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Envirobytes - Archive
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for weeks ending April 1, 2011, and April 8, 2011
EPA ADMINISTRATOR DISCUSSES BROWNFIELDS REVITALIZATION AND MERCURY RULE DURING PHILLY VISIT
On April 4, former EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson presided at the 14th annual national brownfields conference held April 3-5 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. She spoke about how cleaning up and redeveloping abandoned, underutilized, and potentially contaminated properties makes good business sense by “creating green jobs, improving health and strengthening communities in some of our nation’s hardest-hit areas.” For additional information, go to http://www.brownfields2011.org. 
Also on April 4, former EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson attended a forum at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia co-sponsored by PennEnvironment. She discussed how the newly proposed standards on mercury and air toxics will benefit health and support thousands of jobs in the construction and utility industries. EPA is conducting a 60-day public comment period before the rule is published. Nationwide hearings are being held on the health and environmental benefits of the standards. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/airquality/powerplanttoxics/
NEW JERSEY COUNTIES DOWNWIND FROM A PENNSYLVANIA POWER PLANT SEEK RELIEF FROM THE PLANT’S TOXIC EMISSIONS
On March 31, EPA proposed granting New Jersey its petition to limit sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from a the Portland Generating Station in Northampton County, Pa. that is adversely impacting air quality in four New Jersey counties. The proposed rule would require Portland to reduce its SO2 emissions by 81 percent over a three-year period to protect the health of downwind populations. The agency is holding public hearing on this proposed rule on April 27 in Oxford, N.J. and will accept comments on this proposal until May 27. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/new.html
EPA, HUD AND DOT SELECT 32 LOCATIONS FOR SMART GROWTH AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY PLANNING ASSISTANCE
On April 4, EPA selected 32 communities out of 354 in 26 states to participate in the public-private partnership Sustainable Communities Building Blocks program. The selected communities will receive technical assistance in a day-long session to help them plan their sustainable goals to safeguard the environment, spur economic development and improve public health. Communities from the mid-Atlantic region include: Cambridge, Md., Hellertown, Pa., Jersey Shore, Pa., and Ranson, W.Va. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm
For information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, go to https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/partnership/index.html
EPA ANNOUNCES UPDATED ENERGY STAR STANDARDS FOR LIGHTING
EPA plans to upgrade the Energy Star label standards for light fixtures. Effective Oct. 1, most Energy Star label light fixtures will be 30 percent more efficient than currently qualified fixtures. By 2013, performance requirements will increase, to 40 percent higher efficiency compared to current qualified models. Last year, Energy Star helped Americans save $18 billion on their energy bills while reducing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 33 million vehicles. For more information, go to http://www.energystar.gov/luminaires
For information on the Energy Star program, go to http://www.energystar.gov
EPA PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR CONTAMINATED SITES TO BE REDEVELOPED INTO RENEWABLE ENERGY FACILITIES
EPA is soliciting applications from states, tribes, regional governments, and communities interested in developing renewable energy facilities on current and formerly contaminated properties through EPA’s RE-Powering America’s Land initiative. The initiative will help plan the reuse and redevelopment of potentially contaminated sites for renewable power generation, to improve communities, create jobs, and decrease the use of greenspace in the building of new power plants. Proposals are due by May 20. For more information for the request for applications, go to https://www.epa.gov/renewableenergyland/
HEALTHY WATERS BLOG CURRENT HIGHLIGHT
TALKIN' TRASH – Cities in the mid-Atlantic region are finding innovative ways of keeping their city trash from flowing into adjacent rivers and water bodies. Do any water bodies near you have an issue with trash buildup? What are some ways you can prevent garbage from getting into the water? Share your thoughts and ideas! http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/
