ÿþ<!-- saved from url=http://internet.e-mail --> <html> <head> <TITLE> Zephyr Newsletter, April 2009; Allegheny Mountain Section of A&WMA</TITLE> <meta name="description" content="Zephyr, newsletter, Allegheny Mountain Section of Air & Waste Management Association"> <meta name="keywords" content="Zephyr, newsletter, Allegheny Mountain Section, A&WMA, links"> <STYLE><!-- A {text-decoration: none;} A:hover {text-decoration: underline;} TD {font: Trebuchet MS,Arial Narrow,Arial,Arial MT,Helv,Helvetica,Monaco,MS Sans Serif; font-size: 12.5pt;} BIGNUMBERS {font-size: 18pt} SMALLCAPS {font-size: 16pt} --></STYLE> </head> <body bgcolor="#eeeeee" link="#0000ff" text="#000000" vlink="#0000ff"> <a name = "top"> <center> <table border=0 cellpadding=1 cellspacing=0 width=592 bgcolor="#000000"><tr><td> <!-- The above table places the 1 pixel gray outline around the whole page --> <center> <table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width=590 bgcolor="#ffffff"> <tr><td width=590 valign=top align=left colspan=2><table width=100% height="69" border=0 cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td valign=middle bgcolor="#638bb6" width=560 ><center><font color="#ffffff"> <b><font size=8 color="#ffffff"><i>Zephyr</i><br> <font size=3 color="#ffffff">The Newsletter of the Allegheny Mountain Section<br> of the Air and Waste Management Association </b></center> </td> <td width=150><center><img src="awma.gif" border=0 height=130 width=130></center></td> </tr></table> </td></tr> <tr><td width=590 valign=top colspan=2></td></tr> <tr><td width=250 height=17 valign=middle align=left bgcolor="#ffffff"><font face="ARIAL" size="-2" align=left>&nbsp;&nbsp; Volume 27/ Issue 4/&nbsp; April 2009</font></td> <td width=390 height=17 valign=middle bgcolor="#ffffff" align=right><font face="Arial, Verdana, Helvetica" size="1">|&nbsp<a href="sponsors.htm" target="_top">Our Sponsors</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="ads.jpg">Advertisers</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="lunch.htm">Luncheon</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="confrenc.htm">Events</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="contact.htm">Contact</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ams-awma.org">Home</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;</TR> <tr><td width=590 valign=top align=left colspan=2></td></tr> </table> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width=590><tr> <td width=437 bgcolor="#eeeeee" valign=top align=left> <table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width=437><tr><td width=437 height=10 colspan=3></td></tr> <tr></td> <td width=10></td> <td width=417 valign=top align=left> <font face="Arial, Verdana, Helvetica" size=2> <H3><i>The Zephyr</i> </H3> <! Text here > <P>The Zephyr covers news and events of the Allegheny Mountain Section of the Air & Waste Management Association plus regional and national environmental news in the fields of air pollution, water, wastewater, solid waste and environmental management. The Zephyr is published monthly 10 times per year from September to June, around the first of the month as a service to Section members. Archived versions of previous editions for the last year can be found <a href="archives.htm">here.</a> Print versions are mailed to Section members on request.<p> <font face="ARIAL" size="-2" align=left> Contributions, questions, suggestions, or comments on the Zephyr are welcome and should be submitted by email to <a href="mailto:robinsonal2@upmc.edu"><i>robinsonal2@upmc.edu</i></a>;Publication deadline is the 17th of the month for distribution around the first of the following month. The editors reserve the right reject or edit contributed articles as they feel appropriate.</p> </font> </td> </table> </td> <td width=1 bgcolor="#000000" valign=top align=left><img src="spacer.gif" width=1 height=2 hspace=0 vspace=0 alt="" border=0></td> <td width=150 rowspan=2 valign=top bgcolor="#638bb6"> <table border=0 bgcolor="#001A82" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 height=20 width=100%><tr><td><font face="arial" size=2 color="#F0B850"> <center><b>In This Issue:</b> </center></td></tr></table> <font face="arial" size="1"><ul> <li><a href = #chair>From the Chair</a> <li><a href = #section>Section News</a> <li><a href = #ISR>Internet Site Review</a> <li><a href = #water>A Word on Water</a> <li><a href = #air>In the Air</a> <li><a href = #tt>Solid Waste Views</a> <li><a href = #p2>P2 Forum</a> <li><a href = #cc>Compliance Corner</a> <li><a href = #words>Envirocabulary</a> <li><a href = #ds>International Focus</a> <li><a href = #ii>Indicator Impact</a> <li><a href = #at>Around the Town</a> <li><a href = editors.htm>Zephyr Staff</a> </ul></td></tr></table> <table border=0 cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 width=590 bgcolor="#001A82"> <tr><td width=590 valign=top align=left colspan=2></td></tr> <tr> <td width=590 height=17 valign=center align=center><font face="Arial, Verdana, Helvetica" size=1 color="#ffffff">© Copyright 2009 Allegheny Mountain Section A&WMA. All rights reserved.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=""><font color="#FFDC78"></font></a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</td></tr> <tr><td width=590 valign=top align=left colspan=2><img src="black.gif" width=590 height=1 alt="" border=0 vspace=0 hspace=0></td></tr> </table> </center> </td></tr></table> <p>&nbsp; <P> <table cellpadding=10> <tr> <td valign=middle bgcolor="#eeeeee" width=590><font face=arial size=2 > <DT><img width=233 height=233 src=emcmeekin.jpg align=right><H2> <a name =chair>From the Chair</a></H2><p>Liz McMeekin, Chair<br>Allegheny Mountain Section<p><a href="mailto:emcmeekin@ppg.com">emcmeekin@ppg.com</a><br><hr> <p><!--text goes here--></p> <bgsound src="SPARROW.wav" loop="4"> <p><b><i>Hello Spring!</i></b> This month s issue is chock full of some very special environmental news and facts, so I will try to keep my spiel brief and let you get on with your reading. I do want to let you know what a great turn-out we had (once again!) for our March Luncheon. Randy York was our speaker and he provided a great background to, and updates on, NPDES (say  Nep-uh-deez ) permitting. I really enjoyed hearing about the history of the wastewater program. Dinosaur as I am, it actually pre-dates me!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Coming up for this months A&WMA-AMS luncheon, on Thursday, April 9th, I hope you can join me to hear Brook Bertig-Coll and Dave Testa discuss  Environmental Permitting for Natural Gas Pipelines . Also this month, on April 16th, A&WMA is offering a free (to members), and timely, webinar on: <i> Environmental Careers: Finding a Job in a Challenging Economy </i>. Check for details inside the newsletter for this and a number of other A&WMA events happening in April!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>In the current socio-economic environment of doing more with less, being  more green , and in the spirit of  what doesn t kill you surely must make you stronger , I am announcing some changes that the Allegheny Mountain Section will be implementing in the coming months:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <ul> <li>In response to requests I have received from a number of our more  earthy members, an entrée of fine, pesticide and rock (but not worm)-free soil will be included at all future A&WMA-AMS luncheons. I believe these requests have come in response to a recent article in the NYTimes (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/27/health/27brod.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=eating%20dirt&st=cse">"Dirt Is Good for You"</a>), that discussed the benefits to the immune system of ingesting dirt. Having grown up on a farm, and eaten my share of dirt in my early years (according to my mom), and now being a pretty hearty and healthy person in my 50 s, I guess I stand as a pretty good testament to the health benefits of eating dirt. Art and Larry King, of Harvest Valley Farms in Valencia (Harry Klodowski s neighbors!) quoted me a pretty good price on a couple of bushels of dirt. So, join me at our April 9th luncheon for a very fine serving of dirt, if you will. Bon Appétit! I ll take my chocolate- flavored, please!</li> <li>To do our part to reduce energy usage and our greenhouse gas footprint, air conditioning will not be used at any A&WMA-AMS board meetings at the ACHD office. Attending members will be provided with folded paper fans for your individual cooling needs. In addition, as part of this energy-saving initiative, Scott Golla will be pilot-testing a new Westinghouse technology that will capture the hot air from the meetings (What? Hot air at AMS board meetings??? No...!) and turn it into electricity. (<A href="http://www.ener-g-rotors.com">www.ener-g-rotors.com</a>) I am really looking forward to seeing how this new technology works!!! ( Meghan, where s my nosegay and fan?? )</li> <li>o reward our members in their efforts to  go green , anyone riding their bicycle to an A&WMA-AMS event will be given a new solar-powered Whirly-Gig Beanie Hat (complete with A&WMA logo) to wear during the meeting. (Groucho Marx nose and glasses are optional.) In addition, one bicycle-riding member at each event will be selected to receive a brand-new-on-the-market <a href="hhttp://www.core77.com/greenergadgets/ientry.php?projectid=54"> Wind-Helmet </a>, which will allow you to charge your cell-phone or I-Pod, while you ride! Grab your bicycles and Good Luck!!</li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I ll be looking forward to getting your feedback on these changes. And please feel free to e-mail <a href="mailto:emcmeekin@ppg.com">me</a> if you have other suggestions for ways we can  green our A&WMA events . Have a great April!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> <br /> <p><HR><P> <a href="#top">Return to the top of the page</a> <hr><img width=234 height=211 src=news.jpg align=right> <a name = section></a><H2>Section News </H2><p>News about and of interest to<p> members of the<p>Allegheny Mountain Section<p><em>Editor-in-Chief</em>: Arijit Pakrasi, 412/858-3921, e-mail:<a href="mailto:arijit.pakrasi@shawgrp.com">Arijit.Pakrasi @ shawgrp.com</span></a><p> ___________________________________<p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>AMS Monthly Board of Directors Meeting Summary</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><i>Submitted by Meghan Blaney, Secretary</i></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Due to everyone s busy schedules, the AMS Monthly Board of Directors Meeting was held at midnight at the Eat-n-Park on Banksville Road (lots of coffee was served!).</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>One change was noted is that Jayme Traham and Harry Klobotski s names were spelled incorrectly. Traham should be respelled Graham and Klobotski is spelled Klodowski. A motion was made to accept the corrected minutes by Ms. Traham seconded by Dave Beachler, and approved with one abstention, that being Mr. Klobotski </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Peter Kroll provided an electronic copy of the profit & loss budget performance and balance sheet. Jayme motioned that before the reports were reviewed that the AED device down the hall be brought into the board room as a precautionary measure. The motion was seconded by Randy York and approved by voice vote with the exception of Mike Winek who felt that the AED device in its present location was close enough already.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Harry Klodowski reported on the recent conference call held by the Membership committee. Harry mentioned that many folks who show up at the monthly luncheons are not members nor are many of the Zephyr editors. He suggested that the committee will follow up with those who attend meetings who may not be members. Harry also suggested that the Board consider back fees from those folks who have been reaping the benefits of A&WMA without actually being members.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Jill Pouliot reported that there was a good turnout at the last YP event at Bar Louie at Station Square. There were three University of Pittsburgh students in attendance. All three were well behaved and didn t burn any of the furniture.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The meeting was adjourned when Vice-Chair Brad Waldron couldn t wait and opened up a pack of Smiley Cookies and began passing it around.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><center><b>WELCOME NEW MEMBERS</b></center></p> <p></p> <p>The Allegheny Mountain Section welcomes our new members:</p> <ul> <li>Brendan Chabon, Student</li> <li>Tom Duplessis - Nova Chemicals</li> <li>Lina Kruth, Student</li> <li>Mike Palazzolo - Alcoa</li> <li>Jennifer Sabol, Student  Robert Morris Univ.</li> <li>Don Spaeder - GAI Consultants</li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p>And Thank You to our members who asked a friend or acquaintance to join A&WMA. We are currently running two special membership discount programs, and you should tell your non-member friends: a  New Member rate of $135 per year (contact me for details) and a $35 credit towards your new membership by signing up for the April 16, 2009 Environmental Careers Webinar (members can register for free). This is a good time to talk to prospective student members, as they can get a year s A&WMA membership by paying for the Careers Webinar.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Don t forget the Volunteer Leaders Membership Webinar on April 2, 2009, free to members  or attend at ERM  Wexford. This is a good way to learn about Membership Development and Retention, and we could use your help on the Membership Committee.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <a href="#top">Return to the top of the page</a> <br /> <P><HR><P> <hr><img width=220 height=144 src=netsurf.jpg align=right v:shapes="_x0000_s1027"><a name="ISR"></a><h2>Internet Site Review</h2><p>Internet Sites of Interest to Environmental Professionals<br> with Kimberly Walker<p><i>You can contact me at <a href="mailto:Kimberly.Walker@erm.com">kimberly.walker@ erm.com</a></i><p>___________________________________<br><p> <p></p> <p><b>Environmental Graffiti</b></p> <p></p> <p>(Source: <a href="http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/">http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/</a>)</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Born in May 2007, Environmental Graffiti is an eclectic mix of the most bizarre, funny and interesting environmental news on the planet. This website searches the vast realms of the internet on behalf of all environmentalists who don t take themselves too seriously and compile it into a daily blog.</p> <p></p> <ul> <li>Here you can find all about the 10 most horrific Russian torture devices, in case you ever need to seek revenge on those who wronged you! Details on the Head Crusher and Guided Cradle as one quick mouse click away!</li> <li>Maybe you re an Adventure Enthusiast  then test your poise by reading about the Most Terrifying Mountain Bike Trail On Earth, or maybe you would be brave enough to try out Russia newest fad  ice bungee jumping!</li> <li>Into organic art? Then the artist works where the boundaries between living organisms blur might spark your interest.</li> <li>Ever felt like the creepy scary bridge might be speaking to you? It is, and Jodi Rose has been traveling the world in search of the unheard voices of the bridges that connect us together.</li> <li>What do you really know about Black Holes  astronomers there are details regarding this phenomenon of interest to you.</li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p>So whatever peaks your interest on weird environmental news, Environmental Graffiti has something for everyone. Surf and enjoy!</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="#top">Return to the top of the page</a> <br /> <P><HR><P> <hr> <img width=188 height=224 src=onwater.jpg align=right v:shapes="_x0000_s1027"><a name="water"></a><h2>A Word on Water</h2><p>The Latest News on Water, Wastewater<br> and Related Topics<br> with Susan Z. Forney,<br> <a href="mailto:szforney@ehsinfolink.com">szforney@ehsinfolink.com</a></b> <p>___________________________________<p> <!text goes here> <p><b>RENDELL ANNOUNCES PLANS TO SPEND MILLIONS IN GRANTS FOR GROWING GREENER PROJECTS AND FLOOD PROTECTION</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Governor Edward G. Rendell recently announced the investment of more than $21.5 million in 144 Growing Greener projects to reduce pollution from stormwater runoff and farms, treat acid mine drainage, reduce flooding and improve water quality across the commonwealth.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The Growing Greener funds are being distributed to non-profit organizations, watershed groups and county and municipal governments to address local and regional water quality issues. Growing Greener grants are used to create or restore wetlands, restore stream buffer zones, eliminate causes of nonpoint source pollution, plug oil and gas wells, reclaim abandoned mine lands and restore aquatic life to streams that were lifeless due to acid mine drainage.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The state also is directing $1.1 million in flood protection grants to assist with maintenance and improve operations at 28 flood protection projects in various counties.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Flood protection grants are awarded annually to municipalities and counties that sponsor existing flood protection projects. The grants provide up to 65 percent of the costs for project improvements and non-routine maintenance, as well as a maximum of 50 percent of the cost for specialized equipment to maintain these projects in a state of readiness.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Grants are awarded based upon anticipated benefits to the project, such as extending the infrastructure s life, improving function, or improving emergency response. The maximum dollar value for project improvements and non-routine maintenance grants is $65,000, and the maximum dollar value for specialized equipment grants is $50,000. Local municipal and county sponsors become responsible for the long-term operation and routine maintenance of flood protection projects once construction of a federal or state-funded project is completed.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>A detailed list of Growing Greener projects is available online at <a href="http://www.growinggreener2.com">www.growinggreener2.com</a>. More information on Pennsylvania s Flood Protection Program is available at visit <a href="http://www.depweb.state.pa.us">www.depweb.state.pa.us</a>, keyword: Flood Protection.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>EPA Issues Guidance for Water Funds Under the Recovery Act</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>On March 2, EPA issued guidance on the award of Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Fund Capitalization Grants under the  American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The ARRA provides $2 billion to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and $4 billion to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>On March 12, EPA issued new guidance for the administration of Water Quality Management Planning (WQMP) Grants funded under the ARRA. According to Section 604(b) of the Clean Water Act, 1% of each state s CWSRF allotment is reserved for WQMP activities. This means that nearly $40 million will be available nationally to support a broad range of planning activities. Examples of these activities might include: addressing nutrient pollution from cities and agriculture on a watershed basis, protecting undeveloped areas through "green infrastructure" techniques, creating low impact development programs that will protect water quality in developing areas, developing watershed plans and total maximum daily loads, analyzing trends in water availability and use, and developing response plans to adapt to climate change.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>For a copy of the guidance documents, please visit <a href="http://www.epa.gov/water/eparecovery/">www.epa.gov/water/eparecovery/</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>AWMA AMS Section Sponsors Senior Professionals for the 2009 National Beach Conference</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Senior Professional (36 and older) AMS Members are invited to attend the 2009 National Beach Conference to be held April 20-22 in Huntington Beach, California. This 3-day conference,  Riding the Wave of Emerging Science, is sponsored by EPA's Office of Water and will bring together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from around the world to discuss water quality at beaches.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>While attendees will be asked to bear the cost of transportation and lodging, the Section will be providing free beach umbrellas, sunblock, Alka-Seltzer and BENGAY. Young professionals also may attend, provided they are escorted by senior professionals.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>For more information on the conference, visit <a href="http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/meetings/2009/">www.epa.gov/waterscience/beaches/meetings/2009/</a>.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>EPA Releases  Watershed Central Web Site and a "Watershed Wiki </b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>EPA recently posted a new Web site called "Watershed Central" to help watershed organizations and others find key information they need to implement watershed management projects. The primary purpose of the new Watershed Central Web site is to make it easy for organizations to find the information that they need to help protect and restore their water resources. Watershed Central helps users find environmental data, watershed models, nearby local organizations, guidance documents and other information depending on the task at hand. Watershed Central also contains links to watershed technical resources, funding sources, mapping applications and information specific to named watersheds.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The site includes a  Watershed Central Wiki for collaboration and information sharing. Watershed Central not only links to EPA Web resources, but also links to other funding, guidance and tools on Web sites of state, tribal, and federal partners, universities, and nonprofit organizations. EPA s new site is located at: <a href="http://www.epa.gov/watershedcentral">www.epa.gov/watershedcentral</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>On April 15, 2009, EPA's Watershed Academy will present a Webcast entitled, "Watershed Central: A New Gateway to Watershed Information. This Webcast will provide an opportunity to learn about the information and tools available on Watershed Central, including the new Watershed Wiki. Please visit our Web site at <a href="http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts">www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts</a> to learn more about this Webcast. Registration will open in early April. Also, at this URL you can find archives of 39 past Webcasts on a variety of watershed management topics.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b><i>A Drop of Fun</i></b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>A minister is stopped by a traffic cop for speeding. The officer smells alcohol on his breath and then he sees an empty wine bottle on the floor, and he says, "Sir, have you been drinking?" And the minister says, "Just water." The officer says, "Then why do I smell wine?" And the minister looks down at the bottle and says, "Good Lord, He's done it again!"</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="#top">Return to the top of the page </a> <br /> <P><HR></P> <hr> <img width=144 height=220 src=airguy.gif align=right><a name="air"></a><h2>In the Air</h2><p>News of Air Pollution Control<br> and Air Related Issues<br> with Nancy Hirko, Kimberly Coy, and Mark Schooley of Air/Compliance Consultants, Inc<p><i>You can contact them at <a href="mailto:schooley@air-comp.com">schooley @ air-comp.com</a> </i><p>___________________________________<p> <!text goes here> <p><b>ALL ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS DECLARED  UNLAWFUL </b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>In taking its cue from the Financial Sector, the Most High and Revered Courts across the country have declared  that all environmental rules are unlawful and place too many constraints on free trade and the economy. This ruling, which came about on April 1, 2009, caused wild celebration in the streets. No more would ordinary folks be required to put out their trash on Tuesdays. No more would businesses have to worry about those extraneous constituents in the air and water discharges. CEO s would now be able to afford their corporate jets.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The ruling also stated that  if the Financial Sector does not have to abide by its own rules and regulations, checks, and balances, then why should businesses be hampered by these bothersome Environmental Restrictions. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Judges Judy, Oliver Wendell, and Dredd all voted in favor of the repeal. Even though much scientific research was presented concerning environmental pollutants and their effect on flora, fauna, and public welfare, the judges could not be convinced otherwise. It was just too  costly for businesses to meet the rule requirements. Basically,  if no one is held accountable for the supposed destruction of the environment, then why have the rules at all. The effect on bottom lines should be substantial.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The judges viewed this as a win-win situation for the business community. They reasoned that only plant environmental personnel, environmental regulators, a handful of scientists, and highly paid consultants and lawyers would be directly affected by the ruling.  No one really understands these rules anyway. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>MANDATORY GREENHOUSE GAS REPORTING RULE PROPOSED</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>On March 10, 2009, the EPA signed the proposed rule that requires mandatory reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from large sources. The rule has not yet been published in the Federal Register. The proposed rule was in response to the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 2764; Public Law 110 161).</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The purpose of the rule is to collect data for future policy decisions. The large sources which would be applicable to the GHG reporting rule include suppliers of fossil fuels or industrial greenhouse gases, manufacturers of vehicles and engines, and facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year of GHG emissions. These sources would be required to submit annual reports to EPA. The first annual report would be submitted to EPA in 2011 for calendar year 2010, except vehicle and engine manufacturers, which would begin reporting for model year 2011.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The gases covered by the proposed rule are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and other fluorinated gases including nitrogen trifluoride (NF3) and hydrofluorinated ethers (HFE).</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The public comment period will be open for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. For more information, click on the following link: <a href="http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html">http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>ADDITIONAL NESHAPS PROPOSED FOR RECIPROCATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>On March 5, 2009, EPA proposed national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) from the following sources:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <ul> <li>Existing stationary reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) with site rating d" 500 horsepower (hp) located at major sources;</li> <li>Existing non-emergency compression ignition (CI) engines with a site rating of >500 hp at major sources;</li> <li>Existing stationary RICE of <b>any</b> power rating located at area sources.</li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p>EPA is proposing to limit emissions of HAP through emission standards for formaldehyde for non-emergency, 4-stroke, rich-burn (4SRB) engines, emergency spark ignition (SI) engines, and for engines less than 50 hp, and through emission standards for carbon monoxide (CO) for all other engines.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Compliance demonstrations under the proposed rule are as follows:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <ul> <li>For existing non-emergency RICE at major sources that are less than 100 hp and emergency RICE at major sources, the owner/operator will be required to operate and maintain RICE and control device according to manufacturer s written instructions or develop their own maintenance plan. No performance testing is required for these sources.</li> <li>For existing non-emergency RICE at major sources e" 100 hp, but d"500 hp, an initial performance test must be conducted. No subsequent testing is required.</li> <li>For existing non-emergency RICE > 500 hp at major sources, an initial performance test must be conducted, and subsequent testing must be conducted every 8,760 hours or 3 years, whichever comes first.</li> <li>For non-emergency CI RICE >500 hp at major sources, the owner/operator is required to continuously monitor and record catalyst inlet temperature and monthly pressure drop if oxidation catalyst is being used. If an oxidation catalyst is not being used, the owner/operator must continuously monitor other parameters as approved by the EPA.</li> <li>For existing RICE at area sources, the owner/operator must develop a maintenance plan that will specify how the management practices will be met,</li> <li>For existing RICE at area sources that are subject to numerical limits, an initial performance test must be performed. For non-emergency RICE > 500 hp, must test every 8,760 hours or 3 years, whichever comes first.</li> <li>For existing non-emergency 2SLB, 4SLB, 4SRB and CI RICE >500 hp, the owner/operator must continuously monitor catalyst inlet temperature and monthly pressure drop if an oxidation catalyst or non-selective catalytic reduction (NSCR) is being used. If an oxidation catalyst or NSCR is not being used, the owner/operator must continuously monitor other parameters as approved by the EPA.</li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>TRI Burden Reduction Rule Eliminated</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Included in the Omnibus Appropriations Act signed by President Obama on March 11, 2009, is a measure to eliminate EPA s 2006 Toxic Release Inventory Burden Reduction Final Rule and restore it to the rules that existed before that change. Facilities subject to TRI reporting must now revert to reporting based on the pre-2006 rule, until EPA takes further action.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The 2006 final rules were published to reduce the reporting burden on those entities subject to TRI reporting. Under the 2006 final rule, reporting using a generic Form A Report, which does not require numeric reporting, was permitted if the quantity of the chemical produced, processed or otherwise used was less than 1,000,000 lbs/yr, and the following criterion was met:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <ul> <li>For persistent, bio-accumulative toxic (PBT) chemicals, total releases, both on and off site, were less than zero, and total recycling, treatment and energy recovery were 500 pounds per year (lbs/yr) or less.</li> <li>For non-PBT chemicals, total waste management was 5,000 lbs/yr or less and total releases, both on and off-site, were 2,000 lbs/yr or less.</li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p>TRI reporting is required by Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986, also known as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) and the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990. Reports are due to EPCRA on or before July 1 of each year. The purpose of the TRI reporting program is to provide the public with information on the releases and other waste management activities of the applicable TRI chemicals and to provide the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) with this information to assist in determining future regulations.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>In 2007, thirteen states filed a lawsuit to invalidate the 2006 final rule, alleging that EPA violated EPCRA by eliminating a substantial majority of the toxic chemical information, by arbitrarily reversing a previous policy on collecting data for PBT chemicals, and for improperly attempting to limit the public disclosure of information.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>USEPA to Review the December 2008 Memo on Pollutants Covered by PSD</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The saga on whether carbon dioxide (CO2) will require Best Available Control Technology (BACT) continues. On February 17, 2009, USEPA, now headed by Lisa Jackson, partially granted a petition from the Sierra Club for reconsideration of the controversial December 2008 interpretive memo, <i>EPA s Interpretation of Regulations that Determine Pollutants Covered by Federal Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permit Program </i>, authored by then Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. Ms. Jackson stated that permitting authorities should not assume the December 2008 memo is the final word on the interpretation of requirements, but she did not issue a stay, so the memorandum remains in effect.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>In the December 2008 memo, EPA interpreted the definition of <i>regulated NSR pollutant</i> in 40 CFR 52.21(b)(50) to 1) exclude those pollutants for which EPA regulations only require monitoring or reporting, and 2) include only air pollutants already subject to actual control of emissions under the Clean Air Act (CAA). Conclusion: major sources of CO2 emissions are not required to undergo a BACT evaluation under the PSD program. The memo was penned to address the ambiguity and uncertainty that followed the decision by EPA s Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) in <i>In re: Deseret Power Electric Cooperative</i>, PSD Appeal No. 07-03, November 13, 2008. Highlights of the Deseret Case are as follows:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <ul> <li>The Petitioners (Sierra Club) argued that CO2 is a <i>regulated NSR pollutant</i>, using its definition in 40 CFR 52.21(b)(50)(vi), which states  any pollutant that is otherwise subject to regulation under the Act , where the regulation is a monitoring and reporting requirement under Section 821 of the CAA.</li> <li>The EAB agreed with EPA that the  subject to regulation phrase is ambiguous about specific air pollutants subject to PSD programs and rejected the Sierra Club s position that this phrase has only one interpretation and that interpretation is to impose a CO2 BACT limit.</li> <li>The EAB rejected EPA s position that it is bound by historical interpretation of the phrase  subject by regulation as meaning  subject to a statutory or regulatory provision that requires actual control of emissions of that pollutant , and concluded that EPA had not demonstrated that the Agency had historically interpreted the CAA as excluding CO2 as <i>a regulated NSR pollutant</i>.</li> <li>The EAB required EPA to consider whether BACT for CO2 emissions should be included in a PSD permit for the new coal-fired power plant in Utah, and whether to undertake an action of nationwide scope to address the interpretation of  subject to regulations, as contained in the definition of <i>regulated NSR pollutant</i> in 40 CFR 52.21(b)(50(iv).</li> <li>EAB s decision is contrary to the EPA s July 2008 Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR), which concludes that Congress should be addressing the control of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emissions through new legislation, and in sync with the April 2007 US Supreme Court decision in Massachusetts vs. EPA, where the Court found that EPA had the authority to regulate GHG emissions as a pollutant under the CAA, but only if EPA finds that the emissions endanger health or the environment through an <i>endangerment finding</i>.</li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="#top">Return to the top of the page</a></p> <br /> <P><HR><P> <hr> <img width=158 height=246 src=Infocus.jpg align=right><a name="ds"></a><h2>International<br>Focus</h2><b><p>News of Environmental Trends and Regulations<br>in Other Countries</b><p> with Kim Walker<p><i>You can contact me at <a href="mailto:Kimberly.walker@erm.com">Kimberly.walker @ erm.com</a></i><p>___________________________________<p> <!text goes here> <p><b><i>In Fact, this Month is Truly Out of This World...</i></b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>Drinking Pee in Space  The Official Guide to Drinking Your Own Urine</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>If you're going on a long space trip, you'll soon realize that you can't carry all the fresh water you'll need with you. Those childhood dreams of traveling to space probably didn't include drinking your own sweat and pee. However, the cost of getting all water into space would destroy your budget before you ever built a single photon torpedo launcher. If you'd like to enjoy a cool pint of fresh water in space, the "shipped-from-Earth" variety will cost you $15,000. That's why the International Space Station captures every bit of evaporated water possible, collects it and purifies it for use as drinking water.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>While astronauts were apparently fine with drinking each other's sweat, exhaled water vapor and shower water, NASA hadn't crossed the urine barrier yet. <i>But time s they are a changing and that time is here!</i> The answer, of course, is recycling. Last November 2008, The USA Space Shuttle Endeavor carried aloft a Michigan Technological University designed Water Recovery System.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Here's how it turns pee into a refreshing drink:</p> <ol> <li>Urine is distilled, removing a bunch of the "bad stuff" you wouldn't want to drink.</li> <li>It's combined with the other waste water (the sweat and shower water).</li> <li>Solids are filtered out. You don't want someone's hair in your morning drink.</li> <li>The water passes through a bunch of multi-filtration beds made of materials that remove contaminants either by absorbing them or negating them via ion exchange.</li> <li>At this point, the water holds some non-organics and solvents. A reactor breaks those impurities down into carbon dioxide, water and ions.</li> <li>Leaving behind the CO2 and the ions gives you water that's as pure as a mountain stream. Probably purer.</li> </ol> <p></p> <p></p> <p>(Sources:<a href="http://io9.com/5090721/the-official-nasa-guide-to-drinking-your-own-urine"> Official NASA Guide</a> and <a href="http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/2008/11/nasas-latest-feat-is-out-of-this-world-a-wastewater-recycling-system-was-delivered-to-the-international-space-station-tk-wh.html">Sierra Club's Green Life Article, "NASA's latest Feat"</a>)</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="#top">Return to the top of the page</a></p> <br /> <P><HR><P> <hr> <img width=160 height=226 src=trash.jpg align=right> <a name="tt"></a><h2>Solid Waste Views</h2> with John Scrabis, P.E.<p><i>You can contact me at:<a href="mailto:jmscrabis@mactec.com">jmscrabis@mactec.com</a></i> <p>___________________________________<p> <!--text goes here--> <p><b>EPA Announces Plans for Use of Stimulus Funds</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>(Washington, D.C.  March 9, 2009) The EPA announced it expects to receive approximately $30B in federal stimulus money and will distribute the funds as follows:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <ul> <li>Employee mortgage bailouts ($5B)</li> <li>Management bonuses ($6.5B)</li> <li>Stock market investments ($13.5B)</li> <li>Extra vacation time for all employees ($1B)</li> <li>Conferences/Seminars in warm, sunny places ($2B)</li> <li>New SUVs for managers ($1B)</li> <li>Debt from Obama Inauguration Parties ($1B)</li> <li>Technical training ($10K)</li> <li>Regulatory enforcement (<i>whatever is left</i>)</li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p>More information on EPA s planned use of stimulus funds can be found at: <a href="http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/letthegoodtimesroll.htm">let the good green times roll</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>New Clean Coal Technology Introduced</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Free American Republican Coal Enterprises (FARCE), a nonprofit coal advocacy group, announced that its research and development department has identified a new clean coal technology that it hopes will revolutionize energy production from coal combustion. The approach involves a proprietary triple-rinsing process of the mined coal before it is shipped off to coal-fired power plants. Spokesman Tom ( Smokey ) Stack enthusiastically stated  This is the best way yet to get clean coal& .you can eat off of it once it goes through the rinsing process. We think this will satisfy all of the skeptics that say that clean coal cannot be achieved . FARCE intends to release a one-page technical document that describes the coal washing process in more detail. Mr. Stack believes that once the government and the public get a chance to review the document, there will be no question that  clean coal is the way to go .</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>Pittsburgh Pirates  Going Green </b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The Pittsburgh Pirates announced that they have implemented organizational changes that will help the team reduce its carbon footprint and result in a more environmentally-friendly operation. Specific changes that will be implemented during the 2009 season include the following:</p> <p></p> <ul> <li>Player uniforms will be washed once per week (instead of after each game);</li> <li>Only pitchers who throw at speeds of less than 90 MPH will be kept on the team s Major League roster; this will save energy and reduce heat generation;</li> <li>Each player will be provided with only one bat for the season - in the rare event that a Pirate hitter actually makes solid contact with a pitch and breaks his bat, he will be required to pay for a replacement bat and plant a new Ash or Maple tree;</li> <li>The synthetic  green part of the Pirate Parrot s costume will be replaced with live switchgrass, which will be harvested at the end of the season and donated to a biofuels processing facility; and</li> <li>Fireworks Nights will be replaced by Sparklers Extravaganza Nights. At the end of the game, the stadium lights will be shut off and Pirates players will run around the bases holding lighted sparklers  this will have the added benefit of reminding the players of what it feels like to run the bases since most of them will not reach base during the actual game.</li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The Pirates anticipate that the added excitement these  green initiatives will bring to the season will increase demand for season tickets; they have therefore added a  green tax of 10% on all season ticket packages.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="#top">Return to the top of the page</a> <br /> <P><HR><P> <hr> <img width=307 height=194 src=editor10.jpg align=right v:shapes="_x0000_s1027"><a name="words"></a><h2>ENVIROCABULARY</h2><p>Environmental Acronyms, Obscure Words<br> and Other Lingo<br> with Kim Walker<p><i>You can contact me at <a href="mailto:Kimberly.walker@erm.com">Kimberly.walker @ erm.com</a></i><p>___________________________________<p> <!text goes here><br /><i>Each month, the Envirocabulary staff will scour the environmental literature for terms of interest to our readers. This month s terms are& </i> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>Grandfathered in:</b> <i>If your grandfather got away with it, you can too</i>.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>Accountability:</b> <i>Generally advocated after it is too late to actually achieve it.</i></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>Adrenaline:</b> <i>Formerly our primary defense against being eaten by other animals, now a reminder we are one.</i></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>(Source: <a href="http://www.britell.com/devil/devil.html">The Devil s Environmental Dictionary</a>)</p> <p></p> <p><a href="#top">Return to the top of the page</a> <P><HR><P> <!--COLUMN:INDICATOR IMPACT--> <a name="ii"></a><h2>Indicator Impact</h2><p>A look at indicators of efforts to resolve air, <br> water and waste problems that affect populations and property through <br>the practice of Environmental Management and Related Fields<br> courtesy of the Zephyr Editorial Board.<p><i>Please contact Allison Robinson at <a href="mailto:robinsonal2@upmc.edu">robinsonal2@upmc.edu</a> if you have any questions</i> <br />______________________________ <p></p> <p></p> <p><b><i>Careful looking up</i>: Birds of a different feather as indicators of climate change, air quality, and ecosystem stability</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Although their melodic songs are reassuring signs of Spring, birds historically helped raise the alarm about the adverse impacts of effluents and emissions on the environment. Early ecologists and environmentalists such a Pinochet and Carson noticed declines in bird populations and postulated their possible decline as associated with the use of chemicals. Birds have been and continue to be a good indicator of air quality impacts on advance organisms.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Birds primarily indicate changes in their ecosystems as well as changes in air quality (temperature, humidity, acidity, visibility, etc). Long-term observational data of specific species indicates that they also indicate climate change. Depending on a bird s preferential climate and biome, they may indicate adverse conditions in water (e.g. waterfowl), low atmosphere (e.g. regional birds and low flying birds) or mid-atmosphere (e.g. migratory or high-flying birds) and ecosystems in general (changes in regional populations). Birds indicate environmental impact by:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <ul> <li>Changes in population size (census data)</li> <li>Changes in mating habits (observational data and census, data)</li> <li>Changes in population  ability to reproduce healthy offspring (without mutations) (census data, observational data)</li> <li>Changes in areas inhabited (observational data)</li> <li>Changes in health, e.g. susceptibility vs., immunity (observational data, intervention data where possible)</li> <li>Changes in lifespan (observational data, census data)</li> <li>Change in appearance (observational data)</li> <li>Changes in behaviors (observational data)</li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p>As indicated above the types of informational likely available are:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <ul> <li><i>census data</i> as a results of bird counts</li> <li><i>observational data</i> as reported of regulatory officers, researchers, and birdwatchers</li> <li><i>intervention data</i> based on anecdotal and/or experiential encounters (veterinarians, good Samaritans, etc)</li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Useful sources of information regarding birds are:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <ul> <li>Study of climate change impact on birds:</li> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.epa.gov/owow/birds/intro.html">USEPA's Bird Conservation Efforts</a></li> <li><a href=" http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/ImpactsBirds.html">Global warming impact on birds (USEPA)</a></li> </ul> <li><a href="http://mbdcapps.fws.gov/mbdc/databases/db_selection.html">Regulatory management through the Bureau of Fish and Wildlife (FWL)</a></li> <li>Birdwatchers:</li> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.audubon.org/">The National Audubon Society</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.birdpop.org/nbii/NBIIHome.asp">US Geological Survey's Institute for Bird Populations' database</a></li> </ul> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>For more on birds as a harbinger of climate change see the following links:</p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-03/du-cca030309.php"> Climate change affecting Europe's birds now, say researchers </a></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/41174/title/Climate_change_discourages_second_families"> Climate change discourages second families </a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><center># # # # #</center></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><i>(Source: <a href="http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-03/w-spw030209.php">www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-03/w-spw030209.php</a>)</i></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><i>A different type of frequent flyer facilitates the spread of invasive species</i>. A recent research study predicts when climate factors such as temperature, humidity and rainfall will match at geographically distant airline departure and destination points, which could help to transport invasive species, and the diseases they may carry, across the globe along existing flight routes.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Andy Tatem, who holds a joint position at the Emerging Pathogens Institute and the University of Florida's geography department, said his model uses the latest forecast data for climate change and air traffic volumes. <i>Tatem predicts a peak risk will be reached in June 2010, when multiple factors converge to create a month when the climate factors at many flight origin and destination airports would be most similar</i>.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>"The model shows us that climatic shifts are not greatly significant over the next few years," Tatem said. "But the great increase in traffic volumes from expanding economies in India and China are likely to have a significant effect on moving species. This gives us much more of a detailed idea on the importance of key risk factors and how these change over time, compared to previous work we did in 2007."</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>When considering how some  accidental travelers succeed, Tatem hypothesized, "some studies have shown that mosquitoes can fly on randomly, or they may get into baggage. Accidental invasions may happen when people purposely bring fruit aboard, or they may bring in a plant that makes it through inspections, or they may just have seeds stuck in the soles of their shoes. <i> Kind of like how birds spread seeds over their inhabited biomes. </i></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="#top">Return to the top of the page </a> <br /> <P><HR><P> <hr> <img width=208 height=205 src=p2forum.jpg align=right><a name="p2"></a><h2>P2 Forum</h2><p>News on Pollution Prevention, <br>Recycling and Related Issues<br> with Michael Stepaniak<p><i>You can contact me at <a href="mailto:michaels@ccicenter.org">michaels @ ccicenter.org</a></i><p>___________________________________<br> <br /><b><u> This Month, APRIL 2009:</u></b>: <b>First Allegheny County Household Hazardous Waste Collection Scheduled</b> <b>Energy Savings is Key to Marketing for Green Electronics</b> <b>UPS Sends Compressed Natural Gas Trucks to Four More States</b> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>FIRST ALLEGHENY COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION SCHEDULED</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Take a look around your home or apartment and you may discover as much as 100 pounds of household hazardous waste (HHW) stored in the bathroom, kitchen, basement, garage, and garden shed. According to the EPA, an average home can easily accumulate this amount of cleaners, pesticides, paints, automotive fluids, and other products containing hazardous components. Western Pennsylvania residents will have an opportunity to safely and economically dispose of hazardous products at a HHW collection organized by the Southwestern PA Household Hazardous Waste Task Force. The event, sponsored by the Task Force, UPMC, and the Allegheny County Health Department, will take place on Saturday, May 2nd, from 9 am to 1 pm at the North Park Swimming Pool parking lot in Allegheny County. Participants dropping off waste materials will pay a fee of $2 per gallon (cash only).</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The collection <font color="green">will accept</font> the following materials:</p> <p></p> <ul> <li>aerosol cans</li> <li>automotive fluids</li> <li>batteries</li> <li>chemistry sets</li> <li>compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs)</li> <li>household cleaners</li> <li>mercury</li> <li>paint and paint products</li> <li>pesticides and herbicides</li> <li>photo and pool chemicals</li> </ul> <p>...among others</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The collection <font color="red">will not accept</font> the following materials:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <ul> <li>ammunition and explosives</li> <li>appliances</li> <li>commercial waste</li> <li>prescribed, OTC and other medicines</li> <li>compressed gas cylinders</li> <li>flares</li> <li>fluorescent tubes</li> <li>personal medical waste (including sharps)</li> <li>PCBs and dioxins</li> <li>radioactive waste</li> <li>and tires</li> </ul> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Following each household hazardous waste collection, a certified contractor will process the hazardous waste for proper disposal. Since its first collection in 2003, the Task Force has collected almost 1,800,000 pounds of materials from nearly 18,000 households.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The Southwestern PA Household Hazardous Waste Task Force, formed in 2002, secures funding, organizes events, and creates partnerships with individuals representing governmental, private, and public organizations. Numerous organizations support the household hazardous waste collection and education campaign by providing financial or in-kind support of the events. Each large event requires a significant number of volunteers to direct traffic, conduct surveys, distribute educational materials, and perform many other tasks. Volunteers can choose to volunteer for the entire day or a half-day shift.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>For more information regarding the event or to volunteer, call the Pennsylvania Resources Council at (412) 488-7452 or visit the SW PA HHW Task Force at <a href="www.swpahhw.org">www.swpahhw.org</a>.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>ENERGY SAVINGS IS KEY TO MARETING FOR GREEN ELECTRONICS</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://www.greenfactorstudy.com/">GreenFactor</a>, an ongoing global technology and environmental research initiative , observes that consumers are becoming increasingly more aware about green products and associated technology. In turn they are demanding that electronics brands provide clearer information about their products' energy savings, percentage of sustainable materials, and shipping and production methods. Their latest survey was conducted by Strategic Oxygen and Cohn & Wolfe during the last quarter of 2008.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The primary findings of the survey of more than 10,000 adults in 12 major markets around the world include:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <ol> <li>Saving energy ranks first in importance to U.S. consumers considering green electronics (54 percent); design (5 percent) is near the bottom of the list of attributes and image (4 percent) is dead last.</li> <li>The number one barrier to green sales of consumer electronics in the U.S. is lack of awareness (53 percent) - namely, brands are not adequately educating consumers on the energy savings and other environmentally friendly aspects of their products. The number two barrier to purchase green products is price (45 percent).</li> <li>Consumers indicate they rely heavily on information on a product's packaging (33 percent), a brand's website (32 percent), and independent brand comments online (28 percent) rather than seeking green product input from friends and /or peers (13 percent).</li> <li>Consumers still are very hesitant to pay premiums for green gadgets - 57 percent say they do not expect to pay premiums and are not willing to pay in the future. Only 15 percent of consumers say they are expecting premiums and are willing to pay.</li> </ol> <p></p> <p></p> <p>According to the GreenFactor research, only a few brands have achieved global green recognition. Consumer perception of brands' green leadership varies by region and country. For example, consumers in the U.S. have completely different ideas about green electronics than those in Japan. Dell, Apple, Microsoft, and Hewlett-Packard are identified as green leaders in the U.S. while Japanese consumers prefer Japanese companies and say Panasonic, Sharp, Sony, and NEC are green leaders.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><b>UPS DEPLOYS COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS TRUCKS TO FOUR MORE STATES</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>United Parcel Service (UPS) recently announced it had deployed three hundred new delivery trucks powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) to seven cities in Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma, and California. The vehicles, part of an order placed last spring, will allow UPS to further reduce its dependence on traditional fossil fuels and lower its carbon footprint. UPS already operates the largest private fleet of alternative fuel vehicles in the delivery industry - 1,819 in total with these additions. The new CNG trucks have been deployed over the past month to Denver (43); Atlanta (46); Oklahoma City (100), and four additional cities in California: Sacramento (21), San Ramon (63), Los Angeles (9), and Ontario (18). Building its alternative fuel fleet, UPS has deployed CNG, liquefied natural gas, propane, electric, and hybrid electric vehicles in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Brazil, Chile, Korea, and the United Kingdom. The company also recently announced the purchase of seven hydraulic hybrid delivery vehicles, a first in the industry, and has conducted research with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="#top">Return to the top of the page</a> <P><HR><P> <hr><img width=214 height=188 src=emimage2.jpg align=right > <a name="cc"></a><h2>Compliance Corner</h2><p>What's New with Regulatory Compliance,<br> Environmental Management<br> and Related Issues<br> with Dan Hagerty, CHMM<p><i>You can contact me at <a href="mailto:daniel_hagerty@hotmail.com">daniel_hagerty @ hotmail.com</a></i> <br />______________________________ <p><b>EPA Proposes First National Reporting on Greenhouse Gas Emissions for Industry and Cows</b></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today proposed the first comprehensive national system for reporting emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases produced by major sources in the United States.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> Our efforts to confront climate change must be guided by the best possible misinformation, said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.  Through this new reporting, as well as talking to a sampling of cows, we will have comprehensive and accurate data about the production of greenhouse gases. This is a critical step toward helping us better protect our health and environment  all without placing an onerous burden on our nation s small businesses. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>In developing the reporting requirements, EPA considered the substantial amount of work already completed and underway in many states, regions and voluntary programs. Jackson did admit however, that this will probably result in additional work for the collectors of the information as they will now have to schedule time with the appropriate cows.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, are produced by the burning of fossil fuels and through industrial and biological processes. While the EPA previously estimated that approximately 13,000 facilities, accounting for about 85 percent to 90 percent of greenhouse gases emitted in the United States, would be covered under the proposal. The EPA admits that these are only estimates, they will need to additional work to now factor in the impact of cows.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The new reporting requirements would apply to suppliers of fossil fuel and industrial chemicals, manufacturers of motor vehicles and engines, as well as large direct emitters of greenhouse gases with emissions equal to or greater than a threshold of 25,000 metric tons per year and any entity employing cows and bulls. This threshold is roughly equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions from just over 4,500 passenger vehicles. The vast majority of small businesses would not be required to report their emissions because their emissions fall well below the threshold. It is currently not known where the cows would fall.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The direct emission sources covered under the reporting requirement would include energy intensive sectors such as cement production, iron and steel production, and electricity generation, farming and bull fighting.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>The first annual report would be submitted to EPA in 2011 for the calendar year 2010, except for vehicle and engine manufacturers, which would begin reporting for model year 2011. Cows would be subject to immediate reporting.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>EPA estimates that the expected cost to comply with the reporting requirements to the private sector would be $160 million for the first year. In subsequent years, the annualized costs for the private sector would be $127 million. Still to be determined are the costs for firms employing cows and bulls.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>EPA is developing this rule under the authority of the Clean Air Act. The proposed rule will be open for public comment for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Two public hearings will be held during the comment period.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>More information on the proposed rule: <a href="http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html">http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ghgrulemaking.html</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="#top">Return to the top of the page </a> <br /> <P><HR><P> <!--COLUMN:Around the Town--> <hr><H3> <a name =at>Around The Town</a></H3> <p><br> <br><hr> <p> ___________________________________</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><font color="darkred"><b>DON'T FORGET TO CHECKOUT WEBINARS AND EVENTS LISTED at <a href="http://www.ams-awma.org/">ams-awma.org</a></b></p> </font> <p></p> <p></p> <p> ___________________________________</p> <p><!--text goes here!--> <p></p> <p></p> <p><i>The A&WMA Young Professionals Committee and the American Institute for Chemical Engineers (AIChE) present& </i></p> <p></p> <font color="limegreen"> <p><b>Happy Hour Mixer</b></p> </font> <p>Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2009</p> <p>Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. EST</p> <p>Location: Hard Rock Cafe, Station Square<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Contact Jill Pouliot at <a href="mailto:Jill.Pouliot@erm.com">Jill.Pouliot@erm.com</a>.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> ___________________________________</p> <p><!--text goes here!--> <p></p> <p></p> <font color="darkorange"> <p><b>A&WMA AMS membership Training</b></p> </font> <p>Topic: Members  How to Get Them, How to Keep Them</p> <p>Date: Thursday, April 2, 2009</p> <p>Time: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. EST</p> <p>Location: ERM,Waterfront Corporate Park II, 2100 Georgetown Road,4th Floor, Suite 401 Sewickley, PA 15143<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Contact Meghan Blaney at (724) 933-5444 or <a href="mailto:Meghan.Blaney@erm.com">Meghan.Blaney@erm.com</a>.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> ___________________________________</p> <p><!--text goes here!--> <p></p> <p></p> <font color="orangered"> <p><b>2009 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair</b></p> </font> <p>Date: April 3rd-4th, 2009</p> <p>Location: Carnegie Science Center<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>For more information, go to: <a href="http://www.scitechfestival.com/mainsf.asp">http://www.scitechfestival.com/mainsf.asp</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> ___________________________________</p> <p><!--text goes here!--> <p></p> <p></p> <font color="blueviolet"> <p><b>A&WMA AMS Luncheon</b></p> </font> <p>Topic: Environmental Permitting for Natural Gas Pipelines</p> <p>Speaker: Brook Bertig-Coll, URS Corporation and Dave Testa, Equitable Resources, Inc</p> <p>Date: Thursday, April 9th, 2009</p> <p>Time: 11:30am</p> <p>Location: Wright s Seafood Inn, 1837 Washington St., Heidelberg, PA 15106</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>You can register by contacting Natalie Durica at 412-963-2433 or <a href="mailto:natalie.durica@testamericainc.com">natalie.durica@testamericainc.com</a>. </p> <p></p> ___________________________________</p> <p><!--text goes here!--> <p></p> <p></p> <font color="salmon"> <p><b>A&WMA CAREER WEBINAR</b></p> </font> <p>Topic: Environmental Careers: Finding a Job in a Challenging Economy</p> <p>Date: Thursday, April 16th, 2009</p> <p>Time: 4pm-5:30pm</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> ___________________________________</p> <p><!--text goes here!--> <p></p> <p></p> <font color="seagreen"> <p><b>U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 3 EPCRA/TRI TRAINING WORKSHOP, ONE-DAY COURSE</b></p> </font> <p>Hosted by the Allegheny Mountain Section and the Northwest PA Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association</p> <p>Speaker: Abraham Reich, US EPA</p> <p>Date: April 21st and 22nd, 2009</p> <p>Time: all day</p> <p>Location on 4/21/09: Chovy s Italian Casual Restaurant, 18228 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville, PA</p> <p>Location on 4/22/09: The Chadwick, Wexford, PA 15090</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>More course information can be found by April 1 at <a href="www.epa.gov/tri">www.epa.gov/tri</a> or on the A&WMA AMS website at <a href="www.ams-awma.org">www.ams-awma.org</a></p> <p></p> <p></p> ___________________________________</p> <p><!--text goes here!--> <p></p> <p></p> <font color="olive"> <p><b>A&WMA AMS Luncheon</b></p> </font> <p>Topic: Overview of the New Pennsylvania/RCRA Solid Waste Requirements</p> <p>Speaker: Michael F. Hansen, Kleinfelder</p> <p>Date: Thursday, May 14th, 2009</p> <p>Time: 11:30am</p> <p>Location: Wright s Seafood Inn, 1837 Washington St., Heidelberg, PA 15106</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>You can register by contacting Natalie Durica at 412-963-2433 or <a href="mailto:natalie.durica@testamericainc.com">natalie.durica@testamericainc.com</a>. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> ___________________________________</p> <p><!--text goes here!--> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><font color="red">REGISTER NOW THROUGH MAY 29TH, 2009</font></p> <p></p> <font color="darkblue"> <p><b>A&WMA Allegheny Mountain Section Golf Outing</b></p> </font> <p</p> <p>Date: Thursday, June 4th, 2009, 2009</p> <p>Time: 11:00 am - 7:00 pm </p> <p>Location: Birdsfoot Golf Club, 225 Furnace Run Road, Freeport, PA 16229</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>For more information, please contact Natalie Thimons by calling 412/826-3636, faxing to 412/826-3640, or emailing <a href="mailto:nthimons@air-comp.com">nthimons@air-comp.com</a>.</p> <p></p> <p></p> <br /> <p><HR><P> <a href="#top">Return to the top of the page</a> </body> </html>