Posts Tagged ‘Reduce’

Xtreme Oil & Gas Receives Proposals for the Sale of Its Texas Properties and Continues to Reduce Its Liabilities

Posted by admin on May 3rd, 2013

SOURCE: Xtreme Oil and Gas

Xtreme Oil and Gas

PLANO, TX–(Marketwired – May 3, 2013) – Xtreme Oil & Gas, Inc. (OTCQB: XTOG) (OTCBB: XTOG) announced today that the company has received four proposals for the sale of its West Thrifty Texas oil lease and is moving toward a final Letter of Intent with one of the parties.

In addition, Xtreme has converted over $ 1.2 Million of debt into equity in its efforts to continue to eliminate debt from its balance sheet. We anticipate the remaining debt will be converted into equity during the next several weeks.

“We are pleased to be moving forward with asset sales and debt repayments,” stated Willard G. McAndrew III, CEO of Xtreme Oil & Gas. “Our next steps will be closing with Torchlight on our sale of the Oklahoma and Kansas properties and completing the debt conversions into equity. These efforts will allow us to shed oilfield operations further reducing our monthly expenses.”

Xtreme Oil & Gas, Inc. is a Dallas-based independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development, acquisition, and production of crude oil and natural gas. The company’s oilfield services disposes of saltwater for independent energy producers.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included in this release related to Xtreme Oil & Gas, Inc. constitute or may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties such as the inherent uncertainty of finding and developing oil and gas properties, the technological and financial difficulties inherent in these activities, the price of hydrocarbons and the Company’s ability to estimate accurately net revenues due to variability in size, scope and duration of projects. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect the Company’s financial results can be found in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Marketwire – Environment

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Hybrid Grass Can Reduce Flood Damage

Posted by admin on April 29th, 2013

A new type of high-performance and potentially cost-effective hybrid grass can mitigate flood damage, it’s been claimed.

The result of work carried out by a whole host of organisations, including the James Hutton Institute, Aberystwyth University’s IBERS (Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences) division, the University of Nottingham and Lancaster University, with funding supplied by the BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council), the hybrid grass delivered a 51 per cent run-off drop, in comparison to another type of plant in widespread use.

The hybrid grass combines a ryegrass named ‘Lollium perenne’ with a grass called ‘Festuca pratensis’. Usually, the ryegrass would be used by farmers for livestock-grazing purposes, while the grass, known as the ‘meadow fescue’, is able to withstand oppressive environmental conditions.

Hybrid Grass

The hybrid grass exhibited qualities associated with both of its components, blending the ryegrass’s rapid growth rate with the fescue’s well-developed water capture properties and extensive root network.

The new product now has a name – Festulolium – and, for the past two-plus years, it’s been tested in South West England. It was during these tests that the products’ developers discovered that Festulolium could reduce agricultural grassland run-off levels by more than 50 per cent, likely as a result of its improved below-the-surface water retention capabilities.

Flood Damage Reduction

So, it’s envisaged that the hybrid grass could be an effective flood damage reduction tool, as its developers explained.

“Hybrid grasses of this type show potential for reducing the likelihood of flood generation, whilst providing pasture for food production under conditions of changing climate”, stated James Hutton Institute’s Doctor Kit Macleod. “In areas with similar climate and soils, then there is potential for reducing the likelihood of flood generation based on increased soil water storage within a river’s catchment.”

Adding to these comments, BBSRC representative Professor Douglas Kell stated: “The enormous savings that will be possible by mitigating flooding through planting grasses such as these dwarf any possible cost of producing them.”

Image copyright Richard New Forest – Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Enviro News – News

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Shale Gas Will Not Reduce Prices in UK

Posted by admin on April 26th, 2013

The UK’s shale gas may help secure domestic energy supplies, but it doesn’t necessarily mean prices will be lower, MPs report.

While the US have experienced tumbling energy prices and an invigorated heavy industry as a result of their shale gas boom, conditions are not the same in Britain, warns the Energy and Climate Change Committee.

According to the MPs, shale gas developers in the UK will encounter technological uncertainties with differing geology. Not only that, but the UK public may be more skeptical than their American counterparts, they add.

As a consequence of Britain being a landscape that is more densely populated, shale gas procedures will be closer to settlements.

Potentially, MPs think operators will have to hurdle over tighter regulations. In addition, the UK harbours an unknown extent of recoverable resources, so the report’s conclusion is that it is to early to assess whether shale gas will contend with the levels of success in the US.

This means the Treasury cannot base Britain’s energy strategy on anticipation of inexpensive shale gas, the MPs argue.

The urge the government to stop hesitating over the energy policy, and to make sure there is a system to contradict the potential “scare stories” of shale gas’ environmental impacts.

But they applauded the government’s decision to offer cash inducements to those near shale gas facilities.

If shale gas takes off, import dependence will be reduced and tax revenues will increase – but there is one downside. If the energy becomes successful, Britain’s required climate change targets will be shattered unless the government moves quicker with carbon storage and capture technology.

Energy and Climate Change Committee chairman, Tim Yeo, said it is too early to assess whether shale gas will be the holy grail to solving the nation’s energy problems.

“Although the US shale gas has seen a dramatic fall in domestic gas prices, a similar ‘revolution’ here is not certain.”

Friends of the Earth’s Tony Bosworth describe fracking as unnecessary and dirty, and said it was not surprising that so many communities oppose it.

“We should be building an affordable power system based on our abundant clean energy from the wind, waves and sun,” he said.

Image Credit Karol Karolus – Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Enviro News – News

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Clean Air Act Settlement with Wisconsin Utilities to Reduce Emissions by More Than 50,000 Tons Annually (HQ, WI)

Posted by admin on April 22nd, 2013

 

Release Date: 04/22/2013
Contact Information: Stacy Kika (News Media Only), [email protected], 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355 / Dale Kemery (News Media Only), [email protected], 202-564-7839, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Justice, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Wisconsin announced a Clean Air Act (CAA) settlement with Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL) that will significantly reduce air pollution from three coal-fired power plants located near Portage, Sheboygan, and Cassville, Wis.

WPL operates the plants that are covered by the settlement, and the other defendants, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation (WPSC), Madison Gas and Electric Company, and Wisconsin Electric Power Company, are co- and former owners of the units. WPL and its co-defendants agreed to invest more than $ 1 billion in pollution control technology, spend a total of $ 8.5 million on environmental mitigation projects, and pay a civil penalty of $ 2.45 million to resolve alleged violations of the CAA.

“EPA is committed to protecting communities by reducing air pollution from the largest sources of emissions,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “The pollution reductions and the significant investment in local environmental projects required under this agreement will ensure that the people of Wisconsin and neighboring states have cleaner, healthier air.”

“This settlement will improve air quality in Wisconsin and downwind areas by significantly reducing releases of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and other harmful pollutants,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice. “This agreement also demonstrates the Justice Department’s commitment to enforcing the New Source Review provisions of the Clean Air Act, which help ensure clean air for those communities affected by large sources of air pollution.”

Under the settlement, the defendants must install new pollution control technology on the three largest units, continuously operate the new and existing pollution controls, and comply with stringent pollutant emission rates and annual tonnage limitations. The settlement also requires WPL and WPSC to permanently retire, refuel, or repower four additional coal-fired units at the Edgewater and Nelson Dewey plants. The actions taken to comply with this settlement will result in annual reductions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) of approximately 54,000 tons from 2011 levels. This settlement covers all seven coal-fired boilers at the Columbia, Edgewater, and Nelson Dewey power plants.

The settlement also requires the defendants to spend $ 8.5 million on projects that will benefit the environment and human health in communities located near the facilities, including $ 260,500 to the U.S. Forest Service and $ 260,500 to the National Park Service, to be used on projects to address the damage done from the emissions. The remaining $ 7.479 million will be spent on a combination projects, including up to $ 2.1 million on land acquisition and restoration; up to $ 5,000,000 on a long term major solar photovoltaic (PV) power purchase agreement or a solar PV panels installation project; and up to $ 2 million on renewable energy resource enhancements for existing wind farms and hydroelectric facilities.

Reducing air pollution from the largest sources of emissions, including coal-fired power plants, is one of EPA’s National Enforcement Initiatives for 2011-2013. SO2 and NOx, two key pollutants emitted from power plants, have numerous adverse effects on human health and are significant contributors to acid rain, smog, and haze. These pollutants are converted in the air to fine particles of particulate matter that can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular impacts, and premature death. Reducing these harmful air pollutants will benefit the communities located near the facilities, particularly communities disproportionately impacted by environmental risks and vulnerable populations, including children. Because air pollution from power plants can travel significant distances downwind, this settlement will also reduce air pollution outside the immediate region.

This is the 26th judicial settlement secured by the Justice Department and EPA as part of a national enforcement initiative to control harmful emissions from power plants under the CAA’s New Source Review requirements. The total combined sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emission reductions secured from these settlements will exceed 2 million tons each year once all the required pollution controls have been installed and implemented.

Sierra Club is co-plaintiff to the settlement.

The settlement was lodged with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.

More information about the settlement: http://www.epa.gov/enforcement/air/cases/wisconsinpower.html

More information about EPA’s enforcement initiative: http://www.epa.gov/compliance/data/planning/initiatives/2011airpollution.html

U.S. EPA News

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EPA Proposes to Reduce Toxic Pollutants Discharged into Waterways by Power Plants (HQ)

Posted by admin on April 21st, 2013

 

Release Date: 04/19/2013
Contact Information: Stacy Kika (News Media Only), [email protected], 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON — In accordance with a consent decree and in line with requirements under the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today will propose a range of options to help reduce dangerous pollutants, including mercury, arsenic, lead, and selenium that are released into America’s waterways by coal ash, air pollution control waste and other waste from steam electric power plants. Today’s proposal includes a variety of options for whether and how these different waste streams should be treated. EPA will take comment on all of these options, which it will use to help inform the most appropriate final standard.

Steam electric power plants currently account for more than half of all toxic pollutants discharged into streams, rivers and lakes from permitted industrial facilities in the United States. High exposure to these types of pollutants has been linked to neurological damage and cancer as well as damage to the circulatory system, kidneys and liver. Toxic heavy metals do not break down in the environment and can also contaminate sediment in waterways and impact aquatic life and wildlife, including large-scale die-offs of fish.

“America’s waterways are vital to the health and well-being of our communities,” said Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “Reducing the pollution of our waters through effective but flexible controls such as we are proposing today is a win-win for our public health and our economic vitality. We look forward to hearing from all stakeholders on the best way forward.”

EPA has put a focus on ensuring any final rule would protect public health while being sensible and achievable, and in line with that goal, under every preferred option proposed by EPA today, more than half of America’s coal fired power plants would be in compliance without incurring any additional cost.

The proposal updates standards that have been in place since 1982, incorporating technology improvements in the steam electric power industry over the last three decades as required by the Clean Water Act. The proposed national standards are based on data collected from industry and provide flexibility in implementation through a phased-in approach and use of technologies already installed at a number of plants. Under the proposed approach, new requirements for existing power plants would be phased in between 2017 and 2022, and would leverage flexibilities as necessary.

Fewer than half of coal-fired power plants are estimated to incur costs under any of the proposed preferred options, because many power plants already have the technology and procedures in place to meet the proposed pollution control standards.

The four preferred options differ in the number of waste streams covered (such as fly ash handling systems, treatment of air pollution control waste and bottom ash), the size of the units controlled and the stringency of the treatment controls to be imposed. EPA estimates that the regulations would reduce pollutant discharges by 470 million to 2.62 billion pounds annually and reduce water use by 50 billion to 103 billion gallons per year.

EPA also announced its intention to align this Clean Water Act rule with a related rule for coal combustion residuals (CCRs, also known as “coal ash”) proposed in 2010 under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The two rules would apply to many of the same facilities and would work together to reduce pollution associated with coal ash and related wastes. EPA is seeking comment from industry and other stakeholders to ensure that both final rules are aligned to reduce pollution efficiently and minimize regulatory burdens.

There are approximately 1,200 steam electric power plants that generate electricity using nuclear fuel or fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas in the U.S. Approximately 500 of these power plants are coal fired units which are the primary source of the pollutants being addressed by the proposed regulation. Power plants that are smaller than 50 megawatts would not be impacted by these new standards, and the majority of coal-fired power plants would incur no costs under the proposed standards.

The public comment period on the proposed rule will be open for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. The agency is under a consent decree to take final action by May 22, 2014.

More information: http://water.epa.gov/scitech/wastetech/guide/steam-electric/index.cfm

U.S. EPA News

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Micronesia and Morocco Throw Climate Lifeline to a Drowning World Through Filing of Proposal to Reduce Super-Greenhouse Gas

Posted by admin on April 18th, 2013

Reducing factory-made HFCs part of critical strategy for slowing sea level rise, other near-term impacts


Washington, DC, – The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and the Kingdom of Morocco on Tuesday formally filed a proposal to use the Montreal Protocol treaty to phase down hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, super-greenhouse gases that are hundreds to thousands of times more potent in their warming impact than carbon dioxide. These factory-made chemicals are the fastest growing greenhouse gases in the U.S. and many other countries, and their production is projected to increase up to tenfold by 2050.  According to a new paper by a team led by V. Ramanathan at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, halting the production and use of HFCs is part of a key package of near-term measures that would significantly slow down sea-level rise during this century.


Micronesia and Morocco’s proposal comes just two days after the publication of the Scripps paper, which concluded that global sea level rise could be reduced by up to 22% through controls on HFCs and three other “short-lived” climate pollutants. Several science papers have already highlighted that aggressive measures to reduce HFCs could prevent up to 0.5°C of global warming by 2100.  The proposal also comes on the same day as a similar one from the United States, Canada and Mexico.


“The damage from rising seas and higher storm surges is one of the most visible and costly effects of climate change,” said Ambassador Asterio Takesy of the Federated States of Micronesia.  “Reducing HFCs is critical for slowing both temperature increase and sea-level rise.  We are happy the U.S. shares our view on using the Montreal Protocol reduce HFCs.  As a native of the Pacific islands himself, we hope that President Obama will help us to seal an agreement on HFCs this year.”


“The countries of the world have been clamoring for immediate action on climate change, rightly insisting that mitigation ambition must be increased before 2020, said Abderrahim Chakour, Division Chief of the Ministry of Business and New Technologies of Morocco. “Addressing HFCs is an essential component of this urgently needed international action.”


As global sea levels rise, populations and infrastructure of coastal cities will become more vulnerable to flooding and storm surges, which are expected to become stronger and more frequent with rising temperatures. In addition to coastal erosion and infrastructure damages, indirect harms from sea-level rise include impacts on job markets and tax revenues, and changes in populations, including migration. According to a 2010 OECD study, a rise in sea-levels of only one meter by 2070 puts at risk 150 million people and $ 35 trillion in assets in just 20 of the world’s most vulnerable and fastest growing port cities, more than half of which are in developing Asian countries.


“Morocco and Micronesia are throwing the world a climate lifeline,” said Durwood Zaelke, President of the Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development. “The Scripps study confirms that cutting HFCs is crucial for slowing disastrous rises in sea level. It’s time to move from study to action.  World leaders should live up to the promise they made at Rio last year to support an HFC phase down.  The G8 and G20 leaders can help to ensure this is accomplished this year.”


The Scripps study calculates the significant additional benefits that mitigation of short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) can provide by the end of the century—a critical 1.1°C reduction in future warming. This is the same avoided warming aggressive carbon dioxide mitigation can produce in this period. Reducing both SLCPs and carbon dioxide can prevent 2.3°C of warming and keep the planet under the 2°C guardrail, according to the study, and can reduce the rate of sea-level rise by up to 50%, with SLCP’s providing two-thirds of the reductions.


Micronesia has a history of success at bringing about effective climate mitigation under the Montreal Protocol. In 2007, the Montreal Protocol Parties agreed to a historic proposal by Micronesia to accelerate the phase-out of HCFCs.  Since then, support for phasing down the substitute HFCs under the Montreal Protocol has been steadily increasing. Over 110 nations have followed Micronesia’s lead in calling for HFCs to be replaced with chemicals that have a low impact on global warming.


The Micronesia proposal is here. A similar proposal by North American parties is here. The study led by V. Ramanathan at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, is here.

Contact Info:

Website : Institute for Governance & Sustainable Development

ENN Network News – ENN

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Wood & Douglas uses mobile to help reduce £4b in flooding costs

Posted by admin on April 11th, 2013

• M2M platform provides monitoring and control for flood detection and prevention
• Up to £4b spent per annum on prevention and impact of flooding in UK
• Visit Wood & Douglas at Sustainability Live / IWEX Stand E42, 16-18th April

Wood & Douglas announces the creation of a complete remote monitoring, management and response platform using the mobile network for early warning of flood. Flooding costs the UK £1bn a year in flood protection, and a further £1bn to £3bn in insurance payouts.

The Wood & Douglas platform is based on two elements. The first is a rugged, flexible GSM communications module that connects with physical sensors located along coastlines and river systems. The second element is a Cloud-based toolkit that collates data before presenting it in easy to read format for improved decision making.

To combat threat of flood, environmental agencies need an extremely flexible, rugged, scalable system that can be installed to monitor and provide instant alerts of changing physical conditions. Wood & Douglas’ Ultima2 is a GSM module that monitors and communicates critical data from remote locations over the mobile network. With a ‘Deep Sleep’ mode and carrier preselect, the module can operate for up to two years on a single battery pack, minimising maintenance costs. Ultima2 can be configured to send regular updates or store more than 900 messages in the onboard logger should connection to the network fail, enough to contain data from scans every 15 minutes for 2.5 years. If unusual or extreme measurements are detected the module will immediately raise an alert via SMS or email.

Alan Wood, Managing Director, Wood & Douglas said, “With Ultima2 we offer one of the most cost effective, fully rounded devices for remote environmental monitoring, no matter how tough conditions get. But, collating and sending data is valueless unless there is an easy way to interpret and action the information coming in.”

Remote Data Network Analysis (R-DNA) provides a complete management and response platform for the data. R-DNA collates the telemetry application data from one to many hundreds of Ultima2 connections for real-time insight.

A large scale roll out of sensors produces many thousands of responses every hour, the danger is agencies begin to struggle under the weight of ‘big data’, losing sense of the information received, which renders data valueless. With R-DNA, the data is automatically formatted and displayed in tables or graphical reports which are easy to manage and interpret for fast analysis, and improved allocation of resources for tidal or rain fall tracking.

Ultima2 can then be configured to trigger remote control of physical defences; opening or closing sluices, overflows and flood barriers to reduce the threat and protect property and life.

Wood & Douglas is exhibiting at Sustainability Live, 16-18th April, 2013, stand E42.

Ends

Notes for Editors

Technical specifications: Ultima2

• Configurable GPRS and FTP details, TCP/IP and local PC interface, remote PC and web application interface
• Five digital inputs / five digital outputs / two analogue inputs
• Regular status reports and/or up to 10 configurable alarm transmission for SMS & email
• Deep sleep (40µA) and stand by idle power saving provides long two year battery life, which can be extended to 5+ years with additional battery life products
• Rugged IP67 Enclosure, operates between -20°C to + 55°C
• Module conforms to EMC, LVD and R&TTE EU Directives
• Dimensions 140mm x 65mm x 50mm excluding antenna and connectors
• Weight Approximately 330g
• Antenna supplied

About Wood & Douglas

Wood & Douglas is widely regarded as the leading UK designer and manufacturer of high quality customised wireless products and services. The company was founded in 1977 and rapidly expanded to create wireless based solutions for voice, data and video applications that deliver a high level of quality and reliability to industrial, commercial, municipal, national and global organisations.
For further information visit: www.woodanddouglas.co.uk

Press contacts:
Gary Marshall
XL Communications Ltd
Tel: 077 3322 4654
Email: [email protected]
Custom Release Wire

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Settlement with Tyson Foods to Address Multiple Releases of Anhydrous Ammonia / Settlement requires company to conduct third party audits to reduce threat of accidental chemical releases, purchase emergency equipment for first responders (HQ, IA, KS, MO, NE)

Posted by admin on April 5th, 2013

 

Release Date: 04/05/2013
Contact Information: Stacy Kika, [email protected], 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355 / Dale Kemery, [email protected], 202-564-7839, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice announced a Clean Air Act (CAA) settlement with Tyson Foods, Inc. and several of its affiliate corporations to address threats of accidental chemical releases after anhydrous ammonia was released during incidents at facilities in Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska, resulting in multiple injuries, property damage, and one fatality.

“Exposure to anhydrous ammonia can cause serious health issues, and in extreme cases, even death,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement with Tyson Foods will ensure the proper safety practices are in place in the future to protect employees, first responders, and communities located near processing facilities from the threat of dangerous chemical releases.”

“This settlement will protect workers at Tyson facilities throughout Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska that use anhydrous ammonia, and make the communities surrounding these 23 facilities safer. It will also provide emergency response equipment for first responders to chemical releases,” said Ignacia Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The requirements of this agreement, which include comprehensive third party audits, will help mitigate the impact of releases of anhydrous ammonia by ensuring compliance with the Risk Management Program under the Clean Air Act.”

Under the terms of the consent decree, Tyson is required to conduct third-party audits of its current compliance with the CAA’s Risk Management Program requirements at all 23 facilities in Kansas, Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska. The third-party auditors must have expertise in ammonia refrigeration systems, be recognized experts in risk management program compliance, and be approved by EPA. Tyson must correct any violations discovered in the audits and certify the completion of the work. Tyson has also agreed to test certain piping used in its refrigeration systems at the 23 facilities to identify any problems that may have led to accidental releases and to replace any non-compliant piping.

Under the consent decree, Tyson will pay a $ 3.95 million penalty. Tyson has also agreed to implement a supplemental environmental project to purchase $ 300,000 worth of emergency response equipment for first responders in communities with significant environmental justice concerns in which Tyson operates facilities. The equipment will assist responses to emergencies involving chemicals that are regulated pursuant to the CAA Risk Management Program, including anhydrous ammonia.

Anhydrous ammonia is a poisonous gas and considered an extremely hazardous substance under the CAA. Exposure to vapors can cause temporary blindness and eye damage, as well as irritation of the skin, mouth, throat, respiratory tract and mucous membranes. Prolonged exposure to anhydrous ammonia vapor at high concentrations can lead to serious lung damage and even death.

The Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program (Section 112(r)) requires owners and operators of facilities that exceed a threshold quantity of a regulated substance, such as anhydrous ammonia, to develop and implement a risk management plan that must be submitted to EPA. The 23 Tyson facilities named in the consent decree are subject to the regulations because the refrigeration systems at the facilities each contain more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia. The facilities have a combined inventory of more than 1.7 million pounds of anhydrous ammonia.

Tyson Foods, Inc. is headquartered in Springdale, Ark. and is the world’s largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork.

The proposed settlement lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/enforcement/waste/cases/tysonfoodsinc.html

U.S. EPA News

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Natural Resources Minister proposes plans to help people and businesses prevent and reduce waste

Posted by admin on March 30th, 2013

The Welsh Government is seeking views on the introduction of a Waste Prevention Programme that will build on the policies and targets outlined in Wales’s overarching waste strategy, Towards Zero Waste. The programme proposes to help businesses become more competitive by reducing waste and cutting costs as well as setting out how people can save money and help the environment if they buy wisely and reduce the amount they throw away.

The Waste Prevention Programme sets out the importance of living sustainably and outlines the benefits of reusing and repairing products or buying goods that have a longer life span. The programme also sets out how people can save money by supplying and buying from charity shops, car boot sales and by swapping or shopping for used items online.

The Minister said:

“The financial, social and environmental impacts of waste are a huge challenge and, although we have made great steps in improving the way we deal with our rubbish in Wales, this is only part of the solution.  The greatest benefits will come from reducing the amount of waste that we create in our everyday activities.

“We can be unsure about how to best look after our possessions and all too often throw things away instead of repairing them. In Wales alone, we bin 6,000 tonnes of working electrical items each year which have the potential resale value of almost £15 million.

“At a time when many families are struggling to manage their household budgets, there are lots of opportunities for people to minimise waste and save money. I therefore encourage people across Wales to talk to us and let us hear your views on how we can best work together to reduce the amount of waste we produce.”

Over the next 12 weeks the Welsh Government will also talk to businesses across Wales to understand how best they can be supported to develop innovative ways to prevent waste. Such savings would be a huge boost for the Welsh economy – if waste prevention targets are met Wales could benefit from savings of up to £70 million each year by 2025, increasing to £100 million each year by 2050.

The Minister also launched proposals to manage and treat waste produced by Wales’s commercial and industrial sector. The industrial and commercial sector is a significant contributor to Wales’s ecological footprint, producing 3.6 million tonnes of waste in 2007 alone.

The Industrial and Commercial Sector Plan emphasises the important role small and medium-size businesses play in the Welsh supply chain and sets out proposed support for SME’s to help them prevent waste and do business in a more sustainable and affordable way.  

The Minister added:

“Raw materials are becoming scarcer while their cost continues to rise and so using Wales’s resources efficiently makes excellent business sense. Finding another use for materials rather than putting them in a skip is a sensible way of delivering environmental and economic benefits.

“We are committed to helping businesses become more resource efficient, producing more value with less material, re-using wherever possible, developing the best possible recycling services and making the most of unavoidable waste.”

Environment and countryside

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EPA Finalizes Vessel General Permit / Action will help protect U.S. water quality and reduce risk of invasive species (HQ)

Posted by admin on March 28th, 2013

 

Release Date: 03/28/2013
Contact Information: Stacy Kika, [email protected], 202-564-0906, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued a final vessel general permit regulating discharges from commercial vessels, including ballast water, to protect the nation’s waters from ship-borne pollutants and reduce invasive species in U.S. waters.

The final vessel general permit covers commercial vessels greater than 79 feet in length, excluding military and recreational vessels, and will replace the 2008 vessel general permit due to expire on Dec. 19, 2013.

This permit regulates 27 specific discharge categories, and will also provide improvements to the efficiency of the permit process, and clarify discharge requirements by the following:

- Reduce the risks of introduction of invasive species. The permit includes a more stringent numeric discharge standard limiting the release of non-indigenous invasive species in ballast water. The permit also contains additional environmental protection for the Great Lakes, which have suffered disproportionate impacts from invasive species, aligning federal standards with many Great Lakes states by requiring certain vessels to take additional precautions to reduce the risk of introducing new invasive species to U.S. waters.

- Reduce administrative burden for vessel owners and operators. The permit will eliminate duplicative reporting requirements, expand electronic recordkeeping opportunities, and reduce self-inspection frequency for vessels that are out of service for extended periods.

The new discharge standards are supported by independent studies by EPA’s science advisory board and the National Research Council, and are consistent with those contained in the International Maritime Organization’s 2004 Ballast Water Convention. EPA is issuing the permit in advance of the current permit’s expiration to provide the regulated community time and flexibility to come into compliance with the new requirements.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels

U.S. EPA News

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