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PRESS ADVISORY - EPA's LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

Release Date: 04/11/2002
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Press Advisory

Following are some Agency developments which may interest you. If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the appropriate contact.

A two-day public forum exploring the role of science at EPA will be held on May 1-2. The event, called “EPA Science Forum 2002: Meeting the Challenges,” will feature plenary sessions on Science to Achieve Environmental Outcomes, Environmental Indicators, Safe Water, Air Quality and Protecting Our Health: Susceptible Populations. Agency-wide scientific posters and exhibits that demonstrate how science makes a difference, along with EPA scientists and engineers, will showcase EPA’s leadership in key areas of environmental science. The forum will be held both days between 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on the concourse level of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. For more information and to register (no fee), see the Science Forum 2002 website at: https://www.epa.gov/ord/scienceforum .

In observance of the 30th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, signed on Oct. 18, l972, EPA's Office of Water is announcing a new recognition program for local governments that are taking "extraordinary" steps to protect and enhance the health of the nation’s waters. This program, called “Clean Water Partners for the 21st Century,” will recognize local governments that are moving beyond clean water regulatory requirements to help achieve even greater levels of protection for the nation’s water resources. Leadership by local governments is critical for achieving the nation’s water quality goals and achieving the high levels of water quality the public has come to expect. EPA is undertaking this effort in partnership with a number of leading local and state organizations. EPA expects to recognize those entities accepted into the program in fall 2002. Additional information is available at: http://www.cleanwaterpartners.org .


EPA’s ENERGY STAR has been awarded to 50,000 American homes that are each keeping 4,500 pounds of global warming gases out of the air every year. This translates to a total of 225 million pounds -- equivalent to taking 20,000 cars off the road. The Energy Star became available for homes in 1995. Since then ENERGY STAR homes have been built in all 50 states by more than 2,000 builders. New homes that have earned the Energy Star incorporate energy savings in both their design and construction, resulting in a 30 percent savings for heating, cooling and water heating compared to a standard home. Homeowners can expect to save $200-$400 annually on their utility bills. In order for a home to earn the Energy Star, an independent home energy rater must certify that the home meets EPA’s strict guidelines for energy efficiency. Energy Star -- labeled homes also insure increased comfort for their residents. The tight construction keeps unwanted drafts, dust, pollen and moisture from entering the home. In addition, added insulation and efficient heating and cooling equipment keeps these homes warmer in winter, cooler in summer and also makes for a quieter home. EPA’s Energy Star, a voluntary program, helps consumers and businesses protect the environment by identifying energy efficient products and practices. The Energy Star can be found on new homes, appliances, electronics, office equipment, lighting, heating and cooling systems, as well as office buildings and schools. For more information about Energy Star labeled homes, contact Sam Rashkin at 202-564-9786 (rashkin.sam@epa.gov), visit: http://www.energystar.gov or call 1-888-STAR-YES.
EPA has launched a new website to promote the cleanup and reuse of brownfield properties across the nation that are regulated by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Called the RCRA Brownfields Prevention Initiative website, it will provide state and tribal governments and the public easy access to useful information about the reuse of brownfield properties where hazardous waste was generated, treated, stored or disposed. Despite the existence of redevelopment potential for residential, industrial, commercial, recreational or greenspace (undeveloped property) use, many of these RCRA properties are not in full usage because of real or perceived concerns about actual or potential contamination, legal liability and RCRA requirements. EPA established the initiative to encourage the reuse of potential RCRA brownfields so the land better serves the needs of the community. RCRA gives EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from "cradle-to-grave," including generation, treatment, storage and disposal. RCRA generally focuses on active and future facilities and is designed to prevent future Superfund sites and brownfields. The RCRA Brownfields Prevention Initiative links RCRA facilities with the brownfields program to help use economic redevelopment as an engine that drives environmental cleanup. Brownfields are properties whose expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance. For more information about the initiative, see: https://www.epa.gov/swerosps/rcrabf/index.html .

Industrial Hygiene Technologies Inc., (IHT) of Lorton, Va., and two of its principals, Mark R. Sovich and Michael J. MacCabe, pleaded guilty on March 28 to making false statements in connection with falsified asbestos training certificates. IHT does contract work in the asbestos and lead abatement industry in the areas of project design, monitoring and industrial hygiene. The defendants used the certificates, which falsely indicated that workers had completed required asbestos training, to obtain work for their employees as certified asbestos monitors and/or removers at District of Columbia schools and the Pentagon. When sentenced, IHT faces a maximum fine of up to $500,000, and Sovich and MacCabe each face maximum sentences of up to five years in prison and/or fines of up to $250,000. In another case, Keystone Environmental Services of Alexandria, Va., pleaded guilty on March 29 to making a false statement and was sentenced to pay a $100,000 fine for using false training certificates to obtain a contract for its employees to clean up an accidental oil spill in the Patuxent River. Both companies obtained the false certificates from F&M Environmental Technologies Inc., of Virginia Beach, Va. F&M’s President Frankland Babonis previously pleaded guilty to falsifying training certificates and was sentenced to 15 months in prison in 2001. Falsifying training certificates can expose untrained workers to environmental hazards during cleanup operations and can lead to a variety of illnesses and unsafe and improper cleanups. These cases were investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service and the Virginia Department of Occupational Regulation. They are being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Alexandria, Va., and by the Environmental Crimes Section of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.

LaRosa Fuel Co. of Bridgeport, W.V., pleaded guilty on March 25 to violating the Clean Water Act. La Rosa operates an acid mine wastewater treatment pond in Everettville, W.V., at a closed coal mine. In 1997, La Rosa installed a bypass pipe beneath the pond and diverted polluted drainage water containing iron, manganese and non-permitted acidic pH levels into the Monongahela River. At the same time, the defendant reported that its pond was not discharging from its permitted outfall pipe. The discharge of polluted acid mine drainage into rivers can harm fish and wildlife and can make the rivers unsafe for use as drinking water supplies and recreational purposes. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division with technical assistance by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Clarksburg.


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