News and Articles


New Director Chosen for Rutgers Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences Institute

Brian Strom, chancellor of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, said Dr. Helmut Zarbl's appointment and new faculty he will recruit "will deepen the institute's core strength and link the school and institute, as well as extend its reach to include faculty across Rutgers who are interested in environmental health. This will give EOHSI the ability to significantly impact environmental health in New Jersey and beyond."

This photo shows Thunder Basin National Grassland in Douglas, Wyo. (U.S. Forest Service/Cristi Painter photo)

Grasslands Study Launched at Two Sites

The results of the three-year study will help USFS learn more about how to use fire on the national grasslands.

INTERPOL Meeting Focused on Illegal Timber Trade

In May and June 2017, under operation LEAD (Law Enforcement Against Deforestation), Myanmar authorities seized around $2 million worth of illegal timber, according to INTERPOL.

Devices placed on the sea floor can collect energy from passing waves; several designs have been tested, and wave power has touted as a key technology for helping the country achieve a low-carbon, secure UK energy future.

Report Calls for Better Strategy to Make Wave Power Work for the UK

Some $260 million in public money has been spent on R&D since 2000, but the technology hasn’t been commercialized or widely deployed yet.

Wettest Wet Season Still Affecting South Florida

USACE said the tremendous amount of rainfall inundated the three water conservation areas and affected the wildlife that live there.

Florida DEP Sets TMDL Public Meeting

Participants in the Nov. 8 meeting in Bartow, Fla., will discuss the status of TMDL development for nutrient impaired water bodies in the Upper Peace River basin.

Saudi Company Agrees to Use GE Solution in Solar and Desalination Plants

The First National Operations and Maintenance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power, will implement the APM solution at 26 thermal, wind, and solar power generation and water desalination sites in nine countries.

Carbon Dioxide Atmospheric Concentration Hits Record

"Without rapid cuts in CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions, we will be heading for dangerous temperature increases by the end of this century, well above the target set by the Paris climate change agreement," said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas. "Future generations will inherit a much more inhospitable planet.

China Growing Fastest in Nuclear Power Production

China now has 38 nuclear power reactors in operation and 19 others under construction, IAEA reports.

Oil Companies' Climate Group Makes First Investments

OGCI Climate Investments is a billion-dollar investment fund established last year by OGCI to invest in promising technologies and business models that have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions; the fund is building a network of partners and co-investors in key sectors.

New Law Permits Tanker Avoidance Zones on the Hudson

The bill signed into law this week provides flexibility for the state so it can evaluate each instance to ensure it would be feasible and not hinder the necessary travel of petroleum-bearing vessels on the Hudson River and on active ports, some of which have active major oil storage facilities.

Canadian Forces Train for Maritime Emergencies

The exercise's scenario begins with a fire on BC Ferries' M/V Coastal Renaissance that causes passengers and crew members to evacuate. The two-day exercise simulates both search and rescue and a marine environmental response.

Higher Entry Fees Proposed for 17 'Highly Visited' National Parks

The National Park Service said the proposed new fee structure would boost national park revenue by $70 million per year, a 34 percent increase from the $200 million collected in fiscal year 2016.

NC Board to Evaluate Emerging Chemicals' Risks

Increased in size from eight to 16 members, the Science Advisory Board has a new charter and the scope of its work has expanded from toxic air pollutants to the broader focus on the impact of new and emerging chemicals, including GenX and hexavalent chromium.

GAO Estimates Benefits of Preparing USA for Climate Change

The study estimated coastal property losses from rising seas and more frequent, more intense storms could range from $51 billion to $74 billion per year late in this century.

Executive Order Issued for Post-Fire Waste Cleanup in California

The order allows qualified professionals at the federal agency to assist state and local officials in immediately removing visible hazardous debris such as batteries, flammable liquids, asbestos siding, paint, and pipe insulation from burned homes.

Canadian Company Pleads Guilty to Exporting Polar Bear Skin Rugs

Environment and Climate Change Canada's wildlife enforcement officers launched an investigation two years ago and discovered a polar bear skin rug located in Canada that had previously been exported to China. The investigation found the company on three occasions illegally exported polar bear skins to China.

Duke Energy Nuclear Plant Under Increased NRC Oversight

NRC said in April, an electrical component on a Catawba Unit 2 emergency diesel generator failed during a scheduled test. NRC said its inspectors reviewed the event and determined that the plant staff had failed to adequately develop and adjust preventive maintenance activities using operating experience, maintenance history, and performance records.

Veolia Wins Contract to Operate New-Generation French Wastewater Plant

The plant segregates wastewater and stormwater treatment for 37 MEL municipalities and satisfies high environmental standards, particularly for nitrogen and phosphate treatment, in order to maintain the quality of the nearby river water.

First Floating Wind Farm Starts Production in Scotland

Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, officially opened the 30MW farm, which Statoil operates in partnership with Masdar. The farm is located 25 kilometers offshore Peterhead in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.