News


Canada Introduces Revised SmartDriver Program

"This program will help meet the trucking industry's growing demand for safe, fuel-efficient drivers while educating existing operators on improved driving techniques. The real savings come in the form of reduced greenhouse gas emissions, helping meet Canada's domestic and international climate goals," said Jim Carr, Canada's Minister of Natural Resources.

FEMA Expands Reinsurance Program for Flood Claims

FEMA Expands Reinsurance Program for Flood Claims

FEMA transferred $1.46 billion of the NFIP’s financial risk to the private reinsurance market, increasing the NFIP’s flood claims-paying ability.

EPA to Provide Over $1 Million for Diesel Reductions to Two Portland Organizations

EPA to Provide Over $1 Million for Diesel Reductions to Two Portland Organizations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is providing over $1 million to two Portland-area organizations in an effort to reduce harmful diesel emissions from trucks and construction equipment in the Portland metro region.

2017 Weather Disaster Losses Totaled $306 Billion: NOAA

There were 16 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters during the year, according to the agency, and the $306 billion in losses set a new U.S. record.

Most West Coast Governors Bash Leasing Plan

Alaska's governor supports the plan, which Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said would open more than 98 percent of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas resources in federal offshore areas to exploration and development, a reversal from the current program, which he said puts 94 percent of the OCS off limits.

Westinghouse Electric Acquired for $4.6 Billion

"Brookfield's acquisition of Westinghouse reaffirms our position as the leader of the global nuclear industry," Westinghouse President & CEO José Emeterio Gutiérrez said.

Guilty Plea in Antitrust Conspiracy Involving Water Treatment Chemical

Two individuals and one company have now pleaded guilty to charges arising out of a federal investigation of collusion in the liquid aluminum sulfate industry, according to DOJ.

PA Agency Urges Periodic Home Radon Testing

DEP said someone who does not want to use a do-it-yourself test kit should consider hiring a qualified radon professional to conduct a test.



Pennsylvania DEP Orders Pipeline Work Halted

The agency's order lists various violations and says Sunoco Pipeline's "unlawful conduct . . . demonstrates a lack of ability or intention on the part of Sunoco to comply with the Clean Streams Law, the Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, and permits issued thereunder."

New Recharge Project's Environmental Documents Completed

In addition to an 800-acre groundwater recharge basin, the project will install a 4.5-mile pipeline connecting the new recharge basin to the Friant-Kern Canal and 16 groundwater recovery wells within the Pixley Irrigation District.

Not only are the tractors expected to have a range of up to 500 miles on a single charge, but they also offer enhanced on-road safety and significantly reduced long-term cost of ownership, according to UPS, which said the tractors

UPS Order Boosts Tesla Truck Prospects

The preorder of Tesla vehicles advances UPS's commitment to reduce its absolute greenhouse gas emissions from global ground operations 12 percent by 2025, the company said, adding that, by 2020, it plans that one in four new vehicles purchased annually will be an alternative fuel or advanced technology vehicle.

Examples of the $1.2 billion in investments to date include electric transit buses and charging stations in the San Joaquin Valley.

CARB Approves Low-Carbon Transportation Plan

The plan allocates $398 million to incentivize clean heavy-duty trucks, buses, and freight projects, including $190 million for advanced-technology freight equipment such as yard trucks, forklifts, and cranes. Most of the money comes from California's cap-and-trade auction proceeds.

Georgia Power Vows to Complete Vogtle 3 and 4

The Georgia Public Service Commission unanimously approved the company's recommendation Dec. 21 to complete the first new nuclear units in the United States in 30 years.

$20 Million Awarded for Water Quality Projects on NY Farms

The funding announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo was provided through the first round of the Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Waste Storage and Transfer System Program.

NYCx Moonshot Challenge Announced

The city's mayor and other officials called on the tech industry to develop solutions to scale EV charging hubs and speed up the use of electric vehicles across New York City.

DARPA 'Ocean of Things' Proposers Day Set for Jan. 4

The idea is for "smart floats" that would contain a suite of commercially available sensors to collect environmental data such as ocean temperature, sea state, and location and also data about commercial vessels, aircraft, and even maritime mammals moving through the area.

NC Water Infrastructure Authority Meeting to Discuss Fair Bluff Initiative

The authority's parent agency, the state Department of Environmental Quality, developed the initiative in response to significant wastewater infrastructure impacts from Hurricane Matthew that are affecting the economic health of the town of Fair Bluff in Columbus County.

Canadian Government Aids Software/Instrumentation Company

Maid Labs Technologies that makes monitoring, measurement, and data-logging instrumentation and software for wastewater and drinking water pumping stations.

EPA Awards Grants Supporting 4 States

EPA Awards Grants Supporting Four State Pesticide Programs

The awarded grants include $574,000 to the Washington State Department of Agriculture, $302,000 to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, $394,000 to the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and $445,000 to the Oregon Department of Agriculture.

EPA Awards Job Training Grant to Florida State College at Jacksonville

EPA Awards Job Training Grant to Florida State College at Jacksonville

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that Florida State College at Jacksonville, Fla, will receive a $198,790 Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training grant to help low-income residents learn the skills needed to secure employment in the environmental field.