EPA National News: EPA Press Advisory: (1) New Environmental Research Fellowship Opportunities Announced; (2) Three New Money- and Labor-Saving Methods Approved for Determining Compliance with Uranium Drinking Water Standards; (3) EPA Plans Four Possible New and Revised Industrial Wastewater Controls; (4) Performance Track Memberships Renewed
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EPA Press Advisory: (1) New Environmental Research Fellowship Opportunities Announced; (2) Three New Money- and Labor-Saving Methods Approved for Determining Compliance with Uranium Drinking Water Standards; (3) EPA Plans Four Possible New and Revised Industrial Wastewater Controls; (4) Performance Track Memberships Renewed

EPA's latest developments

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

News for release: (Washington, D.C. – August 27, 2004)


(1) New Environmental Research Fellowship Opportunities Announced
Contact: Suzanne Ackerman 202-564-7819 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

EPA announced approximately 100 new fellowships will be awarded for research in environmental fields of study through the Agency’s Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. The STAR program provides educational support for full-time masters and doctoral level students who plan to pursue environmental careers; with a focus on developing future leaders in environmental science, education, assessment, and restoration efforts. More than 1,300 applicants compete each year for approximately 100 fellowships through a rigorous merit review process. A 2002 National Academy of Science (NAS) report gave the STAR program an outstanding rating compared to other federal research grant programs. The NAS report also concluded that STAR research results have improved the scientific foundation for decision making at EPA since the program’s inception in 1995. The deadline for preliminary applications is Nov. 23, 2004. Awards from this selection process should be made by July 21, 2005 for the fall 2005 term. Projects undertaken by previous fellows have included genetic approaches to biodiversity, environmental toxicology and research on watersheds and the impact of human behavior on the environment. Fellowships of up to $37,000 per year will be awarded, with masters degree candidates eligible for up to two years of support and doctoral candidates for a total of three years. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or be lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence. Information on STAR fellowships is available at: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/fellow . Detailed application information can be found at: http://es.epa.gov/ncer/rfa/2004/2005_star_grad_fellow.htm .

(2) Three New Money- and Labor-Saving Methods Approved for Determining Compliance with Uranium Drinking Water Standards
Contact: John Millett 202-564-7842 / millett.john@epa.gov

EPA has approved the use of three additional analytical methods to measure the amount of uranium in drinking water in the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Analytical Method for Uranium, that will be published in the Federal Register. The rule was proposed on June 2, 2004, in the Federal Register to allow for public comment. The new analytical methods could be more cost-effective, less labor-intensive or more sensitive than some of the technologies previously approved in the December 2000 Radionuclides Rule. The final rule does not affect approval of the 15 methods already specified in the federal regulations for compliance determinations of uranium. More information on this action is available on EPA’s web site at: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/ .
(3) EPA Plans Four Possible New and Revised Industrial Wastewater Controls

Contact: John Millett 202-564-7842 / millett.john@epa.gov

EPA plans to examine four industry sectors for possible new or updated wastewater controls. Under EPA’s 2004 Effluent Guidelines Plan, airport de-icing operations and drinking water supply and treatment facilities are candidates for possible new regulations. In addition, EPA may update existing industrial wastewater regulations for vinyl chloride manufacturing facilities and producers of chlorine that use the chlor-alkali process. Effluent guidelines are national regulations that improve water quality by controlling the discharge of pollutants by specific industries – from manufacturing and agriculture to service industries – into U.S. waters. By having effluent guidelines, over the past 30 years, EPA has prevented the discharge of more than 690 billion pounds of pollutants a year. The Clean Water Act requires EPA to annually review and, if appropriate, revise effluent guidelines already in effect. Every two years, the Agency must also publish a plan and schedule for its annual review and revision of effluent guidelines that are currently in place. The plan also identifies and establishes a rulemaking schedule for industries not currently covered by effluent guidelines. More information about EPA’s 2004 Effluent Guidelines Plan is available at: http://www.epa.gov/guide/plan.html .

(4) Performance Track Memberships Renewed

Contact: Suzanne Ackerman 202-564-7819 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

EPA has approved additional three-year terms for 138 members of the National Environmental Performance Track program. Performance Track rewards facilities that voluntarily exceed regulatory requirements, implement environmental management systems, work closely with their communities, and set three-year goals to continuously improve environmental performance. The renewal process is the first since the program was launched in 2000, and more than 75 percent of eligible members applied – a strong indicator that members value participation. Most members that did not reapply experienced difficulty meeting the program’s stringent performance criteria or underwent a change in management or operations. The renewing members have again made significant pledges to continue environmental improvements. For example, 39 facilities from Johnson and Johnson are demonstrating environmental stewardship by committing to reductions in areas such as water use, greenhouse gas releases, and hazardous waste generation. Renewing members’ applications also show an increased effort to minimize environmental impacts up and down the supply chain. As one example, Texas Instruments’ Sensors and Controls facility in Attleboro, Mass., has pledged to work with its suppliers to avoid the hazardous material hexavalent chromium through the use of alternative materials or through product redesign. To view a complete listing of facilities that were accepted for a second term, go to the Performance Track web site at: http://www.epa.gov/performancetrack .


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Release date:08/27/2004 Receive our News Releases Automatically by Email

 

 
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