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USEPA Construction & Demolition Materials Markets Webinar to be Held July 31st
Construction and demolition material comprise a significant portion of the national waste stream, and reuse and recycling of this material can generate economic opportunity when recovered and returned to the local economy. A better understanding of materials available regionally and locally may help businesses create better long-term plans and goals for utilizing this material. Local governments and the communities they serve can also benefit from this information when there is a growing interest in enacting policies that prioritize material reuse and recycling over landfilling.
Join the webinar on July 31st at 1 pm Eastern Time to better understand the available construction and demolition materials recycling and reuse end use markets, methodologies and strategies for planning and implementing deconstruction and building material reuse programs, and the exciting work taking place in St. Louis.
USEPA's 2019-2020 SBIR Phase I Solicitation Open Until July 30th
The solicitation purpose is to support eligible small businesses in the development and commercialization of innovative environmental technologies. USEPA is one of 11 federal agencies that participate in the SBIR Program as a result of the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982. USEPA is calling for small businesses to apply for Phase I awards for up to $100,000 to demonstrate proof of concept in one of the SBIR solicitation topic areas. Successful Phase I awardees are eligible to receive Phase II funding, up to $400,000 for two years, through an additional application process.
Proposed Research Areas & Topics
Novel technologies are wanted in the following topic areas:
CLEAN AND SAFE WATER
Sampling devices for microplastics
Technologies for the rehabilitation of water infrastructure
Technologies for the destruction of PFAS in water and wastewater
Point of Use (POU) treatment for opportunistic pathogens
Technologies for detection and treatment of antibiotic resistant bacteria in wastewater
Treatment for cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in drinking water
Resource Recovery for Decentralized Wastewater Systems
AIR QUALITY
Air monitoring technology for Ethylene Oxide
Air monitoring technology for Sulfur Dioxide
LAND REVITALIZATION
Mining site characterization and remediation
HOMELAND SECURITY
3-D Gamma Camera to Map Radiological Contamination
Water distribution and stormwater system sensors
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS MANAGEMENT
New Applications for Industrial Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials
Preventing Food Waste
SAFER CHEMICALS
Safer paint and coating removal products
USEPA Proposes Rule Regarding Reclassification of Major Sources to Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) proposed a rule clarifying that a "major source" of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) can reclassify as an "area source" after acting to limit emissions to below the levels that define major sources. This proposal would relieve reclassified facilities from regulatory requirements intended for much larger emitters and encourage other sources to pursue innovations in pollution reduction technologies, engineering, and work practices.
The Agency's action would implement EPA's reading of the Clean Air Act described in a January 2018 guidance memo withdrawing the "once in, always in" policy. Established in 1995, the "once in, always in" policy determined that any facility subject to major source standards would always remain subject to those standards-even if production processes changed or controls were implemented that eliminated or permanently reduced that facility's potential to emit hazardous air pollutants. States, state organizations, and industries frequently noted that the "once in, always in" policy discouraged voluntary pollution abatement and prevention efforts and technological innovations that would reduce hazardous air pollution emissions. EPA's January 2018 memo found EPA had no authority under the Clean Air Act to limit when a facility may be determined to be an area source and that facilities may be reclassified as area sources once their potential to emit hazardous air pollutants falls below the levels that define major sources.
EPA estimates that this proposal would result in cost savings when compared to the agency's previous "once in, always in" policy. Of the estimated 7,920 sources subject to national emissions standards as a major source, EPA estimates nearly half could become area sources, saving $168.9 million in the first year and $163 million to $183 million annually (in 2014 dollars) in the following years.
EPA requests comment on all aspects of this proposal, including:
- EPA's position that the proposed approach is the proper reading of Clean Air Act section 112(a) and is consistent with the act's clear language and structure.
- Requirements for establishing effective HAP emissions limits.
- Allowing limitations issued by the state/local/tribal air pollution control agencies to be recognized as effective provided they are legally and practically enforceable.
- Safeguards that may be appropriate to protect against emissions increases.
EPA will accept comment on the proposal for 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.
For more information on the rulemaking visit the Illinois Small Business Environmental Assistance Program website at: www.ildceo.net/enviro.
Free Training on the Safe Transportation of Lithium Batteries August 14th in Chicago
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and U.S. EPA invite waste management industry members that handle lithium batteries (battery and electronics refurbishers and recyclers, household hazardous and solid waste programs) and other related businesses, such as certification program auditors, to participate in free three-hour workshops. Participants will learn how to prevent, reduce or eliminate risks of fire or explosions from the improper packaging, marking, labeling or recycling of lithium batteries.
The workshops will focus on the safe transportation of lithium batteries for recycling and the applicable regulations that must be followed by battery recyclers and are designed for individuals in the battery recycling industry who need a working knowledge of the regulations or who provide training to their employees on the applicable regulations. They will include an overview on the latest regulatory requirements on proper lithium battery packaging, marking, and labeling and as well as a basic understanding of how to apply the Hazardous Materials Regulations. One of the workshops will be held:
August 14, 2019
1:00 pm CT - 4:00 pm CT
Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building
77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 6064
Limited to the first 60 registrants
New Alternative Work Practice Approved by USEPA for Asbestos NESHAP
Effective June 10, 2019, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued final approval for use of new technology and work practices developed for removal and replacement of asbestos cement (A/C) pipe, which is regulated under the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Asbestos. The alternative work practice is called close tolerance pipe slurrification (CTPS).
A/C pipes throughout the U.S. are aging and weakening, causing ruptures that waste fresh water; infiltrate and overburden publicly operated treatment works (POTWs); and pollute ground water when wastewater leaks into subsurface soils, streams, lakes, rivers, and oceans. Because A/C pipes may be located beneath and beside major roadways and structures, and may overlap or lie beneath other utilities (e.g., gas, electricity, cable), their replacement can potentially be problematic, especially in high density residential, industrial, and urban areas.
USEPA Green Interns Program Now Open
Know any recent graduates? Starting September 30, 2019, USEPA's new Green Interns Program will provide recent graduates with an opportunity to serve their country through a career in the federal government while gaining valuable work experience and knowledge of environmental issues. To be eligible for the program, candidates must have earned associate's, bachelor's, master's, professional, doctorate, vocational or technical degrees or certificates from qualifying institutions and programs within the previous two years; veterans within six years. Accepting applications now for employment beginning in September.
USEPA Tightens Lead Standards
The USEPA has tightened standards for lead in dust on floors and window sills to protect children from the harmful effects of lead exposure.
In 2001, USEPA set standards for lead in dust for floors and window sills in housing, however since that time, the best available science has evolved to indicate human health effects at lower blood lead levels than previously analyzed.
To protect children's health and to continue making progress on this important issue, USEPA is lowering the dust-lead hazard standards from 40 micrograms of lead per square foot (µg/ft2) to 10 µg/ft2 on floors and from 250 µg/ft2 to 100 µg/ft2 on window sills. The more protective dust-lead hazard standards will apply to inspections, risk assessments, and abatement activities in pre-1978 housing and certain schools, child care facilities and hospitals across the country.
Lead-contaminated dust from chipped or peeling lead-based paint is one of the most common causes of elevated blood lead levels in children. Infants and children are especially vulnerable to lead paint exposure because their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults do, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. They can be exposed from multiple sources and may experience irreversible and life-long health effects. Lead dust can be generated when lead-based paint deteriorates or is disturbed.
The rule will become effective 180 days after publication in the Federal Register.
EPA Finalizes Affordable Clean Energy Rule
The ACE rule establishes emissions guidelines for states to use when developing plans to limit carbon dioxide (CO2) at their coal-fired power plants. Specifically, ACE identifies heat rate improvements as the best system of emission reduction (BSER) for CO2 from coal-fired power plants, and these improvements can be made at individual facilities. States will have 3 years to submit plans, which is in line with other planning timelines under the Clean Air Act.
Also contained within the rule are new implementing regulations for ACE and future existing-source rules under Clean Air Act Section 111(d).. These guidelines will inform states as they set unit-specific standards of performance. For example, states can take a particular source's remaining useful life and other factors into account when establishing a standard of performance for that source.
ACE will reduce emissions of CO2, mercury, as well as precursors for pollutants like fine particulate matter and ground-level ozone:
- In 2030, the ACE rule is projected to:
- Reduce CO2 emissions by 11 million short tons
- Reduce SO2 emissions by 5,700 tons
- Reduce NOx emissions by 7,100 tons
- Reduce PM2.5 emissions by 400 tons
- Reduce mercury emissions by 59 pounds
- EPA projects that ACE will result in annual net benefits of $120 million to $730 million, including costs, domestic climate benefits, and health co-benefits.
- With ACE, along with additional expected emissions reductions based on long-term industry trends, USEPA expects to see CO2 emissions from the electric sector fall by as much as 35% below 2005 levels in 2030.
More information, including a pre-publication version of the Federal Register notice and fact sheets, are available at:
USEPA Published the Semiannual Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions
The Semiannual Regulatory agenda updates the public about:
- Regulations in the Semiannual Agenda that are under development, completed, or canceled since the last agenda; and
- Reviews of regulations with small business impacts under Section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
USEPA Releases Annual Report on Air Quality
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its annual report on air quality, tracking progress in improving air quality since the passage of the Clean Air Act. "Our Nation's Air: Status and Trends Through 2018" documents the considerable improvements in air quality across America since 1970.
The report released today shows that, between 1970 and 2018, the combined emissions of six key pollutants dropped by 74 percent, while the U.S. economy grew 275 percent.
From 2016 to 2018, emissions of key air pollutants continued to decline:
- Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) ↓ 8.7 percent
- Particulate Matter 2.5 (PM 2.5) ↓ 1.9 percent
- Particulate Matter 10 (Including lead) (PM 10) ↓ 1.2 percent
- Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) ↓ 7.8 percent
- Carbon monoxide (CO) ↓ 7.2 percent
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) ↓ 3.3 percent
In addition, average concentrations of harmful air pollutants decreased considerably across our nation between 1990 and 2018:
- Ground-level ozone (8-hour) ↓ 21 percent
- Fine Particulate Matter (annual) ↓ 39 percent (from 2000)
- Coarse Particulate Matter (24-hour) ↓ 26 percent
- Sulfur dioxide (1-hour) ↓ 89 percent
- Nitrogen dioxide (annual) ↓ 57 percent
- Lead (3-month average) ↓82 percent (from 2010); and
- Carbon monoxide (8-hour) ↓ 74 percent
EPA examines long-term trends to track the nation's progress in cleaning the air. The report includes interactive graphics that enable citizens, policymakers and stakeholders to view and download detailed information by pollutant, geographic location and year. Explore the report and download graphics and data here: (https://gispub.epa.gov/air/trendsreport/2019/)
The Air Trends report is one of a number of EPA resources tracking pollution trends and showing U.S. progress in improving our environment. Learn more at the following sites:
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