Industry Trends


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.

Ryerson Model Predicts Water-Sector Company Success

Using stock market data and advanced system modeling, a graduate of Ryerson University found a distinct difference between companies that focus on people and the planet as well as profits and those that were likely to "die."

Judge Dismisses Superfund Suit against Pyro Spectaculars

Federal court Judge Philip Gutierrez's decision makes the distinction that all parties ─ even the U.S. government ─ are to be treated the same in a CERCLA lawsuit.

Agency Proposes Requiring More TSCA Chemical Data More Often

Chemical manufacturers would need to provide production volume, facility data, and product uses information under EPA's Inventory Update Reporting Rule.



Analysis Supports Continuing N.Y. Nuclear Waste Disposal Site

A New York State Energy Research and Development Agency study developed tools to better predict, assess and manage disposal decisions.

Who is doing what

Who's Doing What

See who's moving and shaking in the water arena this week.

EPA Releases Nanoscale Silver Draft Report

The agency said this is a starting point to identify and prioritize research directions for future research.

EPA Proposes Rules to Ensure State Permits Cover Greenhouse Gases

Since EPA finalized the GHG Tailoring Rule, states may need to modify their air permit implementation plans.

New Absorbent Repels Water, Keeps the Oil, Company Says

Eco>Absorb Oil Only, a reformulation of Eco-Absorbent Technologies' super absorbent, repels water while absorbing oil, allowing the product to float on the surface of the water until it can be picked up.

Carbon Capture and Storage is Viable, Task Force Reports

The Interagency Task Force on CCS told President Obama that there are no insurmountable technical, legal, institutional, or other barriers to the deployment of this technology.

Dow to Lead R&D for Home Energy Retrofit Solutions

The Energy Department's retrofit project is part of a broader effort to reduce both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and establish national guidelines and standards for retrofit methods, materials and practices.

AHAM Teams with CSA Standards, UL Environment

The three groups will develop sustainability standards for home appliances, including energy and lifecycle approaches.

EPA Sets National Limits on HAPs from Cement Plants

Existing and new manufacturing facilities may need to install controls such as activated carbon injection to address mercury emissions and comply with Clean Air Act regulations.

Groups Call for Inquiry into Possible Illegal Diesel Injection

The organizations want to know where and when Halliburton, B.J. Services and Schlumberger may have injected diesel during hydraulic fracking activities.