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Green News: EPA Strengthens Transboundary Hazardous Waste Shipment Regulations

CONTACT:

Skip Anderson
anderson.skip@epa.gov
202-564-9551
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 28, 2009

 

EPA Strengthens Transboundary Hazardous Waste Shipment Regulations

 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is strengthening the regulations that govern the shipping of hazardous waste for recycling between the United States and other countries. The new measures are meant to increase the level of regulatory oversight, provide stricter controls, and greater transparency. The final rule announced today aligns EPA’s hazardous waste import/export/transit shipment regulations with the procedures of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an international consortium that comprises 30 countries including the United States.

 

EPA’s new measures bolster regulations regarding hazardous waste shipments into or out of the United States and strengthen the extensive set of regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) governing the shipment of hazardous waste within the United States.

Specifically, this rule revises:

 

·      Existing RCRA regulation regarding the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes for recovery among countries belonging to the OECD to conform to legally required revisions made by the OECD, such as:

 

-     requiring U.S. recovery facilities to submit a certificate after recovery of the waste has been completed,

-     adding provisions to ensure that hazardous wastes are returned to the country of export in a more timely and documented manner when it is necessary to do so, and

-     adding new procedures for imported hazardous wastes that are initially managed at U.S. accumulation and transfer facilities to better track and document that subsequent recovery by a separate recycling facility is completed in an environmentally sound manner.

 

·      RCRA regulations for spent lead-acid batteries (SLAB) to add export notification and consent requirements to provide stricter controls and greater transparency for exports of SLABs to any country, and should ensure that the batteries are sent to countries and reclamation facilities in those countries that can manage the SLABs in an environmentally sound manner.    

 

·      Hazardous waste import-related requirements for U.S. hazardous waste management facilities to confirm individual import shipments comply with the terms of EPA’s consent.

 

·      The address to which export exception reports are to be sent.

 

The United States participates in a number of bilateral waste agreements between countries and in the multilateral waste agreement controlling the shipment of hazardous waste for recovery between OECD member countries.

 

More information on the final rule: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/international/oecd-slab-rule.htm

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Green News: EPA to Hold Public Hearing on Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Dioxide

CONTACT:
Dave Ryan
ryan.dave@epa.gov
202-564-7827
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 29, 2009

EPA to Hold Public Hearing on Air Quality Standards for Sulfur Dioxide

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public hearing on the agency’s proposal to strengthen the nation’s sulfur dioxide (SO2) standards. Exposure to SO2 can aggravate asthma, cause respiratory difficulties, and result in emergency room visits and hospitalization. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially vulnerable to SO2’s effects. EPA is taking comment on a proposal to establish a new national one-hour SO2 standard, between 50 and 100 parts per billion. This standard is designed to protect against short-term exposures ranging from five minutes to 24 hours. Because the revised standards would be more protective, EPA is proposing to revoke the current 24-hour and annual SO2 health standards.

The hearing will be held on January 5, 2010, in Atlanta, Ga. The hearing will begin at 10:00 a.m. and end at 7:00 p.m. local time at the following location:

Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center
Conference Rooms B and C
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA  30303

Information about participating at the hearing: contact Tricia Crabtree at crabtree.tricia@epa.gov or (919) 541-5688. The public may also register on the day of the hearing but may not be given a specific time to speak.

EPA also will accept written comments on the proposed rule until February 8, 2010.

More information on the proposed rule and instructions for submitting written comments: http://www.epa.gov/air/sulfurdioxide

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Green News: EPA Seeks Small Business Input on Air Toxics Rule for Brick Production

CONTACT:
Dave Ryan (News Media Only)
Ryan.dave@epa.gov
202-564-7827
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 22, 2009


EPA Seeks Small Business Input on Air Toxics Rule for Brick Production

WASHINGTON --The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wants recommendations from small businesses on the best way to regulate air toxics from the production of bricks and structural clay products such as roof tiles.  

EPA is inviting small businesses to nominate representatives to participate in a Small Business Advocacy Review Panel that will provide input into the development of the agency’s 2010 proposed rule for brick and structural clay products. This is a change from the past, when EPA selected panel members in consultation with the U.S. Small Business Administration, but did not invite small businesses to nominate representatives.

The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires EPA to convene such a panel if a rule may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses.

Under a separate statute, the Clean Air Act, EPA must issue national emissions standards for new and existing major sources of air toxics from a wide variety of industries, including brick and structural clay products manufacturing. Air toxics, also known as hazardous air pollutants, are pollutants known or suspected to cause cancer or other serious health problems.

EPA issued air toxics regulations for brick and structural clay products manufacturing facilities in 2003, but they were nullified by a federal court; therefore, EPA is beginning the process of developing a new rule. An estimated 82 percent of the companies operating brick kilns are small businesses.

More information about participating in the panel:

http://www.epa.gov/sbrefa/brickclayproducts.htm

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EPA’s Energy Star Buildings Mark a Decade of Savings

CONTACT:

Enesta Jones

jones.enesta@epa.gov

202-564-7873

202-564-4355

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 9, 2009

 

 

EPA’s Energy Star Buildings Mark a Decade of Savings

 

Oldest, tallest, largest buildings named

 

WASHINGTON — Ten years ago, EPA unveiled a ground-breaking development in energy efficiency for the commercial marketplace – the first Energy Star building. Since 1999, Energy Star partners in the commercial marketplace have helped prevent nearly 120 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, equal to the emissions from the annual electricity use of more than 60 million American homes.

 

“The Energy Star story is one of eliminating barriers, driving demand, and delivering excellence,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “EPA is proud to celebrate a decade of Energy Star buildings in communities across America that play an important role in fighting global warming, improving energy efficiency, and saving money.”

 

To celebrate this important decade milestone, EPA is releasing the publication, Celebrating a Decade of Energy Star Buildings, which tells the history behind the Energy Star program and its development into a leading energy efficiency brand in the commercial marketplace. Buildings highlighted demonstrate the diversity of types of Energy Star buildings, including:

 

·         The oldest building to earn the Energy Star: Cambridge Savings Bank in Cambridge, Mass.

·         The tallest building to earn the Energy Star: Aon Center in Chicago

·         The largest building to earn the Energy Star: USAA McDermott Building in San Antonio, Texas

·         The first building to earn the Energy Star: Ridgehaven Green Building in San Diego, Calif.

 

Several buildings with notable tenants are also listed, including Amazon.com in Seattle, Wash.; National Geographic Society in Washington, D.C.; and MTV in Santa Monica, Calif. Finally, a selection of case studies chronicles how the energy efficiency of different buildings improved with help from Energy Star.

 

The Energy Star is available for 13 types of commercial buildings, including retail stores, hotels, schools, supermarkets and more. Nearly 9,000 buildings across the nation have earned the Energy Star for superior energy efficiency over the past decade and the numbers continue to climb daily. Energy Star buildings typically use 35 percent less energy and emit 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than average buildings.

 

To obtain the publication: http://www.energystar.gov/decade

 

To learn more about the Energy Star Commercial and Industrial Program: http://www.energystar.gov/buildings

 

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EPA to Strengthen Oversight of Pesticide’s Impact on Children and Farmworkers

CONTACT:
Dale Kemery
kemery.dale@epa.gov
202-564-7839
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2009

EPA to Strengthen Oversight of Pesticide’s Impact on Children and Farmworkers 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to strengthen its assessment of pesticide health risks. EPA’s proposal would include a more thorough assessment of risks to workers, including farmworkers and farm children, as well as risks posed by pesticides that are not used on food. The agency is asking the public to comment on the new approach and how best to implement the improvements.

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson has made it a top priority to ensure that the agency is working to protect Americans. She said: “Better information and applying these tools will strengthen EPA’s protections for farm workers exposed to these chemicals, and children living in and around the areas of highest possible exposure,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “It’s essential we have the tools to keep everyone, especially vulnerable populations like children, safe from the serious health consequences of pesticide exposure.”

Under the policy, EPA risk assessments for children, farmworkers and others, would consider aggregate pesticide exposures from all sources in addition to the cumulative effects from multiple pesticides that have similar toxicity. EPA also would apply an additional safety factor to protect infants and children from the risks of pesticides where the available data are incomplete. Currently these analyses help assess risks of pesticides to the general public as required by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.

EPA believes that pesticide exposure should be evaluated with common scientific risk-assessment techniques, whether from residues in food or drinking water, on lawns or in swimming pools, or in the workplace. The agency would routinely apply the techniques to workers exposed to pesticide exposures on the job. By incorporating these risk-assessment tools into its pesticide evaluations, the agency would more thoroughly protect the most vulnerable populations, including farm workers and children taken into agricultural fields.

The proposed policy will be available for a 60-day public comment period after it is published in the Federal Register.

More information on the proposed rule: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/health/worker-rsk-assmnt.html
 

 

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EPA Analysis Shows Reduction in 2008 Toxic Chemical Releases

CONTACTS:
Skip Anderson
anderson.skip@epa.gov
202-564-9551
202-564-4355

LaTisha Petteway
petteway.latisha@epa.gov
202-564-3191
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 8, 2009

EPA Analysis Shows Reduction in 2008 Toxic Chemical Releases

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is releasing its annual national analysis of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).  The TRI database contains information on chemical releases into the air, land and water, as well as waste management and pollution prevention activities.  The analysis of the 2008 data, the most recent data set available, shows that 3.86 billion pounds of toxic chemicals were released into the environment, a 6 percent decrease from 2007.

This is the first time EPA has released its annual analysis in the same calendar year as the data were reported. In August, the agency released to the public the raw TRI data prior to EPA analysis for the first time.  EPA has made the data available more quickly to increase transparency.

The analysis, which includes data on 650 chemicals from more than 21,000 facilities, found that total releases to air decreased 14 percent, while releases to surface water increased 3 percent.  This increase is partially attributed to a coal ash spill at a Tennessee Valley Authority facility in Kingston, Tenn.  Releases to land remain virtually unchanged from 2007, showing a 0.1 percent increase.

The report shows decreases in the releases of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals including lead, dioxin, and mercury.  Total disposal or other releases of mercury decreased 11 percent.  Dioxin releases or disposal decreased 77 percent, while lead releases decreased by 2 percent.  Releases of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) increased 121 percent.  Because PCBs are no longer used in U.S. manufacturing, these releases represent the removal of PCBs from service for disposal at regulated hazardous waste facilities.

The analysis also shows a 5 percent decline in the number of facilities reporting to TRI from the previous year, continuing a trend from the past few years.  Some of this decline may be attributed to the economic downturn; however, EPA plans to investigate why some facilities reported in 2007 but not 2008.

Earlier this year, EPA also restored the more comprehensive TRI reporting requirements that were in effect before Dec. 21, 2006.  As a result, the 2008 analysis provides communities with a more complete picture of local environmental conditions.  EPA has begun a review of its TRI program to identify areas for improvement.

Information from industry is submitted annually to EPA and states.  The data are reported by multiple industry sectors including manufacturing, metal mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste facilities.  Facilities report by July 1 of each year.

TRI tracks the chemicals and industrial sectors specified by the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986 and its amendments.  The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also mandates that TRI reports include data on toxic chemicals treated on site, recycled, and burned for energy recovery.  Together, these laws require facilities in certain industries to report annually on releases, disposal and other waste management activities related to these chemicals.

More information on the 2008 TRI analysis: http://www.epa.gov/tri


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EPA Releases Guidance to Help Federal Facilities Better Manage Stormwater

CONTACT:

Enesta Jones

jones.enesta@epa.gov

202-564-7873

202-564-4355

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 8, 2009

 

EPA Releases Guidance to Help Federal Facilities Better Manage Stormwater

 

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued guidance to help federal agencies minimize the impact of federal development projects on nearby water bodies. The guidance is being issued in response to a change in law and an Executive Order signed by President Obama, which calls upon all federal agencies to lead by example to address a wide range of environmental issues, including stormwater runoff. 

 

"EPA is proud to issue this new guidance to help federal facilities reduce stormwater pollution,” said Peter S. Silva, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Water. “By taking these steps to create more sustainable facilities, federal agencies can lead by example in reducing impacts in the local watershed.”

 

EPA worked closely with other federal agencies to develop this document, which provides background information, key definitions, case studies and guidance on meeting the new requirements of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. 

 

Under the new requirements, federal agencies must minimize stormwater runoff from federal development projects to protect water resources. Federal agencies can comply using a variety of stormwater management practices often referred to as “green infrastructure” or “low impact development” practices, including reducing impervious surfaces, using vegetative practices, using porous pavements and installing green roofs. 

 

EPA is using sustainable techniques for reducing the effects of stormwater runoff at its facilities, such as installing a 3,000 square foot green roof as well as using rain gardens and cisterns to capture and reuse stormwater.

 

Stormwater runoff in urban and suburban areas is one of the leading sources of water pollution in the United States. Runoff can cause increased flooding and erosion and more pollution to surface waters.

 

More information on the guidance: http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/section438/

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