Environmental Health and Safety


Oil Expansion Plans Create Large Risk for Straits of Mackinac

A Canadian pipeline company plans to expand the amount of oil it pumps through the Straits of Mackinac, but the National Wildlife Federation warns that this would greatly increase the risk of an oil spill that would environmentally and economically desecrate the area.

Wastewater Facility Agrees to Address Odor Issues

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has reached a proposed agreement with a Stephens County wastewater treatment and composting facility. Under this agreement the facility will be required to address odor issues and correct problems associated with its operation.

TD Bank Committed to Protecting Forests

On Oct. 10, 2012, TD Banks announced its plans to start protecting forests by decreasing paper usage within the company.

Clean Diesel Projects Receive Millions from EPA

As part of an ongoing campaign to reduce harmful diesel exhaust that can lead to premature deaths and asthma attacks, the EPA has awarded $30 million for clean diesel projects.

ASHRAE Seeks Abstracts for IAQ 2013

The Environmental Health in Low-Energy Buildings conference will take place in October 2013 in Vancouver, Canada.

Air Quality Guidance for Oil and Gas Companies in Pennsylvania

Air Aggregation guidelines for oil and gas operations were announced by Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mike Krancer on Oct. 5, 2012.

New Initiative Promotes Environmental Exports

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson and Commerce Under Secretary Francisco Sanchez announced it during WEFECT 2012.

EIS Submission Streamlined for Federal Agencies

e-NEPA is a new online system they must use to submit them.



Columbia River Barge Incident Nearing Its End

The Oct. 12 sentencing of Bret A. Simpson, who pleaded guilty to two criminal violations of the Clean Water Act, will close the books on the $22 million cleanup.

Illinois Governor Delivers Blow to Plastics Recycling Industry

Earlier this summer, the "Plastic Bag and Film Recycling Act," (SB 3442) a measure to promote the collection and recycling of plastic carryout bags and other types of plastic film, passed the Illinois House and Senate. Yesterday, Governor Pat Quinn vetoed this bill.

Robots to Rescue Coral Reefs

A team of 'coralbots', each individually working to simple rules, will piece together damaged bits of coral, allowing them to regrow.

Spokane Concrete and Asphalt Manufacturer Fails to Disclose Use of Chemicals

CPM Development Corporation, a concrete and asphalt manufacturing facility, failed to report toxic chemical use at its Spokane, Washington facility under federal community right-to-know laws, according to a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

A Greener Way to Fertilize Nursery Crops

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist has found a "green" alternative to a type of fertilizer additive that is believed to contribute to the accumulation of heavy metals in waterways.

Half of the Particulate Pollution in North America Comes from Other Continents

Roughly half the aerosols that affect air quality and climate change in North America may be coming from other continents.

Losing Stream in Our Battle to Predict and Prevent Invasive Species

Invasive species -- plants, animals, and microbes introduced to regions beyond their native range -- carry a global price tag of $1.4 trillion dollars. They are responsible for the loss of natural resources and biodiversity, damages to infrastructure, and an uptick in infectious diseases.

Companies to pay $29.8 Million in Cleanup Costs for Big John's Salvage-Hoult Road

In settlement papers filed in federal district court, three companies have agreed to pay about $29.8 million in cleanup costs for a Superfund site in Fairmont, Marion County, W. Va., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced.

Multiple Factors Including Climate Change Led to Collapse and Depopulation of Ancient Maya

A new analysis of complex interactions between humans and the environment preceding the 9th century collapse and abandonment of the Central Maya Lowlands in the Yucatán Peninsula points to a series of events -- some natural, like climate change; some human-made, including large-scale landscape alterations and shifts in trade routes -- that have lessons for contemporary decision-makers and sustainability scientists.

Sinclair Oil to Pay $3.8 Million Penalty and Install Pollution Controls at Wyoming Refineries

The Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have announced a settlement with two subsidiaries of Sinclair Oil Corporation to resolve alleged violations of air pollution limits established in a 2008 consent decree at refineries in Casper and Sinclair, Wyo.

Italian Ship Owner Fined $1 Million for Concealing Discharges of Oily Wastewater into Sea

A shipping company headquartered in Italy and the chief engineer of one of its ships were sentenced today in federal court in Mobile, Ala., for deliberately falsifying records to conceal discharges of oily wastewater from the ship directly into the sea.

Report Card Shows Australia's Oceans Are Changing

The report card provides information about the current and predicted-future state of Australia's marine climate and its impact on our marine biodiversity. The report card also outlines actions that are underway to help our marine ecosystems adapt to climate change.

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