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Envirobytes - Archive
EnviroBytes, a Summary of Issues and Events for the Week Ending June 18, 2010
THIS WEEK'S HEALTHY WATERS BLOG INVITES COMMENTS ON USING RAIN BARRELS TO SAVE WATER, PREVENT RUNOFF
This week's Healthy Waters blog is inviting you to comment on "Control your stormwater and save money, use a rain barrel" illustrating how rain barrels save water, money and energy by preventing runoff into drains and streams. If you haven't yet, you can still comment on last week's blog: "Saying no to drugs in water" on how pharmaceuticals impact water quality and what we can do about it. We look forward to reading your comments. Visit the Healthy Waters website at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/
EPA STRENGTHENS COMMITMENT TO REDUCE LEAD IN THE ENVIRONMENT
EPA will notify the states by October 2010 whether they are attaining or not attaining the revised 2008 national air quality standards for lead. Once nonattainment designations take effect, the state and local governments will outline how they plan to attain and maintain the new, more rigorous lead emissions standards. Lead exposure can cause a range of adverse health effects, especially in children. EPA is seeking comment through Aug.16. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/leaddesignations/.
EPA SEEKS PUBLIC COMMENT TO ADVANCE FORMER ADMINISTRATOR JACKSON'S SEVEN PRIORITIES TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT
EPA is seeking public comment on a draft plan to protect human health and the environment through the seven priorities: "taking action on climate change, improving air quality, protecting America's waters, cleaning up our communities, assuring the safety of chemicals, expanding the conversation on environmentalism and working for environmental justice, and building strong state and tribal partnerships." The public comment period closes July 30. Please submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov. (Docket ID number EPA-HQ-OA-2010-0486).
EPA SOLICITS APPLICATIONS FOR PROGRAM SUPPORTING THE GREENING OF AMERICA'S CAPITAL CITIES
EPA is launching a new technical assistance program to help state capitals design model environmentally friendly communities that support sustainable growth and green building. Capital cities may submit letters of interest to EPA by July 9, 2010. They will be evaluated on how well the proposal describes the solicitation criteria. Some may receive a follow-up call for further evaluation. Final selection will be made by early fall 2010. For more information, go to https://epa.gov/smartgrowth/greencapitals.htm
WEST VIRGINIA JOINS EPA PROGRAM TO HELP CONSUMERS SAFELY DISPOSE OF OLD APPLIANCES
West Virginia is the first state to join EPA's national Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program to learn how to properly recover toxic chemicals from old appliances, and reclaim, recycle and dispose of the parts. The program resembles the state's Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate program which offers consumers mail-in rebates for replacing their older/inefficient appliances with Energy Star-qualified ones. For more information on the appliance disposal program, go to www.epa.gov/ozone/partnerships/rad/ For information about the appliance rebate program, go to www.dep.wv.gov/wveearp.
