announce the awarding of $16 million through the state's Clean Water State Revolving Fund to finance infrastructure projects that will address the state's water quality needs. CWSRF investments are supported by U.S. EPA capitalization grants and State of Delaware matching funds. For more information, go to http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/cwf/cwsrf_index.cfm
UTILITIES TO MAKE THEIR COAL ASH IMPOUNDMENTS SAFER
EPA is releasing the action plans 15 electric utilities will implement to make their coal ash impoundments safer as well as assessment reports on the structural integrity of an additional 69 coal ash impoundments at 20 facilities nationwide. EPA is also developing new rules to ensure the safe disposal and management of coal ash from coal-fired power plants and evaluating public comments on the May 2010 proposed rule. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/industrial/special/fossil/surveys2/index.htm
EPA AND U.S. COAST GUARD STEP UP EFFORTS TO PROTECT U.S. WATERS
On Feb. 11, EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard signed a memorandum of understanding to prevent illegal discharges of pollutants from marine vessels, such as cruise ships and oil tankers. The vessel permit now covers 26 types of discharges that may have negative impacts on the environment, such as the spread of invasive species from ballast water. To read a copy of the MOU, go to https://epa.gov/compliance/monitoring/programs/cwa/npdes.html For information on EPA's vessel permit program, go to http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/home.cfm?program_id=350
EPA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE WORLDWIDE UNDER UNITED NATIONS TREATY
EPA is seeking public comment on the annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2009 draft report covering national emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride, and sinks. Sinks refers to carbon dioxide emissions removed from the atmosphere through carbon uptake by forests, vegetation, and soils. As per the Federal Register (FRL-9270-1), the draft Inventory is now available for public comment.
EPA'S ENERGY STAR LEADERS INCREASE THEIR ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING PORTFOLIOS TO REDUCE POLLUTANTS AND PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH
EPA's Energy Star program recognized 74 leading Energy Star organizations for their energy efficiency and use of energy management that prevented the equivalent release of more than 460,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and saved more than $100 million a year. In Region 3, the Blue Mountain School District in Orwigsburg Pa. is one of only two organizations nationwide to have improved their building portfolio's energy efficiency by 40 and 50 percent across the board. For a list of Energy Star Leaders as of Dec. 31, 2010, go to http://www.energystar.gov/2010_Leaders_list.pdf
More about Energy Star Leaders: http://www.energystar.gov/leaders
EPA SEEKS FEEDBACK ON PLAN TO REVIEW ITS REGULATORY EFFECTIVENESS
EPA is inviting public input on a plan to review its environmental regulations to make its regulatory program more effective and less burdensome. EPA will solicit public input via the EPA website through March 20 and through a public meeting in Washington, D.C. on March 14, as well as from listening sessions in other parts of the country. By late May, EPA will provide the public with its retrospective review plan, as well as the initial list of regulations it plans to review. For more information , go to https://www.epa.gov/improvingregulations/
HEALTHY WATERS BLOG CURRENT HIGHLIGHTS
Integrated Water Management = Greater Water Resources. Many stakeholders and others play a crucial role in managing the water resources of the Delaware River in the form of integrated water management to solve the pressing issues facing the river. We need your ideas. Visit the Healthy Waters website at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Delaware River Basin Forum
Residents of the Delaware River Basin are being offered an excellent and interactive way to learn about the importance of protecting our sources of drinking water and how preventing pollution is more fruitful and less costly than treating water later. Visit the Healthy Waters website at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/.
