News and Articles


New NRDC Campaign Helps Schools Receive Solar Power

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has launched a crowd-funding campaign to support a new initiative to help schools purchase and install rooftop solar systems that can provide clean, renewable energy.

Wildfire Smoke's Effects Range Far and Wide

"The clear takeaway is that wildfires, smoke, and the conditions that increase fire risk are national health concerns that spread well beyond the borders of local fire perimeters, conditions that are only projected to worsen with climate change," a new NRDC report says.

Communities Across Six States Receive EPA Funding for Water Pollution and More

Various communities in Arizona, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and South Carolina received $400,000 in grants to help combat water pollution and climate change.

Less Gas, More Drive

Sales of plug-in hybrid and battery electric cars rose significantly last year.

Purdue University Receives Two Environmental Awards from GE

GE helped Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., enhance the safety of its campus community by reducing the use of acid and caustic chemicals in the university’s utility plant.

Rising from the Deep

The esoteric oarfish made its presence public on two separate occasions, at two separate Southern California beaches and in less than one week. The first, an 18-foot body, was found dead October 13, 2013 floating near Tayon Bay on California’s Catalina Island. The second, a 14-footer, was found washed ashore October 18 on an Oceanside beach. The distance between the two California beaches is approximately 50 nautical miles.

Gray China

According to the World Health Organization, chronic exposure to high concentrations of these particles increases the risks for cardiovascular and repository diseases, as well as lung cancer.

Supreme Court to Rule on EPA

EPA v US Power Trade

Environment News Service reported yesterday the U.S. Supreme Court will review an appeals court ruling that unanimously upheld the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) right to regulate greenhouse gases emitted from power plants and factories. The legal action was brought by the Utility Air Regulatory Group, a power company trade association, and the attorney generals of 13 states.

New Product Safety Precautions Being Taken at Target

The retailer releases the Sustainable Product Standard, which assesses the safety of beauty products, cleaners and baby care products and aims to force manufacturers to eliminate harmful chemicals used in the products.

Russian Refinery Chooses GE Technology

Strict discharge regulations and the need to reuse the treated water led Bashneft to choose GE's technology for its new wastewater treatment plant.

NYC Opens World's Largest UV Drinking Water Treatment Facility

The $1.5 billion Catskill/Delaware UV Facility provides treatment specifically for Cryptosporidium and Giardia microorganisms. New York City officials committed to build the facility in 2002, before EPA issued a rule requiring such treatment for surface water supplies.

Draft EIS Completed for Montana Gold Mining Operation

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality proposes to grant an operating permit and already issued a final Montana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit that allows the joint venture to discharge treated mine dewatering water into three creeks near the mine.

Tennessee DEC Shows How Household Hazwaste Collection Has Changed

Today's material includes cleaning fluids, pesticides, mercury thermometers and thermostats, fluorescent bulbs, lithium and button batteries, aerosols, adhesives, medications, brake fluid, swimming pool chemicals, and paint thinner.

Coyote Land Company Cleanup Completed

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection announced nearly 20,000 cubic yards of solid waste at the Panama City site has been cleaned up, and it is no longer an environmental hazard.

Comments Due on Permit for Utah City's Membrane Bioreactor

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality proposes to issue a Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (UPDES) permit for the facility, which will replace an existing lagoon system.

KYDEP's Outreach Aims to Clean Up Pharmaceutical Disposal

The state agency released a guidance document and an online learning module this month that cover available collection programs and appropriate disposal methods.

Mobile App Could Save Marine Communities

A researcher from Texas A&M University has simplified the task of counting shellfish by creating a cellphone app that uses GPS, making tracking over-harvested populations of the species simpler than ever. The app may one day help scientists track other marine life.

Large Diameter Slipline Completed in Milwaukee

Large Diameter Slipline Completed in Milwaukee

Milwaukee, like many cities, is working to upgrade and separate their complex sewer system. As part of the upgrade, a 4,500-foot section of an existing combined sewer was identified as needing rehabilitation.

New Jersey Wastewater Systems Getting an Overhaul

After Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey last year, wastewater collection and treatment systems are still in need of repair. It was announced earlier this week that Nassau County Department of Public Works selected a joint venture to help stabilize, design, and rebuild those wastewater systems.