Black People In Business – World Wide

Release Date: 04/12/2012Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – April 12, 2012) – The Northeast Diesel Collaborative – a partnership between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state agencies, and private and nonprofit groups – today recognized four organizations for their outstanding leadership and efforts in reducing diesel emissions. The collaborative honored several agencies and organizations from Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Vermont as part of its second annual Northeast Diesel Collaborative Breathe Easy Leadership Awards Program.
The Northeast Diesel Collaborative, comprising the six New England states, New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, works to reduce diesel emissions, improve public health, and promote clean diesel technology. It brings together the collective resources and expertise of EPA, several state environmental agencies and private sector companies to address emissions from existing diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. 
“Diesel emissions in the northeast continue to pose health risks to the residents of the region.  The demonstrated leadership and efforts put forth by the 2011 award winners will help bring cleaner air and healthier communities to our region,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office.
“Pollution from diesel engines is linked to asthma, respiratory problems, heart attacks and even premature death, and is especially dangerous to children and the elderly,” said Judith A. Enck, EPA Region 2 Administrator. “Reducing air pollution from diesel engines has enormous health benefits and translates directly into fewer hospitalizations, less missed days of work and school and a better quality of life for everyone.” 
The Northeast Diesel Collaborative Breathe Easy awards are given for outstanding service in reducing air pollution to protect human health and the environment. The winners achieve these goals by taking actions such as retrofitting and replacing older diesel engines, reducing idling from diesel engines, developing education and outreach campaigns to promote diesel emissions reduction and promoting cleaner fuels. 
The 2011 Northeast Diesel Collaborative Breathe Easy Leadership Awardees in New England are:
Leadership Award
Green Space and Recreation Committee, Chelsea Collaborative, Inc.
For the past 16 years, Chelsea Collaborative’s Green Space and Recreation Committee (Green Space) has formed public and private sector partnerships in a collaborative effort to protect and restore Chelsea’s natural resources.  Improving air quality and reducing resident exposure to diesel pollutants in Chelsea and Everett, MA, two communities that receive a disproportionate quantity of air pollution from diesel fleets, has been a primary objective in this effort. In 2010, the Collaborative, partnering with the New England Produce Center, replaced 98 diesel-powered transport refrigeration units (TRU) used for extra cold storage with electrically-powered units at one of the largest produce distribution centers in the country. An additional project partnership installed diesel emission reduction technologies on fleet equipment at the Chelsea Fire Department, the Chelsea Public Works Department and the Eastern Mineral Salt Dock. Combined, both projects are projected to remove 34 tons of nitrogen oxide, 5.7 tons of particulate matter, and reduce fuel use by an estimated 275,000 gallons while saving an estimated $500,000 in operational costs. “The Chelsea Collaborative Green Space & Recreation Committee is deeply appreciative of this recognition from the Northeast Diesel Collaborative,” said Roseann Bongiovanni, Associate Executive Director of the Collaborative.  “It is an honor to receive this award for our work and the committee looks forward to further reducing diesel emissions in the community and region through similarly innovative and mutually supportive community-based and business-friendly partnerships.”  More information on the Chelsea Collaborative Green Space & Recreation Committee (http://chelseacollab.org/program/greenspace)
Leadership Award (Honorable Mention):
Casella Waste Systems, Inc.
In 2010, Casella Waste Systems (CWS) partnering with Chittenden Solid Waste District and with funding from EPA’s National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program, replaced three diesel refuse trucks introducing the first of its compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered fleet of collection vehicles serving Chittenden County, VT. To accommodate the new technology and maintain the reliability of the new CNG vehicles, CWS refurbished its maintenance garage and constructed a CNG fueling station at its transfer station in Williston. "We are proud to service thousands of neighborhoods throughout the northeast,” said John Casella, Chairman and CEO of CWS. “Transitioning our fleet to run on clean, quiet, domestic fuel is just one more way for us to contribute to the health of our communities." Since the initial CNG replacement project, CWS has added four more CNG collection vehicles to the Williston fleet, for a total of seven vehicles furthering the company’s ongoing effort to reduce its carbon footprint and improve air quality.  More information on the Chittenden Solid Waste District’s CNG fleet (http://www.cswd.net/)
In the New York metropolitan area, a Breathe Easy Leadership Award was given to Port Commerce Department, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for developing and implementing a “Clean Air Strategy for the Port of NY & NJ.”  The Transportation Clean Air Measures Program, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority received an Honorable Mention for proactively advancing an innovative Transportation Clean Air Measures (TCAM) program.
More information: Clean Diesel efforts in the Northeast: http://www.northeastdiesel.org
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Release Date: 03/19/2012Contact Information: Belinda Young, (913) 551-7463, young.belinda@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., March 19, 2012) – EPA’s Assistant Administrator for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Mathy Stanislaus, and EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks will host an environmental roundtable at 3 p.m. today at Saint Louis University’s Salus Center.

The roundtable will recognize the success of a local EPA Brownfields Job Training program, whose graduates and stakeholders will participate in a discussion about the program’s achievements and job placement efforts.

St. Louis Community College partnered with SLU to target residents of brownfields-impacted communities in the St. Louis metropolitan area for an intensive environmental worker training program, designed to provide participants with employment-driven skills. Recruitment for the training program was focused on residents of economically depressed communities, particularly those living in the St. Louis Empowerment Zone, Wellston, Mo.; and East St. Louis, Ill.

Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the program has an 78.8 percent graduate placement rate. Ninety students have completed the program, and 12 more will graduate on Friday, March 23. Two new training programs will start soon, with more than 50 requests for enrollment already received for each session.

WHO: Mathy Stanislaus, EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response; EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks; and graduates and stakeholders of the job training program

WHAT: Brownfields Job Training Roundtable

WHEN: 3 p.m. TODAY, Monday, March 19, 2012

WHERE: Saint Louis University, Salus Center, 3545 Lafayette Ave., St. Louis, Mo. 63104
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The deadline for FY 2012 Environmental Workforce and Job Training Grants is April 12, 2012. Learn more

Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion7

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Release Date: 04/27/2012Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – April 27, 2012) – Next week is Air Quality Awareness week – a cooperative effort amongst EPA, state environmental agencies, and the National Weather Service, to remind everyone to protect their health by paying attention to local air quality. With the onset of warmer weather, EPA urges New Englanders to be aware of the increased risk of ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution (when combined, often referred to as smog), and take health precautions when smog levels are high.
“Air pollution is a significant public health concern in New England, especially for people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory ailments," said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England Office. “People should pay close attention to air quality alerts and limit their strenuous outdoor activity on air quality alert days.”
Air quality forecasts are issued daily by the New England state air agencies. Current air quality conditions and next day forecasts for New England are available each day at EPA’s web site. People can also stay informed about air quality in New England states by following EPA on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/EPAnewengland). In cooperation with the New England states, EPA has also set up an “Air Quality Alerts” system, provided free through the EnviroFlash program, where people can sign up to receive e-mails or text messages when high concentrations of ground-level ozone or fine particles are predicted in their area.
Warm summer temperatures aid in the formation of ground-level ozone and fine particle pollution. In 2008, EPA strengthened the ozone air quality health standard to 0.075 parts per million (ppm) on an 8-hour average basis. Air quality alerts are issued when ozone concentrations exceed, or are predicted to exceed, this level.
Poor air quality affects everyone, but some people are particularly sensitive to air pollutants, including children and adults who are active outdoors, and people with respiratory diseases, such as asthma. When air quality is predicted to be unhealthy, EPA and the states will announce an air quality alert for the affected areas. EPA recommends that people in these areas limit strenuous outdoor activity and EPA asks that on these days, citizens and businesses take actions that will help reduce air pollution and protect the public health. Everyone can help reduce air pollution by taking the following steps:
- use public transportation or walk whenever possible;
- combine errands and car-pool to reduce driving time and mileage;
- use less electricity by turning air conditioning to a higher temperature setting, and turning off lights, TVs and computers when they are not being used; and
- avoid using other small gasoline-powered engines, such as lawn mowers, chain saws, power-washers, generators, compressors and leaf blowers on unhealthy air days.
Cars, motorcycles, trucks, and buses are a primary source of the pollutants that make smog. Fossil fuel burning at electric generating stations, particularly on hot days, also generate smog-forming pollution. Other industries, as well as smaller sources, such as gasoline stations and print shops, also contribute to smog. In addition, household products like paints and cleaners, as well as gasoline-powered yard and garden equipment, also contribute to smog formation.
The federal Clean Air Act has led to significant improvements in ozone air quality over the past 30 years and EPA continues to take steps to further reduce air pollution. For example, since 2004, new cars, sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and mini-vans are meeting stringent new emission standards. The requirements have resulted in new vehicles that are 77 to 95 percent cleaner than older models. Also, EPA’s standards for new (starting with model year 2007) diesel trucks and buses are estimated to reduce NOx and fine particle emissions by up to 95 percent.
In addition, last year, EPA finalized the Cross State Air Pollution Rule.  Although the rule is currently subject to litigation, EPA believes the rule is legally sound and is vigorously defending it.  Under this rule, power plants in the eastern half of the country will need to cut air pollution with proven and cost-effective control technologies.  By 2014, the Cross State Air Pollution Rule and other state and EPA actions are expected to reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions by 73 and 54 percent from 2005 levels, respectively.
Free Air Quality Resources:
Air Quality Awareness Week http://www.epa.gov/airnow/airaware/index.html
Air Quality Forecasts and Alert program http://www.epa.gov/ne/aqi
Ozone exceedance list http://www.epa.gov/ne/airquality/o3exceed-12.html
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More info on EPA’s Environmental Results in New England (http://www.epa.gov/region1/results/index.html)

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Release Date: 04/17/2012Contact Information: Donna Heron, 215-814-5113 / heron.donna@epa.gov

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (April 17, 2012) — Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency marked the beginning of Earth Week by recognizing State College Borough for its curbside food recycling program.

State College is the only town in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that is conducting curbside food waste collection for composting. The program began as a pilot and is slated to go borough-wide in 2013.

During the ceremony today at State College’s composting facility, EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin also welcomed the borough and Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority as the newest members to join EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge.

“Earth Week is an excellent time to raise awareness about the importance of recycling food waste. By diverting food waste away from landfills, the borough is saving money on disposal fees, reducing harmful air emissions and producing a valuable soil product when it is composted. EPA is pleased to recognize State College Borough and Centre County and welcome them into our Food Recovery Challenge,” said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin.

EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge encourages organizations to reduce waste, donate, and recycle as much of their unspoiled food waste as possible. This saves money, feeds the needy and helps protect the environment.

State College Borough has a well-established yard and garden waste collection and now collects food waste as part of a pilot program which will become borough-wide next year. The food and garden waste is turned into compost, which is used throughout the borough and is also available for purchase. The borough uses and sells approximately 3,000 cubic yards of compost per year.
Food waste is the largest waste category in the U.S. In 2010, 34 million tons of food waste was generated. Of that, 97 percent was sent to landfills or incinerators. When excess food, leftover food, and food scraps are disposed of in a landfill, they decompose rapidly and become a significant source of methane, an extremely potent greenhouse gas which contributes to climate change. Landfills and the food waste in them account for more than 20 percent of all methane emissions in the U.S.
In addition to composting, food that is not spoiled can help to feed the hungry because much of it is not waste at all but actually safe, wholesome food that could potentially feed millions of Americans. Food donations from supermarkets and restaurants are now redirecting these valuable resources to food cupboards and other hunger relief organizations.
For more information on the Food Recovery Challenge go to: www.epa.gov/foodrecoverychallenge.

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Release Date: 03/13/2012Contact Information: Mary Mears (212) 637-3673; mears.mary@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is encouraging applications for $100,000 in funding to study contaminated sites and other sources of pollution that are impacting water quality in the lower and middle Raritan River. This funding is part of an EPA Raritan River Initiative, which will support the analysis of existing data to enable environmental agencies, institutions, community groups and local governments to identify data gaps, plan future research and make other environmental decisions.

The Raritan River runs from west of Somerville, N.J. into the Raritan Bay. The river and the surrounding watershed is home to over one million people, providing drinking water, transportation and recreation opportunities and important habitat for wildlife. The watershed is impacted by many sources of pollution, including contaminated sites, industrial facilities and sewage treatment systems. While there is sampling data collected within the Raritan River watershed, this information is fragmented.

“This funding demonstrates the EPA’s continued commitment to a cleaner and healthier Raritan River and the health of everyone who enjoys it," said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. "The data and information collected will help Raritan River communities better understand pollution that has affected river conditions and will assist in decision-making on the best ways to improve water quality.”

Using the funding, the selected applicant will identify high priority sites and sources of pollution that are potentially impacting the river. The resulting site list and associated data will then be made available to the public and put into a format that can be used by state agencies, country and local governments, non-profit organizations and other stakeholders to make environmental decisions. The data would also be used to create an interactive website to show exact locations of potentially polluting sites along the river along with the data for each site.

All applications are due no later than April 23, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Additional information on the grants, including guidance on eligibility and procedures for applying, is available at http://www.epa.gov/region2/grants/ or through http://www.grants.gov.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/eparegion2 and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.

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Release Date: 03/07/2012Contact Information: Dave Bary or Jennah Durant at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(DALLAS – March 7, 2012) A grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will assist in reducing asbestos exposure in schools and state buildings in Oklahoma. The grant for $234,713, given to the Oklahoma Department of Labor (ODOL), will be used for inspections and encouraging compliance with the Asbestos in Schools Program which is designed to protect the health of school children and other occupants as well as the community. ODOL will complete 100 audit inspections in Oklahoma schools during 2012 and verify asbestos workers are properly trained and accredited prior to and during asbestos abatement work.

More information about the Asbestos in School Program is available at http://www.epa.gov/asbestos/pubs/asbestos_in_schools.html

Additional Information on EPA grants is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/gandf/index.htm

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/mar2012.html
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Release Date: 04/26/2012Contact Information: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543, smith.bonnie@epa.gov

PHILADELPHIA (April 26, 2012) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently announced the winners of the 2012 College University Green Power Challenge and the top winner in the Green Power Challenge is the University of Pennsylvania. In addition, more colleges and universities who are participating in the Challenge are located in Pennsylvania than any other state in the nation. Of the 73 universities participating, 17 are located in Pennsylvania and are buying green power – - power from renewable resources.

The University of Pennsylvania beat out 72 other schools across the country by purchasing more than 200 million kilowatt hours (KWh) of green power or 48 percent of its total power purchases.

Green power is generated from renewable resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, biogas, and low-impact hydropower. The University of Pennsylvania has taken first place honors in the challenge for the fifth consecutive year and its green power use is equivalent to avoiding greenhouse gas emissions of approximately 27,000 passenger vehicles each year.

“By purchasing green power from renewable sources, these 17 Pennsylvania institutions are spurring the development of the nation’s green power market and reducing harmful air pollution,” said EPA’s mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “Their commitment to renewable energy, especially at the University of Pennsylvania, is contributing to the growth in green jobs and a green economy.”

The other 16 Green Power Partners in Pennsylvania are: Duquesne University in Pittsburgh; Dickinson College in Carlisle; Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster; Haverford College in Bryn Mawr; Swarthmore College in Swarthmore; Gettysburg College in Gettysburg; Philadelphia University in Philadelphia; Drexel University in Philadelphia; Juniata College in Huntingdon; Eastern University in St. Davids; Allegheny College in Meadville; Bucknell University in Lewisburg; Mercyhurst College in Erie; Chatham University and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh; and Marywood University in Scranton.

For more information on the winners: www.epa.gov/greenpower/initiatives/cu_challenge.htm.

For more information on EPA’s Green Power Partnership: www.epa.gov/greenpower.

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Release Date: 02/23/2012Contact Information: Rodriguez, 212-637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov; Brenda Reyes, 787-977-5869, reyes.brenda@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y.) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a legal agreement with the Battery Recycling Company, Inc. requiring it to take multiple actions to reduce the spread of lead contamination from its Arecibo, Puerto Rico facility. As part of an ongoing investigation of the facility, the EPA identified violations of federal regulations governing the proper handling of hazardous materials. The agreement announced today requires the company to take immediate steps to address the environmental violations and prevent releases of lead and other pollutants from the site. The company will invest more than $3 million in facility upgrades and will undertake three environmental projects to benefit the community. The Battery Recycling Company has agreed, at this time, to pay a $112,500 penalty for alleged violations of the hazardous waste law. The EPA is working cooperatively with the Puerto Rico Environmental Quality Board on making improvements at the facility that will benefit the Arecibo community.

Lead is a toxic metal that can have serious, long-term health consequences for adults and children. Even at low levels, lead can cause I.Q. deficiencies, reading and learning disabilities, impaired hearing, reduced attention spans, hyperactivity and other behavioral problems in children.

“Lead is a dangerous toxin that can affect a child’s ability to learn. We need to do everything possible to protect the children of Arecibo from being exposed to lead. This agreement reached by the EPA and Arecibo Battery Recycling does just that. It will also help protect the health of the workers at the plant and all people living near the facility,” said Judith A. Enck, the EPA Regional Administrator.

The EPA inspections identified significant violations of federal air, water and hazardous waste regulations. The air and water violations were addressed in previous EPA orders issued to the company. The agreement announced today addresses the hazardous waste violations under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

The Battery Recycling Company, Inc. is a lead smelter that recycles used motor vehicle batteries and produces approximately 60 tons of lead per day. Throughout 2010 and 2011, the EPA conducted a series of inspections of the facility to determine its compliance with federal laws and regulations. The facility was found to generate lead-contaminated dust during battery processing, lead smelting and refining operations, and the storage and handling of waste. Workers have also carried lead dust on their clothes and equipment into their cars and homes, putting their families and others at risk.

Under the agreement announced today, Battery Recycling will completely enclose the lead recycling processing areas and run all emissions through dust collection systems. The company will also finish building a new dust collection system to capture lead dust within the work area. Trucks and automobiles leaving the facility will be washed and inspected to reduce the spread of lead dust. Facility roads will be paved and pavements will be cleaned, in many cases, at least twice each day.

Battery Recycling has also agreed to fund the following local projects:

· Purchase of a vacuum sweeper vehicle to clean facility roadways of lead dust or other pollutants. It will improve the collection of dust and dirt and the proper disposal of the waste. The project is estimated to cost a minimum of $180,000.

· Purchase special equipment to compress dust from collection storage bins into pellets for easier handling. The project is estimated to cost a minimum of $150,000

· Provide assistance to local high schools in Puerto Rico to improve environmental education involving the safe handling and disposal of old chemicals. The project is estimated to cost a minimum of $150,000

The order announced today is the latest in a series of actions the EPA has taken to protect people’s health and the environment in Arecibo. Under previous agreements with the EPA, Battery Recycling improved existing employee changing areas, installed a decontamination station for vehicles entering and leaving facility processing areas, and trained employees to ensure that “clean” and “dirty” lockers and changing areas are kept separate and used in a way that minimizes contamination between the areas. Battery Recycling is now also required to follow a standard operating procedure manual for continuously monitoring compliance with previous orders.

To learn more about EPA’s efforts to reduce lead risks, visit: http://www.epa.gov/lead.

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/eparegion2 and visit our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.

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Release Date: 04/05/2012Contact Information: Monica Heimdal, 303-312-6359; Matthew Allen, 303-312-6085

Developers pay $30,000 for Damaging and Polluting Panguitch Lake

Companies and individual cited for unauthorized construction activities at Panguitch Lake Adventure Resort

Contacts: Monica Heimdal, 303-312-6359; Matthew Allen, 303-312-6085

(Denver, Colorado – April 3rd 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has entered into a Combined Complaint and Consent Agreement (CCCA) and an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with Polidori Corporation, Inc., Poli-Gold, LLC, and Veronica Polidori (collectively, Polidori) in response to alleged violations of the Clean Water Act at Panguitch Lake in Garfield County, Utah. EPA alleges that Polidori discharged dredged or fill material to the lake and adjacent wetlands, in violation of the Clean Water Act, during the construction of a marina and RV park.

The AOC, which replaces an administrative order for compliance issued in September of 2010, addresses discharges of dredged or fill material by Polidori, or persons acting on their behalf, to approximately 7.5 acres of Panguitch Lake and adjacent wetlands during the construction of a marina and RV park during 2007 and 2008. The unauthorized work included construction of a coffer dam in the lake, dredging and filling a large portion of an existing marina, and placement of large rocks along the perimeter of the new marina. Additional activities associated with the development of the RV park included construction of a rock wall, the discharge of large amounts of earthen fill, and placement of large rocks along a portion of the lake’s southern shoreline.
"The construction at the Panguitch Lake Adventure Resort degraded more than seven acres of the lake and nearby wetlands,” said Mike Gaydosh, EPA’s enforcement director in Denver. “It is critical that those wishing to take actions that impact surface waters and wetlands contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers first to see if their planned activities can be permitted."

Polidori has paid a penalty of $30,000 and will remove and/or mitigate discharged material. Where material is removed, impacted areas must be restored to pre-impact conditions and grade. Prior to undertaking this work, Polidori must submit a plan for EPA approval that details how restoration and mitigation will be accomplished.

Panguitch Lake and its adjacent wetlands provide numerous functions and values, including aquatic and wildlife habitat, groundwater recharge, flood attenuation, recreation and aesthetics. Placement of dredged or fill material into waters of the U.S. can have adverse impacts on wildlife habitat and on communities of fish, plants and insects.

A permit is required before performing any work that results in discharges of material into rivers, lakes, streams and wetlands. Any person planning to do such work in southern Utah should contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ St. George Regulatory Office (321 North Mall Drive, Suite L-101, St. George, UT 84790; telephone, 435-986-3979) before beginning work to determine if a permit is needed.

For more information on the Clean Water Act, visit EPA’s compliance web page: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/cwa/index.html

For more information about the importance of wetlands in flood control and habitat conservation, visit: http://www.usace.army.mil/ or http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/

Help EPA protect our nation’s land, air and water by reporting violations: http://www.epa.gov/tips/

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