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Envirobytes - Archive
ENVIROBYTES, A SUMMARY OF ISSUES AND EVENTS FOR WEEKS ENDING SEPTEMBER 9, 2011 AND SEPTEMBER 16, 2011
HELP YOUR SCHOOL REDUCE POLLUTION AND SAVE ENERGY!
Now that students are back in school, teachers and parents can help improve a school's energy efficiency and reduce pollution by participating in EPA's many voluntary programs such as Energy Star, Healthy School Environments, and Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools programs. Students can also become environmental stewards through EPA's OnCampus ecoAmbassadors, and MyEnvironment: search near your school. Find out about other programs at https://www.epa.gov/epahome/school.htm.
EPA TO HOLD FIRST OF THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON PROPOSED STANDARDS TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTION FROM OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION
EPA will hold three public hearings on Sept. 27 (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Sept. 28 (Denver, Co.), and Sept. 29 (Arlington, Tx.) on proposed standards to reduce air pollution from oil and gas drilling operations including hydraulic fracturing. The first of the public hearings will take place on Sept. 27 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd. Pittsburgh, Pa. To register to speak, please contact Joan C. Rogers at 919-541-4487 or rogers.joanc@epa.gov. For more information, go to https://epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/actions.html
EPA RELEASES PLAN TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH IN COMMUNITIES OVERBURDENED BY POLLUTION
On Sept. 14, EPA announced the release of a three-year plan to help protect people's health in communities overburdened by industrial pollution and to empower residents to create a healthy environment and economy. The plan seeks to advance environmental justice efforts in areas including rulemaking, permitting, enforcement, and science. EPA will issue annual reports on the progress through EPA's website: https://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/plan-ej/index.html For more information on environmental justice, go to https://epa.gov/environmentaljustice/
EPA ADDS 15 HAZARDOUS WASTE SITES TO NPL CLEANUP LIST, PROPOSES 11 SITES; ONE IN TRAINER, PA
On Sept. 15 EPA announced the addition of 15 hazardous waste sites and proposed 11 sites including the Metro Container Corporation in Trainer, Pa. to the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL). The Metro site can impact the local community and the Delaware River with PCB, PAH and VOC contamination. Proposed sites require a 60-day comment period before final listing. For Federal Register and other information, go to https://www.epa.gov/superfund/sites/npl/npl_hrs.htm
ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE ENERGY STAR PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM CAN APPLY FOR 2012 AWARD
Each year, EPA and DOE honor organizations that have contributed to protecting the environment through energy efficiency. To be considered for an Energy Star award, an organization must meet eligibility requirements and submit a complete online application package by 8 pm EST, Dec. 2nd, 2011 through their “My Energy Star Account” available starting Nov. 1. For questions, contact your account manager or Courtney Upshall, at upshall.courtney@epa.gov or call the Hotline at 888-782-7937.
EPA RECOGNIZES REGIONAL SUPERMARKETS FOR USING ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY REFRIGERATION TECHNIQUES
On Sept. 19, EPA announced its 2011 GreenChill partner award-winning supermarket chains for using greener, more energy-efficient refrigeration technologies. EPA Region 3-based GreenChill winners included the Supervalu chain (Acme Markets, Farm Fresh, and Shoppers Food & Pharmacy) honored with the superior goal achievement award for exceeding their emission rate goals. Whole Foods won EPA's top award for most improved reduction in refrigerant emissions. For GreenChill partnership information, go to www.epa.gov/greenchill.
HEALTHY WATERS BLOG CURRENT HIGHLIGHTS
Being Prepared! - September is National Preparedness Month. The recent earthquake and other natural calamities remind us that there is a need to be ready for natural disasters and other emergencies. Did you know that there are many activities in our area that promote emergency preparedness such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and EPA? Share with us the practical steps you've taken to be prepared at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/
Revitalizing WETropolitan Areas - Have you wondered why rivers, the lifelines of our cities, are often under-utilized as community resources? The Urban Waters Federal Partnership is an exciting new federal partnership with ideas to help surrounding communities reap the environmental, economic and social benefits that living near a water body can provide. Share your ideas at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/
