Environmental Industry News
- Pennsylvania DEP Funds 61 Projects from Sunoco PenaltyGrants have been awarded for stormwater management, invasive species removal, forest restoration, farm runoff reduction, streambank restoration, and many other projects that ultimately improve water quality in Pennsylvania.
- Waste Recycler Settles RCRA Case with EPAThe settlement requires Rho-Chem, LLC to complete a supplemental environmental project to purchase and provide at least $352,992 worth of emergency response instruments and communication and computing equipment to the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Homeland Security/Hazardous Materials Response Section.
- Wyoming Becomes 38th NRC Agreement StateThe agreement signed Sept. 25 transfers regulatory authority over certain radioactive materials to the state. NRC transferred responsibility for licensing, rulemaking, inspection, and enforcement activities needed to regulate source material involved in uranium or thorium milling and the management and disposal of milling waste.
- Cal/OSHA Cites Waste Collection Company After Fatal AccidentThe worker who died was making a turn while operating the truck from the right-hand side when he fell out and was run over. Cal/OSHA investigators determined the truck had a safety chain for the truck cab opening that could not be used because a part was missing.
- NRC Resumes Review of Application to Build Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Facility in TexasNRC is accepting additional public comments through Oct. 19 on environmental issues to be considered in its environmental impact statement, and the agency has given stakeholders until Oct. 29 to request a hearing.
- NYC Pension Funds to Double Investments in Climate Change Solutions"New York City leads from the front when it comes to the fight against climate change," said NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We're taking a stand for generations to come with our goal to double our pension investments in job-creating climate solutions. I know that other cities will look to our example, and I implore them to join us."
- Detroit Receives $205,000 Brownfield Redevelopment GrantSoil and groundwater at the sites to be cleaned up were contaminated by businesses that have been closed since the 1960s, with gas stations, car repair shops, a dry cleaner, a book binder, manufacturing, and industrial businesses all possible contributors.
- New Executive Director Appointed for PA Citizens Advisory Council"Keith has provided outstanding legal counseling to DEP for the past four years," said Patrick McDonnell, Pennsylvania DEP secretary. "His broad experience within DEP and his extensive knowledge of environmental law will serve the council very well as they explore big-picture issue areas affecting the commonwealth."
- DoD Inspector General to Examine Open Burning of ExplosivesAnnounced Aug. 10 on its website, the project will examine whether DoD's activities comply with relevant environmental and related laws, and also the policies used at the active sites.
- SoCal Gas Announces $119.5 Million Gas Leak SettlementThe parties had submitted a tentative consent decree to the Los Angeles County Superior Court on Aug. 8 to settle the litigation over the Aliso Canyon natural gas leak. At least 109,000 metric tons of methane emissions were released during the leak at the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility, according to CARB.
- $200 Million More Approved for Hanford Cleanup"This land and groundwater cleanup is an important puzzle piece in the larger Hanford Project," said EPA Regional Administrator Chris Hladick. "Since these areas are virtually on the banks of the Columbia River, this work to further reduce toxic and radiological threats to the river is particularly important."
- Wastewater Project Funded in Canadian TownThe town of Shippagan will construct a sanitary sewer on Tom Street to improve wastewater management. The investment in the new sewer pipe is part of an agreement between Canada and New Brunswick for the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund.
- NC Agency Taking Action on Methyl Bromide Use"As more businesses seek to use methyl bromide at log fumigation sites in our state, the lack of specific federal or state regulatory measures for the use of this hazarous air pollutant creates a potential public health risk we must address," said DEQ Division of Air Quality Director Mike Abraczinskas.
- Colorado Taking Action on Orphaned Oil & Gas WellsBy Aug. 1, the state's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission will produce an updated list of all such sites known to exist in the state. Gov. John Hickenlooper's executive order expands state efforts to plug, remediate, and reclaim them and to prevent additional wells and sites from being orphaned in the future.
- Texas Board Funds 15 Water and Wastewater Projects"The TWDB has now committed more than $8 billion in financial assistance since the first cycle of SWIFT funding in 2015," Board Chairman Peter Lake said about the $1.9 billion in financial assistance approved July 26. "The high demand is a testament to the program's success in implementing the state water plan."
- July 28 Workday, Beach Cleanup Set at Hawaiian State ParkVolunteers are invited to build sand castles using sand that was deposited in an anchialine pool during the 2011 tsunami.
- Two Nevada Agencies Get Water, Radon EPA GrantsThe Nevada Division of Environmental Protection will receive a $100,000 Clean Water Act grant to continue the state's water quality management and planning program to improve impaired waters and protect unimpaired waters across the state.
