Industry Trends


Biden Highlights Energy, Smart Grid in ARRA Analysis

More than $100 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has been offered to innovative and transformative program investments, including some in the transportation, renewable energy and smart grid sectors.

Chemtura OKs $26M Bankruptcy Settlement for CERCLA Liabilities

The specialty chemicals producer last year filed for bankruptcy and, at that time, was potentially responsible for cleanups at Superfund sites in 14 states.

Fewer Worker Deaths in Solid Waste Industry, DOL Says

The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries reports that 19 solid waste collection workers died on the job in 2009, down from 31 fatalities in 2008.

AMEC and Dakota Technologies Work on Groundwater Contaminant Detection

A laser-induced fluorescence tool may help map denser than water contaminants such as trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene.

Virginia Tech Team Explores Geometry of Gulf Coast Cleanup

Faculty researchers hope to determine if the shape of crude oil remnant – be it a flat syrupy sheet or a tar ball – can affect natural deterioration rates.

Alternatives cover image

Commentary: Obstacles to Alternative Energy Deployment

The change will incur costs beyond money and carbon footprints, says Lawrence Berkeley staff scientist David Fridley.



sunset on power infrastructure

How to Make Your Wireless Data System More Resilient to Attack

The threat is real so it's time to learn about the vulnerabilities to your critical infrastructure and enlist all the tools available to protect your communication network.

Cheese Maker to Pay $315K for Polluting Creek in Idaho

According to DOJ, the company, which treats wastewater in a facility separate from its cheese-making plant, repeatedly violated its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit over a period of three years, affecting a waterway that flows into the Boise River, a salmon habitat.

Maxima Technologies & Systems Settles Alleged EPCRA Violations

EPA alleges that during 2007 and 2008, the facility processed lead in quantities that exceeded the reporting thresholds for lead and failed to file the required Toxic Release Inventory reports.

Group Wants DOE to Prepare EIS for Proposed Plutonium Facility

The Los Alamos Study Group has sued the government for its alleged failure to follow the National Environmental Policy Act for a planned $4 billion plutonium warhead core plant.

EPA Lays Down Concrete Steps to Address Chemical Risks

The agency has released action plans for benzidine dyes, hexabromocyclododecane and nonylphenol/nonylphenol ethoxylates ─ chemicals used in dyes, flame retardants, and industrial laundry detergents.

Nash Hytor 6 rotor

82-Year-Old Pump Retires; Do You Have an Old One Working?

Nash is offering a GPS Navigator to the person who submits the oldest pump in a new contest; it doesn't have to be 82 years old, though.

Agency Seeks Comments on Total Coliform Rule Guidance Manual

The manual provides public water systems and primacy agencies guidance on implementing the assessment and corrective action requirements of the proposed revised total coliform rule.

GE dredges Hudson River for PCB in 2009

Panel Says Hudson Dredging Performance Standards Cannot be Met

After the independent panel issues its final report, GE and EPA will be discussing possible modification of Phase 2 dredging of PCBs in the river.

62 Companies Road Test GHG Standards, Give Positive Feedback

The World Resources Institute and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development developed greenhouse gas protocol standards for product lifecycle and corporate value chain and expect to release revised standards in September.

United States Amends Complaint on 2006 Explosion at Massachusetts Plant

In addition to recouping $2.7 million in cleanup costs, the complaint includes claims against C.A.I Inc. and Arnel Company, and two related owners of Clean Air Act General Duty Clause violations.

Tanco Kansas City Storage Facility Settles Multiple Violations

The company agreed to pay $97,000 for failing to document storage of sulfuric acid and prepare a Facility Response Plan to prevent spills.