Features


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.

World Leaders Hail Paris Climate Deal

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the Paris Agreement "is a monumental triumph for people and our planet. It sets the stage for progress in ending poverty, strengthening peace, and ensuring a life of dignity and opportunity for all."

Hand injuries from chemicals are a leading cause of injury in the cleaning industry.

Is This the End of Cleaning Chemicals as We've Known Them?

Engineered-water cleaning systems do work. They are an effective alternative to chemical cleaning that are not only very environmentally friendly, but a cost savings as well.

Many nations

Key Climate Meeting Under Way

The United Nations Conference on Climate Change, #COP21, got under way Nov. 30 in Paris with a host of world leaders participating and a huge security force deployed. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a global solar energy alliance that will be headquartered in India.

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

Green Home Building Still Strong, Survey Shows

"Builders and remodelers have long recognized that green is the future of home building," NAHB Chairman Tom Woods said. "Since we first began partnering on this study with Dodge Data & Analytics in 2006, we've seen that commitment grow."

The researchers found that products printed by two of the common types of 3D printer were toxic to zebrafish embryos.

Researchers Raise Toxicity Questions About 3D Printed Parts

Parts from two main classes of commercial 3D printers were found to be toxic to zebrafish embryos.

Most U.S. adults expect food and beverage brands to actively help increase recycling of their packages.

Don't Overlook the Carton

For 2016, we are excited about the outlook of carton recycling. As much progress as we've made thus far, we are always looking forward to more.

WHO Calls for Strong Climate Agreement at UN Conference

WHO estimates that climate change is already causing tens of thousands of deaths per year from shifting patterns of disease, extreme weather events, and from the degradation of air quality, food and water supplies, and sanitation.

Production Materials Become Hazardous Waste Practically Overnight—EPA's Perspective on Abandoned Commercial Chemical Products

EPA has made checklists available to the regulated community, including the associated guidance regarding abandoned CCPs.

With more than 37 million tons of food being wasted each year, the EPA is encouraging families, school, businesses, and more to help reduce that amount of food waste with the Sustainable Management of Food program.

EPA Urges Public to Reduce Food Waste

With more than 37 million tons of food being wasted each year, the EPA is encouraging families, school, businesses, and more to help reduce that amount of food waste with the Sustainable Management of Food program.

These Norfolk Southern lower-emission locomotives were photographed in one of its Chicago railyards. (Norfolk Southern photo)

Norfolk Southern Running Greener Locomotives in Chicago

They are 3,000-horsepower engines that meet EPA's Tier-3 emissions standards for locomotives. NS will have 15 of them working at its five major Chicago railyards by the end this year and said the locomotives are expected to prevent the release of 7.58 tons of particulate matter and 196 tons of nitrogen oxides pollutants annually.