New EPA Requirements for Livestock Operations

Most confined animal feeding operations do an excellent job of controlling manure and wastewater. State permitting processes require management plans that protect water resources. Now, the EPA has joined the process making it even more expensive for livestock operations to become permitted.

New Requirements for Controlling Manure, Wastewater from Large Animal Feeding Operations

U.S. Helping Chinese Coal Mines Clean Their Act

We constantly hear rhetoric from extremists about how the U.S. is the major culprit in the production of greenhouse gases in the world. What we don't hear is how U.S. technology is leading the way in helping some of the worst polluters in the world to reduce their emissions. The project discussed in the news release below is a good example of U.S. leadership in reducing pollutants into the atmosphere.

U.S. Helps Chinese Coal Mines Find Ways to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Release date: 09/16/2008

Contact Information: Suzanne Ackerman, (202) 564-4355 / ackerman.suzanne@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - Sept. 16, 2008) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has committed more than $1 million to assess the economic and technical feasibility of recovering and using methane from coal mines in China. If methane recovery programs are implemented at all three project sites, up to 1.8 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent could be reduced each year. That's equal to the annual emissions of up to 330,000 passenger vehicles.

"Methane recovery technologies can be...(complete news release here).

Endangered Species Regulations: New Approach

A new approach to federal evaluation of projects and their impact on Endangered Species.

Bush to relax protected species rules

By DINA CAPPIELLO

WASHINGTON - Parts of the Endangered Species Act may soon be extinct. The Bush administration wants federal agencies to decide for themselves whether highways, dams, mines and other construction projects might harm endangered animals and plants.

New regulations, which don't require the approval of Congress, would reduce the...(complete article here).

For additional reading: Secretary Kempthorne Proposes Narrow Changes To ESA Consultation Process

Maine Attacks the Chemical Industry

I am all for safe products but, a couple of thoughts here:

• If Maine bans chemicals that other states don't or the EPA does not, will they just be reducing the number and variety of products available in Maine? Is the population of Maine large enough that manufacturers can justify major changes just to accomodate them?
• Quality of life in the U.S. is largely the result of the abundance of products available to us. Those products seem to get better -- not worse. Certainly we learn from past experience -- such as removing lead from paint -- but, it sounds as if Maine is looking at a wholesale ban of large groups of products. Do they want a lower quality of life? Or, have they set their expectations on perfection? Are their citizens willing to pay for it?
• Leave it to the EPA. If they have enough extra money in Maine to build their own version of the EPA, why don't they send it to Washington and make the existing one better?

U.S. state wages fight against toxic chemicals

By Mercedes Grandin

AUGUSTA, Maine (Reuters) - Hannah Pingree was so alarmed when she learned she had dangerously high levels of mercury, arsenic and other toxic chemicals in her body that she took her case to the Maine state legislature and challenged chemical makers.

As the majority leader of Maine's House of Representatives, she...(complete article here).

EPA Ruling on Waiver Delayed

This one is complex. I'm not surprised at the delay. I submitted one of the 15,000 comments that they received. I believe that EPA should grant the waiver.

E.P.A. Delays Ruling on Ethanol

The Environmental Protection Agency said on Tuesday that it would not meet a July 24 deadline for ruling on a request that the government reduce the federal mandate on how much ethanol must be blended into gasoline this year.

“Rather, additional time is needed to allow...(complete article here).

2008 EPA Report on the Environment

The EPA has issued its 2008 Report on the Environment.

EPA's Report on the Environment

EPA’s 2008 Report on the Environment provides the American people with an important resource from which they can better understand trends in the condition of the air, water, and land and related trends in human health and ecological condition in the United States. This report was subjected to a thorough and rigorous independent external peer review and opportunities were also provided for public review and comment. This is the final report.
EPA is announcing the release of the final version of EPA’s 2008 Report on the Environment (ROE). EPA’s ROE uses scientifically sound indicators to address questions that EPA believes to be fundamental to its mission to protect human health and the environment. EPA believes that paying close attention to trends in such indicators serves two key purposes: it provides valuable input to EPA in developing its strategic outlook and priorities, and allows EPA and the public to assess whether the Agency is succeeding in its overall mission. EPA prepared this Report on the Environment (ROE) to accomplish these purposes. (click here to find links to the report)

Sense of Wonder Contest

The intergenerational nature of this contest appeals to me. It is important that a love for nature be passed down.

Second Annual Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Intergenerational Poetry, Essay and Photography Contest

Release date: 03/18/2008

Contact Information: Shakeba Carter-Jenkins, (202) 564-4355 / carter-jenkins.shakeba@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - March 18, 2008) The U.S. EPA Aging Initiative, in partnership with Generations United and the Rachel Carson Council Inc., are inviting submissions for its Second Annual Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Intergenerational Poetry, Essay and Photography Contest.

Carson is considered to be the founder of the contemporary environmental movement through her landmark book, Silent Spring. Its publication is credited with reversing the nation's pesticide policy.

Using the title of another of Carson's books, "The Sense of Wonder," the contest is seeking...(complete news release here).

New EPA Ag Advisory Committee

Get your nominations in now.

EPA Seeks Nominations to New Agricultural Advisory Committee

Release date: 11/15/2007
Contact Information: Dave Ryan, (202) 564-4355 / ryan.dave@epa.gov

(11/15/07) Continuing efforts to strengthen relations with the agriculture community, EPA announced in today's Federal Register a request for member nominations to the first-ever Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee.

The committee is being formed under the...(complete article here).

Habitat Funds for Long Island Sound

Restoration of riparian and estuarine environments is critical to the health of aquatic species.

Nearly $1 Million for Projects to Improve the Health of Long Island Sound; Funding for Habitat Restoration, Sound Stewardship and More Fish Among Initiatives

Release date: 10/29/2007
Contact Information:
Elias Rodriguez (212) 637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov
or David Deegan (617) 918-1017, deegan.dave@epa.gov

(Mystic, Conn.) Gathering together in Mystic, Conn., one of Long Island Sound’s most environmentally significant coastal areas, top federal and state environmental officials announced 24 grants to local governments and community groups under the Long Island Sound Futures Fund. The $917,650 will be leveraged by $1.68 million raised by the recipients themselves towards the projects, providing a total of nearly $2.8 million towards on-the-ground conservation in Connecticut and New York.

"The Long Island Sound Futures Fund exemplifies how we can protect and improve the environment through...(complete article here).

Proximity to concentrated human populations makes this critically important to the demonstration of sound environmental management practices under extreme pressure.