Features


In recognition of Groundwater Awareness Week, the NGWA hopes that more people will take the time to realize just how vital groundwater is to us. Simply put, life as we know it would not be possible without groundwater.

The Importance of Groundwater

In recognition of Groundwater Awareness Week, the NGWA hopes that more people will take the time to realize just how vital groundwater is to us. Simply put, life as we know it would not be possible without groundwater.

"The plan underscores the importance of implementing the projects in the state water plan. Without those projects in place, Texas will face an 8.9 million acre-foot shortage of water in 2070 in a drought and economic losses of approximately $151 billion by 2070," said Peter Lake, a member of the Texas Water Development Board.

Texas Draft 2017 Water Plan Out for Comments

"The plan underscores the importance of implementing the projects in the state water plan. Without those projects in place, Texas will face an 8.9 million acre-foot shortage of water in 2070 in a drought and economic losses of approximately $151 billion by 2070," said Peter Lake, a member of the Texas Water Development Board.

This demonstration SuperTruck vehicle topped 10 mpg and was displayed at the U.S. Department of Energy

SuperTruck II Goals Announced

DoE said SuperTruck II projects will research, develop, and demonstrate technologies to improve heavy-truck freight efficiency by more than 100 percent when compared with a manufacturer's best-in-class 2009 truck, with an emphasis on technology cost-effectiveness and performance.

With an approved Initial Funded Priorities List that invests $183 million in restoration projects, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council will now begin to prioritize projects to receive funding from BP settlement funds.

USDA's Vilsack Becomes Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council's Chair

With an approved Initial Funded Priorities List that invests $183 million in restoration projects, the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council will now develop the next iteration of the Comprehensive Plan and begin to prioritize projects to receive funding from BP settlement funds.

Called the world

Port of Long Beach Set to Open 'Greenest' Container Terminal March 11

Middle Harbor eventually will have the capacity to handle 3.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units annually. "LBCT is committed to ushering in this new era the right way," said President Anthony Otto. "This includes our investment in all zero-emissions cargo handling equipment and comprehensive training."

After purchasing biomethane refineries in 2015, WELTEC BIOPOWER recently acquired a biogas plant in Germany, with plans of comprehensive restructuring to make plant operation sustainable.

WELTEC Working to Make Biogas Plant Sustainable

After purchasing biomethane refineries in 2015, WELTEC BIOPOWER recently acquired a biogas plant in Germany, with plans of comprehensive restructuring to make plant operation sustainable.

Remediation has for decades played a key role in reducing or eliminating contaminants from soil and groundwater. (Regenesis photo)

Preparing for El Niño: How Mitigating Contamination Risks Maximizes Remedial Outcomes

In today's highly industrialized societies, rushing waters aren't always a welcome sight, particularly when viewed from the perspective of remediation professionals who work to eliminate or mitigate the levels of hazardous materials from both private and public soil and groundwater.

USGBC Partners with Dodge Data & Analytics to Release World Green Building Trends Report 2016

The new SmartMarket report shows global green building continues to double every three years.



President Designates Three New National Monuments in California

The White House announcement said President Obama has now protected more than 265 million acres of land and water, the most among all U.S. presidents.

UN Celebrates World Wetlands Day

Thus far, 169 countries have signed the Convention on Wetlands and more than 2,200 sites have been designated and recognized as Wetlands of International Importance, covering an area larger than Mexico in all.

Pennsylvania Funding Restored Based on Clean Water Plan

"Pennsylvania was not on track to meet nutrient reduction targets, and EPA made clear in 2015 that it would withhold funding due to that lack of progress. DEP worked with our sister agencies and wrote a plan that will put us on track," said DEP Secretary John Quigley.

DOE Ups Investment in Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

These technologies will decrease carbon emissions and support DOE's EV Everywhere Grand Challenge to make plug-in electric vehicles as affordable to own and operate as gasoline-powered vehicles by 2022.

The two companies plan to merge in an all-stock transaction, with Waste Connections Inc. shareholders owning 70 percent of the combined company

Big Merger Announced in Solid Waste Field

Texas-based Waste Connections, Inc. and Toronto-based Progressive Waste Solutions Ltd. are merging in an all-stock transaction. The combined company will bear the Waste Connections name.

The January 2016 final rule from NOAA will allow aquaculture operations in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

New Rule Greenlights Aquaculture in Gulf of Mexico Federal Waters

"While this framework is the first of its kind in federal waters, the states already support many successful and thriving aquaculture operations in their waters," said Eileen Sobeck, assistant NOAA administrator for fisheries. "Allowing this type of seafood production will not only reduce U.S. dependency on imports, but also provide a domestic source of sustainable fish protein and create jobs."

The time is right to begin looking beyond the tailpipe and instead consider the full life cycle emissions of vehicles.

Beyond the Tailpipe to Considering Life Cycle Emissions

The time is right to begin looking beyond the tailpipe and instead consider the full life cycle emissions of vehicles. The trend is not unlike what has happened in the construction industry over the last several years.

The study found that more than half of the surveyed home builders are building at least 16 percent of their new homes green.

Two Rooftop Solar Companies Leaving Nevada

Sunrun and SolarCity both announced this week that new rules adopted by Gov. Brian Sandoval's Public Utilities Commission have caused them to leave Las Vegas (and the rest of the Silver State).

New biopesticide will help control population of lampreys while also protecting Great Lakes

Lamprey Pheromone Becomes First Vertebrate Pheromone Biopesticide

The EPA has, for the first time ever, registered a sea lamprey mating pheromone as a vertebrate pheromone biopesticide, which will be used to help collect and remove adult lampreys before they have a chance of reproducing.

The Sustainable Development Goals stress zero poverty, zero hunger, good health, clean water and sanitation, and affordable clean energy.

UN's Sustainable Development Goals Now in Place

The 17 goals build on the eight Millennium Development Goals that sought to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger, achieve universal primary education, reduce child mortality; ensure environmental sustainability, and more.

The Cooper Drum superfund site, located just 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles, has reached a $22 million settlement with the EPA in which new groundwater treatment systems will be constructed on the site as well as the company will reimburse the EPA for its past cleanups of the contaminated site.

Superfund Site in Los Angeles County Reaches Settlement with EPA

The Cooper Drum superfund site, located just 10 miles from downtown Los Angeles, has reached a $22 million settlement with the EPA in which new groundwater treatment systems will be constructed on the site as well as the company will reimburse the EPA for its past cleanups of the contaminated site.

The White House #H2OInnovation public-private partnership is intended to foster water sustainability and increased efficiency and reuse.

White House Unveils #H2OInnovation Plan

As part of this outreach, the Obama administration released a new report that lays out the water innovation strategy in greater detail and hosted a roundtable on water innovation Dec. 15.