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Envirobytes - An Environmental Newsletter
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for Week Ending March 12, 2010
WEST CHESTER (PA) SCHOOL DISTRICT GRANT WILL REDUCE GREENHOUSE GASES BY 10 PERCENT
EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin presented a ceremonial $149,992 check for a Climate Showcase Community Grant to the superintendent of the West Chester School District on March 11. The District's Student Conservation Corps will use the funds for an energy conservation outreach campaign to local businesses using Energy Star's online, interactive Portfolio Manager Tool to track energy use, water consumption, recommend low-cost ways to improve efficiency, identify under-performing buildings, verify efficiency improvements, and help the schools operate more efficiently. For more information, go to http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=evaluate_performance.bus_portfoliomanager
MESSAGES FROM THE EPA ADMINISTRATOR: WHY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY GO HAND IN HAND AND WHAT EPA'S SEVEN PRIORITIES ARE
Former EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson spoke at the National Press Club on March 8 on how environmental protection and economic prosperity go hand in hand to build a healthier, more prosperous nation, that "…economic opportunity is not possible without sustainability," and that "Without clean energy, the global economy will be running on empty within our lifetimes." Full text of her remarks. She also spoke earlier to EPA employees about EPA's seven priorities for EPA's future:
- Taking Action on Climate Change
- Improving Air Quality
- Assuring the Safety of Chemicals
- Cleaning Up Our Communities
- Protecting America's Waters
- Expanding the Conversation on Environmentalism and Working for Environmental Justice
- Building Strong State and Tribal Partnerships
Read Former Administrator Jackson's memo
EPA GRANT WILL FUND ALLEGHENY RIVER'S BULL CREEK STREAM BANK RESTORATION PROJECT
EPA awarded a $861,351 grant to the County of Allegheny, Pa. to design and construct a stream bank restoration project at Bull Creek in Tarentum, Pa. (near the Allegheny River juncture). The grant will be used to dredge the stream channel, install rock slope erosion protection in three locations on the stream bank as well as install a gabion wall, plant native grass species and remove accumulated sediment and debris. The project will help to prevent erosion, improve water quality and the aquatic habitat of the creek and Allegheny River.
EPA ANNOUNCES RELEASE OF WEB-BASED FORMAT FOR 2009 CHEMICAL/WASTE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS DUE JULY 1
Manufacturing industries are required to submit to EPA and states annual reports of their chemical releases and hazardous waste management practices for inclusion into the EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), a public national database on industrial plant releases. The information enables citizens to hold companies accountable, know how toxic chemicals are managed, and if environmental progress is being made. These reports must be submitted on or before midnight July 1, and can now be done online. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/TRI/ and EPA announces the release of the TRI - Made Easy Web-based application for Reporting Year 2009.
EPA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENTS TO TACKLE GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE
EPA is seeking public comment on its Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks*: 1990-2008 draft report (tracking gas emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride gases). The draft report shows that in 2008, overall greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 2.9 percent due to a decrease in CO2 emissions associated with fuel and electricity consumption. Over all, emissions grew by 13.6 percent from 1990 to 2008. To ensure your comments are considered for the final version of the document, please submit your comments by April 14. To submit public comments, and other information, go to
https://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/usinventoryreport.html
*[‘sinks' refers to the uptake of carbon dioxide emissions removed by forests, vegetation, and soils].
MID-ATLANTIC REGION DESIGNATES ITS FIRST CERTIFIED ELECTRONICS RECYCLER: E-STRUCTORS INC. OF MARYLAND
Electronic recyclers must now adhere to more environmentally protective standards in processing pre-owned electronics and follow protocols to reduce energy and natural resource consumption, greenhouse gases and hazardous waste. Three companies nationwide received this new electronics Responsible Recycling Practices Certification designation: E-Structors Inc. 
of Elkridge, Md.; TechTurn of Austin, Tx.; and Waste Management of Minnesota. Certified companies cannot burn or store certain materials in landfills, must clear personal data before selling electronics for reuse, test the equipment's working condition, and ensure proper packaging. For more information,
ENERGY STAR PROGRAM FEATURED IN RADNOR CONSERVANCY SUSTAINABILITY SERIES
On March 9, the Radnor Conservancy (in partnership with the League of Women Voters and Radnor Township's Environmental Advisory Council) featured EPA's Energy Star program in the conservancy's ongoing sustainability series. The EPA presentation "Treading Lightly, Calculating and Reducing Your Carbon Footprint," showed how Energy Star tools and certified products can improve a home or business's energy efficiency as well as calculate and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with daily energy consumption. The session was aired live on local cable access channels. For more information, visit: http://www.radnor.com/department/division.asp?fDD=9-278
The featured presentation: http://www.radnor.com/egov/docs/1268412122_580505.pdf
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