News and Articles


Waxman, Schwarzenegger, McCarthy Receive CARB Air Quality Awards

"Our honorees span the past 50 years of progress toward clean air. Each played a leading role in this struggle for clean air and a healthy economy," CARB Chair Mary D. Nichols said. "Individually, our honorees have conducted groundbreaking research or shaped pioneering clean-air policies.

NC DEQ Cites, Fines Swine Farm for Wastewater Violation

DEQ began its investigation after an anonymous tip. The investigators estimated that 987,440 gallons of wastewater were illegally discharged from the lagoon, with contaminants from wastewater eventually making their way to a tributary of the Trent River 1.5 miles away.

EPA Awards Houston Airport Over $1 Million for Clean Shuttle Buses

The EPA has awarded more than $1 million to the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas, for electric shuttle buses. The funds will go toward reducing diesel vehicles’ harmful emissions and improving air quality.

Canada Overhauling Project Review Scheme

There will be less red tape and less duplication for project proposers to navigate, according to the officials, who said the government will expand the types of impacts studied to understand how a proposed project could affect not just the environment, but also its long-term health, social, and economic impacts, as well as impacts on indigenous peoples.

Sunoco Pipeline Agrees to $12.6 Million Penalty, State's Hold on Permits Lifted

Construction of the Mariner East 2 pipeline can resume. "DEP will continue to monitor and enforce the conditions of the permits and will take necessary enforcement actions for any future violations," said McDonnell. "If a resident should witness pollution from the pipeline affecting streams or other waterways, then please alert DEP at 1-800-541-2050."

Four Effective Processes to Treat Wastewater

Four Effective Processes to Treat Wastewater

Wastewater has a lot of impact on the natural world and it is important to treat it effectively. By treating wastewater, you don't just save the creatures thriving on it, but also protect the planet as a whole.

Land Deal for Alaska Road Draws Environmental Criticism

The road, which proponents say is necessary to connect the remote community of King Cove to a large, all-weather airport for emergency medical evacuation in poor weather, has come under criticism from conservationists.

TCEQ Fines Total Petrochemicals & Refining USA, Inc.

The fine was included in $1,083,788 in fines against 46 regulated entities for violating state environmental regulations.

Michigan Congressman Introduces Great Lakes Oil Spill Prevention Act

Michigan Congressman Introduces Great Lakes Oil Spill Prevention Act

The Great Lakes Oil Spill Prevention Act was introduced earlier this month and would “impose additional requirements on portions of petroleum pipelines that cross waters of the Great Lakes,” among other goals, according to the bill’s text.

CA Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Reduce Plastic Straw Waste

Majority Leader Ian Calderon introduced last week Assembly Bill 1884, which would require servers at sit-down restaurants to ask customers if they want a straw before providing one. The bill would not apply to fast-food restaurants.

Tennessee Panel Developing Statewide Water Plan

Expected population growth, "along with recent concerns over the utilization of the Memphis Sands Aquifer, droughts that have impacted numerous Tennessee communities, failures of aging drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, and interstate battles over water rights, all stress the need to develop a statewide plan for addressing water availability," according to the governor's office.

Program Launched to Spur EV Use in California

EV adoption continues to grow in California, but lack of charging locations remains one of the biggest barriers. PG&E said its EV Charge Network will support the adoption of EVs by increasing access to charging in locations where it has traditionally been limited and where cars often sit for longer periods of time, like workplaces and apartment buildings.

Dow Signs MOU to Work on Environmental Protection in China

"We are pleased to be sharing our environmental technical expertise with the Chinese government to help accelerate positive change. We appreciate this opportunity to learn together how to best develop public policy blueprints that incorporate global private sector experience," said Neil Hawkins, corporate vice president, Environment, Health and Safety, and chief sustainability officer for Dow.

L.A. Breaks Ground on North Hollywood West Groundwater Treatment Project

The project is supported by $44.5 million in state funding and it a key part of Mayor Eric Garcetti's goal to source 50 percent of L.A.'s water locally by 2035. The North Hollywood West site is the first of four planned remediation projects in the valley and is expected to be completed by early 2020, according to the city.

BSEE Increases Maximum Civil Penalty Amounts for Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Violations

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement announced Wednesday that the maximum civil penalty rate for violations of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act will increase from $42,704 to $43,576 a day for each violation.

Canadian Coast Guard Seeks Proposals for Bulk Oil Removal from Wrecked Freighter

Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Coast of Bays – Central – Notre Dame, announced Wednesday that in the coming months the Canadian Coast Guard will be seeking proposals from qualified marine salvage companies for bulk oil removal from the wreck of the Manolis L.

DEP Penalizes Energy Corporation of America for Drilling Violations

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has collected a $1.7 million civil penalty prescribed in a consent order and agreement with Energy Corporation of America (ECA) for violations at 17 well sites in Greene and Clearfield counties.

USDA to Invest Nearly $32 Million in Wildfire Mitigation and Water Quality Projects

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest nearly $32 million in 2018 to mitigate wildfire risk, improve water quality, and restore health forest ecosystems in 24 states and Puerto Rico.

EPA Awards $2.1 Million to Protect, Restore California Wetlands and Streams

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded more than $2.1 million in grants to protect and restore wetlands and streams across California.

LANL Cleanup Public Meeting Set for Jan. 16

NMED will host the meeting and the Environmental Management Los Alamos field office will present information concerning cleanup work completed in fiscal year 2017 and the coming year's cleanup milestones and target dates.