Features


ILO Says Urgent Action Needed to Better Manage E-Waste

Representatives of governments and workers' and employers' organizations agreed at an April 9-11 meeting at the ILO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, that governments should increase and promote investments in waste management infrastructure and systems at all levels to manage the rapidly growing flows of e-waste.

NYC Mayor Ending City's Purchase of Single-Use Plastics

The mayor's executive order will reduce the city's carbon emissions by approximately 500 tons per year, decrease plastic pollution, and reduce risks to wildlife, with the city estimating it will reduce the purchase of single-use plastics by city agencies by 95 percent.

Understanding LEED, WELL, and the Differences

The WELL program was started by many of the same people involved in the original LEED program established by the U.S. Green Building Council back in 1998. The WELL program was created far more recently, in October 2014, which is likely one reason few of us are familiar with it.

Miami-Dade County Hosting First Sea Level Rise Workshops

Local experts will be available at the workshops to answer questions and to guide small group conversations to learn more about sea level rise in the county and to devise strategies to address anticipated impacts.

CDC, ATSDR to Fund PFAS Studies

The agencies are soliciting research applications to conduct a multi-site study on the human health effects of exposures to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) through drinking water.

More Federal Loan Guarantees Given for Vogtle Expansion

U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry was on hand for the announcement of the closing of approximately $1.67 billion in additional Department of Energy loan guarantees for the Vogtle 3 and 4 units, which Georgia Power has predicted will cost about $25 billion to complete, or nearly twice their original estimated cost.

Sacramento's Electric Car Share Program Expanded to All Residents

"Gig is thrilled to bring the largest all-electric car sharing service in the United States to Sacramento, a city that's becoming recognized as a worldwide leader in zero-emission energy," said Jason Haight, president of GIG Car Share.

UN Official Calls for Urgent Action on Climate Change

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed decried what she called the negative consequences of the current "take, make, and dispose" global economic model, citing harmful environmental and health impacts associated with the extraction of metals used in mobile phones, plastic waste flowing into the oceans, and the huge amount of electronic waste generated every year.



GM Dials Up More Wind Power in Michigan

At this point, GM has contracted or invested in a total of 1.71 terawatt hours of clean energy power in North America, equivalent to the power consumed by more than 145,000 U.S. households.

Pennsylvania DEP Promoting Governor's Infrastructure Plan

"Unexpected flood repairs can drain a municipality's budget. Restore Pennsylvania will provide financial relief to make necessary repairs and allow communities to return to normal," Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Southcentral Regional Director Joe Adams said when he visited York County to talk with local leaders about the plan.

The Netherlands Ratifies Ship Recycling Convention

Under the treaty, ships to be sent for recycling are required to carry an inventory of hazardous materials, specific to each ship. Ship recycling yards are required to provide a "Ship Recycling Plan" specifying the manner in which each ship will be recycled, depending on its particulars and its inventory.

MDEQ Announces Plans to Deal with Climate Change

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's Feb. 20, 2019, executive order reorganizes the MDEQ into the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, which will integrate the state's mission of protecting the Great Lakes, providing clean drinking water, and addressing climate change

Vermont Top State for Battery Recycling in 2018

Atlanta-based Call2Recycle, Inc. revealed the top 10 battery recycling states on Feb. 18, National Battery Day.

Florida DEP Presents 2018 Plant Excellence Awards

The department is awarding a total of 18 facilities, including 10 domestic wastewater facilities and eight drinking water facilities statewide. This is the 29th year that the Florida Rural Water Association has conducted the Focus on Change Seminars in conjunction with DEP.

Climate Scientists Awarded 2019 Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement

Michael E. Mann, Ph.D., distinguished professor of atmospheric science and director of the Earth System Science Center at Penn State University, and Warren M. Washington, Ph.D., distinguished scholar at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, are the 2019 Laureates.

Waste Associations Want Performance-Based End to Post-Closure Care

"We believe that a one-size-fits-all approach to post-closure care is too prescriptive and does not account for the differences among landfills," said Darrell Smith, NWRA's president and CEO. "A performance-based standard offers wider applicability to achieve the same environmental protection goals."

NASA Reports Giant Hole Beneath Thwaites Glacier

The size of a cavity under a glacier plays an important role in melting, said the study's lead author, Pietro Milillo of JPL. "As more heat and water get under the glacier, it melts faster," Milillo explained.

New ASTM Test Method Addresses Corrosion in Petrochemical Pipelines

The annual estimated cost of microbiologically induced corrosion to the oil and gas industry ranges from $4 billion to $30 billion.

Colorado Governor Signs Order on Zero Emission Vehicles

"Today's executive order will strengthen our economy and protect the wallets of consumers across the state. As we continue to move towards a cleaner electric grid, the public health and environmental benefits of widespread transportation electrification will only increase," Gov. Jared Polis said Jan. 17.

The National Hurricane Center will use predictions of storm surges and storm surge mapping during the 2016 U.S. hurricane season.

Extreme Weather Events a Top Concern in 2019

The 2019 Global Risks Report identifies economic worries, major power tensions, political strains, climate catastrophe, and technological instabilities as areas of concern.