EPA Releases Formerly Confidential Chemical Information

In November of this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made available the results of hundreds of studies of chemicals that had formerly been kept secret on the basis that they represented confidential business information for the manufacturers who used them.  The information is available via the EPA’s Chemical Data Access Tool, which some are calling a rather unwieldy search engine, undoubtedly created without the public as end-user in mind.

More on the topic here.

Making Decisions On Complex Environmental Issues

Decision Analysis for a Sustainable Environment, Economy, and Society (DASEES) is an open-source, web-based decision analysis framework, being developed by an integrated trans-disciplinary research team of EPA, university, and private company researchers. DASEES focuses on sustainable systems and communities. Referred to in technical circles as "multi-attribute decision analysis", DASEES is flexible but rigorous, transparent and auditable, and adapts to new information.  Benefits of this approach is that it is inclusive and incorporates input from many stakeholders that are affected by decisions on environmental issues, and considers many of the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of ecosystems.

Visit the EPA website for more information.

Sustainability at the U.S. EPA

From the EPA Greenversations blog:

By Abbey Reller

Earlier this fall I attended the book launch for an effort to incorporate sustainability into every aspect EPA takes to protect the environment: Sustainability and the U.S. EPA, or as it is called around here, The Green Book. I had just begun my internship with EPA in the Office of Research and Development, and this was an opportunity for me to learn about the motivation behind all science research within the agency.

As I looked toward the speaker on stage, I noticed three words mounted on the wall: Wonders of Science. To me it seemed those three words fostered the concept of The Green Book. While sustainability is defined in multiple different ways, I like the language the authors used to describe it, which comes from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA):

“…to create and maintain conditions, under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other requirements of present and future generations.”

The most important thing I learned that day was how limitless science is because of sustainability. With a growing population and developing technology, there constantly seems to be ways to improve human health and protect the environment.

The one piece of advice I received from various people during my internship: Whatever you want to do, become an expert at it. Wow, way to put the pressure on!

As I looked around at all the people in the Koshland Science Museum during The Green Book launch, I realized exactly whom I was sitting amongst — the science and sustainability experts of the world. I was quite inspired and pleased to attend the event with such remarkable scientists.

One in particular, Paul Anastas, Ph.D., the Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development, describes sustainability as the True North of EPA research. I am thrilled to have gotten to observe his work during my internship. He is a true expert in sustainability and I am quite inspired by his work.

So, when my internship ends I will continue on my journey to becoming an expert in my field of study. With a little bit of passion and a lot of determination, the challenge no longer seems impossible.

EPA, DOE to Develop Renewable Energy on Potentially Contaminated Sites

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are evaluating the feasibility of developing renewable energy production on Superfund, brownfields, and former landfill or mining sites. As part of the RE-Powering America’s Land Initiative, EPA is investing approximately $1 million for projects across the US aiming to revitalize abandoned sites. 

"The RE-Powering America's Land Initiative is not just about using these sites for energy production but using these sites to re-energize communities," said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. "These studies are the first step to transforming these sites from eyesores today to community assets tomorrow." 

Projects will analyze the potential development of wind, solar, biomass, or geothermal at 26 sites. The analysis will determine the best renewable energy technology for the site, the optimal location for placement of the renewable energy technology on the site, potential energy generating capacity, the return on the investment, and the economic feasibility of the renewable energy projects. The 26 sites are located in Vermont, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, New Mexico, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Montana, California, Arizona, Oregon, and Washington.

Renewable energy projects of this nature have been successful in the past. There have been over 20 renewable energy projects built on contaminated sites and more are currently underway. For example, in 2010, a six megawatt solar array was constructed on the Aerojet General Corporation Superfund site in Sacramento County, Calif. This solar farm is being used to power the cleanup. Also in 2010, the 10 megawatt Exelon City Solar installation, which is the largest urban solar power plant in the United States, was built on a brownfield site in Chicago.

Some of the sites under consideration for renewable energy projects have completed cleanup activities, while others may be in various stages of assessment or cleanup. Renewable energy projects on the sites will be designed to accommodate the site conditions.

More information on the RE-Powering America’s Land initiative:
http://www.epa.gov/renewableenergyland/ 

More information on NREL: http://www.nrel.gov/

EPA Citizen's Excellence in Community Involvement Award

2011 Award Winner : Lenny Siegel

Lenny Siegel of Mountain View, California, was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the winner of the 2011 Citizen Excellence in Community Involvement Award. Through this annual award, EPA recognizes individuals or a community group for making a significant contribution to a Superfund cleanup.

The EPA selected Mr. Siegel based on his commitment and dedication to the Mountain View, California, community where the Naval Air Station (NAS) Moffett Field Superfund site and the Middlefield-Ellis-Whisman (MEW) Superfund Study Area are located.

Read more here.