Which Witch?
USA, EARTH — Can you remember which witch said, “I’m melting”? A: That would be the Wicked Witch of the West Do you know which witch said, “I’m melting Twice as Fast as Previously Thought”? A: That would be you and me. On December 24, 1968 the first color photograph of the world was…
NOAA Seeks Public Comment on Expanding Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuaries Off Northern California
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries announced today it will begin a public process to review the boundaries for its Gulf of the Farallones and Cordell Bank national marine sanctuaries off northern California.
Doha wrap-up: countries eke out modest deal on Kyoto, new agreement, and climate loss, but postpone many issues
By Jennifer Haverkamp In Doha, countries wrapped up loose ends on technical issues and began to lay the groundwork for an eventual agreement that will establish commitments starting in 2020. Photo credit: Flickr user UNclimatechange It’s now been a couple of weeks since the UN climate talks…
EPA Awards $65,000 to the Comanche Tribe of Oklahoma to Improve and Protect Its Water Quality
(DALLAS – December 21, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded the Comanche Tribe of Oklahoma $65,000 to provide continued support for the tribe’s water pollution control program. The funds will be used to take samples to assess surface water quality on tribal lands, compile data…
TERA’s Kids+Chemical Safety website: On non-profits, objectivity and independence
By Richard Denison Richard Denison, Ph.D. , is a Senior Scientist. My recent post about the new American Chemistry Council (ACC)-sponsored website, Kids + Chemical Safety, engendered some comments that go directly to the issues of scientific objectivity and independence. The website says “TERA…
New Study: Catch Shares Comply with Catch Limits
Fisheries operated under catch share management systems were more likely to stay within target catch limits and to stop overfishing than those operating under other management systems, according to a new study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) entitled “Estimating the…
Preliminary results from investigation of injection wells at Lahaina wastewater facility
Tracer dye detected in offshore seeps HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released preliminary results from an ongoing investigation by federal and state agencies to evaluate the fate of effluent from the Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility near the Kaanapali coast of Maui
Discovery of Africa Moth Species Important for Agriculture, Controlling Invasive Plants (Dec 20, 2012)
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- Discovery of Africa Moth Species Important for Agriculture, Controlling Invasive Plants (Dec 20, 2012) Because it is a fairly inaccessible region with political unrest, much of the Congo’s insect biodiversity remains largely…
Fossil Creek Featured as Arizona River of the Month
Advocacy and cooperation enabled the restoration of Fossil Creek, the second river in Arizona to be designated a “Wild and Scenic River” Advocacy and cooperation enabled the restoration of Fossil Creek, the second river in Arizona to be…
Help Put the “E’s” in E-Cycling
By Grace Parrish Since childhood, recycling has been an effortless task that was part of my daily routine. Using five bins labeled: aluminum, plastic, glass, paper, and tin, I thought I was the bee’s knees when it came to being eco-friendly. During my internship at the EPA this fall, I realized…
EPA Releases Update on Ongoing Hydraulic Fracturing Study
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today provided an update on its ongoing national study currently underway to better understand any potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water resources. Results of the study, which Congress requested EPA to complete, are…
EPA Finalizes Clean Air Standards for Industrial Boilers, Incinerators and Cement Kilns/Updated rules provide extensive public health protections, cut costs of compliance
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized changes to Clean Air Act standards for boilers and certain incinerators that will achieve extensive public health protections by slashing toxic air pollution, including mercury and particle pollution, while at the same…
The Invasive Species Biologist's Version of "The Night Before Christmas"
Posted by USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center -- The Invasive Species Biologist's Version of "The Night Before Christmas" A twist of the original poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas' by Les Mehrhoff, with the perspective of an invasive species biologist.…
EPA Approves Clean Water Program to Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
(DALLAS – December 20, 2012) The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it is approving Oklahoma’s request for issuing agriculture-based Clean Water Act discharge permits to the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF)
EPA Updates Rule for Pathogens in Drinking Water, Sets Limit for E. Coli
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated the rule for pathogens in drinking water, including setting a limit for the bacteria E. coli to better protect public health. The Revised Total Coliform Rule ensures that all of the approximately 155,000 public water systems in…
D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Affirms Its Decision to Uphold Historic EPA Actions to Reduce Climate Pollution, Protect Public Health
Court Today Refuses Petition to Rehear Case En Banc Court declines to rehear historic carbon pollution cases; decision upholding EPA efforts to reduce climate pollution stands Thu, 2012-12-20 …
Two Companies to Pay $970,000 in Settlement for Clean Air Violations in Springfield, Mass.
(Boston, Mass. – Dec. 20, 2012) – Two companies operating a chemical plant in Springfield, Mass. will pay a penalty of $970,000 and take other actions, under a settlement announced today between Solutia Inc. and INEOS Melamines LLC, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S.…
Don’t Walk Away From Clean Energy Research & Development
By Jackie Roberts “The changing energy landscape and the resulting trade opportunities it affords will continue to provide consumers with more choices, more value, more wealth and more good jobs.” – ExxonMobil Energy Outlook, 12/12/12 I agree with Exxon. We are moving closer to energy…
Latest Mississippi River Delta News: December 20, 2012
New $1.1 billion hurricane levee proposed for New Orleans East Land Bridge By Mark Schleifstein, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans). December 19, 2012. "A $1.1 billion, 17-mile levee along the New Orleans East Land Bridge, stretching into St. Tammany Parish, to reduce hurricane storm surge…
The Meaning of Poinsettias
By Luz V. García, MS, How beautiful is the view of poinsettias as a seasonal arrangement in our homes! Poinsettias are native plants from Mexico. In Mexico they celebrate Poinsettia Day, on December 12, a tradition that began after the first American Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett…