Industry Trends


EPA Confirms Permit for Hobet 45 Mine; Halts Work on Spruce No. 1

Agency works with mountaintop mining companies to ensure compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.

Xcel Energy to Provide Funding for Energy Efficiency Promoter

Nonprofit Energy Smart will help Minnesota businesses save money through energy efficiency.

USDA Grant Targets Drought Tolerance, Aflatoxin in Corn

Texas AgriLife Research scientists study the ways that genes interact in corn breeding in an effort to control problems related to weather.

Chemical, Petroleum and Coal, Electric Power Industries to Pay for Cleanup

EPA has identified these industries for financial obligations in cleanup of environmental releases.

EPA to Develop TSCA Chemicals of Concern List

The agency is first addressing phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and perfluorinated chemicals.

F&WS Awards $19 M to Protect Wetlands in 11 States

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide $19 million in grants through the National Coastal Wetlands Conservation program that will be matched by nearly $26 million in partner contributions.



APL Plans to Cold-iron Vessels at Port of Oakland in 2010

Air quality grants will enable APL to outfit five vessels for cold-ironing, and construction of electrical berths is expected to begin next summer.

Pennsylvania Invests $10 M in 12 New Solar Projects

The total installed capacity of the planned projects is a little more than 9.1 megawatts, or enough to power approximately 1,000 homes.

Jury Awards $100 M to Plaintiffs Exposed to BP Plant Emissions

Trial evidence showed that plaintiffs received treatment for "exposure to toxic chemical" from emissions at the plant in Texas City, Texas.

Copenhagen Accord: 'A Significant Step Forward,' UN Says

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he will work to develop a legally binding agreement for the accord.

Michigan Seeks Comments on Environmental Justice Plan

The state's Department of Environmental Quality collaborated with representatives from many organizations over two years to develop a policy for Michigan.

1% of NYC Buildings Create 87% of Heating Oil Soot, EDF Says

Environmental Defense Fund proposes that building owners convert to cleaner heating oils or natural gas by 2020.

EPA Offers $2 M, Seeks Applications for Community Grants

Two levels of grants awards are available to help establish community-based partnerships and implement risk-reduction activities.

William Ford Jr. and Gary Lock

10 Tasks to Help Business Government Restore Economy

The National Summit has created consensus recommendations for increasing U.S. competitiveness in technology, energy, environment, and manufacturing.

Tufts Professor Discovers Aquifer under Outdoor Lab

Students are using boreholes to map patterns of groundwater flow and record variations in temperature, chemical composition and pressure.

AWWA Calls for Technology Conference Papers

The American Water Works Association is accepting abstracts until Feb. 16 for the 2010 Water Quality Technology Conference and Exposition that will be held Nov. 14-18 in Savannah, Ga.

WEF, A&WMA to Present Odor and Air Pollutants Conference

Water and air associations join forces to present March conference in Charlotte, N.C.