Press release issued 11/ 30/ 17
https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=1FB6C3B1-0434-4DA4-A8D1-E5E7EE184926
(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) today joined Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA) to recognize Hanford workers for completing cleanup that began in 2009 on a high-hazard waste site, known as the 618-10 Burial Ground. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the burial ground once contained some of the most hazardous waste on the nuclear reservation in southeast Washington. The Congressional members commended this milestone and the employees who worked diligently to complete this project, while urging federal officials, including Energy Secretary Rick Perry, to continue the Department’s work on a long list of cleanup projects on the Central Plateau that involves about 1,000 waste sites, 500 facilities, and contaminated soil and groundwater. Earlier this year, the members urged the Trump Administration to provide strong funding for Hanford cleanup in order to reduce risks and long-term costs, meet Tri-Party Agreement milestones, and protect the health and safety of the Tri-Cities community, as it puts together its annual budget requests.
“I applaud the thousands of men and women who show up to Hanford every day and who made this milestone possible,” said Senator Murray. “They are carrying out critical work, and in turn, the federal government must always fulfill its obligation to ensure workers and the entire Tri-Cities community have the resources they need to continue cleanup in a safe, efficient manner that leads to everyone’s ultimate goal of this land being restored to its natural state.”
“Cleaning up the 618-10 burial ground was a massive undertaking. The Energy Department’s Richland Office has done an incredible job of decontaminating, demolishing, removing waste and remediating the river corridor,” said Senator Cantwell. “While this is an important milestone, the Hanford cleanup project still remains one of the largest cleanup projects in the world. I will continue to fight to make sure progress continues at Hanford and the Energy Department lives up to the commitment to cleanup this waste.”
"The accomplishment of this cleanup milestone is a testament to the commitment of workers of Hanford and the greater Tri-Cities community,” said Representative Newhouse. “This success is an important reminder that a post-cleanup future is in sight for our community, and continued progress requires the federal government to fulfill its legal and moral obligation to finish the job.”
Additional background:
The 618-10 Burial Ground and two adjacent waste sites, about six miles north of the City of Richland, was one of the most challenging nuclear waste cleanup projects within DOE-Richland Operation’s mission. This 7.5-acre burial ground was used to discard radioactive waste created in the 300 Area, which was the center of Hanford’s radiological research and fuel fabrication activities during plutonium production in the 1950s and 1960s. As a result, it contained some of the most hazardous waste at Hanford.
In 2009, DOE-Richland Operations began work to identify and characterize the waste and remediation activities began in 2011. Hanford workers removed 94 vertical pipe units which were buried more than 20 feet below ground; retrieved 2,201 contaminated 55-gallon drums; and excavated more than 305,000 tons of overburden and contaminated soil from the 316-4 and 600-63 waste sites, adjacent to the 618-10 Burial Ground. In total, more than 512,000 tons of radioactive contaminated soil and debris was removed from the 618-10 Burial Ground. With the hazardous waste removed, all that remains to be done is backfill the area and plant native vegetation to restore the area to its natural state. The Tri-Party Agreement milestone to complete this work is September 30, 2018. The Congressional members have consistently advocated for sufficient funding in DOE-Richland Operation’s budget to support the completion of the 618-10 Burial Ground.
Senator Murray: “I have not, and will not, let this Administration’s reckless approach lower my expectations for any of the departments our committee oversees”
Press release issued 11/ 29/ 17https://www.murray.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=B87FC30E-DE9A-49BE-B443-D4E68602F782
(Washington, D.C.) – Today the Senate health committee, led by the committee’s top Democrat Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), held a hearing on the nomination of Alex Azar to serve as U.S. Secretary of the Health and Human Services (HHS) Department.
In her opening statement, Senator Murray called Alex Azar’s nomination an opportunity to start focusing on HHS’s mission instead of President Trump’s ideological agenda, but raised serious concerns with Azar’s record and previous statements on many health related issues.
Specifically, Senator Murray grilled Alex Azar on how he would lower drug prices for consumers; his support for the Administration’s attacks on women’s health and rights, including his failure to support a woman’s choice to make her own health care decisions; and his support for the Administration’s sabotage of the health care system, including shortening of the open enrollment period and cutting advertising and outreach budgets.
If confirmed, Senator Murray made clear at the hearing she would hold Alex Azar fully accountable for his support of President Trump’s extreme polices that hurt working families, and committed to continuing to hold HHS to the highest possible standards of ethics and service.
Full text of Senator Murray’s opening remarks below.
Thank you, Chairman Alexander. And thank you to our colleagues for joining us.
Mr. Azar—thank you and your family for being here and for your willingness to serve.
In November 2016, people started emailing, calling, and even coming up to me in the grocery store with tears in their eyes, wondering what the future held—especially for their health care.
Let me tell you—it hasn’t stopped.
And because these worries and challenges are what this Congress—and the Department we’re discussing today—is supposed to be focused on, I’m going to start my remarks with a few examples of the stories I’ve been told over the last year.
My constituent Julie from Mercer Island is a four-time cancer survivor. She has said she would not be able to afford her medical expenses—or stay alive—without Affordable Care Act protections.
Kim from Ellensburg shared her story about her addiction to opioids and her ability to overcome it with the right comprehensive treatment.
Christina from Marysville said that before going to Planned Parenthood, she struggled to get birth control regularly given her unpredictable schedule in the fast-food industry.
These are just a few examples—there are so many others, and so many pressing health problems that this Administration could be solving.
But instead of solving health problems—the Department of Health and Human Services under President Trump has so far been determined to create them.
The Department hasn’t attempted to help people get high-quality, affordable coverage—but made it harder, by stopping payments for out-of-pocket cost reductions, letting insurers cover fewer benefits, cutting this year’s open enrollment period, slashing funding for consumer outreach, and much more.
Rather than allowing women to make their own health care choices, the Department has tried at every turn to impose right-wing ideology on women and prevent them from getting care from a provider they trust.
President Trump went to states like New Hampshire and Ohio and said he would confront the opioid epidemic head-on. He called it “a tremendous problem.”
People believed he would make sure hard-hit communities get the resources they need.
But this Administration and its health department did the opposite—it proposed gutting Medicaid, which offers critical wraparound services and substance use disorder treatment to people who otherwise couldn’t afford it.
Experts say this would cripple response efforts.
And, all it took was a meeting with a few pharmaceutical executives for President Trump to go dark on the skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs—despite the President’s promises about bringing prices down.
In fact, it’s hard to find a health care problem that the leadership at HHS has not only failed to address—but has actively made worse the Department has proposed using public health funds to close near-term budget gaps rather than to prevent costly illness and disease down the road, and utterly failed to see the urgency of the public health crisis that is still unfolding in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands in the wake of Hurricane Maria.
The Administration is even rolling back protections that prevent discrimination against people who have historically been denied equal access to health care.
It shouldn’t have to be said, but the absolute last thing our nation’s health department should be spending time on is encouraging more discrimination in our health care system.
It’s absurd—and it’s wrong. Now, Mr. Azar—you and I have many areas of stark disagreement.
But your nomination still could be an opportunity for HHS to reset put aside the extreme politics that are actively endangering people nationwide—and start focusing on the Department’s mission instead of President Trump’s ideological agenda.
People across the country would be far better off if you took this opportunity, Mr. Azar—but—and I say this with nothing but concern and disappointment—my review of your record leaves me with serious doubts that you will.
As a pharmaceutical executive, you raised drug prices year after year.
Eli Lilly is currently under investigation for working, under your tenure, with other drug companies to needlessly raise the price of insulin.
And you have said many times that you oppose government efforts to lower drug prices.
You have also made it abundantly clear that on questions of women’s health, you side with ideology over science—and right-wing politicians over women.
Although conservative experts, governors, and even some members of Congress have rejected President Trump’s attempts to sabotage the health care system and jam Trumpcare through…
You said this legislation—which would have spiked premiums, undermined protections for people with pre-existing conditions, gutted Medicaid, cost tens of millions of people their health care, defunded Planned Parenthood, and more—didn’t go far enough.
Mr. Azar, this leaves me very concerned about whether you would faithfully implement the bipartisan agreement Chairman Alexander and I were able to reach earlier this fall, should it become law.
This is something I plan to discuss further with you today.
And finally, in light of President Trump’s profoundly underwhelming follow-through on his campaign promises about tackling the opioid epidemic, it is deeply disappointing that yet another nominee for the role of Secretary of Health hasn’t supported committing new resources to this effort.
Taken together, Mr. Azar, your professional history and statements point to a continuation of the extreme, damaging, politically-driven approach the Trump Administration has taken on health care.
I want to return briefly to the stories I mentioned at the beginning of my remarks to make one final point.
Right now, Julie is traveling around the country raising awareness about open enrollment, to help more people sign up.
Kim pursuing a master’s in social work and helping people in Central Washington get the necessary treatment and services to overcome addiction.
Christina has become a vocal advocate for helping women in WA and nationwide get care that works for their needs.
Julie, Kim, and Christina are doing more than their part to keep our communities healthy and well.
So my question is, why isn’t their nation’s health department doing the same?
People should have a Secretary of Health who will work for and with patients and families—not against them, and who is committed to policymaking based on science, not ideology.
So, Mr. Azar, I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the many serious concerns I’ve raised about how you could possibly be an appropriate choice for this position.
Because from what I’ve seen—President Trump has chosen yet another extreme, ideologically driven nominee to pick up right where former Secretary Price left off.
Women, children, seniors, families and patients deserve much better than what they’ve seen from HHS under this Administration so far.
So I hope I’m pleasantly surprised by your answers today—and if you are confirmed, by your leadership at HHS as well.
Because let me be clear: I have not, and will not, let this Administration’s reckless approach lower my expectations for any of the departments our committee oversees.
And I will continue doing everything I can to hold HHS to the highest possible standards of ethics and service, for people in my state and across the country.
I’ll turn it back over to you, Chairman Alexander.
(page 2) OUR PARKS AND FOREST
Interior Executes Water Rights Settlement Agreement with Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians---US Dept. of Interior press release issued 11/ 29/ 17
https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-executes-water-rights-settlement-agreement-pechanga-band-luiseno-missionWASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and Mark Macarro, Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians today signed the Pechanga Water Rights Settlement Agreement (Agreement), formally executing a Congressionally authorized pact that protects the Pechanga Band’s access to groundwater in the region and provides the tribe with more than $30 million in federal funding to pay for water storage projects.
The Agreement quantifies the water rights claims for the Pechanga Band in Southern California’s Temecula Valley, which had been pending in an adjudication dating back to the 1950s; resolves potential liability for both the United States and other parties; and establishes a cooperative and efficient water management regime involving Pechanga and local agencies.
“The Federal Government has a critical responsibility to uphold our trust responsibilities, especially Tribal water rights,” Secretary Zinke said. “This is why we are continuing to work on Indian Water Settlements with Tribes, States, and all water users to ensure there is certainty for all and an opportunity for economic development in local communities. As a former State Senator and Congressman who helped usher the Blackfeet compact through to fruition, I understand all too well the hard work and enormous struggle that goes into making these important water rights settlements possible. I congratulate all of you for your perseverance, dedication, and commitment to making this settlements happen.”
“The Pechanga Band has tirelessly pursued the quantification of its water rights and, through negotiations, engaged its neighbors in a multiyear process of building mutual trust and understanding,” said Pechanga Chairman Macarro. “Generations of tribal leaders have fought from the courts to Capitol Hill to protect this vital resource for future generations. This settlement agreement benefits all of the parties by securing adequate water supplies for the Pechanga Band and its members and encouraging cooperative water resources management among all of the parties.”
Zinke commended the congressional sponsors of the Settlement Act legislation, saying they “fought to bring these settlements across the finish line.” The agreement – introduced by Rep. Ken Calvert, (R-Corona) – settles competing claims involving the Rancho California Water District and the Eastern Municipal Water District, which both draw from the large aquifer in the region that stretches 750 square miles from Southwest Riverside County to north San Diego County .
“For the tribe, local community, and the many federal employees who have contributed to these settlements, seeing these agreements signed is the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. I think we all recognize that this is just the start of the journey towards settlement finality,” Zinke said.
“The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, as well as all of the parties to this settlement, deserve to have some certainty on the future of their water supply,” Rep. Calvert said. “I’m grateful we have been able to enact the settlement and ensure all of the stakeholders in the Santa Margarita River Watershed can better shape their future.”
Interior is in the initial stages of implementing the Settlement Act, which was enacted as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (P.L. 114-322) in 2016. The Departments of Justice and Interior have an established protocol for processing settlement agreements for execution.
The Act and Agreement establishes the Pechanga Settlement Fund and authorizes the appropriation of about $3 million to be deposited into the fund to construct a storage pond. The legislation also authorizes the appropriation of about $26 million, with about $4 million in construction overrun costs, to build interim and permanent capacity for water storage, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Also attending today’s event were Pechanga Council Members, including Catalina R. Chacon; Robert Munoa; Russell Murphy; Marc Luker; Raymond Basquez Jr. and Michael Vasquez. Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhard and Associate Deputy Secretary Jim Cason also joined the ceremony.
Water resources and management of scare water supplies are central concerns in the Western states. Additionally, in many parts of the West, water resources are now either fully appropriated or over-appropriated. These situations underscore the need for cooperative management of water supplies, and highlight the important role that Indian water rights settlements can play in the West.
USDA BLOG: Improving Urban Health through Green Space
Blog posted 11/ 28/ 17https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/11/28/improving-urban-health-through-green-space
While city living has its share of conveniences, stressors like traffic congestion, pollution, and weakened social ties threaten the health and well-being of many urban dwellers. Such factors can lead to a range of mental and physical health concerns. For example, stress is linked to negative impacts on immune functioning.
However, the relationship between urban green space and health is intrinsically related. Recent studies demonstrate how enhanced immune functioning is linked to contact with nature: Immersion in natural landscapes such as urban forests can reduce stress and have a restorative effect on mental and social health.
Viniece Jennings at the U.S. Forest Service is building upon this work. Her research in underserved communities links the benefits of green space to improvements in health outcomes from ailments such as heat-related illness, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and psychological health.
Jennings, a scientist at the Southern Research Station, collaborated with Lincoln Larson on a study of the relationship between parks and the Gallup - Healthways Well-Being Index – a project that was among the first of its kind in the U.S. They gathered data from 44 cities across the country to examine the relationship between urban park quantity, quality, and accessibility across multiple measures of well-being from the Gallup Index. Most intriguingly, the amount of green space within a city was a key factor for some dimensions of wellbeing.
Urban residents reported higher levels of community and physical well-being in cities with a greater amount of park coverage when measured by the percentage of city area with public parks as compared with park quality as measured as per capita spending on parks. Overall, the strong relationship between park coverage and health suggests that expansive park networks relate to well-being in ways that positively impact urban quality of life.
Since four out of five individuals in the U.S. live in cities, it is also interesting to know the impact of urban forests at a social level. In another recent study, Jennings described the link between the social aspects of health that can be enhanced through urban green spaces. Green spaces can create a sense of belonging and communal identity by creating opportunities for residents to be physically active and socialize with neighbors.
This research highlights implications for urban planning and public health through the development and retention of green spaces in urban communities.
Tale of a Tree and a Star
USDA blog post 11/ 29/ 17https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2017/11/29/tale-tree-and-star
For many in the D.C. area, the arrival of the towering Capitol Christmas Tree means the holiday season has begun. Every year local residents and tourists from all over the country, as well as delegations from the state that provides the tree, come to view the official lighting of what is fondly referred to as “the people’s tree” on the West Lawn of Capitol Hill.
Since 1970 the U.S. Forest Service has provided the national Capitol Christmas Tree, and every year it’s different and exciting in literally thousands of ways. This year’s tree, a 79-foot Engelmann spruce cut from the Kootenai National Forest in Montana, will be adorned with thousands of ornaments handmade by the children on Montana.
The tree called Beauty of the Big Sky began its cross country sojourn in early November and has made 21 stops at towns and cities along the way including the states of North Dakota, Minnesota, and Kentucky.
And in a first, the tree will have a star built in the same state. In August, organizers reached out to The Washington Companies, a Missoula-based conglomerate that includes Montana Rail Link, mining company Montana Resources, and environmental remediation business Envirocon.
The firm drew up plans for an eight-pointed star that would pay homage to Montana, including features such as a copper frame and the state flower, a bitterroot, at the center. The actual fabrication of the star took place at a shop in Belgrade, Split Mountain Metals, which spent three weeks and more than 1,000 man-hours constructing the five-foot, ninety-pound tree topper—possibly one of the biggest stars ever made for a live Christmas tree.
It’s so large that it will be a challenge to install it. However, according to Capitol Grounds Superintendent Ted Bechtol, for the Architect of the Capitol this presents an exciting challenge. Because Beauty of the Sky has a split top, installing the massive star might not be too great a problem to overcome.
The official tree lighting will be hosted by the Architect of the Capitol with members of the Montana Congressional Delegation speaking as well as USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan presides over the ceremony, which will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6th on the West Lawn of the Capitol.
As is the tradition, a child from the home state will flip the switch to illuminate the tree. Ridley Brandmayr, an 11-year-old Bozeman boy who lost the fingers of his right hand in an accident this summer, has been chosen by Montana Sen. Jon Tester to light the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree at the outdoor ceremony.
The tradition of a U.S. Capitol Christmas tree dates to the 1960s. In 1964, a 24-foot Douglas fir was bought for $700 from a nursery in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, and placed on the West Front lawn. That tree died after a severe storm and root damage, but the tradition of a tree on the Capitol grounds continued with the USDA Forest Service providing a tree from one of its forests.
AT THE STATE LEVEL
WDFW hosts meeting about
Scatter Creek Wildlife Area wildfire
http://wdfw.wa.gov/news/nov2817a/
OLYMPIA – The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is hosting an open house Dec. 13 to discuss the effects of a recent wildfire on the Scatter Creek Wildlife area in Thurston County.
The meeting is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., Dec. 13, at Swede Hall, 18543 Albany St. SW, Rochester. WDFW encourages the local community as well as those who recreate on the wildlife area to attend.
The wildfire began Aug. 22 in a residential area near Rochester and scorched 345 acres of Scatter Creek. The fire destroyed several houses in the neighborhood and prompted the temporary evacuation of nearly 100 other residences. In the wildlife area, a historic homestead built in 1860 and a barn were also destroyed.
Owned and managed by WDFW, the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area provides a sanctuary for several threatened and endangered wildlife species, including the Mazama pocket gopher and Taylor's checkerspot and mardon skipper butterflies. It is also a popular destination for hiking, bird watching, dog training, and upland bird hunting in the south Puget Sound area.
"Many people have expressed interest in learning more about how we plan to restore the native prairie land that was burned by the wildfire," said Darric Lowery, wildlife area manager. "This is an opportunity for the public to give input and find out how the agency manages for wildfire on its lands."
Representatives from the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which helped fight the fire, will also attend the meeting and discuss fire prevention methods.
Next year, the department will begin the process of revising the management plan for its lands in south Puget Sound, including those at Scatter Creek. WDFW is recruiting advisory committee members to participate in this process. Anyone interested in serving as a committee member should contact Darric Lowery, darric.lowery@dfw.wa.gov, by Dec. 31 for more information.
Scatter Creek is one of 33 state wildlife areas managed by WDFW to provide habitat for fish and wildlife as well as land for outdoor recreation.
(PAGE 3) OUR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
EPA backs Utah’s plan to improve water quality with $15.6 million in water infrastructure funding
Press release issued 11/ 30/ 17https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-backs-utahs-plan-improve-water-quality-156-million-water-infrastructure-funding
DENVER (November 30, 2017) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Utah approximately $15.6 million for clean water and drinking water projects in communities across the state. EPA is providing $7 million for the state’s clean water revolving loan fund and $8.6 million for its drinking water revolving loan fund to support key infrastructure projects, including new and upgraded wastewater and drinking water plants. These projects will ensure clean drinking and surface water, better serve residents, increase efficiency and reduce pollution.
“Helping our states invest in clean water infrastructure is one of EPA’s biggest priorities,” said EPA Regional Administrator Doug Benevento. “These projects will ensure that Utah’s communities are providing clean and safe water to those who live in and visit the state for years to come.”
“Many Utah communities rely on the financing provided through the State Revolving Fund to modernize water infrastructure that supports growth, innovation, and water quality improvements around the state,” said Erica Gaddis, Water Quality Division Director, UDEQ. “Most recently the SRF has been used to fund improvements in wastewater infrastructure to remove nutrients from wastewater to protect Utah's waters.”
In addition to the $15.6 million just funded, Utah’s water infrastructure projects are also funded with state match, repayments from prior SRF loans, and interest earnings.
Projects targeted for wastewater treatment as well as safe drinking water SRF loans include:
$70 million to replace the regional wastewater treatment plant in Logan City with modern, efficient, and sustainable technology. These new facilities will provide affordable, safe wastewater treatment for Logan and six surrounding communities, supporting growth and development and protecting many important uses of Cutler Reservoir.
$29 million for a South Davis Sewer District project to implement innovative treatment technology for the removal of nutrients from wastewater and the conversion of waste byproducts to energy and nutrient-rich soil amendments. The District will use $2,500,000 of the funding award to support nonpoint source pollution prevention projects within the Great Salt Lake watershed.
$13 million for a Salem City project to construct new wastewater treatment facilities and provide safe and cost-effective sewer services for the City’s population and businesses.
$14.2 million to replace Moab City’s 50-year old wastewater treatment infrastructure with modern, energy-efficient technology that is designed to provide regional services to Grand and San Juan Counties, including managing hauled waste from the National and State Parks and lands that make the area a world-renowned recreational and tourist destination.
$3.2 million for a project in Roosevelt City to extend sewer services to a neighboring community and relieve public health risks that resulted from failing septic tanks and polluted groundwater.
$2.65 million for Duchesne City to rehabilitate its sewer lagoon system, protecting and extending its service life for an additional 30 years.
$7.4 million for a new surface water treatment plant in Springdale.
$1.7 million to connect to the Stansbury Park Improvement District in West Erda including installation of 5,800 feet of new water line, 34 fire hydrants and valves, 53 service connections and meters with 9,200 feet of new connection line.
$1.2 million in Glen Canyon to refurbish an existing storage tank, add a standby power generator and fuel tank, and install a remote read meter, data collection equipment, and new distribution line.
$1 million in Rocky Ridge for a new well, 2,700 feet of transmission lines, and a building for the well and chlorination system.
$555k in Corinne City for a Radium-228 filtration system, spring rehabilitation, and 1,100 feet of spring line.
$474k for a new water tank installation in Irontown and 2,800 feet of transmission lines.
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) program is a federal-state partnership that provides communities a permanent, independent source of low-cost financing for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects. The CWSRF program provides low interest loans for the construction of wastewater treatment facilities and other projects vital to protecting and improving water quality in rivers, lakes and streams for drinking water, recreation and natural habitat. The loans help communities keep water and sewer rates more affordable while addressing local water quality problems. https://www.epa.gov/cwsrf
The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) program is a federal-state partnership to help ensure safe drinking water. Created by the 1996 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) the program provides financial support to water systems and to state safe water programs.
EPA Finalizes RFS Volumes for 2018 and Biomass Based Diesel Volumes for 2019
Press release issued 11/ 30/ 17https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-finalizes-rfs-volumes-2018-and-biomass-based-diesel-volumes-2019
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a rule that establishes the required renewable fuel volumes under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) program for 2018, and biomass-based diesel for 2019.
"Maintaining the renewable fuel standard at current levels ensures stability in the marketplace and follows through with my commitment to meet the statutory deadlines and lead the Agency by upholding the rule of law," said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.
The Clean Air Act requires EPA to set the RFS volume requirements annually and to finalize the standards by November 30th for the following year.
The final standards for 2018, and for biomass-based diesel for 2019, are only slightly changed from the proposed standards that EPA issued earlier this year.
Final Volume Requirements
2018 2019
Cellulosic biofuel (million gallons) 288 n/a
Biomass-based diesel (billion gallons) 2.1 2.1
Advanced biofuel (billion gallons) 4.29 n/a
Renewable fuel (billion gallons) 19.29 n/a
The RFS program was created under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and expanded by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. EPA implements the program in consultation with U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy. The RFS program is a national policy that requires a certain volume of renewable fuel to replace or reduce the quantity of petroleum-based transportation fuel, heating oil or jet fuel.
U.S. EPA settles with Wal-Mart, General Services Administration over California diesel rule
Press release issued 11/ 29/ 17https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/us-epa-settles-wal-mart-general-services-administration-over-california-diesel-rule
LOS ANGELES – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced recent settlements with Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC, and the United States General Services Administration (GSA) that require upgraded diesel particulate filters on their truck fleets to resolve alleged violations of California’s Truck and Bus Regulation. Wal-Mart will also fund an environmental project to reduce air pollution at schools in the Los Angeles area.
“EPA will continue to ensure that all trucking fleets operating in California comply with the state’s air pollution rules,” said Alexis Strauss, EPA’s Acting Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Working with our state and local partners, EPA will help achieve cleaner air throughout California.”
“California Air Resources Board rules are designed to protect public health by ensuring all Californians breathe clean air,” said Todd Sax, head of CARB’s Enforcement Division. “We appreciate our partners at U.S. EPA who are helping to achieve federal air quality standards throughout the State."
Wal-Mart will pay $300,000 for the installation of air filtration systems at one or more schools near the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. These systems will reduce exposure to ultrafine particulate matter, black carbon, and fine particulate matter emitted from vehicles operating on highways near the school sites. The filters are expected to be installed in schools in early 2018. The South Coast Air Quality Management District will work with contractors to verify the performance of the systems and training of school staff to ensure their proper operation. The project includes several years’ worth of replacement filters, depending on how many schools are selected. The filters are expected to remove more than 90 percent of ultra-fine particulate matter and black carbon, based on independent testing.
“The funds from this settlement will go to schools that are hardest hit by air pollution from diesel engines due to their proximity to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach,” said Wayne Nastri, executive officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management District. “This is yet another effort by SCAQMD and its partners to protect the health and safety of children and families who face the direct impacts of harmful emissions from mobile sources in the Southland.”
Children’s exposure to traffic-related air pollution while at school is a concern because many schools across the country are located near heavily traveled roadways and children are particularly vulnerable to air traffic pollution. Studies have shown that improved indoor air quality in classrooms increases productivity and improves attendance and performance in both adults and students.
Diesel emissions from trucks are one of the state’s largest sources of fine particle pollution, or soot, which has been linked to a variety of illnesses, including asthma, impaired lung development in children, and cardiovascular problems in adults. About 625,000 trucks are registered outside of California, but operate in the state and are subject to the rule. Many of these vehicles are older models which emit large amounts of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx). The rule, which requires diesel trucks and buses operating in California to be upgraded to reduce diesel emissions, is an essential part of the state’s plan to attain cleaner air.
Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC, a subsidiary of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., supports 14 distribution centers and 304 retail units in California. Between 2012 and 2014, the company failed to upgrade 19 of its heavy-duty trucks with required diesel particulate filters and failed to verify that carriers it hired to transport goods in California complied with the Truck and Bus Regulation. Wal-Mart has paid a $100,000 penalty and taken steps to ensure future compliance.
GSA is a federal agency that owns and maintains diesel-fueled vehicles driven in California. Between 2012 and 2017, GSA failed to upgrade more than 200 of its heavy-duty trucks with required diesel particulate filters or 2010 engines. GSA has paid a $485,000 penalty and taken steps to ensure future compliance.
The California Truck and Bus Regulation was adopted into federal Clean Air Act plan requirements in 2012 and applies to diesel trucks and buses operating in California. The rule requires trucking companies to upgrade vehicles they own to meet specific NOx and particulate matter performance standards and also requires trucking companies to verify compliance of vehicles they hire or dispatch. Heavy-duty diesel trucks in California must meet 2010 engine emissions levels or use diesel particulate filters that can reduce the emissions of diesel particulates into the atmosphere by 85 percent or more.
( Page 4)
EPA proposes $22.6 million cleanup for DuPont industrial area in East Chicago, Ind.
Press release issued 11/ 29/ 17https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-proposes-226-million-cleanup-dupont-industrial-area-east-chicago-ind
CHICAGO (November 29, 2017) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced a public comment period on its proposed $22.6 million cleanup of soil and groundwater at the industrial area of the former DuPont facility in East Chicago, Ind. The 440-acre DuPont site at 5215 Kennedy Ave. is contaminated with arsenic, lead, zinc and cadmium. The DuPont site is located south of the USS Lead Superfund site where a separate cleanup is currently in progress.
In April, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt visited the nearby USS Lead Superfund site -- which housed the former West Calumet Housing complex – and heard directly from residents affected by similar contamination in their community. The same month, EPA reached an agreement with several potentially responsible parties to provide an additional $16 million for cleanup at residential properties on the USS Lead Superfund site. This year, EPA removed contaminated soil from about 200 residential properties and provided dust cleanups inside about 50 homes located on the USS Lead Superfund site. The Administrator pledged during his visit that federal, state and local partners will continue to coordinate on current and future cleanup activities at contaminated sites in East Chicago.
“The proposed cleanup at the former DuPont site further demonstrates EPA’s commitment to finding solutions to protect the health and safety of East Chicago residents,” said Administrator Scott Pruitt.
The upcoming DuPont site cleanup will focus on a solid waste landfill, open and/or filled land, former industrial property available for redevelopment and leased industrial property. EPA has proposed the following under the legal authority of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act program:
Removal of more than 61,000 cubic yards of contaminated soil, replacement with clean soil, and installation of a 1-foot-thick permeable soil cover;
Treatment of groundwater with injections to reduce sulfates, a bio-wall trench, and steps to prevent arsenic-contaminated groundwater from migrating off-site;
Fencing and compliance with industrial zoning requirements as well as health and safety rules for digging; and
Financial assurances from the site owner.
EPA began a 60-day public comment period on the DuPont cleanup plan this week. The Agency will hold a public meeting starting at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 10, 2018, at the Pastrick Branch Library in East Chicago to present the proposed plan, answer questions and take oral and written comments. The comment period closes on Jan. 26, 2018.
AT the state level
Ecology to fund almost $450,000 in water quality improvement projects Environmental restoration grants reach across state
Press release issued 11/ 30/ 17
OLYMPIA – More than a dozen locally-sponsored water quality improvement and environmental enhancement projects across Washington will receive up to $50,000 in state grant funding to benefit state residents.
The Department of Ecology is awarding nearly $450,000 to fund 14 different projects: Six are located in eastern Washington, five in western Washington and another three are considered to be of statewide significance that will significantly improve the natural environment in multiple watersheds.
During the current fiscal year – July 1, 2017, through June 30, 2018 – the grants will pay for a variety of projects such as installing livestock fencing to keep animals out of critical streams, replacing invasive plants with native vegetation in important floodplains and wetlands, and placing woody debris in streams and rivers to recreate salmon habitat.
The grants are funded through Ecology’s Terry Husseman Account designed to help local governments, conservation and port districts, tribal governments, fisheries enhancement groups, and other state agencies pay for a variety of environmental projects.
The Terry Husseman Account is funded by payments from penalties the department issues for violations of the state Water Pollution Control Act. The account is named after long-time Ecology deputy director Terry Husseman who died in 1998 and honors contributions in the field of environmental management.
Ecology evaluated 27 different project submittals worth about $945,000. The department weighed each proposal’s expected environmental benefits, local support and involvement, cost effectiveness, and readiness of the project to proceed and be completed on time and on budget.
Daily Bible Verse: [ The Eternal Word ] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. [ The Word Becomes Flesh ] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-2, 14 NKJV
Free bible studies (WBS)
Learn english using the bible as text (WEI)
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
