·:[ Environmental News Bits ]:·
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On Thursday, May 21, 2009, EPA is hosting a webcast for local governments entitled “Integrating Energy Efficiency into New and Existing Homes.”

The webcast will provide an overview of EPA’s ENERGY STAR programs for new and existing homes. In addition, communities will showcase how they integrate energy efficient practices into their residential sector. The webcast will conclude with a question and answer session. Background information for new and existing homes is available at http://www.energystar.gov/homes and http://www.energystar.gov/homeimprovement.

The webcast will be held on May 21, 2009, from 2:00 ­ 3:30 PM (Eastern). Priority for registration will be given to local and regional government staff and officials. If multiple staff from your agency wish to participate, please share one computer and phone line. EPA will record and post the webcast on its Clean Energy website for interested parties who are not able to participate during the live training.

To register for the webcast, send an e-mail with your name and your organization to CleanEnergyWebcast@icfi.com. You will receive an email notification within 48 hours with a confirmation of your registration.

EPA’s Local Climate and Energy program hosts regular monthly training webcasts on specific clean energy topics. Upcoming webcast topics include energy efficiency in K-12 schools, combined heat and power, transportation control measures, smart growth, and urban heat islands. For more information or to view past webcasts, visit http://epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-programs/state-and-local/webcast.html.

Read the full story in Technology Review.

QD Vision, based in Watertown, MA, is promoting a new LED-based lamp that it made with Nexxus Lighting of Charlotte, NC. Nexxus makes a lamp designed to screw into standard sockets used in recessed ceiling lighting. It consists of an array of white-light LEDs encircled by fins that remove excess heat. QD Vision adds an optic–a plastic cover with a special coating that snaps into place over the LEDs.

Read the full story in the Wall Street Journal.

What will the energy-efficient house of the future look like?

It could have gardens on its walls or a pond stocked with fish for dinner. It might mimic a tree, turning sunlight into energy and carbon dioxide into oxygen. Or perhaps it will be more like a lizard, changing its color to suit the weather and healing itself when it gets damaged.

Those are just a handful of the possibilities that emerged from an exercise in futurism. The Wall Street Journal asked four architects to design an energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable house without regard to cost, technology, aesthetics or the way we are used to living.

Read the full post at Slashdot.

In late May, Data.gov will launch, in what US CIO Vivek Kundra calls an attempt to ensure that all government data ‘that is not restricted for national security reasons can be made public’ through data feeds.

Read the full AP review.

When a free Web service called WolframAlpha launches in the coming days, the general public will get to try a “computational knowledge engine” that has had technology insiders buzzing because of its oracle-like ability to spit out answers and make calculations.

Which has a bigger gross domestic product, Spain or Canada? What was New York City’s population in 1900? When did the sun rise in Los Angeles on Nov. 15, 1973? How far is the moon right now? If I eat an apple and an orange, how much protein would I get?

WolframAlpha will tell you — without making you comb through links as a search engine would. It also will graphically illustrate answers when merited. So if you query “GDP Spain Canada” you’d see a chart indicating that Spain’s economy was smaller than Canada’s most of the time since 1970 and recently pulled ahead.

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will recognize young people from across the country at the 2008 President’s Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) ceremony today. These students have made outstanding contributions to environmental protection through projects that help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and protect America’s waters.

“The President joins me in honoring these students for leading the way towards a brighter future for their communities and our planet,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “In each of these amazing projects we see our country’s future for clean energy, preservation, healthy communities and a well-protected planet.”

The 10 individuals or teams of students who will be awarded are from Derry, N.H.; Pittsford, N.Y.; Moscow, Pa; Lewisville, N.C.; Chesterland, Ohio; Edmond, Okla.; Scottsbluff, Neb.; Provo, Utah; San Leandro, Calif.; and Kenai, Alaska.

These dedicated youth developed projects in both urban and rural settings that involved hundreds of community members, educators, policy makers and national celebrities in environmental science research, community recycling, wetlands and coastal ecosystem education and restoration, energy conservation and climate change education campaigns.

Winners were selected from among applicants to EPA’s 10 regional offices. Regional EPA panels judged the projects on environmental need, accomplishments of goals, long-term environmental benefits and positive impact on local communities. The panels also consider project design, coordination, implementation, innovation and soundness of approach.

PEYA has been presented annually since 1971 to honor students in kindergarten through 12th grade who design and implement innovative environmental projects.

More information on winners and project descriptions:  http://www.epa.gov/peya/peya2008.html

Back in April, I blogged about a post on the Extreme Tech blog that detailed the efforts that Gordon Hudson and his wife made to reduce their energy usage. Gordon saw the post, sent me the slideshow on which that post was based, and graciously allowed me to post it to the ISTC web site.  Many thanks to Gordon for sharing his journey!

A gardening tool that runs on propane, a climate education program that engages students and teachers in strategies for reducing carbon dioxide emissions at school, and a Tribe’s smoke management program are just three of the winners of EPA’s Clean Air Excellence Awards. For the ninth year, EPA is honoring 15 recipients from across the United States for their environmental achievements in community action, education, and science and technology. These innovative air quality programs provide environmental benefits and create green products and jobs.

“Each year, our Clean Air Excellence Award winners offer amazing new examples of how we keep our air safe and clean,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “This year’s winners have built on that tradition of innovation to show what is possible in protecting human health and the environment.”

This year’s award recipients were selected from 125 applicants and represent achievements in five categories: clean air technology, community action, education/outreach, regulatory policy innovations, and outstanding individual achievement.

The awards program, established in 2000 at the recommendation of the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, annually recognizes and honors outstanding innovative efforts to help make progress in achieving cleaner air. Award-winning entries must directly or indirectly reduce pollutant emissions, demonstrate innovation, offer sustainable outcomes, and provide a model for others to follow.

Information on all award winners: http://www.epa.gov/air/caaac/clean_award.html

Read the full story in Water & Wastewater News.

ITT Corporation recently released the results of a comprehensive study showing that ozone oxidation is highly effective for treating micropollutants like endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). These potentially threatening substances, such as discarded pharmaceuticals, can be found in municipal wastewater effluents.

The results were outlined in a presentation at the North American Regional joint conference of the International Ozone Association (IOA) and International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) in Boston by Achim Ried, Ph.D., director of Research and Development at ITT’s Water and Wastewater business in Germany.

Read the full story in Water & Wastewater News.

The American Water Works Association (AWWA) recently announced the publication of the third edition of AWWA manual M36, Water Audits and Loss Control Programs.

A properly executed water audit and a loss control program are the most effective ways for a utility to conserve water, save operating expenses, and increase revenues. Water Audits and Loss Control Programs (M36) provides step-by-step guidance and tools for performing a standardized water audit and implementing a water loss control program for all water utilities.

The new third edition provides an improved auditing method—the IWA/AWWA Water Audit— developed by the International Water Association Water Loss Task Force. This method, recommended by AWWA as current best management practice, tells utilities what information they need, how to get that information, and how to enter it on water audit worksheets. The new method also redefines and standardizes water audit and water-loss control language and approach, making it useful to utilities worldwide.

May 15, 2009 – 1:00 PM Eastern
Cost: $150 (If you are a member of Practice Greenhealth, just enter your Subscriber ID for free access.)
Register Online: www.practicegreenhealth.org/tools/webinars/calendar/details/456

Topic
Research is documenting with increasing frequency that many “emerging contaminants” (ECs) such as pharmaceuticals, hormones, and fragrances that have not historically been considered as environmental contaminants are present across the world. These emerging contaminants are commonly detected in municipal, agricultural, and industrial wastewater sources. Since 1998, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Emerging Contaminants Project (http://toxics.usgs.gov/regional/emc/index.html) has been conducting “source to receptor” research on this rapidly advancing topic.

Learning Objectives

• Develop the analytical tools required for detecting ECs in the environment
• Document the environmental occurrence and concentration of ECs
• Characterize contaminant sources and their potential pathways into the environment
• Determine processes and factors that affect the transport and fate of ECs
• Assess the potential deleterious effects of ECs and complex mixtures of ECs on aquatic and terrestrial organisms

Presenters

Dana Kolpin, U.S. Geological Survey
Dana Kolpin is a research hydrologist for the U.S. Geological Survey in Iowa City, IA. He received his B.S. from Iowa State University and his M.S. from the University of Iowa (both in geology). His research interests include the occurrence of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging contaminants in the environment. He has published over 100 papers and reports on environmental contaminants. He has been the project chief of the USGS Toxic Program’s Emerging Contaminants Project since 1998.

Charlotte Smith, R. Ph., M.S.
Charlotte Smith is Director of PharmEcology Services, part of Waste Management Healthcare Solutions (WMHS). She founded PharmEcology Associates, LLC in 2000 and sold the company to WMHS in April of 2009. Waste Management, Inc. is North America’s leading provider of comprehensive waste management and environmental services. Based in Houston, Texas, it is a FORTUNE 200 company with revenues of approximately $13 billion and more than 45,000 employees.

Being a part of WMHS will enable PharmEcology to assist the healthcare industry in reducing and managing pharmaceutical waste even more effectively. In addition to her work with PharmEcology, she is also a co-founder of Capital Returns, Inc., a nationally known pharmaceutical reverse distributor in 1991 and for 10 years served as president and chief regulatory advisor.

Ms. Smith is a registered pharmacist who received her BS in Pharmacy and MS in Continuing and Vocational Education from the University of Wisconsin. She is a member of the Pharmacy Society of Wisconsin, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and the American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services.

Russell Mankes, PhD
Russell F. Mankes, PhD is an Associate Professor in the Center of Neuropharmacology and Neuroscience and the Center for Immunology and Microbial Disease at Albany Medical College. Dr Mankes has authored or co-authored over 90 scientific and technical publications and has held numerous research grants in reproductive toxicology and birth defects research. He serves as Toxicologist, Chemical Hygiene Officer and Responsible Official for the Albany Medical Center. Dr Mankes was a 2006 US EPA Environmental Quality Awardee and has been awarded a two year $153,000 US EPA Grant for Pharmaceuticals Waste Minimization. He chairs Albany Medical Center’s Controlled Substance Governing Board and is a member of the Centers Hazardous Materials Response team. He is responsible for compliance with Select Agent Regulations, State and Federal RCRA regulations as well as JCAHO&#8217!
;s EoC standards for Hazardous Materials and Waste Management. Dr Mankes received his doctorate in Experimental Pathology and Environmental Toxicology from the Albany Medical College.

John Simpson
John has over 16 years of experience in the hazardous waste field, which includes extensive exposure to a multitude of hazardous waste streams and regulations. Over the past five years, John was involved with the development and implementation of many initial Rx Waste programs in the United States, and he continues to be involved with new program startups every day.

Mark your calendar­ November 17-18, 2009 at the Union League Club of Chicago: “2009 Mercury Science and Policy Conference with a Special Focus on the Northeast and Great Lakes Regions.”  This Conference will bring together public, private, and non-governmental leaders that are focusing on reducing mercury in the environment.

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

We invite you to help us create the substance for the 2009 Mercury Science and Policy Conference as a presenter or exhibitor.  May 22, 2009 is the deadline to submit your proposals for papers, panel sessions, and/or exhibits. Your proposal will be reviewed by the Conference Steering Committee, and you will be contacted on or before July 30, 2009 with a decision.

For more information or to submit a proposal:

Presentation Proposal Form & Instructions
www.newmoa.org/prevention/mercury/conferences/sciandpolicy/callforpres.cfm

Background
www.newmoa.org/prevention/mercury/conferences/sciandpolicy/index.cfm

Objectives of the Conference:

• provide current information on human health, environmental, and ecological research findings and associated policy activities pertaining to mercury
• provide a forum for evaluating advancements in reducing mercury releases
• provide a forum for discussing the scientific and public health bases for policy actions to effectively address mercury risks
• facilitate an exchange on the cross media technical, policy, and management issues pertaining to mercury
• identify high priority areas for future cost effective mercury reduction activities and strategies
• identify high priority areas for future research needed to inform policy and management decisions

The purpose of the conference is to connect current scientific research findings with policy, without bias toward any point of view.  In this context, policy refers to government policy as reflected in federal, state, or local government actions that include legislative, regulatory, voluntary, and educational efforts.  In general, the scientific research presented should focus on applied rather than basic research, unless the basic science is important to understanding critical issues and questions that are needed as a basis for potential government actions.  Conference papers selected will be those that target priority topics and issues of special interest in the Great Lakes or Northeast Regions.

Topics for the Conference Include:

• Anthropogenic Impacts on Mercury Cycling in the Environment, including the Air & Water
• Mercury Health Effects
• Impacts of Mercury Regulations & Reduction Activities & Initiatives
• Mercury Policy Initiatives: Going Forward

Please join us in creating an exciting Conference.  Contact Terri Goldberg, NEWMOA (617) 367-8558 x302 or tgoldberg@newmoa.org if you have any questions.

Conference Co-sponsors:

• U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office (GLNPO)
• U.S. EPA Regions 1, 2, & 5
• U.S. EPA Headquarters
• Northeast Waste Management Officials’ Association (NEWMOA)
• New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (NEIWPCC)
  Commission on Environmental Cooperation (CEC)

Co-Sponsoring Organizations & Agencies:

• Environment Canada (to be confirmed)
• Great Lakes Commission
• U.S. – Canada Great Lakes Bi-National Toxics Program
• Quick Silver Caucus
• Council of Great Lakes Industries (to be confirmed)
• New England Governors’ / Eastern Canadian Premiers’ Mercury Task Force
• Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM)