Zephyr Newsletter, October 2008; Allegheny Mountain Section of
A&WMA
Zephyr
The Newsletter of the Allegheny Mountain
Section of the Air and Waste Management Association
Volume 26/ Issue 10/
October 2008
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The Zephyr
The Zephyr covers news and events of the Allegheny Mountain Section of
the Air & Waste Management Association plus regional and national
environmental news in the fields of air pollution, water, wastewater, solid
waste and environmental management. The Zephyr is published monthly 10 times
per year, around the first of the month as a service to Section members.
Archive versions of previous editions for the last year can be found here. Print versions are mailed to Section members
on request.
Contributions, questions, suggestions, or comments on the Zephyr are welcome
and should be submitted by email to
robinsonal2@upmc.edu;Publication deadline is the 17th of the month for distribution around the first of the following month. The editors reserve the right reject or edit contributed articles as they feel appropriate.
In This Issue:
From the Chair
Section News
Internet Site Review
A Word on Water
In the Air
Solid Waste Views
P2 Forum
Compliance Corner
Envirocabulary
International Focus
Around the Town
Zephyr Staff
© Copyright 2008 Allegheny
Mountain Section A&WMA. All rights reserved.
 From the ChairScott Golla,
ChairAllegheny Mountain Sectiongollasw @
westinghouse.com
Economic Crisis!
I’m not claiming to be any kind of expert on the economic crisis, but I do read quite a bit about what kind of impacts we can expect in various sectors. Based on information from an abundance of sources, I think the outlook isn’t bad for “environmental” careers. In fact many staffing professionals are calling environmental careers “recession-proof” in these very interesting times. Of course, the definition of environmental careers is ever-changing, and requires continuous professional development. It’s not the Superfund era, and it’s not like the Clear Air Act requirements of the 1990s, but the immediate future and long term prospects for our chosen career path look fairly promising.
Some of the issues we are dealing with are quite different than 10 or 20 years ago, and the world’s problems are only increasing – more globalization of manufacturing, complex supply chains, overpopulation, access to clean water, vastly differing healthcare systems, energy availability, PBT chemicals, climate change, real-time global news delivery, nanotechnology, toxics in food and products, and inadequate infrastructure. Addressing these (especially climate change) should drive jobs and innovation, even in a depressed economy. Environmental issues now touch all functional areas of a company; and many creative people with less technical backgrounds are having significant success in “green” jobs. Many progressive-thinking companies have gained a competitive advantage by thinking and acting green, and they will need creative professionals to maintain that advantage. Your role may ultimately deal more with energy audits, co-product reuses, key performance indicator (KPI) tracking, management systems administration, corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting, alternative energy siting, brownfields redevelopment, or supplier auditing, but they are all still environmental. The economy may change your situation, but there should be opportunities in green buildings, municipal planning, sustainable agriculture, recycling logistics, environmental sustainability training, environmental non-profits, green academia, or green-collar consulting.
There is a need for more business leaders with sustainability-related skills; career environmental professionals may fit well into those positions. Environmental science and engineering jobs are expected to increase by 25% over the next decade. Many human resource professionals are even predicting a shortage. The “environmental sector” may have a broader definition than we are used to, but the opportunities are almost endless. Eco-entrepreneurship and innovation are a new direction of the environmental field.
As mentioned above, you may need to add to your skills toolbox to be fully prepared for the “environmental sector” of the future. This month’s AMS-A&WMA workshop entitled “Implementing a Sustainability Initiative at Your Company” may be the perfect place to start. The registration deadline is here, so please take a moment to register today. The many other opportunities offered by our Section, and the A&WMA in general, are perfect economic insulation for your career. For maximum networking impact, consider joining one of our committees, or running for one of the open board member or officer seats in our upcoming election. I’m certain you will notice the benefits and find value in your participation.
Remember this is your organization, whether you are located in Bluefield, WV, Coudersport, PA, or in downtown Pittsburgh, we want to offer the type of programming you seek. Please let us know what you’d like to see. And please consider getting involved in a committee (see the contacts on the back page), you will notice the benefits and find value in your participation. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or ideas: gollasw@westinghouse.com, or (412) 374-5279.
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 Section News News about and
of interest to members of theAllegheny Mountain
SectionEditor-in-Chief: Arijit Pakrasi, 412/858-3921,
e-mail:Arijit.Pakrasi @
shawgrp.com
___________________________________
The Allegheny Mountain Section of the Air and Waste Management Association Presents...
A WORKSHOP ON IMPLEMENTING A SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE AT YOUR COMPANY
The Allegheny Mountain Section of the Air & Waste Management Association is hosting a workshop on
“Implementing a Sustainability Initiative at Your Company”. Whether you are at the plant level,
in the corporate office, an external consultant, a small business, or a large multi-national organization,
implementing a sustainability initiative or a comprehensive corporate-culture-changing sustainability program may fall
on your shoulders. It could be something you volunteered for and you have plenty of ideas, or
an assignment you received with very little supporting guidance. This workshop is intended to focus
you on how to get started and how to expand and support your organization’s sustainability initiative.
There is plenty of sustainability buzz out there This program is designed give you focused guidance to support your success.
October 9, 2008
Holiday Inn, Greentree, PA
Please Register By October 2, 2008
For more informtion or to register, please contactNatalie Durica at 412-963-2433 or by email at: natalie.durica@testamericainc.com.
AMS-A&WMA Elections/Nominations
Our elections for 2009 are coming up shortly. The Chair has appointed the following people to the Nominating committee:
Committee Chair: Randy York (Randall.York@erm.com), 724-933-5444
Natalie Durica (Natalie.Durica@testamericainc.com)
David Missenda (david_missenda@urscorp.com)
We have 3 board member seats to fill, plus Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. If you are interested in running for one of the open positions or would like to nominate someone, please contact one of the nominating committee members.
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 Internet Site
ReviewInternet Sites of
Interest to Environmental Professionals
with Kim WalkerYou can contact me at Kimberly.walker @
erm.com___________________________________
USGS Water Resources of the United States
http://water.usgs.gov/
The USGS mission is to provide water information that benefits the Nation's citizens: publications, data, maps, and applications software. On their website, you can search for information by water topic (from water quality to national research programs), search for information by water resource program, or pull current streamflow conditions. There is a dedicated page for students and teachers, which provides educational material relating to water resources, as well as links to other websites dedicated to giving students more information. For you adventure enthusiasts, their recreation page allows you to view mapping for potential campsites or to locate points for climbing, or provide the latest health information relating to recreational activities. Whatever the water need, you can find information or links to other informational sources on the USGS water resources page.
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 A Word on
WaterThe Latest News on Water, Wastewater and Related Topics
with Susan Z. Forney, szforney@ehsinfolink.com
___________________________________
EPA Addresses Congress on Emerging Contaminants in U.S. Waters
On September 18, 2008, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment heard testimony from representatives of the United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the State of Main, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, and academic researchers on emerging contaminants in U.S. Waters.
While there is no single or commonly-accepted definition of emerging contaminants, they can be characterized as both unregulated contaminants and those of growing concern in surface wters that negatively affect or have the potential to negatively affect human health and/or aquatic systems. The range of emerging contamintants includes:
Toxic chemicals, including persistent organic pollutants
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products
Veterinary medicines
Endocrine-disrupting chemicals
Nano materials
A text summary of the subject matter and a video of the testimony can be viewed at: http://transportation.house.gov/HEARINGS/HEARINGDETAIL.ASPX?NEWSID=742.
New Booklet on U.S. Drinking Water Issues Available
The National Academies have released "Drinking Water: Understanding the Science and Policy Behind a Critical Resource," a free booklet designed to give the public a comprehensive introduction to drinking water issues and the extensive undertaking carried out to protect the safety and reliability of America's tap water.
EPA Provides Incentives for Clean Water Permit Fee Programs
EPA is issuing a new rule that will provide financial incentives for states to use fees when administering a clean water permit program. EPA can give up to a total of $5.1 million to states that have adequate permit fees for their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) programs.
This rule is designed to encourage states to voluntarily implement adequate fee programs and shift part of the financial burden to those who benefit from the permits. It will also allow states to move funds to other critical water quality program activities.
The increased cost of administering water permit programs has already prompted some states to implement permit fee programs to cover some costs. A number of states, however, still operate with little or no reliance on permit fees.
The permit fee incentive will only be made available if federal funding for state water pollution control programs is more than the fiscal year 2008 level. Therefore, state grants will not decrease as a result of this rulemaking. The rule will be in effect for the fiscal year 2009 grant cycle and beyond.
As authorized by the Clean Water Act, the NPDES permit program controls water pollution by regulating municipal, industrial, and related sources that discharge pollutants into U.S. waters.
New EPA Multi-Sector General Permit in Effect
On September 29, 2008, EPA announced in the Federal Register publication of the final 2008 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) for discharges of stormwater from industrial activities. This final 2008 MSGP replaces the previous permit, which expired on October 30, 2005. The 2008 MSGP provides coverage for industrial facilities located in five States, and in certain Indian Country lands, as well as at various Federal Facilities in other States where EPA still remains the NPDES permit authority.
Deadlines for filing Notices of Intent (NOI) and the dates for becoming authorized depend on whether the industrial facility was covered under the 2000 MSGP or the facility is new and was not covered by the 2000 MSGP. While the EPA MSGP does not apply in states where NPDES authority has been delegated to the state agency, those states may elect to amend their programs/permits to reflect these updates.
EPA will host a webcast presentation on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm EST to introduce industrial dischargers, members of the public, and State or Tribal permitting authorities to the new requirements of the 2008 MSGP. Registration information is available on EPA’s training page at: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/outreach.cfm?program_id=0&otype=1/.
MSGP Web Tool Helps ID Receiving Streams
The 2008 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP) requires industrial facility operators to identify their receiving waters and whether these waters are "impaired." EPA’s Water Locator Tool allows you to locate impaired waterbodies (based on EPA’s 303d list), within a 10 mile radius of your facility. The Water Locator Tool provides you with the EPA identification number for each 303d listed segment, links to a map of the TMDL 303d waterbody and the distance to your facility.
The tool can be found at http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/tmdltool.cfm
Of course you will need to identify all your point sources and QA/QC where they are actually going, but this tool helps provide a starting point.
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 In the AirNews of Air Pollution
Control and Air Related Issues
with Nancy Hirko, Kimberly Coy, and Mark Schooley of Air/Compliance
Consultants, IncYou can contact them at schooley @ air-comp.com
___________________________________
PADEP Publishes Draft Technical Guidance for Implementing Revision 8 of the Continuous Source Monitoring Manual (CSMM) in PA Bulletin
PADEP has published draft technical guidance entitled “Applicability Determination and Implementation Procedures for Continuous Source Monitoring Manual Revision No. 8.” The technical guidance, published in the PA Bulletin on September 13, 2008, proposes the procedures and schedule to be utilized for the owners/operators of affected facilities to comply with the CSMM Revision 8.
This document supersedes the previous guidance document that was published in December 2006, addresses concerns and issues that were not identified or adequately covered in 2006 and lays out an implementation plan for PADEP’s new CEM Document Processing System (CEMDPS).
The publication in the PA Bulletin also served as the official notification by PADEP that the upgraded CEMDPS has become functional. This means that owners and operators of affected facilities using CEMS may comply with all the requirements in Rev. 8 of the CSMM as early as January 1, 2009 and must comply with the requirements of Rev. 8 of the CSMM starting April 1, 2009.
There are some exceptions. Folks with existing COMS must meet the requirements of Rev. 8 of the CSMM upon relocation or upon substantial refurbishment of the COMS. As always, Phase I Monitoring Plans are required for changes to CEMS and COMS.
The Chief of the PADEP CEM Section must be informed no later than December 31, 2008 of the date in which owners/operators of affected facilities intend to comply with Rev. 8 of the CSMM.
If sources cannot comply by the dates previously mentioned, an Implementation Plan must be submitted by January 31, 2009 for review and approval by PADEP.
Sources should also note that a 7-day calibration error (formerly calibration drift) must be conducted to meet the Rev. 8 requirements if the source’s CEMS were previously approved under Rev. 6. If the Rev. 8 requirements are more stringent than Rev. 6, the 7-day drift test results must be submitted at least 30-days before owners implement Rev. 8. Prior test results that demonstrate compliance are acceptable.
If the source’s CEMS were previously approved under Rev. 7, only the Recordkeeping and Reporting requirements of Rev. 8 will be required.
Sources will also be required to submit sample hourly data at least 60 days prior to implementation. The verification of DAS calculations are also to be completed. All submittals will require signature by a responsible official. Sources will establish user accounts through PA GreenPort. PADEP plans to communicate the online procedures to the affected facilities.
PADEP is accepting written comments on the draft technical guidance by October 13, 2008. Contact Charles J. Zadakis at PADEP with any questions (czadakis@state.pa.us).
PADEP Publishes Interim Technical Guidance for Continuous Source Monitoring for Mercury
PADEP has published Interim Technical Guidance pertaining to continuous source monitoring systems for mercury. The Interim Technical Guidance, Document No. 274-0300-006, became effective on September 27, 2008. The guidance document provides procedures and specifications for monitoring, certification, sampling, quality assurance, operation, recordkeeping and reporting for continuous emission monitoring systems for mercury.
This Interim Technical Guidance will remain in effect until PADEP adopts revisions to the Continuous Source Monitoring Manual (CSMM). The document and appendices can be found at http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/aq/default.htm and follow the link “Technical Guidance.”
EPA Taking Public Comment on Fine Particle Recommendations
EPA opened a 30-day public comment period on its recommendations for areas to be designated as out of compliance with the Agency’s 24-hour fine particle air quality standards. Comments must be received on or before Oct. 2, 2008. The 30-day period began with the Sept. 2 Federal Register notice of the national comment period.
Text of the Federal Register notice is available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/E8-20241.htm
On August 19 and 20, EPA notified states and tribes of its recommendations for areas to be designated as “attainment” or “nonattainment” for fine particle pollution, also called PM2.5. Exposure to fine particle pollution is linked to a variety of serious health problems, including aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, nonfatal heart attacks, and premature death. Instructions for submitting comments are available at http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations.
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 InternationalFocusNews of
Environmental Trends and Regulationsin Other Countries
with Kim WalkerYou can contact me at Kimberly.walker @
erm.com___________________________________
United Nations Millennium Development Goals Expand to Include Biodiversity
For the first time, the United Nations Millennium Development Goals is monitoring the world's plants and animals using the Red List Index developed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Until now, the seventh Millennium Development Goal, to ensure environmental sustainability, has not included any mention of biodiversity or the need to save species as a critical contribution to human development. However, with the launch of the latest Annual Report on progress towards the Millennium Development Goals, the goal now includes the aim to "significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010" as one of its targets.
Based on the comprehensive IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the index shows trends in the overall extinction risk for sets of species at global, regional and national levels. The index will be used to monitor progress and highlight areas where conservation efforts are needed. Progress towards achievement of the biodiversity component will be monitored by measuring the proportion of species threatened with extinction - calculated by the IUCN Red List Index.
A preliminary Red List Index has been published for amphibians, and indexes for mammals, cycads and corals will be produced shortly, according to the IUCN. Red List Indexes for additional groups of species will be produced when they have been assessed though the IUCN Red List process. The IUCN Red List Index has been presented for use to the United Nations through the UN Environment Program World Conservation Monitoring Centre.
"Pledging to reduce biodiversity loss as part of the Millennium Development Goals demonstrates clear recognition by the world's governments that poverty reduction and sound environmental management go hand in hand."
(Source:http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/sep2008/2008-09-29-01.asp)
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Solid Waste Views
with John Scrabis, P.E.You can contact me at:jmscrabis@mactec.com
___________________________________
Manufacturers and Retailers Balance Tires and the Environment
Tire companies, big box stores, and the government are putting the brakes on the use of lead wheel weights. Through EPA's National Lead-Free Wheel Weight Initiative, partners have agreed to phase-in the use of lead-free alternative wheel weights and reduce the amount of lead released into the environment by 2011.
"Our partners have pledged to reduce or eliminate their use of lead wheel weights," said Susan Parker Bodine, assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. "Their efforts will remove millions of pounds of lead from the environment and the waste stream."
Eliminating lead wheel weights is a significant step toward reducing the overall amount of lead released into the environment. EPA estimates that 50 million pounds of lead per year are used for wheel weights in cars and light trucks. It is common for wheel weights to come off when a vehicle hits a pothole in the road or stops suddenly, which results in lead entering the environment. Lead-containing wheel weights also add lead into the environment as they move into the waste stream at the end of product life.
The charter members include Firestone Complete Auto Care; Firestone Racing (a division of Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire); Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.; Costco Wholesale; Wal-Mart Tire and Lube Express; Sam's Club Tire and Battery Centers; Wal-Mart Transportation; Hennessy Industries Inc.-BADA Division; Perfect Equipment; 3M Automotive Division; the U.S. Air Force; U.S. Postal Service; General Services Administration; Ford Motor Co.; General Motors Corp.; Chrysler; Plombco; the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers; the Town of Blacksburg, Va.; the Ecology Center; Sierra Club; the Environmental Council of States; and several small businesses.
Color-Coded Bacteria Can Spot Oil Spills or Leaky Pipes and Storage Tanks
Oil spills and other environmental pollution, including low level leaks from underground pipes and storage tanks, could be quickly and easily spotted in the future using color-coded bacteria, scientists were told at a September 11 meeting of the Society for General Microbiology.
"Because bacteria have simple single-celled bodies, it is relatively easy to equip them with a sensor and a brightly colored 'reporter protein,' which shows up under a microscope, alerting us to different substances leaking into the soil or seawater from oil spills, agricultural chemicals, or other pollutants," said Professor Jan Van der Meer from the University of Lausanne in Switzerland.
Scientists have successfully shown that living bacteria can be used as a much more environmentally friendly way of detecting pollution than the chemical methods currently used.
"Chemical methods are often cumbersome, require sophisticated equipment, costly reagents or nasty materials," Van der Meer said. "In comparison, our sensing bacteria are very simple to maintain. Tests with the bacteria are therefore extremely easy to carry out and do not require noxious chemicals."
"Our own tests, and checks by other laboratories, have shown that pollution testing using bacteria is a remarkably robust technique and produces reliable results," Van der Meer said. "The heart of our color sensor system is the bacteria themselves. They reproduce themselves in a growth medium, which makes the whole set-up really cheap."
The new technique has already been successfully tested during a research expedition at sea, when the scientists demonstrated that the bacteria could measure different chemicals seeping from oil into the water, showing up as the blue light of bioluminescence in a simple light-recording device.
"This can help to trace back the age of a spill and helps us to judge the immediate danger," Van der Meer said. "The environmental benefits of this research are very clear. Our methods and results show how relatively simple and cheap assays could be used as a first line of defense to judge contamination in the environment. Once positive values are obtained, more in-depth studies can be performed using chemical analysis."
In principle, the same methods could also be used in hospitals or even to study food samples, according to the scientists. Technical research in this field is heading towards miniaturized sensors, which can incorporate many different bacteria types, each of which responds to a different chemical. These miniaturized sensors could be used for rapid screening of samples with unknown compositions, such as water samples, but air could also be monitored for proper quality.
"You could imagine stand-alone systems such as buoys, in which bacteria sensors screen the presence of polluting compounds continuously. We don't think this will affect people in any way. The bacteria that are used for the sensing are harmless and do not multiply very well in the open environment," Van der Meer said. "This makes it very safe. Although the bacteria are normally maintained in a closed laboratory environment for the assays, it means that in case of an accidental release the bacteria are unlikely to do any harm.”
The main problem with detecting oil spills and other toxic compounds at the moment is that many of the most dangerous chemicals do not dissolve in water very well, making them difficult to detect. These oils also have a strong tendency to stick to surfaces like rocks—or seabirds and shellfish—where they can last for many years, making it tricky to detect small leaks or ancient sources of pollution.
"The bacteria can detect different mass transfer rates of the pollutants and warn us how the pollution is spreading,” Van der Meer said. “The bacteria are also sensitive enough to tell between different soil types and the way these hold the pollution chemicals or release them in a way that plants, animals, and humans can be affected."
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 ENVIROCABULARYEnvironmental Acronyms, Obscure
Words and Other Lingo
with Kim WalkerYou can contact me at Kimberly.walker @
erm.com___________________________________
Each month, the
Envirocabulary staff will scour the environmental literature for terms of
interest to our readers.
This month’s term is…
Microseism: : A vibration of the Earth that is unrelated to earthquake activity - instead it is caused by wind, moving trees, ocean waves or even human activity.
(Source: www.geology.com)
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 P2 ForumNews on Pollution
Prevention, Recycling and Related Issues
with Michael StepaniakYou can contact me at michaels @
ccicenter.org___________________________________
This Month, September 2008::
BIOPLASTICS RECYCLING CONSORTIUM
MAKE AN IMPACT PROGRAM AVAILABLE
MUNICIPAL P2, GOOD HOUSEKEEPING PRACTICES MANUAL AVAILABLE
Bioplastics Recycling Consortium
Primo Water Corporation, who introduced the first nationally distributed single-serve bottled water whose bottle is made from plant-based Ingeo™ natural resin, along with 19 other entities, recently launched a new group to address recycling opportunities for bioplastics. These materials are made from corn, potato, or annually renewable sources that are compostable and biodegradable. The Bioplastics Recycling Consortium’s mission is to develop an effective and economical recovery system and end markets for post-consumer bioplastic materials. In doing so, the multi-industry group hopes to ensure that bioplastics fulfill their potential of being a fully renewable and truly sustainable material for manufacturers, retailers, waste management and recycling companies, and consumers interested in developing packaging materials that are better for the environment. Participants in the consortium's first meeting represented the waste and recycling industry, brand owners, retailers, academic and research institutions, and non-government organizations. They met in an effort to provide a well-rounded and diverse perspective on bioplastics in the waste stream. According to a study by the Freedonia Group, a leading international business research company, demand for bioplastics in the United States is expected to increase 20 percent per year through 2010. The study also projects that the greatest growth potential for bioplastics is in applications such as films, bottles, and food service products. The Bioplastics Recycling Consortium has great potential because it's the first dedicated effort to bring together multiple links in the value chain to target bioplastics life cycle. The participants in the first meeting included the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers, Climate Neutral, NatureWorks LLC, Porter Novelli, Primo Water Corp., EPA Office of Solid Waste, University of Florida Bill Hinkley Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, and the Yale Office of Sustainability. The group is currently scheduling its next meeting to take place during fall 2008.
Make an Impact Program Available
Climate change is arguably one of the most critical sustainability issues. Its effects are felt both locally and around the world. And to make a real difference each one of us needs to take action, individually and together. To this end, the Alcoa Foundation and the Pew Center on Global Climate Change have formed a unique new partnership – to develop the tools enabling others to act, in their homes and in their communities. The partners have developed Make an Impact, a program that makes available tools for individuals to manage their unique carbon footprint, reduce energy costs, and become part of the solution to global climate change. Modeled on the project developed in Australia in 2006 by Alcoa, the Alcoa Foundation, and Greening Australia, the program includes: 1) An interactive website with tips, tools, and resources for reducing energy bills and sustainable living. 2) A custom-built carbon calculator featuring individual "footprint" analysis and personalized action plans. 3) A comprehensive outreach program of educational workshops and hands-on activities to support local action and encourage sustainable change. For information on the Pew Center on Global Climate Change visit http://www.pewclimate.org/about. For information on the Make an Impact program visit http://www.alcoa.com/makeanimpact/en/home.asp.
Municipal P2, Good Housekeeping Practices Manual Available
While municipal pollution prevention/good housekeeping concepts are relatively simple, many communities have found that developing a program can be both confusing and off-putting. Numerous guidance documents have been written about the source control practices that can be used to address individual pollution-generating activities, such as building maintenance, waste handling and disposal, but few have focused on the development of comprehensive pollution prevention/good housekeeping programs. To address these issues, The Center for Watershed Protection just recently released the final installment of its Urban Subwatershed Restoration Manual Series, Manual 9: Municipal Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping Practices. It provides "how to" guidance, and outlines the Center's most recent ideas on how municipal pollution prevention/good housekeeping practices can be used to address local water quality issues and watershed restoration goals. Key topics covered include:
The basics of municipal pollution prevention/good housekeeping and the reasons for developing comprehensive programs for it in the first place
How to investigate and improve ten major municipal operations, including park and landscape maintenance, street repair/maintenance and hotspot facility management
How to identify which major municipal operations have the greatest impact on water quality and how to craft a pollution prevention/good housekeeping strategy addressing those greatest threats
to set measurable goals and scope the level of effort needed to develop an effective pollution prevention/good housekeeping program
The manual is intended primarily for use by smaller NPDES Phase II communities and other unregulated communities interested in protecting and restoring local water resources. However, other entities regulated under Phase II of the NPDES program (e.g., departments of transportation, military installations, school districts), as well as communities regulated under Phase I of the NPDES program, may also find it useful. For more information on The Center for Watershed Protection visit http://www.cwp.org/formmaker/Download-Form_RedirectFormPage.html.
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Compliance CornerWhat's New with Regulatory
Compliance, Environmental Management and Related Issues
with Dan Hagerty, CHMMYou can contact me at daniel_hagerty @
hotmail.com
______________________________
EPA Releases 2007 TRI Data
EPA announced the availability of the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) facility-level data for 2007. This is the 5th annual Electronic Facility Data Release (e-FDR) and displays the TRI data exactly as received by EPA from the facilities—one form for each chemical at a facility. Many stakeholders have requested that EPA share TRI data sooner and in the format received, without waiting for further analysis. The "raw" data released today are not grouped in any way or are as easily searchable as the traditional Public Data Release (PDR), which also includes more quality checks, national trends, and analysis. EPA will still publish the complete 2007 PDR in early 2009.
TRI provides information on chemical releases including disposal of chemicals. In addition, TRI tracks chemical releases and industrial sectors specified by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also mandates that facilities report data on other waste management activities, such as treatment, recycling, and energy recovery.
Department Of Labor Issues Proposal To Modify Occupational Health Risk Assessment Process
On August 29, 2008, the U.S. Department of Labor (DoL), which implements, inter alia, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), and which includes, among other agencies, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), proposed to modify its occupational health risk assessment process. 73 Fed. Reg. 50909. According to OSHA, the proposed rule would “compile[] in one easy-to-reference regulation, all of [DoL’s] existing best practices related to risk assessment, and includes two requirements to establish consistent procedures that promote greater public input and awareness of [DoL’s] health rulemakings.”
DoL’s proposal, if issued in final, would not impose any requirements or obligations on employers, nor would it effect any changes to what is currently required of employers under the OSH and Mine Acts. Rather, DoL claims that the proposed rule seeks only to make procedural modifications to the occupational health risk assessment process. Given the lateness of the hour of the Bush Administration, legislators and others have decried the proposed rule. Representative George Miller (D-CA), Chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, stated that the proposal is “a last minute rule that could dramatically weaken future workplace health and safety regulations and slow their enactment,” and for this reason he introduced legislation in late July, H.R. 6660, that would prohibit DoL from issuing, administering, or enforcing the rule. Together with Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Rep. Miller earlier had written to the Secretary of Labor and requested that the proposal be withdrawn. Just prior to DoL’s publication of the proposal in the Federal Register, Rep. Miller is reported to have stated that while “the most objectionable language put forward was removed [from the version submitted to OMB] as a result of intense public pressure from Congress and the public,” the proposal continues to be unacceptable. Written comments on the DoL proposal are due no later than September 29, 2008.
New European Certification Standard
IOSH, Europe's leading body for health and safety professionals, has warmly welcomed the new European Certification Standard being introduced on September 16 by ENSHPO (the European
Network of Safety and Health Professional Organizations).
EurOSHM (European Occupational Safety and Health Manager) is a voluntary European certification standard for occupational safety and health. It will help to verify the competence of OSH professionals and is particularly relevant for people with professional remits across several European countries.
IOSH, a founding member of ENSHPO and its secretariat, has been active in developing the standard. Hazel Harvey, IOSH director of professional affairs, sat on the ENSHPO Certification Committee from the inception of the scheme.
“We’re pleased with IOSH’s strong support of this initiative, which is a significant step forward for European health and safety professionals,” Certification Committee Chairman Professor Andrew Hale said. “It’s intended that this will eventually help achieve a common standard of health and safety practice throughout Europe and lead to easier recognition of equivalent qualifications across member states.”
The Certification Committee was set up in 2007 to oversee the scheme, working closely with Swiss-based IFE Institute for Ergonomie GmbH who administer the standard and the registration process.
In addition to the scheme for this pan-European certification standard, ENSHPO is already working on producing a technician-level European standard in the very near future. A considerable amount of interest has already been expressed from practitioners across Europe.
Chartered Members and Fellows of IOSH are eligible to apply for the EurOSHM. Potential applicants should visit the ENSHPO website for further background information and the EurOSHM website for the application process.
European Parliament Adopts Globally Harmonized System
The European Parliament (EP) voted to adopt the compromise version of the European Commission (EC)-proposed Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) regulation and two measures amending various existing EU directives and regulations for the purpose of adapting them to the GHS regulation. This action has been expected since late June 2008, when representatives of the EP, the EC, and the Council of the EU reached agreement on a compromise package pertaining to EU implementation of the United Nations’ GHS. EC, “GHS Legislation - CLP-Regulation: News from co-decision,” available at http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/reach/ghs_legislation_en.htm. All three texts now await adoption by the Council.
According to the EP’s Press Release, “[t]he new regulation will replace the existing EU directives on classification and labeling of substances which set forth an extensive system (3 key directives), but the current rules and the GHS are conceptually similar.”
Under the regulation, reclassification and labeling will have to be completed by December 1, 2010, for substances, and by June 1, 2015, for mixtures. The existing EU directives on classification, labeling, and packaging will remain in place until June 1, 2015. Prior to that date, “both systems will be applied.”
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Around The Town
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The Allegheny Mountain Section of the Air and Waste Management Association Presents...
WORKSHOP ON IMPLEMENTING A SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE AT YOUR COMPANY
The Allegheny Mountain Section of the Air & Waste Management Association is hosting a workshop on
“Implementing a Sustainability Initiative at Your Company”. Whether you are at the plant level,
in the corporate office, an external consultant, a small business, or a large multi-national organization,
implementing a sustainability initiative or a comprehensive corporate-culture-changing sustainability program may fall
on your shoulders. It could be something you volunteered for and you have plenty of ideas, or
an assignment you received with very little supporting guidance. This workshop is intended to focus
you on how to get started and how to expand and support your organization’s sustainability initiative.
There is plenty of sustainability buzz out there, this program is designed give you focused guidance to support your success.
October 9, 2008
Holiday Inn, Greentree, PA
Please Register By October 2, 2008
For more informtion or to register, please contactNatalie Durica at 412-963-2433 or by email at: natalie.durica@testamericainc.com.
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Northwest Pennsylvania Chapter Meeting
Focus: New and Future Environmental PA State Requirements and/or related to air issues along with Clean Air updates
Speaker: Mr. John Guth, Air Quality, PADEP
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Time: 11:30am
Location: Chovy's Italian Casual, 18228 Conneaut Lake Road( Route 322), Meadville, Pa 16335
Contact:Conrad J. Sobczak,Environmental/Safety Specialist at The Plastek Group
by calling (814) 878-4680 or emailing: sobczakc@plastekgroup.com
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THE FUTURE OF ENERGY SYMPOSIUM
Focus:
Our Energy Future – Opportunities, Risks and Trade-offs
Fossil Power Plants and Environmental Controls
Safe and Environmentally Acceptable Fuels from Coal
The Role of Nuclear Power as a Clean Source of Energy
Biofuels: 2nd Generation & Beyond
From Silicon to Solar Kilowatt-hour, BP Solar Path to Grid-Parity
The Future of Coal
Energy Education, Transformative Research and Wicked Problems
Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Time: 8:30am-5:30pm
Location: DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY, STUDENT UNION, DUQUESNE ROOM, Pittsburgh, Pa
Contact:Paul Brezovec
by calling (814) 269-2844 or emailing: brezovec@ctc.com
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HEINZ TALK: Climate Change and Energy Policy
Date: Monday, October 20
Time: 5:00-6:30pm
Location: Mellon Institute Auditorium, 4450 5th Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (enter through S. Bellefield Ave entrance)
For more information, please see this website: http://heinztalks.blogspot.com/
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The A&WMA Young Professionals Committee, in conjunction with AIChE, presents…
Happy Hour Mixer
When: Tuesday, October 28th
Where: SoHo, Federal St (by PNC Park)
Time: 5-7pm
For more information, please contact: Leah Blinn at or Jill Pouliot
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