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Envirobytes - Archive
ENVIROBYTES, A SUMMARY OF ISSUES AND EVENTS FOR WEEKS ENDING SEPTEMBER 23, 2011 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2011
EPA HELPS COMSUMERS FIND PRODUCTS THAT PREVENT POLLUTION
EPA has launched a new green products portal providing consumers with easy access to information about everyday products that help prevent pollution. Home appliances, electronics and cleaning products, certified to help reduce air pollution, conserve water and energy, and minimize waste can be easily chosen by Americans to protect against toxic chemical exposure. For more information on EPA's pollution prevention programs, go to https://epa.gov/p2/
25 PERCENT OF ALL 2010 BUILT SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ARE ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED
EPA announced that 25 percent of all single-family homes built in 2010 earned EPA's Energy Star label, up from 21 percent in 2009. The popularity of these high-performing homes prove that Energy Star qualified homes save money on utility bills, keep the air clean and communities healthier. Find out how new homes can earn the Energy Star label and meet EPA's strict energy-efficiency requirements: http://www.energystar.gov/homesmarketindex
EPA ANNOUNCES MID-ATLANTIC REGION GREEN POWER COMMUNITY CHALLENGE COMPETITION WINNERS: WASHINGTON, DC AND BROOKVILLE, MD
EPA has launched its first Green Power Community Challenge, challenging Green Power Partnership communities to increase their purchases of green power and percentage of green power use. Washington, D.C. won the title for purchasing the most kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Brookeville, Md. had the highest percentage of total electricity use from green power sources, at 45 percent, while the borough of Swarthmore in Delaware County, Pa. achieved third place at 27.9 percent. For more information, go to https://epa.gov/greenpower/communities/gpcchallenge.htm
For more information on the rankings, go to https://www.epa.gov/greenpower/communities/gpcrankings.htm
EPA SCIENTISTS RECEIVE PRESIDENTIAL PECASE AWARDS
On Sept. 27, two EPA scientists, Dr. Gayle Hagler and Dr. David Reif, received the 2010 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) for excellence in research and leadership early in their careers. Dr. Hagler developed electric vehicle technology, GPS technology that maps roadside air pollutant emissions, and the use of roadside landscaping to reduce air pollutants. Dr. Reif developed advanced tools to test chemicals for their potential toxicity to human health and the environment and to improve childhood asthma treatment. Awards will be presented this fall in Washington, D.C. For more information, go to http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/pecase.htm
EPA RELEASES FINAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT FOR TCE
On Sept. 28, EPA released the final health assessment for trichloroethylene (TCE), characterizing TCE as carcinogenic to human health. The assessment will help establish cleanup methods at TCE-contaminated Superfund sites; prevent overlying TCE vapor intrusion in buildings from contaminated groundwater/soil; include TCE's Maximum Contaminant Level as part of the carcinogenic drinking water volatile organic compounds group; and classify TCE as a hazardous air emissions pollutant under the Clean Air Act. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/IRIS
EPA COMMITS $1.5 MILLION TO 125 COMMUNITIES WITH SMART GROWTH PLANNING TO CREATE VITAL, HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS AND BUSINESSES
On Sept. 29, EPA committed more than $1.5 million to invigorate 125 communities currently facing challenges in land use and development and allow them to use Smart Growth techniques to advance their future development. Three to four communities will be selected as models. EPA is now accepting letters of interest for the two technical assistance programs: Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities and Smart Growth Implementation Assistance from Sept. 28 to Oct. 28, 2011 at https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm. An Oct. 6 webinar will answer queries: https://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm.
EPA MAPPING TOOL IMPROVES PUBLIC ACCESS TO FEDERAL/STATE ENFORCEMENT INFORMATION
On Sept. 30, EPA announced the release of the new federal and state enforcement actions mapping tool used with EPA's ECHO database to conduct online searches of inspections, violations and enforcement actions for more than 800,000 regulated facilities. ECHO integrates inspection, violation, and enforcement for the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and hazardous waste laws, and includes Safe Drinking Water Act data, Toxics Release Inventory data, National Emissions Inventory data, and Water Quality data. For information on the Enforcement and Compliance History Online database, go to http://www.epa-echo.gov (read more about the new features).
HEALTHY WATERS BLOG CURRENT HIGHLIGHTS
Taking Drinking Water to the Streets – Most people are surprised by how high the actual average amount of water use per person is: 70 to 100 gallons a day! Water is a finite and precious commodity. How can we help to conserve this precious resource? Share with your friends at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/
Great Chemistry – A conscientious water treatment plant operator can make the difference in preventing waterborne diseases and protecting public health. Find out how your community's water treatment plant operator prevents and removes microbial contamination to keep your drinking water in top condition. Share with your friends at http://blog.epa.gov/healthywaters/
