The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed two rules to help protect Americans from exposure to the harmful chemical formaldehyde, consistent with a Federal law unanimously passed by Congress in 2010. These rules ensure that composite wood products produced domestically or imported into the United States meet the formaldehyde emission standards established by Congress.
Formaldehyde is used in adhesives to make a wide range of building materials and products. Exposure to formaldehyde can cause adverse public health effects including eye, nose and throat irritation, other respiratory symptoms and, in certain cases, cancer.
"The proposed regulations announced today reflect EPA's continued efforts to protect the public from exposure to harmful chemicals in their daily lives," said James J. Jones, EPA's acting assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. "Once final, the rules will reduce the public's exposure to this harmful chemical found in many products in our homes and workplaces."
In 2010, Congress passed the Formaldehyde Standards for Composite Wood Products Act, or Title VI of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), which establishes emission standards for formaldehyde from composite wood products and directs EPA to propose rules to enforce the act's provisions. EPA's proposed rules align, where practical, with the requirements for composite wood products set by the California Air Resources Board, putting in place national standards for companies that manufacture or import these products. EPA's national rules will also encourage an ongoing industry trend towards switching to no-added formaldehyde resins in composite wood products.
EPA's first proposal limits how much formaldehyde may be emitted from hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, particleboard and finished goods, that are sold, supplied, offered for sale, manufactured, or imported in the United States. The emitted formaldehyde may be left over from the resin or composite wood making process or be released when the resin degrades in the presence of heat and humidity. This proposal also includes testing requirements, laminated product provisions, product labeling requirements, chain of custody documentation, recordkeeping, a stockpiling prohibition, and enforcement provisions. It also includes a common-sense exemption from some testing and record-keeping requirements for products made with no-added formaldehyde resins.
The second proposal establishes a third-party certification framework designed to ensure that manufacturers of composite wood products meet the TSCA formaldehyde emission standards by having their composite wood products certified though an accredited third-party certifier. It would also establish eligibility requirements and responsibilities for third-party certifier's and the EPA-recognized accreditation bodies who would accredit them. This robust proposed third-party certification program will level the playing field by ensuring composite wood products sold in this country meet the emission standards in the rule regardless of whether they were made in the United States or not.
More on Formaldehyde Proposals: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/chemtest/formaldehyde/index.html
More on EPA's TSCA Work Plan chemical effort: http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/workplans.html
May 31, 2013
Double whammy: China bird flu resistant to Tamiflu, New Novel Corona Virus called ‘threat to the entire world’.
Double whammy virus concerns
A 'concerning' development: New China bird flu resistant to Tamiflu. And meanwhile we read: New virus called 'threat to the entire world'. Far greater detail on the Novel Corona Virus (NCoV) can be founds here.
lemonsweetie: Let me tell you a thing, about an amazing man...
Let me tell you a thing, about an amazing man named Patrick Stewart
I went to Comicpalooza this weekend and I was full of nervous energy as I was standing in line to ask Sir Patrick Stewart a question at his panel. I first had to thank him for a speech he had given at amnesty international about domestic violence towards women . I had only seen it a few months ago but I was still dealing with my own personal experience with a similar issue, and I didn’t know what to call it. After seeing Patrick talk so personally about it I finally was able to correctly call it abuse, in my case sexual abuse that was going to quickly turn into physical abuse as well. I didn’t feel guilty or disgusting anymore. I finally didn’t feel responsible for the abuse that was put upon me. I was finally able to start my healing process and to put that part of my life behind me.
After thanking him I asked him “Besides acting, what are you most proud of that you have done in you life (that you are willing to share with us)?”. Sir Patrick told us about how he couldn’t protect his mother from abuse in his household growing up and so in her name works with an organization called Refuge for safe houses for women and children to escape from abusive house holds. Sir Patrick Stewart learned only last year that his father had actually been suffering from PTSD after he returned from the military and was never properly treated. In his father’s name he works with an organization called Combat Stress to help those soldiers who are suffering from PTSD.
They were about to move onto the next question when Sir Patrick looked at me and asked me “My Dear, are you okay?” I said yes, and that I was finally able to move on from that part of my life. He then passionately said that it is never the woman’s fault in domestic violence, and how wrong to think that it ever is. That it is in the power of men to stop violence towards women. The moderator then asked “Do you want a hug?”
Sir Patrick didn’t even hesitate, he smiled, hopped off the stage and came over to embrace me in a hug. Which he held me there for a long while. He told me “You never have to go through that again, you’re safe now.” I couldn’t stop thanking him. His embrace was so warm and genuine. It was two people, two strangers, supporting and giving love. And when we pulled away he looked strait in my eyes, like he was promising that. He told me to take care. And I will.
Sir Patrick Stewart is an absolute roll model for men. He is an amazing man and was so kind and full of heart. I want to let everyone know to please find help if you are in a violent or abusive house hold or relationship. There are organizations and people ready to help. I had countless people after the panel thanking me for sharing the story and asking him those questions. Many said they went through similar things. You are not alone.
^ Here is the video of my question to Sir Patrick Stewart
Photos by Eugene Lee, Thank you
Please read full at:WIL WHEATON dot TUMBLR http://wilwheaton.tumblr.com/post/51735191046/lemonsweetie-let-me-tell-you-a-thing-about-an
May 30, 2013
H.R. 981, RARE Act of 2013 - global assessment of rare earth elements #Energy #Markets
H.R. 981 would authorize the appropriation of $10 million for the United States Geological Survey to conduct a global assessment of rare earth elements (a group of elements that are rarely found in high concentrations). Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would cost $10 million over the 2014-2016 period.
Please continue reading at:
May 29, 2013
Paint Industry Hosts First Meeting of its Sustainability Workgroup #Sustainable #News
ACA has incorporated the philosophy of sustainability into many of its existing programs and activities, including the highly successful PaintCare® program, its Green Building Workgroup, and the paint and coatings industry's sustainability message. ACA formed the Sustainability Workgroup to address these issues under a single umbrella and to coordinate activities with other ACA committees and workgroups.
The topic of sustainability has been steadily growing in importance, and has quickly become not only a socially and environmentally progressive movement, but also a potentially important economic driver as well. ACA has incorporated the philosophy of sustainability into many of its existing programs and activities, including the highly successful PaintCare® program, its Green Building Workgroup, and the paint and coatings industry's sustainability message. ACA formed the Sustainability Workgroup to address these issues under a single umbrella and to coordinate activities with other ACA committees and workgroups. While sustainability is a broad concept, the workgroup will focus its energies on a set of concrete issues that deliver the most value to the industry.
The ACA Sustainability Workgroup kick-off meeting on May 15 gave the more than 30 attendees the opportunity to discuss the direction of the workgroup and learn more about a wide range of specific issues impacting the paint and coatings industry. The meeting included topics on corporate social responsibility and sustainability reporting, highlighting the need for the membership to consider meaningful and consistent sustainability metrics that are relevant for the paint and coatings industry. The Chief of the U.S. Environmental Protection's (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) branch, Clive Davies, joined the meeting to give a background on the DfE program and its safer chemicals label. Green building and sustainable design was another item on the meeting agenda.
Read on at:
http://www.paint.org/news/industry-news/item/1208-aca-hosts-first-meeting-of-its-sustainability-workgroup.html
The topic of sustainability has been steadily growing in importance, and has quickly become not only a socially and environmentally progressive movement, but also a potentially important economic driver as well. ACA has incorporated the philosophy of sustainability into many of its existing programs and activities, including the highly successful PaintCare® program, its Green Building Workgroup, and the paint and coatings industry's sustainability message. ACA formed the Sustainability Workgroup to address these issues under a single umbrella and to coordinate activities with other ACA committees and workgroups. While sustainability is a broad concept, the workgroup will focus its energies on a set of concrete issues that deliver the most value to the industry.
The ACA Sustainability Workgroup kick-off meeting on May 15 gave the more than 30 attendees the opportunity to discuss the direction of the workgroup and learn more about a wide range of specific issues impacting the paint and coatings industry. The meeting included topics on corporate social responsibility and sustainability reporting, highlighting the need for the membership to consider meaningful and consistent sustainability metrics that are relevant for the paint and coatings industry. The Chief of the U.S. Environmental Protection's (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) branch, Clive Davies, joined the meeting to give a background on the DfE program and its safer chemicals label. Green building and sustainable design was another item on the meeting agenda.
Read on at:
http://www.paint.org/news/industry-news/item/1208-aca-hosts-first-meeting-of-its-sustainability-workgroup.html
Paint Industry Supports Senators Lautenberg and Vitter's Bipartisan Effort to Modernize TSCA
"ACA is pleased that the new legislation takes a balanced, workable approach to chemicals management that will protect the public without impeding innovation or disrupting the flow of goods in commerce," said Andy Doyle, ACA president and CEO. "We remain committed to working with interested stakeholders to help promote TSCA modernization in the Senate."
The Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013 is the first bipartisan legislative effort since Sen. Lautenberg first introduced comprehensive TSCA-reform legislation in 2005. The bill has been co-sponsored by more than a dozen Democrats and Republicans.
ACA applauded Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and David Vitter (R-La.) and their fellow co-sponsors on the bipartisan effort to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) through the May 22 introduction of the Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 1009).
The Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013 is the first bipartisan legislative effort since Sen. Lautenberg first introduced comprehensive TSCA-reform legislation in 2005. The bill has been co-sponsored by more than a dozen Democrats and Republicans, including Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Mark Begich (D-Ala.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Tom Udall (D-N.M.).
Enacted in 1976, TSCA, which is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was designed to protect the public from unreasonable risk of injury to public health or the environment by regulating the manufacture and sale of chemicals. The legislation will require EPA to make safety determinations for chemicals based on intended conditions of use and a risk-based assessment incorporating exposure, hazard, and use information. Of note, the new measure would preempt state and local authorities from banning low priority chemicals or taking certain activities. Establishing stronger federal preemption was a major objective for ACA, as it was absent in previous proposals for TSCA reform. The proposed Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013 also offers expansion of justified CBI (confidential business information) protections for information provided by industry on chemical substances, including chemical identity in formulations, another point ACA underscored was a vital component of any TSCA reform measure.
READ MORE
http://www.paint.org/news/industry-news/item/1205-aca-supports-senators-lautenberg-and-vitter%E2%80%99s-bipartisan-effort-to-modernize-tsca.html
The Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013 is the first bipartisan legislative effort since Sen. Lautenberg first introduced comprehensive TSCA-reform legislation in 2005. The bill has been co-sponsored by more than a dozen Democrats and Republicans.
ACA applauded Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and David Vitter (R-La.) and their fellow co-sponsors on the bipartisan effort to modernize the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) through the May 22 introduction of the Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013 (S. 1009).
The Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013 is the first bipartisan legislative effort since Sen. Lautenberg first introduced comprehensive TSCA-reform legislation in 2005. The bill has been co-sponsored by more than a dozen Democrats and Republicans, including Sens. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Mark Begich (D-Ala.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Ala.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Tom Udall (D-N.M.).
Enacted in 1976, TSCA, which is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was designed to protect the public from unreasonable risk of injury to public health or the environment by regulating the manufacture and sale of chemicals. The legislation will require EPA to make safety determinations for chemicals based on intended conditions of use and a risk-based assessment incorporating exposure, hazard, and use information. Of note, the new measure would preempt state and local authorities from banning low priority chemicals or taking certain activities. Establishing stronger federal preemption was a major objective for ACA, as it was absent in previous proposals for TSCA reform. The proposed Chemical Safety Improvement Act of 2013 also offers expansion of justified CBI (confidential business information) protections for information provided by industry on chemical substances, including chemical identity in formulations, another point ACA underscored was a vital component of any TSCA reform measure.
READ MORE
http://www.paint.org/news/industry-news/item/1205-aca-supports-senators-lautenberg-and-vitter%E2%80%99s-bipartisan-effort-to-modernize-tsca.html
Minnesota is now the fifth state after Oregon, California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island to embrace the PaintCare(R) program - Governor Signs PaintCare(R) Bill
On May 24, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton signed into law a bill that provides for the establishment of ACA's PaintCare® program. Minnesota is now the fifth state after Oregon, California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island to embrace the PaintCare program — the ACA- and industry-conceived platform for the proper and effective management of postconsumer paint. On May 18, the Minnesota legislature approved legislation that would establish the PaintCare program in their state, under House File 976, Omnibus Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance and Policy Bill. PaintCare had the support of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and several non-governmental organizations, including various paint producers and independent retailers. Implementation is slated for July 1, 2014.
ACA had actively pushed for passage of the PaintCare program in the state, testifying before the Minnesota House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee and Senate Environment and Energy Committee on March 5, in support of HF 865 and SF 639, Architectural Paint; Product Stewardship Program in support of the program. In its testimony, ACA noted that the association, along with its industry, is committed to finding a viable solution to the issue of post-consumer paint, which is often the number one product, by volume and cost, coming into Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) programs. It also pointed to the resounding success of its PaintCare pilot program in Oregon, as well as more than a decade of success of similar programs in Canada.
ACA created PaintCare, a 501(c)(3) organization whose sole purpose is to ensure effective operation and efficient administration of paint product stewardship programs, on behalf of all architectural paint manufacturers in the United States. PaintCare undertakes the responsibility for ensuring an environmentally sound and cost-effective program by developing and implementing strategies to reduce the generation of post-consumer architectural paint; promoting the reuse of post-consumer architectural paint; and providing for the collection, transport, and processing of post-consumer architectural paint using the hierarchy of "reduce, reuse, recycle," and proper disposal.
READ MORE at:
http://www.paint.org/news/industry-news/item/1204-minnesota-governor-signs-paintcare%C2%AE-bill.html
ACA had actively pushed for passage of the PaintCare program in the state, testifying before the Minnesota House Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee and Senate Environment and Energy Committee on March 5, in support of HF 865 and SF 639, Architectural Paint; Product Stewardship Program in support of the program. In its testimony, ACA noted that the association, along with its industry, is committed to finding a viable solution to the issue of post-consumer paint, which is often the number one product, by volume and cost, coming into Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) programs. It also pointed to the resounding success of its PaintCare pilot program in Oregon, as well as more than a decade of success of similar programs in Canada.
ACA created PaintCare, a 501(c)(3) organization whose sole purpose is to ensure effective operation and efficient administration of paint product stewardship programs, on behalf of all architectural paint manufacturers in the United States. PaintCare undertakes the responsibility for ensuring an environmentally sound and cost-effective program by developing and implementing strategies to reduce the generation of post-consumer architectural paint; promoting the reuse of post-consumer architectural paint; and providing for the collection, transport, and processing of post-consumer architectural paint using the hierarchy of "reduce, reuse, recycle," and proper disposal.
READ MORE at:
http://www.paint.org/news/industry-news/item/1204-minnesota-governor-signs-paintcare%C2%AE-bill.html
Free Webinar on #Energy & Materials Flow & Cost Tracker (EMFACT) & New pen Source Code Website #CleanTech #Tech
Launch of EMFACT's Open Source Code Website
Learn About its Potential Uses & Benefits
Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EDT
Space is limited!
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/284664960
The Energy & Materials Flow & Cost Tracker (EMFACT™) is a software tool to help companies systematically track materials and energy use; releases, discharges, and wastes; and associated costs. The tool can provide a comprehensive picture of resource use and its relation to production and planning that can help improve both business and environmental performance.
It was developed by the Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA) and the Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance (MAOTA). NEWMOA and MA OTA recently launched an open source code site for EMFACT™. The purpose of this webinar is to introduce potential users and software developers to EMFACT, the source code, and the new site; and to discuss ideas for using it.
Background & Introduction – 10 min
Presenter: Terri Goldberg, Executive Director, NEWMOA
Demonstration of EMFACT's Open Source Code Website – 30 min
Presenter: Andy Bray, Project Manager, NEWMOA
Questions & Discussion – 20 min
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
Emergency Plan Could Have Saved Lives in TX Plant Explosion #OHS #HazMat #EMS
Angela Griffith : Investigations are still ongoing to determine details on what caused the April 17, 2013 explosion in West, Texas (the subject of a previous blog). The death toll has risen to at least 14, including 10 emergency workers. Around 200 are believed to be injured. The deaths were caused by the explosion of the site AND the proximity of the victims to the site. The emergency workers were on-site fighting a fire (which was the ignition source of the explosion), but many of those injured had no real reason to be in such a proximity that they would be injured.
Warning systems and emergency notifications may have resulted in some of the non-emergency response victims getting out of harm's way. However, warning systems and notifications like those required for other industrial sites including oil refineries and chemical plants are not required at fertilizer plants. The plant owner did not comment on emergency management plans for the site. Senator Barbara Boxer of California will attempt to determine if those requirements need to be strengthened.
However, even if a warning system had provided sufficient protection to keep nearby citizens from harm, the property damage would have been extensive. Many properties – including homes and schools – nearby were severely damaged in the blast. This has led some to believe that there should be an enforced geographical buffer between these types of industrial facilities and other types of facilities, like homes and schools. The mayor of West has suggested that the plant be rebuilt away from populated areas.
More and more concerns are being raised about the safety of the plant itself – and the safeguards that could have prevented this explosion. Despite the large amount of potentially explosive ammonium nitrate stored at the plant, the plant did not have a sprinkler system or fire barrier (which may have prevented the fire from igniting the fertilizer).
Industrial plants such as these are regulated by a host of state and federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA required a worst-case scenario from the West site, which identified a release from an anhydrous ammonia storage tank. The risk of fire or explosion, and the storage of ammonium nitrate were not identified in the scenario, provided in 2011. (The facility was fined in 2006 for not filing its risk management plan.)
Please continue reading "Emergency Plan Could Have Saved Lives in TX Plant Explosion" by Angela Griffith
May 27, 2013
Today we give praise to the brave who gave us the home of the free #MemorialDay
Thank you for your bravery and sacrifice.
Researchers hurt at Ibaraki nuclear facility | in Particle Accelerator Accident
At least six researchers suffered internal radiation exposure when an experiment involving elementary particles went awry and up to 24 more are feared to have been similarly exposed, the Japan Atomic Energy Agency said Saturday.
Radioactive substances leaked following the accident Thursday in the Hadron Experimental Facility of the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC) in Tokai, Ibaraki Prefecture, the government-affiliated agency reported.
Officials from the Ibaraki Prefectural Government raided the complex Saturday afternoon to investigate the delay in reporting the incident. A malfunction occurred at 11:55 a.m. Thursday during an experiment to produce elementary particles by aiming a proton beam at a target made of gold, the agency said.
An alarm went off shortly afterward and the experiment was halted. But a researcher in charge of the equipment restarted it at 12:08 p.m., despite not having pinpointed the cause of the alarm, sources familiar with the investigation said.
As a result, the proton output jumped unexpectedly, causing part of the gold to evaporate and the generation of radioactive substances that leaked out of the controlled area, according to the agency.
Please continue reading at: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/05/26/national/researchers-hurt-at-ibaraki-nuclear-facility/
May 26, 2013
What may come as a surprise to most, is that as of this week's H.4.1 update, the amount of ten-year equivalents held by the Fedincreased to $1.583 trillion from $1.576 trillion in the prior week, which reduces the amount available to the private sector to $3.637 trillion from $3.668 trillion in the prior week. And also, thanks to maturities, and purchase by the Fed from the secondary market, there were $5.219 trillion ten-year equivalents outstanding, down from $5.244 trillion in the prior week. What this means simply is that as of this moment, the Fed has, in its possession, a record 30.32% of all outstanding ten year equivalents, or said in plain English: duration-adjusted government bonds. It also means that the amount of bonds left in the hands of the private sector has dropped to a record low 69.68% from 69.95% in the prior week. Finally, the above means that with every passing week, the Fed's creeping takeover of the US bond market absorbs just under 0.3% of all TSY bonds outstanding: a pace which means the Fed will own 45% of all in 2014, 60% in 2015, 75% in 2016 and 90% or so by the end of 2017 (and ifthe US budget deficit is indeed contracting, these targets will be hit far sooner). By the end of 2018 there would be no privately held US treasury paper.EPA Makes a Rad Decision that could significantly relax radiation hazard standards in the case of a radiological event
@slashdotThe Environmental Protection Agency released draft guidelines last month that could significantly relax radiation hazard standards in the case of a radiological event in the United States by using risk-based decisions. The goal is to have limits that make sense in an emergency that are different from the limits in day-to-day life. From the article: 'Currently, the only guidance are the extremely strict standards that apply for EPA Superfund sites and nuclear plant decommissioning, which are as low as 0.010–0.025 rem/year, far below the natural background levels in the U.S. of 0.300 rem/year, and even well below the average amount of radioactive materials that Americans eat each year. And these guidelines aren't really different from the 1992 PAG, except in the area of long-term cleanup standards and, perhaps, standards for resettlement. What's the big deal here? As radworkers, we're allowed to get 5 rem/year. 2 rem/year doesn't rate a second thought. ... No one has ever been harmed by 5 rem/year, so setting emergency levels at 2 rem/year is pretty mild and more than reasonable. ... Think of it this way. The situations covered by these new guidelines are similar to someone dying of thirst who has the chance to drink fresh water having 2,000 pCi per gallon of radium in it. While the safe drinking water levels are 20 pCi/gal for Ra, 2,000 pCi/gal is of no threat, especially if you're going to die from imminent dehydration. Of course, a bag of potato chips has 3,500 picocuries, so go figure.'
Please read full and follow at:
http://m.slashdot.org/story/186411
Googles @ericschmidt "Teens' Mistakes Will Never Go Away" spoke about the permanence of online presence, and how that will affect kids
Speaking at the Hay Festival in the U.K. this weekend, Google's Eric Schmidt spoke about the permanence of your online presence, and how that will affect kids growing up in an online world. 'We have never had a generation with a full photographic, digital record of what they did. We have a point at which we [Google] forget information we know about you because it is the right thing to do.' He makes the point that a lot of respectable, upstanding adults today had dubious incidents as kids and teenagers. They were able to grow up and move past those events, and society eventually forgot — but today, every notable misdeed is just a Google search away. CNET's coverage points out that 'mistakes' can often be events that put somebody's life on track. 'A word or an act can seem like a mistake when it happens — and even shortly afterward. In years to come, though, you might look back on it and see that, though it created friction and even hurt at the time, it served a higher and more character-forming purpose in the long run.' Of course, it's also true that some mistakes a simply indicators that somebody's a schmuck.
Schmidt also made an interesting comment in an interview with The Telegraph while he was in the U.K. He said, "You have to fight for your privacy, or you will lose it." This is quite different from his infamous 2009 remark: "If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place."
Please read full and follow at:
Harnessing the power of our oceans #Renewable #Energy
Peak Energy: I'm not entirely sure if the Australian Government's "Clean Energy Future" venture got some inspiration from this blog - nor am I sure if it will last the year out - however it's nice to see a post on ocean energyon their web site - Give us a wave – harnessing the power of our oceans.
As construction begins on a ground-breaking wave energy project in Perth, a report has been released which emphasises the huge untapped energy potential lying off Australia's coastlines.According to the Marine Nation 2025 report, released this week, Australia's oceans could produce billions of dollars' worth of clean energy in the form of electricity generated by wave power. The report says an initial assessment has identified world-class wave energy resources along the western and southern coastline, and valuable tidal energy resources in the North West of Australia.
....A CSIRO study released last year revealed that ocean waves have the potential to power a city the size of Melbourne by 2050. CSIRO's Ocean renewable energy: 2015-2050 report said Australia's ocean waves could supply about 10 per cent of Australia's electricity by the middle of this century.
Please read full and follow at:
May 25, 2013
Curious disparity on the percent of expert and public on global warming #green or #greed
Curious disparity: Scientists say united on global warming, at odds with public view: "(Reuters) - Ninety-seven percent of scientists say global warming is mainly man-made but a wide public belief that experts are divided is making it harder to gain support for policies to curb climate change, an international study showed on Thursday." But then we also read: Peer-Reviewed Survey Finds Majority Of Scientists Skeptical Of Global Warming Crisis. "Only 36 percent of geoscientists and engineers believe that humans are creating a global warming crisis, according to a survey reported in the peer-reviewed Organization Studies." No comments needed.
May 24, 2013
National Meeting on Environmental Compliance Assurance & Performance Measurement Strategies June 19 & 20 at EPA
The list of participating state and local governments keeps growing – please join us!
Alaska DEC – Arizona DEQ – Colorado DPHE - Maryland DE – Massachusetts DEP – Minnesota PCA – Nebraska DEQ - New Hampshire DES – Northwest Clean Air Agency - Oklahoma DEQ - Orange County, Florida – Pennsylvania SBDC - Rhode Island DEM - South Dakota DENR – Vermont DEC - Washington State DOE – Washington, DC - Wisconsin DNR
We've also added an optional free training opportunity to the end of the meeting - Introduction to Advanced Data Visualization
The objectives of the National Meeting on Environmental Compliance Assurance & Performance Measurement Strategies (June 19 & 20 in Arlington, VA) are to:
- bring state, tribal, and federal programs together to share information and results
- discuss compliance assurance approaches and their effectiveness
- identify next steps for the States ERP Consortium
See below for details…
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June 19 & 20, 2013
EPA Offices at Potomac Yard North
Arlington, Virginia
Join the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS ), the Northeast Waste Management Officials' Association (NEWMOA ) and the States ERP Consortium to learn about the results of environmental compliance assurance strategies that states been implementing for various business sectors.
The objectives of the National Meeting on Environmental Compliance Assurance & Performance Measurement Strategies are to:
- bring state, tribal, and federal programs together to share information and results
- discuss compliance assurance approaches and their effectiveness
- identify next steps for the States ERP Consortium
The agenda includes time for Q&A, in-depth discussion, and strategy development.
At the end of the meeting an optional free training opportunity is also available - Introduction to Advanced Data Visualization that covers:
- Benefits of visual analysis of data
- Advanced techniques for effective graphs
- Examples
Note: there is a $50 meeting fee that covers the cost of food.
Please join us in June and spread the word!
* A webinar option is available if you cannot travel – please contact Jennifer Griffith at NEWMOA to request webinar registration information.
For more information about the meeting and logistics, contact Jennifer Griffith at jgriffith@newmoa.org.
Ford Made 40+ MPG minivans and micro cars over 25 years ago... yep 25 year later and where are we?
1990 Ford Zig (Ghia) Together, Zig and Zag – both based on Fiesta architecture – were envisioned as a potential system of sports cars, hatchbacks, sedans, pickups and delivery vans employing a shared lower door and body panels.
1984 Ford Aerostar
The sleek, aerodynamic Aerostar concept vehicle is a sneak preview of Ford's new mini-van, due out in 1985. The rear-drive van seats seven and has a one-ton payload. Ford predicts EPA mileage of up to 40 mpg, highway. Production Aerostar vans will closely resemble the concept vehicle, but they will differ in details such as grille and headlights.
1983 Ford Trio (Ghia)
A host of microcars followed: the five-seater but small Pockar, the Shuttler, the three-wheeled Cockpit and the Trio.
In the Trio, three seats were arranged in an arrowhead arrangement in a width of only 53 inches. The floor was a honeycomb sandwich of glass fiber and Kevlar, while the seat frames were made of aluminum and glass fiber. The rear-mounted 250cc twin-cylinder two-stroke engine drove the rear wheels through a continuously-variable belt transmission.
Source: http://fordofwestmemphis.blogspot.com/2013/03/1983-ford-trio-ghia.html
CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report #OHS #Safety #Health
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