News and Articles


Environmental Impact of Harvey Still Unknown, Expected to be "Dire"

Environmental Impact of Harvey Still Unknown, Expected to be "Dire"

At best, experts said that the long-term environmental health consequences of the storm will be “dire.”

OSH Pros' Feedback Sought on Corporate Sustainability Standard

"The GRI 403 standard provides a lever for change in corporate reporting practices on OHS globally," said Kathy A. Seabrook, chair of the CSHS Board of Directors. "Safety and health professionals need to step up, participate, and influence the final standard through this public consultation period. It's a significant development in our profession."

Chemical Plant Suffers Two Explosions Due to Flooding

Chemical Plant Suffers Two Explosions Due to Flooding

Early Thursday morning, two explosions generating billows of thick black smoke were reported at a flooded chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, just 30 miles northeast of downtown Houston

Hurricane Harvey Spurs Energy Shutdowns

Hurricane Harvey Spurs Energy Shutdowns

As Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath continue on a path of destruction, oil and gas companies located in the epicenter of Texas’ refining industry have been forced to halt operations.

Canada Creates Climate Change Panel of Experts

The panel will support the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, which is Canada's plan to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target, build resilience to the impacts of climate change, and create clean growth and jobs through investments in clean technology, innovation, and infrastructure.

California Taking Comments on Updated Chlorpyrifos Risk Assessment

DPR scientists believe chlorpyrifos may pose a public health risk as a toxic air contaminant based on its assessment of the latest studies in the scientific community. That finding must go through a public comment period and be independently evaluated by other scientists, however.

Oak Ridge National Lab Welcoming High-Performance Computer

"There were a lot considerations to be had when designing the facilities for Summit," said George Wellborn, Heery's project architect. "We are essentially harnessing a small city's worth of power into one room. We had to ensure the confined space was adaptable for the power and cooling that is needed to run this next-generation supercomputer."

First Convention on Mercury Control Now in Force

"The Minamata Convention shows that our global work to protect our planet and its people can continue to bring nations together. We did it for the ozone layer and now we're doing it for mercury, just as we need to do it for climate change – a cause that the Minamata Convention will also serve. Together, we can clean up our act," said Erik Solheim, head of UN Environment.

Cal FIRE Awards Grants to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Sequester Carbon

Landowners will retain ownership of their land and will not be restricted from using it for activities such as timber harvest, hunting, fishing, and hiking; the grants will protect more than 28,285 acres of forests from development.

DOI Orders Study of Mountaintop Removal's Health Effects Halted

The National Academies said it would go forward with previously scheduled meetings for the project in Kentucky on Aug. 21-23 "and we stand ready to resume it as soon as the Department of the Interior review is completed."

Tennessee Awards $22 Million in Water, Wastewater Construction Grants

The Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program has awarded more than $1.8 billion in low-interest loans since its inception in 1987, while Tennessee's Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program has awarded more than $300.5 million in low-interest loans since its inception in 1996.

This graphic shows dissolved boron in bedrock groundwater at the plant site: CSES-Colstrip, Montana.

Montana DEQ Seeks Comments on Colstrip Reports

The three reports are required under the Administrative Order on Consent between the agency and Talen Montana, LLC. They concern the industrial wastewater facilities at the Colstrip Steam Electric Station.

New French River Dam Opened in Ontario

The dam is one of three dams that control the outflow from Lake Nipissing. They're essential for maintaining its water level and for regulating the flow of water into the French River. During the $21.9 million replacement project, new dams were built slightly downstream from the original dams, which were then removed.

Water System Shut Down at Mount Spokane State Park

The state parks agency is advising visitors to bring their own water when coming to the park until the water system has been declared safe for use. Vault and portable toilets are available.

Order Signed for Mexico's Largest Wind Park

"Mexico is undergoing a historical moment in its energy policy and we are extremely pleased to play an active role in this process. By building Mexico's largest wind park with Vestas' turbines, we are taking a bold step in the country's transition towards renewables," said Adrián Katzew, CEO of Zuma Energía.

Ohio EPA Sets Water Quality Standards Meeting

The agency's proposed changes in its water rules include clarifying exceptions from water quality standards that apply to pesticide application, construction activities, and dredging. Changes will be discussed at the Aug. 23 meeting in Columbus.

INTERPOL Operation Nets 1.5 Million Tonnes of Illegal Waste

Most of the illegal waste discovered during the operation was metal or electronic waste, and generally it was related to the car industry. In all, 226 waste crimes and 413 administrative violations were found, including criminal cases of 141 shipments carrying a total of 14,000 tonnes of illegal waste and 85 sites where more than 1 million tonnes of waste was illegally disposed.

In the early 1990s, the federal government began listing salmon species as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Today, federal agencies have listed 18 species of salmon, steelhead, and bull trout as either threatened or endangered.

New Leader Chosen for Washington's Salmon Recovery Office

Steve Martin has been executive director of the Snake River Salmon Recovery Board since 2001.

Two August Meetings to Address Hawaii's Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise

The meeting seek residents' input as state officials develop a Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report for the 2018 Hawaii State Legislature. It will be the first state-wide assessment of the impacts of sea-level rise on Hawaii's coastal areas.

California Ports Looking for Cleaner Engines in Harbor Craft

The request under the Technology Advancement Program offers $500,000 for one or two demonstrations of technologies that will upgrade engines to Tier 3 or Tier 4 standards, which means the engines are as much as 70 percent cleaner. Proposals are due by Sept. 21.