Nov 22, 2006
Chemical Exemption Exporting Requirements Amended in EPA Final Rule
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Nov. 14 published in the Federal Register, a final rule amending chemical export reporting requirements.
As proposed in February, the final rule would set thresholds for chemicals below which companies would not have to notify the agency about exports of those substances.
Currently, when shipping chemicals abroad, chemical manufacturers are required to tell EPA if the shipment contains a chemical that is regulated under sections 4, 5, 6, or 7 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These sections address actions such as tests that EPA has ordered or restrictions EPA has placed on a chemical. The notification is required even if there is only a trace level of the regulated substance as a contaminant or unintended byproduct in a shipment of another chemical that is not subject to the TSCA controls.
A request to make this change came from the National Association of Manufacturers and the American Chemistry Council to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), according to OMB's 2005 report, Regulatory Reform of the U.S. Manufacturing Sector.
EPA's final rule seeks to further reduce the burden of export requirements by allowing chemical manufacturers that must report exports to do so only one time instead of annually.
Cities drop coal contract
San Gabriel Valley Tribune: A state law designed to compel cities to find cleaner energy sources seems to have produced the intended outcome. Instead of getting the jump on a ban beginning in 2007 on new deals for dirty energy, Pasadena and other cities buying electricity from the Intermountain Power Project in Utah want to scrub the plant's dirty reputation and remake the facility into a model for clean energy production. "We want to look at how we can make IPP greener," said Phyllis Currie, ... Link VIA - EcologicalInternet.org (Dr. Glen Barry)
Global methane rise slowing down
The rise in concentrations of the greenhouse gas methane in the atmosphere has slowed down considerably in recent years, research suggests. Scientists say levels have been stable for about seven years following a steep rise during the last century. Researchers believe the slowdown may be due to measures aimed at reducing the release of methane from gas pipelines, paddy fields and landfill sites. The findings are published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. ...Link VIA EcologicalInternet.org (Dr. Glen Barry)
Do you care about Saving the orangutans?
Nearly 50 smuggled orangutans rescued from a Thai amusement park began the long trip home to their native Indonesia on Tuesday as one of the world's largest cases of great ape trafficking finally drew to a close. (Also in MSNBC)Recent press: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/BKK244225.htm
Other Orangutan news
Orangutans Displaced, Killed by Indonesian Forest Fires Intentionally lit forest fires on the island of Borneo are killing Southeast Asia's endangered orangutans, conservationists warn. (See Indonesia map.) The fires are lit annually to clear land for oil palm plantations and agricultural fields. Many of the blazes quickly rage out of control. The orangutans are forced to flee the forests and often end up on nearby plantations, where they are beaten and sometimes killed as pests, according to Michael Booth, a spokesperson with the ...
To learn more about saving orangutans, please visit www.savetheorangutan.co.uk.
Expedia Starting "Green Washing" Program
Theory behind "GreenWashing" & "GreenMarketing" : BUY OUR STUFF OR THE PLANET GETS IT!
Apparently calling anything "green" brings in more GR$$N ;-)
"It's been really successful. It's surpassed our expectations," said Expedia.com spokeswoman Katie Deines. Cumulatively, the travel Web site's customers have offset more than 11 million pounds of carbon-based emissions." Thanks for link Hugg.com » original news
George Monbiot slams the climate skeptics!
A new "scientific paper", which proves that the "climate change scare" is a tale "worthier of St John the Divine than of science". Published in two parts on consecutive Sundays, it runs to a total of 52 pages, containing graphs, tables and references. To my correspondents, to a good many journalists and to thousands of delighted bloggers, this paper clinches it: climate change is a hoax perpetrated by a leftwing conspiracy coordinated by the United Nations. So which was the august journal that published it? Science? Nature? Geophysical Research Letters? Not quite. It was the Sunday Telegraph. In keeping with most of the articles about climate change in that publication, it is a mixture of cherry-picking, downright misrepresentation and pseudo-scientific gibberish. But it has the virtue of being incomprehensible to anyone who is not an atmospheric physicist. » original news (thanks for link hugg.com)
Report on Mercury Concentration in Fish from Streams and Rivers Throughout the Western United States
Spencer A. Peterson, John Van Sickle, Alan T. Herlihy, and Robert M. Hughes
Web Release Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 00:00:00 EST (Article) DOI: 10.1021/es061070u
Pressure at OSHA to alter warning.
It took six years to get federal officials to issue warnings to auto mechanics that the brakes they're working on could contain lethal asbestos fibers. But only three weeks for a former top official with ties to the auto industry to have them removed from pressure from OSHA .
Milwaukee Worker burned with hot zinc
A man suffered serious burns to his face when hot zinc splashed up and hit him as he was pouring it into a mold overnight, Milwaukee police said today. The man, 23, was transported to Columbia St. Mary's Regional Burn Center for treatment of second degree burns following the 9:54 p.m. accident at Huf North America, 9020 W. Dean Road. The hot zinc did not hit the man in the eyes, police said. Police said they would refer the case to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration. By lspice-journalsentinel.com ( Linda Spice )
EPA Reaches Agreement with DuPont
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has signed a consent order with E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. that lowers the action level of perfluorooctanoic acid – also known as PFOA or C8 – in drinking water for residents in communities surrounding DuPont's Washington Works facility, Washington, W. Va. (seven miles southwest of Parkersburg). Under the order, DuPont will offer alternative drinking water or treatment for public or private water users living near the Washington Works plant if the level of PFOA detected in drinking water is equal to or greater than 0.50 parts per billion (ppb). The agreement affects people in West Virginia and Ohio living near the Washington Works plant.
This action level replaces the 150 ppb threshold established under a March 2002 EPA consent order. EPA's lowering of the action level is based on newer data from experimental animal studies and elevated blood serum levels of PFOA found in the population surrounding the plant, as compared to levels found in the general U.S. population.
PFOA is a synthetic chemical that is not currently regulated under federal environmental laws. PFOA is widely used to make fluoropolymers – substances with special properties used in many industrial applications, including the manufacture of consumer products such as non-stick cookware and all-weather clothing. PFOA is very persistent in the environment and is found at low levels both in the environment and in the blood of the general U.S. population. Studies indicate that PFOA can cause developmental and other adverse effects in laboratory animals.
EPA will take action if necessary to further protect public health. The text of the consent agreement is available at www.epa.gov/region03/enforcement/dupont_order.pdf and a fact sheet with more details on the order is available at www.epa.gov/region03/enforcement/dupont_factsheet.html
DOE Joins Five Nations in Fusion Energy Agreement
DOE joined with representatives from the European Union, China, India, the Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation to sign the agreement, which commits the United States to providing $1.122 billion for the construction phase. Since that amount is 9.09 percent of the total cost of the project, the project will apparently cost $12.3 billion. Eighty percent of the U.S. contribution will be components for the construction of ITER, and 20 percent will be cash to help start up the facility. DOE will also contribute 13 percent of the operating costs. According to Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., which is helping to design the facility, construction will begin in early 2007. See the press releases from DOE and Jacobs Engineering.
Top Ten Green Building Products for 2006
 |  This high-efficiency indirect evaporative cooler is among the top-ten green building products of the year, according to BuildingGreen, Inc. Credit: BuildingGreen, Inc. |
Top green building products with a more tenuous relationship to energy include a polished concrete system from Advanced Floor Products, Inc. that allows for attractive floors made of poured concrete. The product could be useful in passive solar buildings that use concrete as a means of thermal storage, or in buildings with radiant floor heating. Other materials on the top-ten list could help reduce petroleum use, including PaperStone, a biobased composite made from paper and a non-petroleum resin, which is derived in part from cashew shells. Likewise, 3form, Inc. produces panels from recycled plastics, and Timbron International, Inc. does the same for interior molding. Last but not least are water-saving irrigation controls from HydroPoint Data Systems, Inc. The system modifies its watering schedule based on weather data, reducing outdoor water use by as much as 59 percent. Although reducing cold water use provides no energy savings for the consumer, it saves energy that would otherwise be used to treat and pump the water. See the BuildingGreen press release and details on all the products on the top-ten list on the BuildingGreen Web site.
DOE Aerodynamic Trucks for 8-10% mpg
DOE and Leading Manufacturers Develop Aerodynamic Trucks
|  Freightliner employed wind tunnel tests to reduce the drag caused by side mirrors. |
Class 8 trucks consume about 12 percent of the U.S. petroleum supply, and roughly half of that fuel consumption is used to overcome aerodynamic drag at highway speeds. If every tractor-trailer in the United States were able to boost its fuel economy by 10 percent, it would save nearly one billion gallons of fuel per year. The aerodynamic study is part of DOE's 21st Century Truck Partnership, which aims to dramatically reduce the dependence on imported oil to fuel U.S trucks and buses.
Mack Trucks, Inc. turned its attention to the first three approaches and achieved an 8 percent improvement in fuel economy. International Truck and Engine Corporation teamed up with Great Dane Trailers to build an experimental trailer for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The trailer is lower than normal and features a reduced frontal area, a tapered aft end, and side skirts that automatically deploy at 35 miles per hour and above. The trailer achieved a 7 percent fuel economy improvement on the highway, and International is currently testing trailer gap enclosures that could yield an additional 2 percent improvement. Volvo Trucks North America achieved a 2.3 percent improvement in fuel economy through a front bumper extension; extenders from the roof, sides, and bottom of the tractor to partially bridge the gap to the trailer; and an air deflector that wraps around the rear wheels and axles. Finally, Freightliner LLC worked on mirrors and mirror mounts, which can cause 6 percent of a truck's aerodynamic drag. See the press releases from Mack Trucks, International, Volvo Trucks, and Freightliner.
Nov 21, 2006
Nations sign $13bn nuclear fusion project
Nations representing half the world's population signed a long-awaited, $12.8 billion pact Tuesday for a nuclear fusion reactor that could revolutionize global energy use for future generations. VIA MSNBC
China to build world's largest solar power plant
China plans to build the world's largest solar power station in the northwestern province of Gansu according to a report from Xinhua, China's state news agency. Construction of the 100 megawatt facility will take five years and cost 6.03 billion yuan ($766 million). Link here VIA -mongabay
Chip will love this LED Desk Lamp
Chip... this ones for you ;-)
"Illuminate your desk or work area with energy-efficient lights that never need to be replaced. The LED Desk Lamp is an attractive chrome lamp with 48 white LEDs, and its adjustable arm will lock in any position, which allows for flexible setup." There is a nice floor lamp on that page too. » original news (VIA- hugg.com)
Kids and the obesity epidemic.
Advertisers continue to focus on capturing young customers, Feeding an obesity epidemic. children are falling victim to 'marketing-related' illnesses and conditions.
Wood fuel brings trees back into bloom
Western Mail: WOOD is a renewable and sustainable source of energy, which unlike oil or coal can be replenished through new growth and planting. Burning wood gives off carbon dioxide, just like fossil fuels, but this is balanced by the carbon absorbed by the growing trees. Wood not burnt as fuel will still release the same amount of carbon dioxide when it eventually decomposes. Providing it is not transported long distances wood fuel can be a virtually zero-carbon source of ... Link VIA-EcologicalInternet.org (Dr. Glen Barry)
Mayor Daley Opens New Permanent Household Chemicals Recycling Facility
In an effort to ensure Chicago's homes are safe and healthy and to protect the City's land and water resources, Mayor Richard M. Daley announced today the opening of the city's only permanent Household Chemicals and Computer Recycling Facility. The $3.8 million 24,000 square foot facility, located at 1150 N. North Branch, will accept computers for recycling and will allow for the safe disposal or recycling of household hazardous chemicals. Source: City of Chicago (VIA glrppr.org).
Storm water cleaning charge introduced
Businesses, schools, churches and other non-residential property owners also would pay a monthly service charge, based on how much land they cover with impervious surface, which includes parking lots, driveways and rooftops.
| Source: The Star Press (Indiana VIA glrppr.org). |
If you're not a risk taker, you should get the hell out of business....
True today as ever ;-)
--Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's Corp.
The P3 Award: People, Prosperity and the Planet
The US Environmental Protection Agency is sponsoring an environmental design competition for undergraduate and graduate students. Students submit cutting-edge, sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and compete for $10,000 to develop their designs. » original news (thanks for link hugg.vom ;-)
Eco-friendly Home Furnace That Also Generates Electricity!
The furnace using micro-combined-heat-and-power (CHP) units, will not just be environment friendly, but also will be capable of generating electricity in the burning process! The CHPs turns natural gas into hot water. It generates up to $800 a year in electricity, according to a Christian Science Monitor report. » original news (Thanks for Link VIA-hugg.com ;-)
Diesel-natural gas dual-fuel retro-fit systems from Clean Air Power coming out clean
Using a bit of diesel fuel to ignite natural gas in an engine is one way to provide high-power output with lowered emissions. Clean Air Power, which has a unique retro-fit system that gives an engine dual-fuel capability, recently completed trials meant to figure out the benefits of integrating versus retro-fitting its products, and discovered that the cost and CO2 emissions savings are better with the contemporary integrated system. Clean Air Power says that the UK trials, which used the Genesis Dual-Fuel[TM] retro-fit system, demonstrated a 50 percent gas substitution and a CO2 saving of 8.4 tons a year, based on 200,000km annual mileage. The lowered gas usage could save operators about $12,000 per vehicle per year in fuel costs (thanks for link autobloggreen com ;-)
The Fusion solution in the young minds of the future
Thiago Olson, a 17 year old Michigan Teen, was able to create a small fusion device in his parents' basement. The machine uses a 40,000 volt charge and deuterium gas to create the small reaction, which he says looks like a 'small intense ball of energy.' The teen's fusion device is obviously not a self-sustaining reactor, but it still shows how fusion technology is becoming more accessible. Hopefully this points to a future where large scale fusion reactors are both economical and widely used." (thanks for link slashdot,org)
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Free Speech on the Internet
The Supreme Court's opinion strengthens protection for speech on the Internet" said Mark Goldowitz, director of the California Anti-SLAPP Project and counsel for Rosenthal. "Justice Corrigan's opinion protects against the 'heckler's veto' chilling speech on the Internet."
For the full decision, see EFF's website at: http://www.eff.org/legal/cases/Barrett_v_Rosenthal/ruling.pdf
Drug can help too much of a good thing
Drug Treats 'Water Intoxication' Faster, More Effectively - Results of the two largest studies on hyponatremia found that the investigational drug tolvaptan treated hyponatremia -- water intoxication -- more effectively than available treatments. These studies, presented by a researcher from Northwestern University, proved that hyponatremia can be treated with an oral drug that has no significant side effects. Hyponatremia is a relatively common electrolyte disorder. It affects a wide spectrum of patients including those with liver problems, heart failure and the elderly. It also may affect marathon runners. Thanks for link sciencedaily,com
Discovery Could Yield Protein To Feed Millions
Got Cotton? Texas Researchers' Discovery Could Yield Protein To Feed Millions Researchers at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station used RNAi to reduce the toxic compound gossypol from cottonseed to a level that is considered safe for consumption, but left the compound in the rest of the plant to ward off insects and disease. Once commercialized, seed from these plants could provide a new, high-protein food available to 500 million people a year. (Thanks for link sciencedaily,com)
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