Posts Tagged ‘Work’

Kuwait’s new arabic-language field guide is testimony to work of dedicated field workers

Posted by admin on April 26th, 2013

Wildlife conservation and bird monitoring in Kuwait has been given a big boost with the launch of the Arabic Field Guide to the Birds of Kuwait. The Field Guide has been published by The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS, BirdLife Affiliate in Kuwait) and BirdLife International.

The book was launched at a ceremony under the patronage of the H.E. The Minister of information and The Minster of Youth, Shiekh Salman Hmoud Al Sabah.  The event is part of celebrations marking the40th Anniversary of KEPS.

The field guide is testimony to the work of dedicated field workers who have been monitoring birds in Kuwait for 50 years.

The new field guide documents and describes up to 408 bird species recorded in Kuwait.

The book launch is part of KEP's 40th anniversary celebrations.

The book launch is part of KEP’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

At the launch event H.E. Siekh Salman Al Sabah stressed the importance of Kuwait for bird migration and the importance of conserving the environment, habitats and biodievsity of Kuwait.

Sheikh Salman said: “Wildlife persecution has been culturally and historically practiced in our part of the world and when we reach the point that we disrespect the ecological balance, persecution becomes a crime. Migratory birds need our help and support when passing through our country”.

Dr. Ahmad Al Ahmad, Chairman of KEPS noted that Bird Monitoring in Kuwait started more than 50 years ago, in times where national and regional capacities on bird monitoring were lacking. “Currently we are proud that this work is led the last 13 years by national team of professional birders making up the Bird watching and monitoring team of KEPS.”

The Bird Watching and Monitoring Team of KEPS was established in 2000, with focus on identifying and monitoring resident and migratory birds in Kuwait and advocate for its conservation.

Having such a dedicated and professional team working relentlessly to identify and monitor birds is still quite rare in the Middle East.

“The field guide represents not only a field guide but also an encyclopedia for the birds of Kuwait in Arabic and includes description to the habitats for these birds in Kuwait,” said Eng. Abdul Mohsen Al Suray’a, Head of Bird Watching and Monitoring Team.

“We are proud of this publication and congratulate KEPS and the team for its realization, and will contribute greatly to the advancement of the biodiversity and bird conservation agenda in Kuwait,” said Ibrahim Al Khader, Regional Director of BirdLife’s Middle East Division.

BirdLife Community

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SRA Recognized for Building a Great Place to Work by the Alliance for Workplace Excellence

Posted by admin on April 17th, 2013

FAIRFAX, Va.–()–SRA International, Inc., a leading provider of IT solutions and
professional services to government organizations, today announced that
it has been named an excellent place to work for the fifth straight year
(2008-2013) by Diversity Communications, Inc.’s, Alliance for
Workplace Excellence. The company also was recognized as a
multi-year honoree for the Health & Wellness Trailblazer (2009-2013) and
Ecoleadership (2009-2013) awards; and received this year’s debut
Diversity Champion award.

“SRA is thrilled to be recognized by the Alliance for Workplace
Excellence”

“This recognition is particularly gratifying for all of us at SRA,” said
President and CEO Bill Ballhaus. “Our employees are deeply committed to
the work we do for our government customers and regularly demonstrate
their passion for service in the communities where we live and work.”

The Alliance for Workplace Excellence has recognized the D.C. Metro
area’s excellent workplaces for the past fourteen years and highlights
companies that prioritize workplace excellence; employee health and
wellness; creating sustainable workplaces; and, diversity and inclusion.
This year’s 68 honorees are from all across the U.S. with the majority
concentrated in the greater-Washington, D.C. area. The Alliance will
present awards to the recognized companies at its annual awards luncheon
on Wednesday, May 15, in Bethesda, Md.

“SRA is thrilled to be recognized by the Alliance for Workplace
Excellence,” said Human Resources Senior Vice President John Reing.
“These awards speak to the strength of SRA’s culture, and our ethic of
Honesty and Service®. This recognition underscores the value
our employees find in our comprehensive wellness programs, our
innovative health rewards, and SRA’s commitment to giving back to the
communities where we live and work.”

The Alliance for Workplace Excellence awards recognize businesses that
promote professional fulfillment and personal wellness at home, in the
workplace and across the community. Award applicants are rigorously
assessed by an independent review panel comprising professors, Ph.D.
professionals and doctoral candidates in business, industrial and
organizational psychology, and human resources.

About SRA International, Inc.

For more than 30 years, SRA International has been dedicated to solving
complex mission and efficiency challenges for the U.S. government. From
our headquarters in Fairfax, Va., and from offices and locations around
the globe, our approximately 6,000 employees support government clients
in civilian, defense, health, intelligence, law enforcement and homeland
security agencies by delivering IT solutions and professional services
in such areas as information technology lifecycle services; cloud and
mobile computing; cyber security; solutions development and integration;
and, strategy development and organizational change management. We also
provide mission-specific domain expertise in areas such as energy and
environmental consulting; intelligence analysis; advanced research; and
bioinformatics. Our employees’ deep commitment to offering real value to
our clients and serving our communities is rooted in our ethic of
Honesty and Service®.

For more information on SRA International, please visit us at www.sra.com.

Any statements in this press release about future expectations,
plans, and prospects for SRA, including statements about the estimated
value of the contract and work to be performed, and other statements
containing the words “estimates,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,”
“expects,” “will,” “could,” “intend,” “may,” “potential,” “should,”
“would” and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements
within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. You should read statements that contain these words carefully
because they discuss our future expectations, contain projections of our
future results of operations or of our financial position, or state
other forward-looking information. Factors or risks that could cause our
actual results to differ materially from the results we anticipate
include, but are not limited to: (i) reduced spending levels and
changing budget priorities of our largest customer, the United States
federal government, which accounts for more than 98% of our revenue;
(ii) failure of the customer to fund a contract or exercise options to
extend contracts, or our inability to successfully execute awarded
contracts; (iii) the failure of congressional leaders to agree upon
further budget reductions as required by the debt ceiling compromise
triggering automatic across-the-board cuts beginning in 2013 to civil
and defense programs; (iv) failure to comply with complex U.S.
government procurement-related laws and other regulations, including but
not limited to, punitive damage liabilities under the False Claims Act
and other laws, and financial incentives under so-called “whistleblower”
statutes, awarding the whistleblower with a percentage of the recovery
if the claims are successfully waged; (v) possible delays or overturning
of our government contract awards due to bid protests by competitors or
loss of contract revenue or diminished opportunities based on the
existence of organizational conflicts of interest; (vi) failure to
comply with laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act or
regulations on government gratuities; (vii) failure to comply with
Federal Acquisition Regulations and Cost Accounting Standards or the
Fair Labor Standards Act; (viii) security threats, attacks or other
disruptions on our information infrastructure, and failure to comply
with complex network security and data privacy legal and contractual
obligations or to protect sensitive information; (ix) any violation of
third party intellectual rights; (x) adverse changes in federal
government practices; (xi) delays in the U.S. government adopting
appropriations necessary for program funding and future appropriation
uncertainties adversely impacting customer spending plans; (xii) intense
competition to win U.S. government contracts or recompetes and
commoditization of services we offer; (xiii) failure to obtain option
awards, task orders or funding under contracts, or inability to
successfully execute awarded contracts; (xiv) any adverse results of
audits and investigations conducted by the Defense Contract Audit Agency
or any of the Inspectors General for various agencies with which we
contract, including, without limitation, any determination that our
contractor business systems or contractor internal control systems are
deficient; and (xv) difficulties accurately estimating contract costs
and contract performance requirements; (xvi) challenges in attracting
and retaining key personnel or high-quality employees, particularly
those with security clearances.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the
forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future
results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. You should not
place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. In
addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release
represent our views as of April 17, 2013. We anticipate that subsequent
events and developments will cause our views to change. While we may
elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the
future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so. These
forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our
views as of any date subsequent to April 17, 2013.

Business Wire Environment News

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Groeller Painting Inc of St. Louis to Pay $23,000 Penalty for Failure to Use Lead Safe Work Practices and Notify Homeowners of Lead Risks (MO)

Posted by admin on March 12th, 2013

 

Release Date: 03/12/2013
Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394 [email protected]

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Lenexa, Kan., March 12, 2013) – Groeller Painting Inc, of St. Louis, Mo., has agreed to pay a $ 23,000 civil penalty to settle allegations that it failed to use proper lead-safe work practices during the renovation of a pre-1978 multifamily unit property, in violation of the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule (RRP). The company also failed to notify residents about lead-based paint risks before the company or its subcontractors performed renovation work at their homes.

According to an administrative consent agreement and final order filed by EPA Region 7 in Lenexa, Kan., Groeller or its subcontractors were legally required to use proper lead-safe work practices during the renovation and provide owners and occupants of the properties with an EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet, known as the Renovate Right pamphlet, before starting renovations at the properties. The Renovate Right pamphlet helps homeowners and tenants understand the risks of lead-based paint, and how best to minimize these risks to protect themselves and their families.

The RRP rule requires that contractors that work on pre-1978 dwellings and child-occupied facilities are trained and certified to use lead-safe work practices. This ensures that common renovation and repair activities like sanding, cutting and replacing windows minimize the creation and dispersion of dangerous lead dust. EPA finalized the RRP rule in 2008 and the rule took effect on April 22, 2010.

This enforcement action addresses RRP Rule violations that could result in harm to human health. Lead exposure can cause a range of adverse health effects, from behavioral disorders and learning disabilities to seizures and death, putting young children at the greatest risk because their nervous systems are still developing.


U.S. EPA News

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Hogan Challenges Councillors to Work with Him on Reform Programme

Posted by admin on March 8th, 2013



Hogan Challenges Councillors to Work with Him on Reform Programme

08/03/13

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr Phil Hogan TD today (8th Mar 2013) issued a challenge to councillors to work with him on the Local Government Reform Programme.

Speaking to the annual conference of the Association of County and City Councils the minister said “Unlike many previous reform documents, this Programme sets out firm decisions by Government rather than proposals for discussion. It will result in reforms to make local government relevant to the 21st century, focused on actions to support economic development, and responsive to the needs of citizens and local communities”. 

The Minister went on to thank the Association for their recent submission on the Action Programme and their clear acknowledgment that it is a programme of substantial and ambitious scope that maps out how local government can meet the challenges of modern times.

Minister Hogan assured the Association that the new system of municipal governance does not mean a reduction in the legislative status of County and City Councils as the primary units of local government. “The fact that the Action Programme states that the municipal districts will constitute the primary electoral and representational components of an integrated local government system does not conflict with the status of county and city councils as the primary local authorities”.
”The integrated aspect must be emphasised, because it is a key aspect of the whole reform programme.  Duplication will end, and elected members will make decisions on matters at the most appropriate level – strategic matters at the level of the full Council, more local matters at the Municipal District level. Similarly, I can give assurance about the civic role and status of County and City Councils, which currently rests quite happily alongside that of the town local authorities and will continue to do so in the new municipal configuration”.

The alignment of the Local Government Sector and Local Development will strengthen the role of local government.  One of the key areas where local authorities will be given additional functions is in relation to economic development and job creation.  The current economic climate demands that we use whatever resources we have at our disposal to return our economy to sustainability and prosperity.

The integration of the micro-enterprise function is the most significant advance in local authority functions in a very long time and represents a reversal of a decades-long trend of local government being by-passed by new structures.

Minister Hogan also referred to the changes that are being implemented in Waterford, and took the opportunity to reassure the people of Waterford of their Mayoral status. “I have no doubt that both authorities will co-operate fully in bringing this work to a successful conclusion with the establishment of a strong and unified authority in 2014. I also have no doubt that this will greatly benefit the people of Waterford, both in the City and the County.”

Addressing the reform of the water sector, Minister Hogan said “The Government’s proposals for reform of water services provision are of significant interest to the elected members and the staff of the local authorities. There will be close co-operation and consultations with the local authorities during the reform process and it will also be critically important that there are structures for engagement between Irish Water and the local government sector, for example in relation to development and planning matters. These issues will be given due priority in the Government’s water reform programme.”

Ends

Press  Office
Tel: (01) 888 2638  (direct)
(01) 888 2000
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.environ.ie

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U.S. EPA Honors GRID Alternatives as Climate Change Champion for Solar Panel Job Training Work in Low-Income Communities (CA)

Posted by admin on February 26th, 2013

 

Release Date: 02/26/2013
Contact Information: Nahal Mogharabi, [email protected], 213-244-1815


San Diego Tribe Receives Solar Installations in 12 Homes, Reducing Energy Cost


SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld today recognized nonprofit GRID Alternatives as a Climate Change Champion. The EPA Pacific Southwest Region’s Environmental Award was presented at a ceremony hosted by the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians in Hopland, California. GRID Alternatives has worked with various low income communities and tribes including the La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians in San Diego, Calif. on the training and installation of solar panel systems.

“EPA applauds GRID Alternatives for championing clean technologies to offset the climate change impacts of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Blumenfeld. “This organization is a role model for how business can promote solar energy while equipping Californians with the skills they need to sustain this industry.”

GRID Alternatives has developed a solar affordable housing program to train and lead teams of community volunteers and job trainees to install solar electric systems generating financial benefits for low-income families, job training for local workers, and environmental benefits through the reduction of greenhouse gases. The company also provides renewable energy and energy efficiency services equipment and training to low-income communities in California.

The La Jolla Indian Reservation is a federal reservation of Luiseño Indians in Northern San Diego County, along the southern slopes of Mount Palomar. La Jolla has been working with GRID Alternatives for more than two years. So far, twelve solar panel systems have been installed on the homes of Tribal members with several more to come. The solar panel installations have reduced energy costs and have helped La Jolla work towards renewable energy development.

“The savings that our members have on their utility bills allow them to use that money for other needed living expenses,” said LaVonne Peck, Chairperson of the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians. “Thank you to GRID Alternatives for working to assist La Jolla and other Tribal Nations with solar installations on our homes.”

As of February 2013, GRID Alternatives has installed over 3,000 solar electric systems in homes, trained 11,700 community volunteers and job trainees on the theory and practice of installing solar systems, and has prevented over 250,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions through PV installations. Beneficiaries of these systems have included seniors on fixed incomes, veterans, and homeowners struggling with unemployed and underemployment, as well as low-income residents of more than 14 tribal communities throughout California.

More information about GRID Alternatives, headquartered in Oakland, Calif., may be found at: www.gridalternatives.org

The EPA Pacific Southwest Region’s Environmental Awards program acknowledges commitments and significant contributions to protecting the environment in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Pacific Islands and tribal lands. Groups and individuals were selected from nominees received this year from businesses, government officials, tribes, media, academia, environmental organizations and community activists. For more information on the other 2012 award winners please visit: http://epa.gov/region9/awards

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U.S. EPA News

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EPA Reaches $1.6 Million Settlement at Operating Industries Superfund Site/Latest settlement part of total $600 million in cash and cleanup work (CA)

Posted by admin on February 16th, 2013

 

Release Date: 02/15/2013
Contact Information: Nahal Mogharabi, (213) 244-1815, [email protected]

(2/15/2013) SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a $ 1.62 million settlement with 47 parties for contamination at the Operating Industries, Inc. (OII) Superfund Site in Monterey Park, Calif. Each of these parties was responsible for sending a relatively small volume, between 4,200 and 110,000 gallons, of liquid hazardous waste to the OII landfill during decades of operation.

This is the last settlement EPA expects to sign for the OII site, paving the way for the community to restore this site to productive use. Over the last 25 years, EPA has secured $ 600 million worth of cash and commitments for cleanup work from the parties responsible for contamination at the site. Environmental problems included toxic gas emissions, contaminated surface water runoff, and pollution of the local groundwater.

“With this final settlement for the OII landfill, we’ve reached a key milestone,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Now we are working with the responsible parties to ensure that a portion of the site can be developed for the benefit of the local economy.”

OII is a 190-acre site divided into two parcels by the Pomona Freeway, the 45-acre North Parcel and the 145-acre South Parcel. Most of the OII’s landfill activities took place on the South Parcel. Most of the North Parcel is currently being remediated in preparation for potential redevelopment.

EPA finalized the cleanup plan in 1996 which selected a comprehensive site-wide remedy. The final plan prevents migration of liquids and gases beyond the landfill perimeter. In addition, a landfill cap and cover has been installed that prevents rainwater from seeping into the landfill and gas from leaking out. These measures will prevent exposure to contaminated groundwater and ensure that contamination levels meet federal cleanup standards.

EPA has entered into a total of nine consent decrees and eight smaller “de minimis” settlements with more than 1,150 responsible parties. EPA will receive $ 812,000 from the settlement announced today as reimbursement for federal response costs related to the site. The remaining funds will be used by the potentially responsible parties to fund cleanup work at the site. The settlement was published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2013, opening a 30-day public comment period.

The OII Site operated as a landfill from 1948 to 1984. EPA identified the OII Site as an environmental problem in the early 1980s and placed it on the National Priorities List in 1986. Over the course of its operation, the landfill accepted industrial solid, liquid and hazardous wastes, as well as municipal solid waste. The landfill has received more than 300 million gallons of manifested waste from approximately 4,000 entities.

For more information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/superfund/accomp/success/oii.htm

Link to Federal Register notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/01/28/2013-01593/operating-industries-inc-superfund-site-monterey-park-ca-notice-of-proposed-cercla-administrative-de



U.S. EPA News

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Environment Agency: Fish and eels to benefit from work on River Sowe at Stoneleigh

Posted by admin on February 12th, 2013

‘Fins’ are looking up for fish on the River Sowe, thanks to the work by the Environment Agency which begins today, 11 February 2013.

Fish and eel passes are being installed on the river to help the fish pass over weirs and other structures designed to manage water levels and reduce flood risk.

The project at Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, is part of a larger scheme across the Midlands to improve fish migration and create unrestricted fish passage on the River Sowe. This work complements previous work carried out at Baginton Mill in 2012, where a rock ramp fish pass has been created.

Adam Deeks, Project Manager from the Environment Agency, said: “We are designing and installing the pass in Stoneleigh to help fish and eels pass man-made structures such as gauging weirs.

“Although these structures help us to measure and monitor water levels to reduce the risk of flooding, they also act as barriers that stop fish and eels swimming to other stretches of the river and beyond. Since the 1980s, European eels entering rivers in the UK and Europe have declined in numbers.  The area at Stoneleigh is important for wildlife and the improvements being carried out will help fish species thrive there for years to come”.

During the temporary works, all efforts will be made to ensure the site will be sensitively managed for wildlife. Some tree clearance will be carried out to the west of the weir to create access for the works. However, this will take place before the bird breeding season begins and once the work is complete, trees will be planted to make good the site and enhance the local area for wildlife.  The project is due to be completed around May 2013.

The work is being carried out under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) which aims to protect and improve the quality of water environments, helping to support habitats and the wildlife which depends on them.

info4local Subject Documents

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Seventh Generation Named One of 2013 Best Places to Work in Vermont

Posted by admin on February 2nd, 2013

SOURCE: Seventh Generation

Seventh Generation

BURLINGTON, VT–(Marketwire – Feb 1, 2013) –  Seventh Generation was recently named as one of the 2013 Best Places to Work in Vermont. The annual list of the Best Places to Work in Vermont was created by Vermont Business Magazine, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, the Vermont Department of Economic Development, the Vermont Department of Labor, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – Vermont State Council and Best Companies Group.

This statewide survey and awards program is designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in Vermont, benefiting the state’s economy, its workforce and businesses. The 2013 Best Places to Work in Vermont list is made up of 21 companies.

“There’s no better place for the nation’s leading green brand to be based than the Green Mountain State,” said John Replogle, CEO of Seventh Generation. “We were born in Vermont 25 years ago and have been inspired by so many other great leaders and purpose-based companies here in the state. This is a great way to celebrate our twenty-fifth anniversary as we look forward to growing, learning and improving over the next twenty-five right here in Vermont.”

Companies from across the state entered the two-part survey process to determine the Best Places to Work in Vermont. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process in Vermont and also analyzed the data and used their expertise to determine the final rankings. 

About Seventh Generation Seventh Generation is committed to being the most trusted brand of household and personal care products for your living home. Our products offer solutions for the air, surfaces, fabrics, pets and people within your home — and for the community and environment outside of it. Seventh Generation also offers baby products that are safe for your children and the planet. The company derives its name from the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy that states, “In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations.” Every time you use a Seventh Generation product you are making a difference by saving natural resources, reducing pollution, and making the world a better place for this and the next seven generations. For information on Seven Generation cleaning, paper, baby and feminine personal care products, to find store locations, and explore the company’s website visit www.seventhgeneration.com. To read more about Seventh Generation’s corporate responsibility, visit the company’s Corporate Consciousness Report.

Marketwire – Environment

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What is the Federal Debt and How Does the Debt Limit Work?

Posted by admin on January 23rd, 2013

How large is the federal debt?    View details
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Total federal debt—also known as gross debt—is the amount of the federal government’s outstanding debt issued by the Treasury and other federal government agencies. Totaling about $ 14.8 trillion at the end of
fiscal year
Any yearly accounting period, regardless of its relationship to a calendar year. The fiscal year for the federal government begins on October 1 of each year and ends on September 30 of the following year; it is named by the calendar year in which it ends. Prior to fiscal year 1977, the federal government began its fiscal year on July 1 and ended it on June 30.


2011, gross debt consists of two components: (1) debt held by the publicFederal debt held by all investors outside of the federal government, including individuals, corporations, state or local governments, the Federal Reserve and foreign governments. and (2) debt held by government accountsFederal debt owed to government accounts, primarily to federal trust funds such as Social Security and Medicare. The cumulative surpluses, including interest earnings, of these trust funds and other government accounts have been invested in Treasury securities, almost always nonmarketable. Whenever a government account needs to spend more than it takes in from the public, the Treasury must provide cash to redeem debt held by the government account. Consequently, this reflects a future burden on the economy. (also known as intragovernmental debt holdings), such as the Social Security and Medicare trust funds.

What is debt held by the public?    View details
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Debt held by the public is the value of all federal securities sold to the public, i.e., investors outside of the federal government. When the government’s spending exceeds its revenue, it must borrow to finance the difference. Thus, debt held by the public essentially represents the amount the federal government has borrowed to finance cumulative cash deficits. This debt is owed to a wide variety of investors, including international investors, domestic private investors, the Federal Reserve, and state and local governments.

What is debt held by government accounts?    View details
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What is the difference between the two types of federal debt?    View details
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Debt held by the public essentially represents the amount the federal government has borrowed to finance cumulative cash deficits. Debt held by the public represents a burden on today’s economy as borrowing from the public absorbs resources available for private investment and may put upward pressure on interest ratesThe cost of borrowing or the price paid for the rental of funds (usually expressed as a percentage).. Moreover, the interest paid on this debt may reduce budget flexibility because, unlike most of the budget, it cannot be controlled directly.

Debt held by government accounts represents the cumulative surpluses, including interest earnings, of these accounts that have been invested in Treasury securities. The special Treasury securities held in these government accounts represent legal obligations of the Treasury and are guaranteed for principal and interest by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. This debt reflects a burden on taxpayers and the economy in the future.

Whenever a government account needs to spend more than it takes in from the public, the Treasury must provide cash to redeem debt held by the government account. The government must obtain this cash by increasing taxes, cutting spending, borrowing more from the public, retiring less debt (if the budget is in surplus), or some combination thereof.

Debt held by the trust funds, such as Social Security and Medicare, is not equal to the future benefit costs implied by the current design of the programs and, therefore, does not fully capture the government’s total future commitment to these programs. For additional information about trust funds, see GAO, Federal Trust and Other Earmarked Funds: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

Only debt held by the public is reported as a liabilityA probable future outflow or other sacrifice of resources as a result of past transactions or events. Generally, liabilities are thought of as amounts owed for items or services received, assets acquired, construction performed (regardless of whether invoices have been received), and amount received but not yet earned. on the consolidated financial statements of the United States governmentThe consolidated financial statements present consolidated and summarized financial information from the various federal government agencies and departments. They are part of the Financial Report of the United States Government, referred to as the Consolidated Financial Report (CFR). The goal of the CFR is to make available to every American a comprehensive overview of the federal government’s finances.. Debt held by government accounts is an asset to those accounts but a liability to the Treasury; they offset each other in the consolidated financial statements.

What is the debt limit?    View details
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Congress and the President have enacted laws to establish a limit on the amount of federal debt that can be outstanding at one time. The gross debtGross Debt (Total Debt): The total amount of outstanding federal debt, whether issued by the Treasury or other agencies and held by the public or federal government accounts excluding some minor adjustments, is the measure that is subject to the federal debt limitA legal ceiling on the amount of gross federal debt (excluding some minor adjustments), which must be raised periodically to accommodate additional federal borrowing. . The debt limit does not restrict Congress’ ability to enact spending and revenue legislation that affect the level of debt or otherwise constrain fiscal policy; rather, the debt limit restricts the Department of the Treasury’s authority to borrow to finance the decisions enacted by the Congress and the President (for more information, see Debt Limit: Delays Create Debt Management Challenges and Increase Uncertainty in the Treasury Market). As a result, as the government neared the debt limit, Treasury often adjusted its normal cash and debt management operations. In the past, Treasury has taken a number of extraordinary actions such as temporarily disinvesting securities held as part of federal employees’ retirement plans to meet the government’s obligations as they came due without exceeding the debt limit, until the debt limit was raised. For more information, see:

USA.gov Updates: News and Features

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Environment Agency and Wandle Trust work together to clean river

Posted by admin on January 16th, 2013

The Environment Agency is helping Wandle Trust volunteers to spot pollution alongside the River Wandle in South London by creating a partnership to care for the river.

The Environment Agency will help to train Wandle Trust staff and volunteers so that they are able to attend minor incidents on the River Wandle, assess the severity and report them to the Environment Agency, who will then react to the incident accordingly. The collaborative project will be led by the Wandle Trust, with the objective of enabling the Wandle Carshalton arm to reach Good Ecological Potential by 2015, and make significant progress towards moving other parts of the catchment to good status.

Pollution incidents that affect water quality are a contributory factor in holding the Wandle back from achieving Good Ecological Potential under the Water Framework Directive. Depending on circumstances, the Environment Agency is not always able to respond to lower impact pollution incidents.

When notified by the Environment Agency, the Wandle Trust volunteers will provide a first line of response to assess the situation and report back to the Environment Agency. It is hoped that this newly established partnership will enable local Wandle Trust volunteers to keep an eye on the river, facilitating a more efficient response to all pollution incidents.

The additional information gathered by the Wandle Trust will be used to update the Environment Agency’s incident management system and enhance understanding of the River Wandle, including details of river pollution trends, and gaining knowledge of where habitat improvements are needed.

The Wandle Trust is a long standing partner of the Environment Agency, with a record of facilitating community involvement while delivering enhancement schemes in project delivery, monitoring and river planning. In 2011 the Wandle Trust undertook a project involving over 100 local volunteers, delivering a range of habitat improvement works on a 2 km stretch of river. Other projects have included weir notching and habitat creation at Three Arch Bridge, weir removal and rock ramp installation in Ravensbury Park side channel and eel pass installation at Merton Abbey Mills and Ravensbury Park. The work of the Wandle Trust was instrumental in the River Wandle recently being identified as one of England’s most improved waterways.

The newly established partnership is one phase of the Wandle Trust Delivery Plan, which will integrate the delivery of habitat and fish passage projects with measures to reduce and monitor diffuse pollution, and will increase confidence that the habitat measures will be successful and that deterioration will not occur.

The volunteer based scheme will be managed by professional Wandle Trust staff, and is being run as a pilot on the Wandle. If successful, the scheme may be rolled out across the South East and nationally.

Environment Agency’s Chairman Lord Chris Smith said: “Working with community groups is crucial in ensuring the vitality of our rivers and waterways, and the Wandle Trust is a superb example of residents taking an active interest in the health of their local environment.

“Rivers in England and Wales are the healthiest they have been for 20 years, but it is important that we do more to continue this improvement and meet stringent new EU standards. I’m confident that our work with the Wandle Trust will enable us all to do just that.”

Wandle Trust Chairman Theo Pike said: “The Wandle Trust’s volunteers have been supporting the Environment Agency’s work on the Wandle for many years, so we’re delighted to announce this new opportunity to improve communication with the statutory authorities as the community’s eyes and ears on the river. Our network of volunteers will be trained to assess the seriousness of pollution incidents, and help us to identify any pollution blackspots or other trends. As one of a suite of partnership projects with the Environment Agency, we also hope it will help us to substantially reduce diffuse pollution on the Wandle and help the river meet its Water Framework Directive targets.”

Pollution incidents should still be reported to the Environment Agency’s incident hotline on 0800 807060.  

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