 | ||
|
National News |
 |
 | ||
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||
|
|
|
EPA Press Advisory: (1) Improved Pollution Estimates Will Support Upcoming Power Plant Regulations; (2) EPA Launches Best Management Practices for Proposed Vessel-To-Reef Projects; (3) Commercialization of Recycling and Remediation Technologies Contracts Awarded; (4) New Web Site Showcases International Innovative Environmental Solutions; (5) Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to False Statement About Lead NotificationFollowing are some Agency developments which may interest you. If you need In support of a power plant rule that will significantly reduce pollution that causes soot and smog, EPA is incorporating the latest data and methods available for estimating air quality impacts. EPA is issuing a Notice of Data Availability (NODA) for the proposed Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) that describes improvements that EPA is making to the air quality modeling and updated information that is used to predict pollution levels. CAIR, one of the Clean Air Rules of 2004, is a critical component in EPA's program to reduce levels of fine particles and ground-level ozone across the Eastern United States. The rule builds upon the Acid Rain program to improve air quality and protect human health. By giving stakeholders, academics, technical experts in the States and Tribes, and the general public an opportunity to evaluate the modeling platform and the model inputs, the Agency ensures that the best technical information is used correctly. The improved air quality modeling system reflects technical adjustments and updates to the computer model, growth rates, emission inventories, air quality data, forecasting, scientific innovations, and the latest research in atmospheric chemistry. Many of the revisions are in direct response to information provided in public comments on the proposal. To allow the public an opportunity to comment on the new air quality modeling system, there will be a 21-day comment period from the date the NODA is published in the Federal Register. As more information becomes available, it will be posted on the web at: http://www.epa.gov/interstateairquality/ (2) EPA Launches Best Management Practices for Proposed Vessel-To-Reef Projects Cathy Milbourn, 202-564-7824 / milbourn.cathy@epa.gov EPA and the Maritime Administration (MARAD) have developed national guidance for the preparation of vessels that are destined to be sunk to create artificial reefs. The guidance was formulated over the past year-and-a-half in response to MARAD’s request for EPA’s assistance in identifying potential management options for their decommissioned vessel fleet. The first of its kind, EPA’s “Best Management Practices” will offer a consistent, national approach for planning and executing environmentally-sound vessel-to-reef projects. This document could be used by permitting authorities to determine if vessels have been sufficiently cleaned for placement as a reef that benefits the environment. This guidance identifies materials of concern that may be found onboard and provides a general cleanup performance goal for each. Achieving these clean-up performance goals, coupled with strategic siting, will help maximize the environmental benefits, including habitat enhancement, and recreational diving and fishing. This new guidance document does not substitute for any statute or regulation, nor is it a regulation itself. A notice of availability was published in the Federal Register on August 2, commencing a 60-day comment period for public participation in the continued development of this document. Comments should be submitted by October 1, 2004 via the EDOCKET 69 Fed. Reg. 46141 (August 2, 2004). The guidance document is posted on the web at: http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/habitat/artificialreefs/ (3) Commercialization of Recycling and Remediation Technologies Contracts Awarded Suzanne Ackerman, 202-564-7819 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov To encourage companies to recycle materials and remediate wastes, EPA awarded $700,000 to three companies to develop more cost-effective recycling and clean-up technologies through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. Twelve federal agencies participate in the SBIR program, enacted in 1982 to strengthen the role of small businesses in federal Research and Development. SBIR businesses must have less than 500 employees and at least 51 percent of the business must be owned by U.S. citizens. National Recovery Technologies, Inc. of Nashville, Tenn. will develop a prototype electronic-waste (e-waste) plastic sorting system for recovery and recycling of plastics from the computer industry. 13 billion pounds of e-waste plastics from computers alone are estimated to be produced in the next decade. The new technology will sort plastics by structure (polymer type), which allows the recycled materials to be reused in high-value, profitable applications. OnMaterials, Inc. of San Diego, Calif. will continue development of high surface-area iron powder to detoxify ground water contaminated with halogenated hydrocarbons, chemicals primarily used in fire extinguishers and refrigerants. Lower amounts of the new decontamination powder will be needed to treat contaminated ground water, thus reducing clean-up costs substantially. Little Bear Laboratories, Inc. of Golden, Colo. will develop methods to reduce acid drainage at mining sites. A significant environmental problem for the mining industry, uncontrolled oxidation of sulfide minerals in mine wastes causes acid rock drainage that contaminates receiving waters. The new methodology uses a chemical coating that selectively inhibits the action of acid-forming microbes. The SBIR program spawns commercial ventures that improve our environment, create jobs, and increase productivity and economic growth. For more information, contact James Gallup at gallup.james@epa.gov or visit: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/sbir (4) New Web Site Showcases International Innovative Environmental Solutions Enesta Jones, 202-564-7873 / jones.enesta@epa.gov A new EPA Web site offers environmental policies and best practices from countries around the world including Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Australia. The online global library provides links to journals, databases, guidelines, programs and case studies involving innovations in air, toxics, waste and water issues, as well as multi-media approaches, such as Environmental Management Systems, sustainable transport, smart growth and industrial ecology. It provides examples of state and local partnerships with other countries and regions that have resulted in creative environmental solutions in the United States such as: constructed wetlands to treat wastewater; green buildings and renewable energy to address climate and air pollution; industrial ecology to support pollution prevention and brownfields revitalization; a list of fellowships for group and individual exchanges; and a number of resources on evaluating international initiatives. The library will help state and local governments, federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, as well as other countries learn from these experiments. For more information, visit the website: http://www.epa.gov/innovation/international (5) Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to False Statement About Lead Notification Christopher Lagan, 202-564-7338 / lagan.christopher@epa.gov Robert James of St. Louis, Mo., pled guilty to making a false statement to a government agency. According to court documents, James owned rental property in St. Louis which had a history of lead-based paint problems. In June 2000, the City of St. Louis inspected the defendant’s property and issued a lead abatement order to him. The order, issued under the Lead Paint Hazard Reduction Act, required James to provide documentation to the EPA Region 7 Office of Regional Counsel indicating he had come into compliance. In October 2002, the defendant sent a letter to the Regional Counsel that falsely stated he was in compliance and he also sent other documentation falsely representing that he had provided a proper lead paint history to renters at his property. At sentencing, James faces a maximum possible sentence of up to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. The plea was entered on July 28 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri in St. Louis. The case was investigated by the St. Louis office of EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in St. Louis. R147 # # # Release date:08/04/2004 Receive our News Releases Automatically by Email
|
|
|
|
 | ||
|
EPA Home | Privacy and Security Notice | Contact Us
URL: Last Revised: 08/04/2004 05:05:51 PM
|