Water


States, EPA Try to Tackle Interstate Air Pollution

Section 126 of the Clean Air Act authorizes individual states to file petitions with EPA to stop interstate air pollution, and it may be the most effective legal tool available. The question is how aggressively EPA will pursue it.

New Avenue Opens for Challenges to CWA Compliance Orders

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Sackett v. EPA recognized that property owners have the right to immediately go to court to challenge the validity of administrative compliance orders issued by EPA under the Clean Water Act.

Two federal judges during 2012 ruled EPA exceeded its authority under the Clean Water Act in regulating the impacts of mountaintop removal coal mining in Appalachia.

Mountaintop Removal Mining Proves Hard to Stop

Federal judges ruled EPA exceeded its authority under the Clean Water Act in regulating the impacts of coal mining in Appalachia. EPA has appealed both cases, which could have major implications for its ability to control one of the most environmentally destructive practices in the country.

The 2008 spill of 5.4 million cubic yards of fly ash, a byproduct of the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil coal-fired electricity generating plant, destroyed homes and filled streams and valleys.

Proving Damages for 2008 Coal Ash Spill a Steep Obstacle

After Tennessee Valley Authority was found liable for a massive coal ash spill, landowners this year will have to hire their own attorneys to press their individual claims. The larger question is whether facilities like the Kingston plant, with their inherent dangers to climate, waterways, and communities, are part of our continuing energy future.

New Water Recycling Technology for Two Power Plants

With new water recycling technology powered by GE, two Texas power plants will be able to recycle more than 98 percent of wastewater and eliminate wastewater discharge to drought-ridden areas.

Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Association Receives Environmental Education Grant

The Ohio EPA has awarded a $48,460 grant to help improve wetlands education opportunities associated with the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge Association.

A New Partnership to Battle Environmental Concerns

Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA), a non-profit humanitarian organization, and MWH Global, a strategic consulting, technical engineering and construction services firm leading the wet infrastructure sector, launched a new partnership to improve the lives of people around the world.

Wastewater Facilities Automate Monitoring Systems with Wireless Data Communications

FreeWave’s reliable, long range and easily deployed radios gather and transmit critical data for water and wastewater facilities.



Results of 2011 Toxics Release Inventory Revealed

According to the EPA’s annual Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), air pollutants continue to decrease while toxic chemicals seem to be on the rise.

Ladybugs' Diet Guides Biocontrol Agent

By researching the diet of lady beetles, USDA scientists have learned more about the movement of these insects and how they may be beneficial in farm fields by eating crop pests.

Global Warming Increases Monthly Heat Records Worldwide

According to a new study, there are now five times as many record-breaking hot months worldwide than could be expected without long-term global warming.

World’s Largest Wastewater Treatment Plant Powered by GE

As part of the new contract with GE and the world’s largest wastewater treatment plant, eight vertical variable-speed power conversion drive trains will power the STEP Feed Pipeline Project, GE solutions will increase energy efficiency, lower maintenance, and control plant water flow, and will help strengthen the presence of GE’s power conversion business in the Middle East Water Industry.

Peel-and-Stick Solar Cells Available in Near Future

The NREL and Stanford are teaming up to develop peel-and-stick solar cells, which could become devices to charge battery operated products, such as cell phones, in the future.

NEBOSH Environmental Certificate Now Offered Internationally

NEBOSH has made changes to its popular National Certificate in Environmental Management to suit its growing international audience.

Green Steam Project in Pennsylvania Completed

The completion of the new, clean rapid-response boilers and pipeline expansion will contribute to Philadelphia’s environmental and economic goals.

2013 Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting

The annual Transportation Research Board Meeting, held Jan. 13-17, will highlight how using transportation research can lead to doing things smarter, better, and faster.

METCAM Manufacturing 2

U.S. Manufacturers Gain Edge over Foreign Competition with Quality and Sustainability Initiatives

Environmental sustainability is being increasingly linked to initiatives in “lean manufacturing”, an area in which U.S. manufacturers have excelled for years. The focus of lean manufacturing is to reduce waste—wasted materials, motion, time, effort, inventory, transportation expense, and other expenses involved in the manufacturing process.

Attend a Rain Garden Program for Free

On Jan. 14, there will be a program relating to bioretention areas, also known as rain gardens, help at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center. The program will begin at 9 a.m. and last until 4 p.m.

Funding Available for Environmental Technology Demonstrations

ESTCP is seeking proposals for innovative environmental technology demonstrations as candidates for funding beginning in FY2014. Pre-proposals are due by Thursday, Mar. 14, 2013

River Salinization May Become a Global Environmental Issue

The salinization of rivers has become a global problem with high environmental and economic cost, which also poses a great risk to human health. According to a new research, climate change and increasing water consumption may create larger issues in the future.