3.5.14
Oil Spill
BP to Carve Out U.S. Onshore Assets
Move Is Attempt to Reverse Struggles Company Has Had Trying to Coax Profits
From Shale Boom
Wall Street Journal
By JUSTIN SCHECK And TOM FOWLER
Updated March 4, 2014 1:58 p.m. ET
BP said Tuesday that it would create a new business to manage its onshore
oil and natural-gas assets in the U.S.'s lower 48 states.
The decision is an attempt to reverse the struggles that BP—along with
other large oil companies—has had trying to coax profits from the North
American shale boom.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303630904579418880723703334
State
Cooper plant earns entry into MDEQ's enHance program
by MBJ Staff
Published: March 4,2014
CLARKSDALE — Cooper Tire's Clarksdale plant was recently accepted into the
Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality's (MDEQ) enHance program as
a steward.
http://msbusiness.com/blog/2014/03/04/cooper-plant-earns-entry-mdeqs-enhance-program/
Clay County gets funds for illegal dump removal
WTVA
JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) -- Clay County has been awarded funds to clean up and
educate the public about illegal dumping.
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality awarded $10,440 for the
project.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/Clay-County-gets-funds-for-illegal-dump-removal/KaRVNOb2E0OiRaltLw1MBA.cspx
County could help Columbus utility expand sewers
AP
COLUMBUS, Miss. (AP) — A Columbus city utility is considering plans to
bring sewer service to an area just south of the city limits.
http://www.wtva.com/news/local/story/County-could-help-Columbus-utility-expand-sewers/pOY7_wPP3ESn-KtDlN960w.cspx
Pascagoula leaders want to discuss beach erosion with county, Corps
Mississippi Press
April M. Havens
March 04, 2014 at 8:04 PM
PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- The Pascagoula City Council agreed tonight that
it needs to sit down with Corps of Engineers and Jackson County leaders to
discuss erosion of its beach.
http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/03/pascagoula_leaders_want_to_dis.html#incart_river
Pascagoula beach erosion concerns City Council
Sun Herald
BY TAMMY LEYTHAM
PASCAGOULA -- Reports of beach erosion and the need to better stabilize the
city's seawall prompted action from the Pascagoula City Council during its
regular meeting Tuesday.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/03/04/5389570/pascagoula-beach-erosion-concerns.html
Mississippi Public Service Commission getting a new leader
Sun Herald
Katherine Collier has been appointed executive secretary of the Public
Service Commission. Collier will become the first female to hold the
position, which directs the Commission's day to day operations, Northern
District Commissioner Brandon Presley said Tuesday in a release from his
office.
http://www.sunherald.com/2014/03/04/5387840/mississippi-public-service-commission.html
Regional
EPA Settlements Restore Wetlands Across Southeast
Tuesday, March 04, 2014
Over the past fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2013), the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Region 4 has cited 23 entities throughout
the Southeast for depositing dredged and/or fill material into wetlands or
other waters of the United States in violation of Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act (CWA). Such unauthorized discharges threaten water quality and
damage habitats.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/2014/3/4/271045/EPA-Settlements-Restore-Wetlands-Across.aspx
National
House GOP to vote on bill curtailing EPA climate rules for new power plants
Published March 05, 2014
FoxNews.com
The GOP-led House is expected to vote on a bill Thursday that would curtail
the Environmental Protection Agency's effort to limit emissions from new
power plants.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/03/05/house-gop-to-vote-on-bill-curtailing-epa-climate-rules-for-new-power-plants/
Can Methane Leaks from Fracking Be Turned into Valuable Gasoline?
If test plants succeed, waste methane could fuel vehicles—but the
conversion may not offer much environmental benefit
Scientific American
Mar 5, 2014 |By David Biello
Cooked by geologic heat and pressure, a molecule of methane embedded in
shale deep belowground rockets to the surface, freed by fracking. Captured
and put into a pipeline, the tiniest hydrocarbon wafts across the country
to a New Jersey office park covered with brick buildings. Behind one of the
buildings hides a big machine—a series of metal cylinders, in which parts
of the methane molecule will soon be turned into gasoline.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-methane-leaks-from-fracking-be-turned-into-valuable-gasoline/
Press Releases
EPA's FY 2015 Budget Proposal Focuses on Delivering Core Environmental and
Health Protections
Release Date: 03/04/2014
Contact Information: Julia P. Valentine (News Media Only),
valentine.julia@epa.gov, 202-564-0496, 202-564-4355; Brooke Hanson (Public
Inquiries Only), ocfoinfo@epa.gov, 202-564-0037
WASHINGTON – Today the Obama Administration proposed a Fiscal Year 2015 (FY
2015) budget of $7.890 billion for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA). This request is $309.9 million below the EPA's enacted level for
Fiscal Year 2014.
"This budget is key to a new era of partnerships for the U.S. environmental
protection enterprise, where EPA will work hand in hand—with our sister
federal agencies, states, tribes, localities, agricultural and
manufacturing sectors, small businesses, industry, and other
stakeholders—to improve the health of families and protect the environment,
one community at a time, all across the country," said EPA Administrator
Gina McCarthy. "Our request focuses our resources on the things that really
matter to the people of this country. We will seek to make a visible
difference—whether it is protecting our precious waters and leaving our
children a legacy so they can safely drink water from their small community
water systems and fish and swim in their local rivers; reducing air
pollution along roadways and neighborhoods; or cleaning up communities to
maximize environmental and economic benefits."
The President's FY 2015 request will allow the EPA to continue to transform
the way it does business, ensuring the best use of human and financial
resources, while continuing to achieve the agency's mission effectively and
efficiently. FY 2015 resources will focus on making progress in communities
across the country on priority areas including climate change and air
quality, toxics and chemical safety, and clean water.
Fiscal Year 2015 budget highlights include:
Making a Visible Difference in Communities Across the Country
The FY 2015 budget request includes resources to expand existing efforts to
make a difference in people's everyday lives and make a visible difference
in their communities. $7.5 million and the 64 staff in FY 2015 will work to
make that difference, including building on current work by providing green
infrastructure technical assistance for up to 100 communities to help them
employ cost-effective and sustainable approaches to water management.
Research will help with the development and application of new and enhanced
technologies for large-scale green infrastructure. Additionally, the agency
will focus efforts to enhance our work in environmental justice
communities.
In FY 2015, EPA will continue our work to prevent and reduce exposure to
harmful contaminants, accelerate the pace of cleanups, and reduce
environmental impacts associated with land use across the country.
Additional staff in the Brownfields program will focus on maximizing
clean-up and redevelopment.
Addressing Climate Change and Improving Air Quality
The President's budget request for Climate Change and Air Quality of $1.03
billion, a $41 million increase compared to FY 2014 enacted levels,
includes $199.5 million to address one of the greatest challenges of this
generation and generations to come–climate change. In addition to the
efforts within base resources that support the implementation of the
President's Climate Action Plan, the FY 2015 request provides an additional
$10 million and 24 staff. The Climate Action Plan tasks the EPA with
setting carbon dioxide (CO2) standards for power plants and applying its
authorities and other tools to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and
methane, all of which contribute to climate change. FY 2015 resources will
support the development of achievable greenhouse gas (GHG) standards,
regulations, or guidelines, as appropriate, for modified, reconstructed,
and existing power plants. The President's budget also provides additional
support for the states to help them implement the Clean Air Act, as it
relates with regard to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Resources also
will support developing and implementing the President's interagency
methane strategy to mitigate climate change impacts.
In FY 2015, Heavy Duty Vehicle GHG Phase 2 standards will require upgrades
to the National Vehicle Fuel Emissions Laboratory (NVFEL) which is
responsible for ensuring vehicles meet national MPG and emissions
standards. The EPA also is implementing a range of activities in support of
the President's call to cut energy waste in homes, businesses, and
factories, including Energy Star's efforts to increase energy efficiency in
multifamily housing.
$2.0 million will provide technical assistance and support tools for
climate change adaptation planning. This includes technical assistance for
water utilities at greatest risk from storm surges. Research and
development efforts will focus on decision support tools for at-risk
communities and tribes to help them build resiliency to the effects of
climate change.
Taking Action on Toxics and Chemical Safety
Chemicals and toxic substances are ubiquitous in our everyday lives -- they
are used in the production of everything from our homes and cars to the
cell phones we carry and the food we eat. EPA's budget includes almost $673
million to support work to ensure the safety of chemicals we encounter in
our daily lives. In FY 2015, $23 million and 24 EPA staff will support
activities under the President's Executive Order on Chemical Safety, as
well as agency efforts on chemical prioritization, air toxics, radon, and
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water.
The Executive Order on Chemical Safety issued in August 2013 seeks to
expand coordination, tools, and information for State Emergency Response
Commissions and Local Emergency Planning Committees. Resources will be used
to fund technical support, data system enhancements, and outreach in the
State and Local Prevention and Preparedness program. Our focus will be to
provide hands-on technical assistance in towns and cities most at risk due
to local infrastructure and presence of high risk facilities. EPA will also
work to increase mobile device accessibility for first responders.
$5.0 million in resources for air toxics work will enhance the analytical
capabilities needed to develop effective health regulations, to continue
the progress in developing the National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA), to
update methods for estimating area and mobile source emissions, and to
update air dispersion modeling based on recent advances in the science.
Protecting the Nation's Waters
The nation's water resources are the lifeblood of our communities. Our FY
2015 budget recognizes the long-term benefits of healthy waterways – they
are vital to local economies, public health, property values, tourism,
fishing, and hunting.
The agency is directing $8 million and 10 staff to advance clean water. As
we look to protect the nation's water, new approaches are needed to make
progress. A centerpiece of this strategy is a water quality framework to
improve return on investment, accountability and environmental results.
These resources will help the agency continue providing technical expertise
for states and tribes as they implement EPA's guidance for hydraulic
fracturing activities. Funding will be used to help states and tribes make
sound permitting decisions and review complex data contained in
applications for hydraulic fracturing using diesel fuels. Implementation
support will ensure that authorized agencies are effectively managing and
overseeing the rapidly growing energy sector while preventing endangerment
of underground sources of drinking water.
Promoting Sustainable Community Water Resources
The FY 2015 budget seeks to ensure that federal dollars provided through
the State Revolving Funds (SRF) act as a catalyst for efficient system-wide
planning, improvements in technical, financial, and managerial capacity,
and the design, construction, and on-going management of sustainable water
infrastructure. The FY 2015 budget requests $1.775 billion for the Clean
Water and Drinking Water SRFs, a decrease of $581 million from FY 2014.
Including this request, Federal capitalization of the SRFs totals over $22
billion since FY 2009. EPA is working to expand and institutionalize the
use of up-front planning that considers a full range of infrastructure
alternatives, including green infrastructure.
Maintaining and Strengthening EPA as a High Performing Environmental
Organization
An integral component of the agency's FY 2015 strategy is the work to
support a high-performing workforce in order to better serve the American
people. EPA is implementing or accelerating a number of key efforts,
including realigning our workspace, launching new collaboration tools, and
Leaning our business processes to bring about change and efficiency at the
EPA. The EPA is realigning $21 million and 57 staff to ensure the success
of these efforts.
E-Enterprise is a major joint initiative between EPA and states to
modernize our business practices and to increase accessibility, efficiency,
and responsiveness. The agency is expanding efforts in the second year of
the multi-year E-Enterprise business model including focusing people and
resources to accelerate development of the E-Manifest system and associated
rule-making work. Benefits of implementing the E-Manifest system include
annual savings estimated at $75 million for over 160,000 waste handlers.
In addition, EPA is making changes to long-standing business practices such
as contracts, grants management, and the regulation development process.
One area of emphasis is in Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and records
management, where existing processes are not effective or efficient, and
new ones are complex to implement and require resources and training.
Protecting Our Land
In FY 2014, the agency is requesting over $1.33 billion to continue to
apply the most effective approaches to preserve and restore land by
developing and implementing prevention programs, improving response
capabilities, and maximizing the effectiveness of response and cleanup
actions under RCRA, Superfund, Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) and
other authorities. This strategy will help ensure that communities are
protected and that land is returned to beneficial use. $1.16 billion is
requested for Superfund which includes a $43.4 million increase for
remedial work and an increase of $9.2 million for Emergency Response and
Removal.
Supporting State and Tribal Partners
The FY 2015 budget includes a total of $1,130 million in categorical
grants, an increase of $76 million over FY 2014 levels. The State and
Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) account continues to be the largest
percentage of the EPA's budget request, at nearly 40% in FY 2014, and
prioritizes funding for state categorical grants to assist states and
tribes, the primary implementers of environmental programs. In FY 2015,
$96.4 million is requested for Tribal General Assistance Program grants,
representing a nearly $31 million increase over FY 2014.
Continuing EPA's Commitment to Innovative Research Solutions:
Strong science continues to be the foundation of EPA's work; the President
has requested $537.3 million for science and research in FY 2015. EPA is
focusing research on the most critical issues facing the agency, including
climate change. Realignments in FY 2015 include efforts to advance chemical
prioritization and predictive toxicology, helping communities make
sustainable decisions regarding environmental protection and resiliency,
informing regional and community-level strategies for the use of green
infrastructure and other innovative alternative practices.
Environmental Education
The EPA is committed to environmental education as a core part of our
efforts to safeguard public health and the environment in FY 2015. The
primary goals of the EPA's educational activities are to share information
about how to protect the environment, and particularly how the EPA protects
the water we drink and the air we breathe. Environmental education
activities also aim to improve participation in advanced programs in
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and thereby foster
the next generation of scientists and engineers to tackle current and
future environmental challenges.
Reducing EPA's Energy Costs:
The EPA continues to focus on reducing its physical footprint and achieving
greater energy efficiency. Since 2006, the EPA has released approximately
428 thousand square feet of space at headquarters and facilities
nationwide, resulting in a cumulative annual rent avoidance of over $14.6
million. These savings can partially offset the EPA's rent and security
costs. The FY 2015 request includes $12 million to the support design and
engineering of a federally-owned EPA multi-use facility in Las Vegas, NV.
The new facility will consolidate offices currently in leased locations,
create a smaller energy-efficient office and lab footprint, and lower
operating costs.
Reducing and Eliminating Programs
The EPA continues to examine its programs to find those that have served
their purpose and accomplished their mission or are duplicative. The FY
2015 President's Budget eliminates a number of programs totaling nearly $56
million including Beaches Protection categorical grants; State Indoor Radon
Grants; and Diesel Emissions Reductions Assistance grants. Details are
found in the appendix to the EPA FY 2015 Congressional Justification ( link
for more information:
http://www2.epa.gov/planandbudget/fy2015 ).
FY 2015 Opportunity, Growth, and Security Initiative
Recognizing the importance of the two-year budget agreement Congress
reached in December, which the President's Budget adheres to, levels are
not sufficient to expand opportunity to all Americans or to drive the
growth our economy needs. For that reason, across the federal government,
the Budget also includes a separate, fully paid for $56 billion
Opportunity, Growth, and Security Initiative. The Opportunity, Growth, and
Security Initiative, which will be split evenly between defense and
non-defense funding, shows how additional discretionary investments in FY
2015 can spur economic progress, promote opportunity, and strengthen
national security.
The Opportunity, Growth, and Security Initiative includes more than $1
billion for a Climate Resilience Fund, through which the Budget will invest
in research and unlock data to better understand the projected impacts of a
changing climate, help communities plan and prepare for impacts, and fund
breakthrough technologies and resilient infrastructure. Funding at EPA will
support a nation that is better prepared for the impacts of climate change,
including $10 million for protecting and enhancing coastal wetlands, and $4
million to support urban forest enhancement and protection.
###
EPA Stops Illegal Import of Vehicles That Fail to Meet Pollution Standards
WASHINGTON – A Chinese powersports company and its related U.S. distributor
have agreed to recall and replace fuel tanks that will better control
gasoline vapors in approximately 1,000 vehicles and take other steps to
control pollution stemming from the illegal import of over 12,000
recreational vehicles and highway motorcycles. These motor vehicles were
manufactured in China and imported without the required certification
indicating that emissions would meet federal standards.
CFMOTO Powersports, Inc., (a successor to CFMOTO America, Inc.) based in
Plymouth, Minn., and Zhejiang CFMOTO Power Co., Ltd., and Chunfeng Holding
Group Co., Ltd., both based in China, will pay a combined civil penalty of
$725,000.
"Enforcing emission standards is a critical way we protect clean air for
all Americans," said Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator for EPA's
Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. "The upgrades and changes
required by today's settlement will help reduce harmful air pollution that
can cause respiratory illnesses, aggravate asthma and lead to smog.
In the settlement, approved today by the Agency's Environmental Appeals
Board, EPA alleges that over 12,000 highway motorcycles and recreational
vehicles imported by the companies between 2007 and 2013 were not certified
by EPA, as required by the Clean Air Act (CAA), to meet applicable federal
emission standards. Of these, EPA found that 993 vehicles had fuel tanks
that did not operate properly to control evaporative emissions, or gasoline
vapors, and that approximately 1,400 vehicles were imported without proper
emission control information labels.
In addition to the penalty, the companies must institute a Recall and Fuel
Tank Replacement Program to replace all uncertified fuel tanks with
certified ones to prevent any excess gasoline vapors. The companies must
also correct the emission control information labels for those vehicles
that are still within the control of the companies.
EPA discovered the alleged violations through joint inspections conducted
with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Customs and
Border Protection and through a review of importation documents and other
information provided by the companies.
Federal emissions standards for highway motorcycles and recreational
vehicles have been in effect since 1977 and 2006, respectively. The CAA
prohibits any vehicle or engine from being imported and sold in the United
States unless it is covered by an EPA-issued certificate of conformity
indicating that the vehicle or engine meets required emission standards
Recreational vehicle and highway motorcycles emit carbon monoxide, a gas
that is poisonous at high levels in the air even to healthy people and is
especially dangerous to people with heart disease. These vehicles also emit
hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to the formation of
ground-level ozone, or smog. Exposure to even low levels of ozone can cause
respiratory problems, and repeated exposure can aggravate pre-existing
respiratory diseases.
CFMOTO Powersports, Inc. is a Minnesota corporation that holds certificates
of conformity and that imports highway motorcycles and recreational
vehicles manufactured by Zhejiang CFMoto Power Co., Ltd. and ChunFeng
Holding Group Co. Ltd., both Chinese companies. CFMOTO America, Inc. is a
now-dissolved Michigan corporation that was the predecessor to CFMOTO
Powersports, Inc.
EPA filed an administrative complaint against CFMOTO Powersports in April
2013 and reached agreement on the settlement through an alternative dispute
resolution process.
More information on the settlement:
http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/cfmoto-powersports-inc-cfmoto-america-inc-zhejiang-cfmoto-power-co-ltd-and-chunfeng
More information on EPA's Clean Air Act mobile source enforcement programs:
http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/air-enforcement#mobile
