Water


EPA Finalizes 2012 Renewable Fuel Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized the 2012 percentage standards for four fuel categories that are part of the agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2).

California Proposes Rules to Spur Clean Car Growth

California's Air Resources Board (ARB) is proposing new rules to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

Quebec joins carbon market in North America

Quebec's Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Pierre Arcand, recently announced the adoption of the Regulation respecting the cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gas emission allowances, which is based on the rules established by the Western Climate Initiative (WCI).

New Research Shows How Much Food is Needed by Seabirds

An international group of scientists, including one from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), has shown that many seabirds begin to suffer when the food available for them in the ocean declines below a critical level.

Bordo Poniente Landfill Closure Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Mexico City

A project to close one of the world's largest landfills, the 927-acre Bordo Poniente Landfill in Mexico City will stem the city's largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while creating renewable energy and local jobs.

Plastic Bag Collection Events Tip the Scales on America Recycles Day

Plastic bag recycling took on an educational and festive flair in schools, village squares, college campuses and retail store parking lots during America Recycles Day 2011, as community groups in 35 states embraced the message that plastic bags should not be treated like trash.

EPA Commends Governmental Agencies for Environmental Stewardship with Electronics

A U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program for encouraging responsible stewardship of electronic devices has welcomed its first three participants from EPA Region 6, which encompasses Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Nitrogen from Humans Pollutes Remote Lakes for More Than a Century

Nitrogen derived from human activities has polluted lakes throughout the Northern Hemisphere for more than a century and the fingerprint of these changes is evident even in remote lakes located thousands of miles from the nearest city, industrial area or farm.



Clean Air Council Says Pennsylvania DEP Failed to Regulate Fracking Pollution, EPA Should Step In

The nonprofit Clean Air Council (CAC) recently asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) to intervene as a result of the failure of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (PA DEP) to properly regulate fracking and gas processing pollution that contributes to climate change.

Belize Protected Area Boosting Predatory Fish Populations

A 14-year study by the Wildlife Conservation Society in an atoll reef lagoon in Glover's Reef, Belize has found that fishing closures there produce encouraging increases in populations of predatory fish species. However, such closures have resulted in only minimal increases in herbivorous fish, which feed on the algae that smother corals and inhibit reef recovery.

New Plastics Recycling Website for Recycling Professionals

Numerous organizations dedicated to increasing plastics recycling have launched a new website (www.RecycleYourPlastics.org) to aggregate the extensive but often far-flung information on plastics recycling that exists on the Internet.

Wildlife Researchers Want Your Old Socks

A University of California wildlife research team working in the Sierra Nevada is asking the public to donate clean, gently used socks for research on a rare weasel called the Pacific fisher.

Future is Bright for ONR's Lightweight Sun-powered Generator

The Department of the Navy continues its move toward renewable energy with an Office of Naval Research (ONR)-funded solar generator that recently entered full production, with several systems already in the field.

Walmart Pulls Powdered Infant Formula from Stores after Boy's Death

After the death of a newborn Missouri boy who consumed Enfamil Newborn powdered infant formula, Walmart pulled the product from more than 3,000 of its stores nationwide.

Economic Outlook for U.S. Chemistry Industry Mixed; Shale Gas Offers Bright Spot

Despite a slowdown in America’s economic recovery, the outlook for the U.S. chemicals manufacturing industry is more encouraging. According to the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) 2011 Year-End Situation and Outlook recently published, gradual improvement will occur in 2012, before a stronger recovery takes hold in 2013.

NREL Releases Report on Testing Electric Vehicles to Optimize their Performance with Power Grids

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have released a technical report that could help improve the performance of electric vehicles (EVs) and the efficiency of the electric utility grids that power them.

U.S.-Canada Arctic Ocean Survey Partnership Saved Costs Increased Data

A recent mission marked the completion of a five-year collaboration between the United States and Canada to survey the Arctic Ocean. The bilateral project collected scientific data to delineate the continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles from the coastline, also known as the extended continental shelf (ECS).

USDA Announces Funding to Convert Biomass to Energy

Deputy Agriculture Undersecretary for Rural Development Doug O'Brien recently announced that USDA is funding a series of projects to convert biomass to energy through USDA's Rural Energy for America program. (REAP).

American Chemistry Council Expresses Concern with Safe Chemicals Act

In testimony before a joint legislative hearing of the full Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxics and Environmental Health, American Chemistry Council (ACC) President and CEO Cal Dooley expressed the Council’s concerns with S. 847, the “Safe Chemicals Act,” and reiterated a desire to continue to work with Congress to update the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

IEA Says Action Needed To Sustainably Enhance Energy Security and Avert Climate Change

International Energy Agency Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven recently called on countries to step up efforts to avert climate change, noting that to do so requires addressing their energy security concerns in a sustainable manner.