News and Articles


Detroit Receives $205,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Grant

Soil 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.

World's Largest Offshore Wind Farm Opens

Walney Extension's 87 turbines have a total capacity of 659 MW, sufficient to power almost 600,000 UK homes.

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."

The Greening of the Printing Industry

The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership, a nonprofit organization little known outside of the printing industry, certifies a printing facility's operations as sustainable. Such organizations can be crucial in helping an entire industry become greener and more sustainable.

Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in 11 More Missouri Counties

Missouri Department of Conservation Forest Entomologist Robbie Doerhoff urged Missourians who own ash trees in areas where EAB has been found to make a plan now to either treat or remove those trees.

NYC's Javits Convention Center to Feature Rooftop Solar Panels

The New York Power Authority is administering the solar photovoltaic Request for Proposals on behalf of the Javits Center that seeks to select a developer to design, construct and own the solar PV system through a Power Purchase Agreement.

DoD Inspector General to Examine Open Burning of Explosives

Announced 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.

U.S. drinking water system operators have been preparing for the federal lead-free law to take effect in January 2014. Four states already have laws in place that comply with or exceed its requirements.

Wisconsin Drinking Water Report: 99+ Percent of Public Systems Meeting Standards

During 2017, more than 99 percent of Wisconsin's public water systems provided water that met all health-based standards for regulated contaminants. "In addition to monitoring, measuring system compliance is part of the overall strategy for managing a sustainable supply of safe drinking water," said Adam DeWeese, DNR section chief of the Public Water Supply Section.

Forest Service, Alaska Working on State-Specific Roadless Rule

Forest Service, Alaska Working on State-Specific Roadless Rule

In establishing this new rule, the Forest Service is responding to Alaska's petition for a full exemption from the 2001 Roadless Rule.

SoCal Gas Announces $119.5 Million Gas Leak Settlement

The 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.

CAL FIRE announced that law enforcement investigators concluded a faulty gas water heater sparked one of the fires that merged to become the Rocky Fire, one of 16 active wildfires in the state as of Aug. 19, 2015.

High Fire Danger Causes Target Shooting Ban in Washington State

On average, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources responds to 22 wildfires annually on lands it manages that are caused by shooting, a number that includes illegal explosive targets and target practice.

Ammonia Emissions Rising, UK Environment Agency Reports

"Urgent action is needed if we are going to tackle the hidden blight of ammonia emissions. These emissions are having a detrimental impact on the environment, precious habitats, and wildlife. As custodians of the land, farmers must take the lead by changing their land management practices," said Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the agency.

$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 Town

The 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.

Washington State Strengthens UST Compliance Rules

Changes the state Department of Ecology has adopted will make the program more effective by streamlining requirements and aligning the rule with state and federal laws.

Colorado Taking Action on Orphaned Oil & Gas Wells

By 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."

EPA, NM Sign Agreement on Increased Recycling of O&G Wastewater

"New Mexico is currently the third largest oil producer in the United States, and that oil is accompanied by even larger quantities of water. Clarifying the state and federal regulatory frameworks associated with its recycling and reuse is of the utmost importance," said New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary Ken McQueen.

July 28 Workday, Beach Cleanup Set at Hawaiian State Park

Volunteers are invited to build sand castles using sand that was deposited in an anchialine pool during the 2011 tsunami.