AABE Energy News: August 2012 | Highlights from EPA Office of Public Engagement

Highlights from EPA’s Office of Public Engagement
August 3 to August 9, 2012

Table of Contents:

1. US, Mexico Sign Agreement Addressing High Priority Border Environmental Issues 
2. EPA Awards $2 Million to Small Businesses to Support Environmental Innovation, Protect Health
3. EPA Announces Funding for Research to Improve Air Quality, Protect Health
4. Public Comment Now Open on “Best Practices for Siting Solar Photovoltaics on Municipal Solid Waste Landfills”
5. EPA’s 15 Hot Tips for a Cool Summer

1. US, Mexico Sign Agreement Addressing High Priority Border Environmental Issues

WASHINGTON – Today U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson joined Mexico’s Secretary for the Environment and Natural Resources Juan Elvira Quesada to sign the Border 2020 U.S.-Mexico Environmental program agreement. The singing was witnessed by a number of leaders including the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico E. Anthony Wayne, Vice Chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation Wavalene Romero, California Secretary for Environmental Protection Matthew Rodriquez, Baja California Governor José Guadalupe Osuna Millán and Tijuana Mayor Carlos Bustamante Anchondo. Border 2020 is the follow-up environment agreement to Border 2012 which ends this year. Border 2020, developed with significant stakeholder input, will work to address high priority environmental and public health problems in the 2,000 mile border region.

"Addressing the environmental issues along the border has long been a priority we share with our colleagues in Mexico, because we know that environmental degradation, pollution, and the diseases they trigger don’t stop at the national boundaries,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Thanks to help from our partners in government, industry, academia and local communities, the Border 2020 agreement will build upon the significant progress already made, and families on both sides of the border will continue to benefit from cleaner, healthier communities for decades to come.”

For full press release: http://go.usa.gov/GoU

More information as well as a fact sheet on Border 2020: http://www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder/

A video on Border 2012 and 2020: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODIGFB8IrZM

 

2. EPA Awards $2 Million to Small Businesses to Support Environmental Innovation, Protect Health

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded seven contracts totaling more than $2 million to small businesses across the nation to develop new technologies to keep the environment clean and healthy. Companies won the contracts through the highly competitive annual Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program competition, which encourages small businesses to explore and develop environmental technologies from concept to commercialization.
“The innovation, passion, and commitment of these small businesses will have a lasting impact on our country by creating jobs, increasing economic competiveness, and protecting people’s health and our environment,” said Lek Kadeli, acting assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development.

For full press release: http://go.usa.gov/Go0

More information on program eligibility: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/sbir

More information on the 2012 Phase II SBIR recipients: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/sbir12ph2

More information on the SBIR Program: http://www.SBIR.gov

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3.EPA Announces Funding for Research to Improve Air Quality, Protect Health

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded five grants totaling almost $2 million to academic institutions for research on innovative processes to further improve air quality in the U.S. and help track the effectiveness of pollution control measures. Pollutants such as ozone and fine particles are linked to a variety of serious health effects, including aggravation of asthma and other lung diseases, heart attacks, increased hospital admissions and medication use, and premature death. 

The grants announced today are focused on generating better data and tools to enable regulatory authorities to more effectively ensure that the air we breathe is healthy. The information gathered through this new research will help inform policy decisions that affect air quality, including the way states and cities address short-term air quality challenges.

“These grants will encourage innovative solutions for incorporating new information, technology advances, and current scientific understanding into air quality management,” says Bob Kavlock, deputy assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This research will help improve our efforts to respond quickly to short-term air pollution issues such as heat waves or seasonal impacts on air quality.”

For full news release: http://go.usa.gov/Gdr

More information on the grantees: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/dynair

More information on the EPA’s STAR program: http://www.epa.gov/ncer

More information on AIRNow: http://www.airnow.gov

More information on Window to My Environment: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/wme/

More information on Envirofacts: http://www.epa.gov/enviro/

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4. Public Comment Now Open on “Best Practices for Siting Solar Photovoltaics on Municipal Solid Waste Landfills”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are seeking comments on a draft “Best Practices for Siting Solar Photovoltaics on Municipal Solid Waste Landfills.” It was prepared in response to the increasing interest in siting renewable energy on landfills from solar developers; landfill owners; and federal, state, and local governments. It contains examples of solar photovoltaics (PV) projects on landfills and technical considerations and best practices that were gathered from examining the implementation of several of these projects.

Closed landfills and portions of active landfills with closed cells represent thousands of acres of property that may be suitable for siting solar PV. Many landfills are particularly well-suited for solar development because they are often located near critical infrastructure including electric transmission lines and roads, located near areas with high energy demand, are constructed with large areas of minimal grade, and are offered at lower land costs when compared to open space.

RE-Powering America's Land Initiative was launched in 2008 to encourage renewable energy (RE) development on contaminated land, mining sites, and landfills when aligned with the community's vision for the site. Reusing these sites for renewable energy production can decrease the amount of green space used for development, increase energy independence, protect people’s health and the environment, and provide economic benefits to local communities, including job creation.
EPA and NREL are seeking comments on this document. Please submit comments to cleanenergy@epa.gov by August 30, 2012.

For more information on the RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative and the draft solar on landfills document: http://www.epa.gov/renewableenergyland/

For more information on NREL: http://www.nrel.gov/

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5. EPA's Fifteen Hot Tips for a Cool Summer / Save money, water, energy while protecting health and encouraging environmental learning

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released today a list of 15 tips for the summer season, which kicks off June 20th. Whether relaxing at home or off exploring the great outdoors there are many ways people can save money, cut energy costs and continue to protect the health of their families while still enjoying the summer.

Tips for a safe and enjoyable summer:

1. Energy Star savings for your home: The average home spends almost 20 percent of its utility bill on cooling. These cooling bills can be lowered by simply changing out incandescent light bulbs with EPA's Energy Star qualified lighting, which use less energy and produce approximately 75 percent less heat. Raising your thermostat by only two degrees and using your ceiling fan can lower cooling costs by up to 14 percent too. http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.es_at_home

2. Increase your gas mileage: Obey the speed limit; go easy on the brakes and avoid hard accelerations; reduce your time idling; and unload unnecessary items in your trunk to reduce weight. If you're not using your removable roof rack take it off to improve your fuel economy. http://www.fueleconomy.gov

3. Prevent skin cancer and be SunWise: Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. and is the most common cancer among 20 to 30-year-olds. Remember to practice safe sun habits. http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/actionsteps.html

4. Heading to the beach? Check the water: Americans take almost two billion trips to the beach every year. Beaches are a place to play, watch wildlife, fish, and swim. Learn more on how to plan a safe trip to the beach and check out state specific beach advisory and closing notifications. http://water.epa.gov/type/oceb/beaches/whereyoulive_state.cfm

5. Take EPA's apps with you on your smartphone: The AirNow app gives location-specific current air quality information to use to protect your health when planning daily activities and the Ultraviolet (UV) Index app provides daily and hourly forecast of the UV radiation levels from the sun so you can better prevent overexposure to the sun. http://m.epa.gov/apps/index.html

6. Enjoy the outdoors and capture the State of the Environment: Almost 40 years ago, EPA's Documerica project captured thousands of images across the nation as EPA’s work was just beginning. Now it’s your chance to mark the progress and submit environmental photos to EPA's State of the Environment photo project. http://blog.epa.gov/epplocations/about/

7. Protect yourself with insect repellents: Mosquitoes and ticks can carry diseases but you can protect yourself by choosing the right repellent and using it correctly. Read the product label before using; apply just enough to cover exposed skin and clothing; and look for the protection time that meets your needs. Children can use the same repellents as adults unless there is a restriction on the label. http://epa.gov/pesticides/insect/safe.htm

8. Water wisely: A large percentage of water we use at home is used outdoors. As much as 30 percent of that outdoor water use can be wasted due to evaporation by watering in the middle of the day. Water in the morning when winds are calm and temperatures are cool. Look for the new WaterSense labeled weather-based irrigation controller that uses local weather data to determine whether your sprinkler system should turn on. http://www.epa.gov/watersense

9. Clean greener: If you're going to wash the car, deck, boat, or RV– be sure to look for the Design for the Environment (DfE) label to quickly identify and choose cleaning products that are safer for families and also help protect the environment. Look for the DfE label on grill cleaners as well. http://www.epa.gov/dfe

10. Improve your indoor air: About 90 percent of people's time is spent indoors. While inside this summer, make sure to free your house of mold, test your home for radon, check your carbon monoxide detector and ask those who smoke to go outdoors. http://www.epa.gov/iaq

11. Check into an Energy Star hotel: On average, America’s 47,000 hotels spend more than $2,000 per available room each year on energy. Look for an Energy Star certified hotel--they perform in the top 25 percent of hotels nationwide, use an average of 35 percent less energy and emit an average of 35 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than peers. http://www.energystar.gov/buildinglist

12. Waste less and remember to recycle: Each year, Americans generate millions of tons of waste in homes and communities but it's easy to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Recycled items such as glass can be used in roadway asphalt (glassphalt) and recovered plastic can be used in carpeting and park benches. Learn what you can do to waste less. http://www.epa.gov/waste/wycd/summer.htm

13. Season firewood: Summer is a great time to season firewood in preparation for fall and winter. Remember to split firewood to the proper size for your wood stove or fireplace, but no larger than 6 inches in diameter; stack firewood to allow air to circulate around it; cover the top of the stack to protect it from the rain; and store your firewood for at least 6 months before using it. http://www.epa.gov/burnwise

14. Looking for a summer project and tired of the heat? Try composting: Composting can be a fun and educational summer project that saves landfill space, helps feed the soil and prevents methane, a potent greenhouse gas. http://www.epa.gov/waste/conserve/rrr/composting/basic.htm

15. Let summer inspire you and submit Six Words for the Planet: Keep the creativity flowing beyond the school year and into the summer by submitting a meaningful story or idea in just six words. http://blog.epa.gov/blog/2012/04/sixwords/

More local information from MyEnvironment: http://www.epa.gov/myenvironment/

More hot tips for a cool summer: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hi-summer.htm

All year long you can Pick5 for the Environment: http://www.epa.gov/pick5/

Office of Public Engagement 
Office of External Affairs and Environmental Education
Office of the Administrator / U.S. Environmental Protection Agency / Tel 202-564-4355 / PublicEngagement@epa.gov

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