Press release:

EPA fine particulate proposal not grounded in sound science

Carlton Carroll | 202.682.8114 | carrollc@api.orgShareThis

WASHINGTON, July 17, 2012 – API Director of Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Howard Feldman told an EPA hearing in Philadelphia today that the agency’s scientific analysis for its proposal on fine particulate air standards was inadequate and could not justify tightening them. He said continued implementation of the existing standards would further improve air quality:

“EPA has not proven a ‘cause and effect’ between PM 2.5 below the current standards and health effects…. Taken as a whole, the scientific studies cut in different directions…. There is no need to move the goalposts now.

“I am encouraged by the progress our nation has made in reducing fine particle emissions in our skies. The concentration of PM2.5 in the nation’s air has declined by 24 percent between 2001 and 2010. The U.S. oil and natural gas industry has significantly contributed to these improvements by developing and manufacturing ultra-clean fuels that can be used in the new very low emission diesel and gasoline engines.

“More good news is that the improvements will continue…. When announcing this proposal, EPA stated that it has issued a number of rules already that will continue to make significant strides toward reducing fine particle emissions in the years ahead. These future improvements are independent of whether any action is taken to change these standards.”

API represents more than 500 companies involved in all aspects of the oil and natural gas industry, leaders of a technology-driven industry that supplies most of America’s energy, supports 9.2 million U.S. jobs and 7.7 percent of the U.S. economy, delivers more than $86 million a day in revenue to our government, and, since 2000, has invested more than $2 trillion in U.S. capital projects to advance all forms of energy, including alternatives.

HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS AMERICA, LTD. SIGNS ENHANCED ALL-DRY SCRUBBER TECHNOLOGY LICENSE AGREEMENT

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, March 28, 2012 – Hitachi Power Systems America, Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi America, Ltd., today announced that it has signed a license agreement with Solios Environnement Inc. to design and supply Enhanced All-Dry (EAD) Scrubber technology, jointly developed with Solios Environnement Inc, for the global electric utility market. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The EAD Scrubber technology is the original circulating semi-dry scrubber technology developed by Solios in the 1980s that has been widely applied in industrial sectors. It effectively removes SO2 as well as SO3, HCl, mercury and particulate matter from flue gas. Reactions occur in an entrained-flow, open vertical absorber which is preferred over more complex fluidized bed processes. By separating the reagent humidification and sulfur capture steps, this enhanced system is simple and reliable. Hitachi is applying the EAD Scrubber technology with a modular approach that allows unlimited scrubber capacity, virtually unlimited turndown, and enhanced system layout flexibility. EAD Scrubber technology has the additional advantages of low capital cost, low water consumption and dry byproducts, avoiding costly waste water treatment.

For more, click the link below:

http://www.hitachi.com/New/cnews/120329.html

Preserving Route 66 is a Good Investment for the Future

This article about Historic Preservation is a bit off-topic, but I thought it might be of interest.  So I decided to go ahead and post it, anyway.

Preserving Route 66 is a Good Investment for the Future

$132 million spent per year in communities along Route 66

NEW YORK,  March 28, 2012 -- 

A recently completed economic impact study sheds new light on the importance of heritage tourism and historic preservation along Route 66 as a contributor to local, state, and national economies. Route 66, which runs from Chicago to Santa Monica and is known as the Mother Road, is America's most celebrated automobile highway, and a symbol of twentieth-century American culture and history. The study was directed by Rutgers University professor David Listokin of the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy and was carried out between 2008 and 2011 in collaboration with the National Park Service Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program and World Monuments Fund, with the support of American Express.

The study demonstrates the tremendous influence tourists have on the economies of towns and cities along the route:

• More than 85% of Route 66 travelers visit historic places and museums, and these tourists spend $38 million dollars a year in these communities.
• Heritage preservation, through Main Street revitalization programs and museums, add another $94 million in annual investments.
• The national impact is an annual gain of 2,400 jobs, $90 million in income, $262 million in overall output, $127 million in gross domestic product and $37 million in tax revenues.
• At the local level, the restored Route 66-themed motel, restaurant, and gift shop anchor the downtown in many small communities and bring new life and revenue to towns once bypassed by the Interstate Highway System.

In other words, preserving Route 66 is a good investment with significant community and economic benefits.

"We fund the preservation of historic places, museums and cultural institutions because we recognize the critical role that these institutions play in their communities," said Timothy J. McClimon, President of the American Express Foundation. "This research really showed the potential that Route 66 offers to preserve our cultural heritage, and we look forward to seeing this research create new ways for historic places to drive economic prosperity."

"The 2008 World Monuments Watch brought attention to the cultural value of America's Mother Road," said World Monuments Fund President Bonnie Burnham. "The Watch was the catalyst for developing this study, which now demonstrates the tremendous economic value tied those traveling this historic route and argues for investment in preservation."

The study draws on a wide array of empirical information on Route 66 from the national decennial census, a first-ever comprehensive survey of Route 66 travelers, a Route 66 museum survey, Route 66 case studies, and other sources. The result is a better understanding of the mosaic and dynamics of America's Main Street, and the identification of opportunities to improve preservation of this resource and to enhance its already significant heritage tourism and economic contribution. The organizations behind the study are currently working to raise awareness of the significant findings among both the private and public sectors. A follow-up event, including industry, government, and others, is being planned for 2012, with a goal of leveraging the new knowledge provided by the Economic Impact Study toward improved investment and innovative partnerships in heritage tourism and historic preservation.

A Synthesis of Findings of the Route 66 Economic Impact Study, along with a two-volume Technical Report, are available at: http://www.wmf.org/dig-deeper/publication/route-66-economic-impact-study-synthesis-findings.

American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Historic preservation has long been the hallmark of American Express' involvement in the community, reflecting the company's recognition of the importance of cultural sites and monuments as symbols of national and local identity, and the role that their preservation can play in attracting visitors and revitalizing neighborhoods. Learn more atamericanexpress.com and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress,foursquare.com/americanexpress, linkedin.com/companies/american-express,twitter.com/americanexpress, and youtube.com/americanexpress.

Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy
The Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy is one of the nation's key centers for the theory and practice of planning and public policy scholarship and analysis. The school was established in 1992 by the Rutgers University Board of Governors to provide a focus for all of Rutgers' initiatives and programs of instruction, research, and service in planning and public policy. The Bloustein School was ranked No. 3 in the United States in the latest survey of the nation's top graduate programs in urban planning by Planetizen, a Los Angeles–based planning and development network.

National Park Service, Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program
The National Park Service, Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program was established in 2001 to help preserve the special places and stories of historic U.S. 66. The program collaborates with private individuals, organizations, government agencies, and others to identify and address the priority needs of this historically significant American icon. The program offers cost-share grants to assist with preservation, planning, research, and educational initiatives. Learn more at www.nps.gov/rt66.

World Monuments Fund
World Monuments Fund is the leading independent organization devoted to saving the world's most treasured places. For over 45 years, working in more than 90 countries, its highly skilled experts have applied proven and effective techniques to the preservation of important architectural and cultural heritage sites around the globe. Through partnerships with local communities, funders, and governments, WMF seeks to inspire an enduring commitment to stewardship for future generations. Headquartered in New York City, WMF has offices and affiliates worldwide. wmf.org,twitter.com/worldmonuments, and facebook.com/worldmonuments.