Rockwell Collins seeking Green Communities grant proposals

From Rockwell Collins:

Rockwell Collins seeking Green Communities grant proposals

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (Jan. 12, 2015) –Rockwell Collins is currently seeking proposals for its 2015 Green Communities grant program. Launched 10 years ago, the program helps fund environmental projects in communities where the company operates around the world. Applications will be accepted through Feb. 13, 2015, with grant winners being announced on or around Earth Day, April 22, 2015.

To apply for a grant, a non-profit group must be teamed with a Rockwell Collins employee or retiree, and the projects must improve the environmental condition of a community in which Rockwell Collins operates.

"We're very committed to enhancing the environment of the communities where our employees live and work, and that's why we've invested more than $600,000 since this program started,” said Jenny Becker, community relations manager for Rockwell Collins. "Funded projects have addressed a wide variety of environmental issues in the past, and we know there is still work to be done."

Grant awards will range from $500 to $2,500. Only projects conducted or sponsored by qualified non-profit organizations or public/government entities are eligible. 

A grant review committee will judge project applications based on criteria including:

• Tangible environmental benefits of the project
• Sustainability of the project benefits
• Participation in the project by Rockwell Collins employees and/or retirees
• Completion of the project within the calendar year of the grant award
• Agreement to participate in publicizing the grant and the completed project

To download a copy of the grant guidelines and application, go to:

http://www.rockwellcollins.com/greencommunities.

About Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins is a pioneer in the development and deployment of innovative communication and aviation electronic solutions for both commercial and government applications. Our expertise in flight deck avionics, cabin electronics, mission communications, simulation and training and information management services is delivered by a global workforce, and a service and support network that crosses more than 150 countries. To find out more, please visit www.rockwellcollins.com.

EPA Awards $1.5 Million to Universities for Sustainable Drinking Water Treatment Methods; University of Gainesville Among Recipients

Press release:

EPA Awards $1.5 Million to Universities for Sustainable Drinking Water Treatment Methods; University of Gainesville Among Recipients

Contact Information: Davina Marraccini, (404) 562-8293, marraccini.davina@epa.gov

(ATLANTA – Sept. 6, 2012) Today the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced almost $1.5 million in funding to three universities to develop sustainable drinking water treatment methods. The research grants are funded through EPA’s Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program. These grants, which supplement last year’s grants to eight other universities, are intended to provide innovative treatment methods to protect people’s health by keeping harmful contaminants out of drinking water.

In 2010, EPA announced a new drinking water strategy to strengthen protections against contaminants in drinking water and promote cost-effective new technologies to meet the needs of communities across the country struggling with water challenges. The research sponsored by these grants will help satisfy the key goals of this strategy.

The grantees are:

•           University of Florida, Gainesville and University of South Florida, Tampa – identifying, testing, and evaluating the sustainability of ion exchange processes that can treat entire groups of chemical contaminants.

•           Clarkson University, Potsdam, N.Y. – engineering, developing, and demonstrating an integrated process comprised of membrane technology and electrical discharge plasma generated via a novel reticulated vitreous carbon (RVC) electrode material.

•           University of Nevada, Reno – quantifying the range of drinking water contaminants and contaminant classes that can be removed by membrane distillation, and developing and testing a small-scale pilot system that operates using waste heat

There are approximately 157,000 public drinking water systems in the U.S. regulated by EPA, states, or tribes that provide drinking water to 90 percent of Americans. More than 290 million people living in the U.S. rely on the safety of tap water provided by public water systems that are subject to national drinking water standards.

EPA’s STAR grant program supports human health, ecology, economics and engineering sciences through grants, centers, and fellowships.

More information on the grants: http://www.epa.gov/ncer/dwtreatment

More information on EPA’s new Drinking Water Strategy:   http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/dwstrategy/index.cfm

More information on STAR grants: http://epa.gov/ncer/

EPA, North Carolina A&T State University, Bennett College, and the United Negro College Fund Host Third Symposium on Sustainable Environmental Practices at Colleges and Universities

Press release:

EPA, North Carolina A&T State University, Bennett College, and the United Negro College Fund Host Third Symposium on Sustainable Environmental Practices at Colleges and Universities

Contact Information: Jason McDonald, (404) 562-9203, mcdonald.jason@epa.gov

ATLANTA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming, North Carolina A&T State University Chancellor Dr. Harold Martin, Bennett College Interim President Dr. Esther M. Terry, and United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Hester will co-host the 3^rd Annual Symposium on Sustainable Environmental Practices at Colleges and Universities on September 13-14, 2012. The event will be held on the campuses of North Carolina A&T State University and Bennett College.

Who:    Gwen Keyes Fleming, EPA Regional Administrator
            Dr. Gilbert Rochon, President, Tuskegee University and Chair, Council of 1890 Universities

            Dr. Harold Martin, Chancellor, North Carolina A&T State University

            Dr. Esther M. Terry, Interim President- Bennett College

James Colon, Vice President for Product Sales, Toyota Motor Sales, NA

What:   Third Annual Symposium on Sustainable Environmental Practices at Colleges and Universities

When: September 13-14, 2012

Where: North Carolina A&T State University

1601 East Market Street
Greensboro, NC 27411

Bennett College
900 East Washington Street
Greensboro, NC 27401

The agenda will include sessions and presentations on greening campuses and curricula at collegiate institutions mostly in the Southeast. The conference will provide opportunities for students, faculty members, administrators, and other environmental and sustainability stakeholders to network, develop partnerships and collaborate on sustainable environmental practices. Students in attendance will have an opportunity to participate in seminars on federal employment as part of the concurrently held Youth Environmental Summit.

Please see symposium agenda for a complete list of experts and presentations.
For more conference information, agenda, hotel, and registration go to:

http://www.ncat.edu/research/events/epa-symposium.html

• sustainableenvprac3rd.docx

EPA, HUD, DOT and City of Atlanta Celebrate Third Anniversary of Partnership for Sustainable Communities

Press release from EPA:

ATLANTA – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming joined Mayor Kasim Reed, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Regional Administrator Dr. Yvette Taylor to celebrate the third anniversary of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities (Partnership).  The Partnership is an interagency effort to help communities nationwide improve access to affordable housing, increase transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment and people’s health.

 “Three years ago, EPA embarked on this innovative partnership to change how we interact with our stakeholders and bring about change in the community,” said EPA Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming.   “The programs and projects that are now in place here in Atlanta and across the Southeast, exemplify what can be accomplished when citizens, states, cities and federal agencies work together.  We look forward to continuing this partnership and assisting each of these communities in achieving its long-term economic, environmental and public health goals. 

“Atlanta’s Partnership for Sustainable Communities has really allowed us to do the kind of essential projects that invest directly in our communities, reduce transportation costs for our families, improve house affordability, save energy and increase access to work, play and home,” said Mayor Kasim Reed.  “I applaud the EPA, HUD, the Department of Transportation and Department of Labor for their tremendous efforts.  Through this partnership, we can work as a team to support ongoing initiatives, promote economic development and receive technical assistance on vital projects.”

In celebration of the local accomplishments of this partnership initiated within the city of Atlanta, a program and workshop was held today to share the partnership’s successes and plans for the future. Stakeholders, that included neighborhood, non-profit and elected leaders, shared information on what has worked in southwest Atlanta.  Representatives from nearby communities also discussed how Partnership projects are setting trends in their area.

Since announcing the partnership, the agencies have dedicated more than $2.5 billion in assistance nationally to more than 200 communities in 48 states to help meet housing and transportation goals while simultaneously protecting the environment, promoting equitable development, and addressing the challenges of climate change. Of that funding, $238 million was focused on America’s rural communities.

The partnership, which celebrated its third anniversary in June, works to provide communities with faster, more streamlined access to federal programs and resources, and works closely with other federal agencies, states, and local governments to ensure that partnership programs use federal resources as efficiently as possible.

For more information about the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, visit: http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/.

• Partnership4SustainableCommPR.docx

EPA, HUD, DOT and City of Atlanta to Mark Partnership for Sustainable Communities Third Anniversary

Press release:

Media Advisory
August 27, 2012

EPA, HUD, DOT and City of Atlanta to Mark Partnership for Sustainable Communities Third Anniversary

Contact Information:  Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov  or Jason McDonald, (404) 562-9203, mcdonald.jason@epa.gov

ATLANTA – On August 29, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming will join Mayor Kasim Reed, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Regional Administrator Dr. Yvette Taylor to celebrate the third anniversary of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities (Partnership).  The Partnership is an interagency effort to help communities nationwide improve access to affordable housing, increase transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment and people’s health.
To celebrate the local accomplishments of this partnership initiated within the city of Atlanta, a program and workshop has been planned to share the Partnership’s successes and plans for the future. Stakeholders, that include neighborhood, non-profit and elected leaders, will share information on what has worked in southwest Atlanta.  Representatives from nearby communities will also discuss how Partnership projects are setting trends in their area.

Who:  Gwen Keyes Fleming, EPA Regional Administrator
 Kasim Reed, Mayor, City of Atlanta
 Ed Jennings, Jr., HUD Regional Administrator
Dr. Yvette Taylor, FTA Regional Administrator,

What:  Mark Partnership for Sustainable Communities Third Anniversary
When:  August 29, 2012
Where: Kroc Center
967 Dewey Street SW
Atlanta, GA

Since announcing the partnership, the agencies have dedicated more than $2.5 billion in assistance nationally to more than 200 communities in 48 states to help meet housing and transportation goals while simultaneously protecting the environment, promoting equitable development, and addressing the challenges of climate change. Of that funding, $238 million was focused on America’s rural communities.

For more information about the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, visit: http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov/.

Note:  A media availability will be held from 10:15 until 10:45 a.m. in the Kroc Center.

###

EPA Awards More Than $1 Million to College Teams for Innovative Environmental Solutions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 25, 2012

EPA Awards More Than $1 Million to College Teams for Innovative Environmental Solutions  

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded more than $1 million in grants to 15 university and college teams from across the country who participated in the 8^th Annual National Sustainable Design Expo on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for their innovative environmental solutions. EPA’s People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) award competition was held at the expo, and featured more than 300 college innovators showcasing their sustainable projects designed to protect the environment, encourage economic growth and use natural resources more efficiently. Some P3 team projects include a new process that uses spinach to capture and convert the sun’s energy to electricity and a partnership with a local landfill to design a process that uses waste heat and drainage to grow algae for biodiesel production.

Following an initial peer review process, this year’s winners were selected from 45 competing teams after two days of judging by a panel of national experts convened to provide recommendations to the American Association for the Advancement of Science. EPA selected the award-winning projects from the most competitive pool of teams ever, basing their decisions on the potential to provide innovative, cutting-edge sustainable solutions to worldwide environmental problems.

“The competition and expo are not only about EPA’s prestigious P3 award, but also about supporting the next generation of this country’s innovators and entrepreneurs who are entering the environmental and public health field with passion to make a difference and many brilliant ideas,” said Lek Kadeli, acting assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Research and Development. “The P3 program gives these students the opportunity to bring those ideas to realization and many have the potential to make significant impacts on our nation’s sustainable future and development of environmental technologies.”

Each P3 award-winning team will receive a grant of up to $90,000 to further develop their design, apply it to real world applications or move it to the marketplace. Previous P3 award winners have started successful businesses and are marketing the technologies in the U.S. and around the world.

Winners of this year’s awards include:

 

•  Appalachian State University for developing an artificial wetland suitable for recycling of grey water from small businesses for immediate reuse.

•  Butte College for developing structural insulated panels for building construction using rice hulls, an abundant agricultural waste, as the primary raw material.

•  Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for designing a foldable solar power water purification system that can fit into a backpack for easy transport for use after a disaster affecting drinking ether supply.

•  Gonzaga University for developing a simple ventilation system for kitchens in rural dwellings using electrical power generated from thermoelectric cells driven by waste heat from cooking fires.
 
•  Oregon State University for raising awareness of pollution associated with the production and use of plastic mulch by farmers and testing alternative biodegradable mulch material.

•  Princeton University for developing, testing and deploying an electricity generation system that can be transported in a standard shipping container and rapidly set up in rural communities and post disaster areas.

•  Santa Clara University for developing a fuel cell capable of continuous sustainable energy supply to meet energy demands in rural communities in developing nations lacking reliable energy grids.

•  Southern Illinois University - Carbondale for developing methods to extract (recycle) metals from Coal Combustion Byproducts (CCB) to reduce mining and to produce a concrete with reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

•  SUNY College of Environmental Science and Engineering for studying ways to recover struvite, a slow release fertilizer, from digested animal manures and assesses its marketability.

•  Texas State University - San Marcos for converting rice husks, a byproducts of agriculture, into a starter material called lignocellulose for producing fabrics, biofuel and silica nanoparticles.

•  University of California - Riverside for designing a solar collector to heat ambient air for use in home appliances, such as clothes dryers and space heaters, to reduce home energy consumption.

•  University of Cincinnati for developing a pilot scale system to convert trap grease from restaurants, a waste set to landfill, to renewable biodiesel.

•  University of Connecticut for investigating ways to use local industrial byproducts such as steal slag and lime kilm dust to control erosion and to stabilize roads in Nicaragua.   

•  University of Oklahoma - Norman for design, field-test, construct, instrument, analyze and document a habitat for humanity house built of compresses earth blocks (CEB).

•  Vanderbilt University for developing a biohyrid solar panel that substitutes a protein from spinach for rare metals (mined) and is capable of producing electricity.
 
Honorable Mention winners of this year’s competition include:
•  Christian Brothers University for developing technologies to improve energy efficiency in the building envelope of residencies in Memphis, Tennessee, that focus on the thermal properties of materials, fire safety, material stability and cost.
 
•  Clarkson University for studying the feasibility of using waste heat and leachate from a solid waste management facility for energy to produce biodiesel from algae.
 
•  Drexel University for designing a pilot-scale reactor for local landfill that uses algae to produce biofuels from landfill leachate and gas.

•  Purdue University for designing, building and installing affordable ram pumps in Haiti to improve the availability of water for its citizens.
 
•  Rochester Institute of Technology for designing a hydrofoil system that harvests energy from a river while minimizing the harmful effects that dams create for river flow and sediments.
 
•  Santa Clara University for developing a high efficiency solar absorber/exchanger that can bring low cost energy to urbanites who have limited space for solar collectors.
 
•  Southern Illinois University -Edwardsville for evaluating the use of selenium-polluted plant waste materials harvested from phytoremediation sites to produce selenium-enriched edible mushrooms.
 
•  University of Texas at Austin for designing, constructing and testing vermicomposting (composting with worms) bins to improve public health in the Dominican Republic by reducing water contamination from organic waste.

•  University of California - Davis for designing and monitoring an affordable green roof technology that uses the shading from plant to cool roof surfaces and reduce peak electricity demand by up to 75 percent.

•  Missouri University of Science and Technology for developing a control system that opens and closes windows to maximize natural ventilation and save energy by sensing differencing in outdoor and indoor climate conditions.

•  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for creating and implementing a point-of-view disinfectant for drinking water that is cheap, non-toxic and effective in reducing waterborne illness in developing nations.

Each year, the National Sustainable Design Expo features EPA’s P3 competition while also highlighting and exhibiting other sustainable initiatives, programs and technologies developed and implemented by nonprofit organizations, government and state agencies. This year’s expo was co-sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Engineers without Borders-USA, Engineering for Change and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

P3 teams were also recognized earlier this week during EPA’s American Innovation for Sustainability Forum, an event bringing together sustainability and innovation leaders nationwide. The U.S. Army recognized three teams for projects that fit the Army’s NetZero initiative. The team from University of Texas at Austin received recognition for Zero Waste for their use of vermicomposting to reduce solid waste. Embry Riddle Aeronautical University developed a lightweight solar powered battery backup water purification system that reflects the Army’s Zero Water efforts. University of California at Davis was recognized for their cool roofs project promoting Zero Energy. Additionally, the Paladin Capital Group recognized Vanderbilt University’s project working on solar cells with the “Marketplace Innovation Award.”

More information on the P3 award competition:  http://www.epa.gov/p3/2012winners

More information on the P3 program: http://www.epa.gov/P3

R069

IBM and Bauman Moscow State Technical University Open Smarter Cities Development and Education Center in Russia

Collaboration will create new opportunities for students and support the development of Russian Cities

Tab navigation

• News release
• Related XML feeds

• Contact(s) information

ARMONK, N.Y. and MOSCOW - 25 Apr 2012: IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Bauman Moscow State Technical University (BMSTU) today announced the opening of a Smarter Cities Development and Education Center in Russia – the first of its kind in the region.

Located on the university's Moscow campus, the center will be home to a unique educational program giving students the chance to explore and apply IBM's latest technologies and solutions to improve the management of urban infrastructure and support the development of smarter cities. Aligned with the Russian government's priorities for the modernization and technological development of urban centers across the country, the center will support the development of IT skills crucial to Russia's innovation agenda.

"The launch of the new Smarter Cities Development and Education Center at BMSTU is a significant milestone for IBM in the Russian market and shows the maturity of the Smarter Cities vision," said Kirill Korniliev, Country General Manager of IBM in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States. "Skills are crucial for the development of smarter cities and by establishing this new facility we will open up new opportunities for young professionals and spur innovation in the field."

Students will be given the chance to explore how advanced technologies such as analytics software and mobile collaboration tools can help to integrate city systems such as water, traffic and public safety. A key component of the center will be IBM's Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) for Smarter Cities, which is designed to help cities of all sizes integrate city systems and apply intelligence to their operations through one central point of command. Some of the center's first development projects will look at how IBM's IOC solution can be integrated with data from  Russia's Global Navigation Satellite System, which already spans some 33 cities in Russia, to enable officials to better monitor and respond to city incidents.

"Creating this center gives rise to a new professional direction for our graduates," says Anatoly Alexandrov, Rector of Bauman Moscow State Technical University.  "This collaboration with IBM provides our graduates with skills that we believe will be in significant demand as Russia seeks to create Smarter Cities and increase its global economic competitiveness."

In the past two years, IBM has opened Smarter Cities centers in Dublin, Ireland in collaboration with Ireland's Industrial Development Agency and the University of Guadalajara in Mexico. The new center in Moscow is part of IBM's ongoing global effort to help students and city leaders develop expertise and apply innovative technologies to create smart solutions to tackle issues that have high social and economic impact for cities around the world.

About IBM

For more information about IBM Smarter Cities please visit: http://www.ibm.com/smartercities.

About Bauman Moscow State Technical University (BMSTU)

For more information about BMSTU please visit: http://www.bmstu.ru/english/.

Release Date: Apr 24, 2012Contact: 888-249-NEWS

---

U.S. Chamber and Green Plus™ Launch Environmental Help Desk for Small Businesses and Local Chambers

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) and the Institute for Sustainable Development’s Green Plus™ program yesterday announced the creation of an online help desk to assist U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises with environmental business issues.  The Environmental Help Desk for Business, launched to coincide with Earth Day 2012, will provide clear, accessible advice on green supply chain requirements, green business certifications, and environmental innovations that can reduce both cost and environmental impact.

“Entrepreneurs, business development experts, and small business owners are becoming more and more engaged in “green” business opportunities, processes, tools and techniques,” said Stephen Jordan, founder and executive director of BCLC.  “This is why BCLC is proud to team up with the Institute for Sustainable Development to create the BCLC Environmental Help Desk to research and answer these questions.”

The Institute for Sustainable Development’s Green Plus™ staff will manage the Environmental Help Desk for Business, with support from business, environmental, and policy graduate students from Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and other universities in the Green Plus™ network.  Additionally, a variety of experts will offer insights about cutting-edge innovations and green supply chain trends.

“The Environmental Help Desk partnership with BCLC is a great way to extend our mission of making sustainable business best practices available to America’s small business community,” said Chris Carmody, executive director of the Institute for Sustainable Development and the Green Plus™ program.  “Being green and sustainable is no longer only a cost-reduction tactic for small business – it’s also the price of admission to competing for business from the world’s largest companies.”

Since 2007, the U.S. Chamber BCLC has managed the Office Depot Foundation-sponsored National Disaster Help Desk for Business.  This service has fielded more than 18,000 inquiries from across the nation and has directly served nearly 8,000 small businesses and chambers of commerce by connecting callers with simple and fast information.  The success of this original help desk paved the way for the Environmental Help Desk for Business.

The Environmental Help Desk can be reached by phone: (919) 886-4228, on Twitter, and through Facebook.  Visit the Help Desk online for more information.

The Institute for Sustainable Development / Green Plus™ is a 501(c)3 non-profit partnership of business and universities in North Carolina’s Research Triangle. The Institute is dedicated to democratizing sustainability, helping small businesses and their communities understand and use best practices in business and environmental management, as well as excellent employee and community engagement. Through its Green Plus program, the Institute provides open source sustainability expertise throughout the U.S., and serves business in the Green Plus™ Certification program in fifteen states. For more information on the Institute, please see www.gogreenplus.org.

BCLC is the U.S. Chamber’s resource and voice for businesses’ social and philanthropic interests.  Its mission is to advance the positive role of business in society. Visit http://bclc.uschamber.com.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

Newf Public Lecture Series Coming to Argonne

New public lecture series coming to Argonne

(Download printer-friendly, PDF version.)

March 20, 2012.

ARGONNE, Ill. (March 20, 2012) — Leading scientists and engineering experts will speak at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory as part of a new public lecture series called "Argonne OutLoud." The series will highlight the cutting-edge research taking place at Argonne and topics of interest to the community at large. Lectures are free and open to the public but will require advance registration.

The first lecture in the series, taking place on April 12, 2012, at 7:00 p.m., will feature Argonne agronomist and environmental engineer Cristina Negri. Her presentation is titled "Changing the bio-energy equation: Turning environmental challenges into sustainable resources." The event will take place at the Argonne Advanced Photon Source Auditorium and will include light refreshments and a poster session preceding the lecture.

To register for this event, please visit www.anl.gov/community/outloud

Negri will discuss how plants can combat water pollution, clean the environment and create new energy sources. She will also share her vision for the future and discuss how these techniques can be used locally to restore brownfields and other areas while producing biomass for energy and revitalizing neighborhoods.

"I like to brag that I have the biggest lab at Argonne," said Negri, referring to the work she does on some of Argonne’s 1,500 acres. "Many times research has a single focus — only crops, only fuel, only environmental remedies. If you put all three together, you can often make one’s waste a resource for the other."

Negri leads Argonne's phytotechnologies efforts, which encompass the treatment of environmental problems through the use of plants. She has led several related projects, including the development of a phyto- and bio-remediation project in Russia after the Chernobyl disaster. She also focuses on input-efficient approaches to growing energy crops, water efficiency in growing biofuel crops and the advanced treatment and reuse of wastewater and other impaired water. More information about Negri and her work is available online.

Argonne National Laboratory seeks solutions to pressing national problems in science and technology. The nation's first national laboratory, Argonne conducts leading-edge basic and applied scientific research in virtually every scientific discipline. Argonne researchers work closely with researchers from hundreds of companies, universities, and federal, state and municipal agencies to help them solve their specific problems, advance America's scientific leadership and prepare the nation for a better future. With employees from more than 60 nations, Argonne is managed by UChicago Argonne, LLCfor the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science.

By Eleanor Taylor. 

DuPont Leader Discusses Sustainability During Globe 2012

DuPont News, March 16, 2012

DuPont Leader Discusses Sustainability During Globe 2012: “Building a Sustainable Economy for the 21st Century”

DuPont Vice President of Safety, Health & Environment and Chief Sustainability Officer Linda Fisher recently was featured on the Globe 2012 website and in the Vancouver Sun (online news source for Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) about her take on sustainability and how she looks to motivate fellow DuPont employees.

Here are her own words about what makes sustainability relevant for DuPont, our customers and our way of life.

Q. What does 'sustainability' mean for your company?

A. While reducing our own footprint is important, striving to provide more sustainable solutions is the most important contribution that DuPont can make - using our science and innovation to understand the needs, working collaboratively with others, and developing solutions that meet the economic, social and environmental expectations of our customers and society overall.

Q. What motivates you personally to embrace sustainability?

A. Twelve years of work in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as regulator gave me a great sense of the value and the limitations of regulatory frameworks. Regulations are great for preventing pollution but can't operate at the international level and don't drive the innovations needed to create more sustainable solutions for the world's major challenges. The private sector is critical for delivering the innovations that can provide solutions that meet societal needs in completely different ways. While I am proud to work for a company that has been proactive in voluntarily reducing its footprint, what I am really motivated by are the opportunities I see as DuPont focuses on delivering more new products and services that can help society take a step change in solving global challenges.

Q. How do you motivate your colleagues and staff to be engaged in your corporate sustainability initiatives? 

A. The exciting aspect of focusing our sustainability work on creating new solutions versus just reducing our footprint is our employees are truly excited about being part of a company that is helping to solve the world's biggest challenges. I am continually energized by the new ideas and energy that people have to overcome barriers and find new solutions.

A recent example of this is a new product that we partnered on.  Verlasso™ is a brand and trademark of AquaChile, which formed a collaboration with DuPont that will join the collective innovation and aquaculture expertise of the companies to identify how to raise fish sustainably to provide nutritious protein for a growing population.

The new harmonious approach to salmon farming by Verlasso™ brings one of the healthiest and most delicious choices to the marketplace, providing a high-quality and sustainable salmon that balances the needs for nutrition and the needs of the environment. Verlasso™ salmon is low in fat and high in protein and Omega-3s. The most significant innovation for Verlasso™ is its use of 75% fewer feeder fish to produce healthy salmon rich in Omega-3s. In traditional salmon farms, salmon get their Omega-3s from fish oils provided by wild-caught feeder fish, which puts a significant strain on our oceans. Typically, it takes four or more pounds of feeder fish to raise one pound of salmon---what's known as the "fish in, fish out" ratio. Verlasso™ drops the "fish in" number from four down to one.

So bottom line, we have a healthier product that significantly reduces the impact of aquaculture on global fisheries, and we have employees who are excited to be part of this work and now are looking for new ways to use our science to deliver solutions that make a difference.

View the complete article.

News Release from EPA Region 7 - Sutherland, Nebraska

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7

901 N. Fifth St., Kansas City, KS 66101

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations

EPA Provides Technical Assistance to Sutherland, Neb.

Contact Information: Ben Washburn, 913-551-7364, washburn.ben@epa.gov

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., March 15, 2012) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 announced that the Village of Sutherland, Nebraska, recently received technical assistance from EPA that will help the village become more sustainable. The assistance came in the form of a comprehensive report that provided the means for Sutherland to redevelop a number of former gas stations in its downtown.

At the core of the technical assistance are four abandoned gas stations located along U.S. Highway 30, which runs through downtown Sutherland and is the former Lincoln Highway. The abandoned gas stations may pose potential environmental and public health hazards due to underground storage tanks that remained after the stations closed. By addressing the tanks, including potential contamination and liability issues, these sites can be made viable for reuse that benefits the community while removing community eyesores and transforming the sites into community assets. The redevelopment of these sites can spur further revitalization in the area.

“The technical assistance provided to the Village of Sutherland allows the community leaders to restore four Brownfields properties to beneficial use for the community,” said Karl Brooks, EPA Region 7 Administrator. “This is a clear example that shows how being environmentally conscious can bring positive growth and development for our small rural communities.”

The project location was identified through the EPA Region 7 inventory of abandoned gas stations situated along the historic Lincoln Highway (U.S. Highway 30). EPA, in partnership with the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development Program, provided redevelopment planning support to village officials as they plan to revitalize the downtown community, including the four former downtown gas station sites that serve as gateways to the community.

# # #

News Release from EPA Region 10

Spokane Tribe to receive EPA Smart Growth assistance

Community of Wellpinit water and sewer system challenges addressed

Contact: Abby Hall, EPA Office of Sustainable Communities, 415-972-3384, hall.abby@epa.gov; Tony Brown, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-1203, brown.anthony@epa.gov

(Seattle–March 12, 2012)) – The Spokane Tribe of Indians in eastern Washington will benefit from EPA technical assistance through the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (SGIA) program. The Tribe will work with technical experts to address future water infrastructure needs in the community of Wellpinit, Washington.

The EPA funds private-sector experts through the EPA Smart Growth program to work with communities as they plan for future needs in ways that sustain environmental and economic progress and create a high quality of life. The Spokane Tribe requested assistance to support their development of a comprehensive water infrastructure plan that will focus on water and sewer system challenges in Wellpinit. The community faces future challenges of summer water shortages, drinking water delivery, pipe and pump failures, and design and maintenance of sewage management systems.

“Bringing private-sector consultants together with the professional staff of the Spokane Tribe will create a strong partnership to address future growth and the strains placed on older water systems,” said Melanie Wood, Sustainable Infrastructure Coordinator in EPA’s Pacific Northwest office. “These EPA Smart Growth programs not only provide support for environmental improvements, they also set the stage for green jobs and a healthier economy.”

The EPA assistance builds upon a Housing and Urban Development Community Challenge Planning Grant the Tribe received in 2010. The water infrastructure plan will create a foundation for future housing, transportation, and economic development planning.

Since 2005 EPA has supported 31 SGIA projects, serving dozens of communities.

Smart Growth Implementation Assistance is a project of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities among EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The interagency collaboration coordinates federal investments in infrastructure, facilities, and services to get better results for communities and use taxpayer money more efficiently. The partnership is helping communities across the country create more housing choices, make transportation more efficient and reliable, reinforce existing investments, and support vibrant and healthy neighborhoods that attract businesses.

More information:

SGIA: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia2012.htm

Partnership for Sustainable Communities: http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov

Wellpinit community contact: Scott Radford, info@antithesisresearch.org/, 509-258-7100

News Release from EPA Region 2 - Smart Growth Assistance Upstate NY

EPA Provides Technical Assistance to Upstate New York County to Promote Smart Growth Strategies

Contact: John Martin (212) 637-3662, martin.johnj@epa.gov 

(New York, N.Y. – March 9, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it will offer technical assistance to Madison County, New York, to help it implement smart growth strategies that preserve the county’s rural character. This initiative, which is part of the EPA’s Smart Growth Implementation Assistance program, aims to help communities address development challenges in ways that improve the economy, the environment and public health.

“Communities around the country are facing a variety of challenges as they try to make the best use of their resources, improve the quality of life for their residents, and spur economic growth,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “EPA’s assistance can help these communities explore new options for growth that protects their environment while laying a foundation for prosperity.”

In addition to Madison County, the following applicants will receive technical assistance in 2012:

• State of Vermont -- EPA will help communities in the Mad River Valley recover from flood damage and become more resilient to future natural disasters.
• Spokans Indian Reservation, Eastern Wash. -- EPA will help the Spokane Tribe of Indians develop a comprehensive water infrastructure plan.
• San Francisco, Calif. -- EPA will help San Francisco develop a citywide district energy plan.
• Billings, Mont. -- EPA will help Billings develop a model for collaborative planning that signs school siting with community revitalization, affordable housing, and transportation plans.

The program will offer these communities technical assistance to help understand new or cutting-edge development issues, and will then replicate that assistance to other places facing similar challenges. In addition, the program aims to identify common barriers to sustainability, and create new tools other communities can use.

Since 2005 EPA has supported 31 Smart Growth Implementation Assistance projects, serving dozens of communities. The projects are coordinated through the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, a joint effort of EPA, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The interagency collaboration coordinates federal investments in infrastructure, facilities and services to get better results for communities and use taxpayer money more efficiently. The Partnership is helping communities across the country create more housing choices, make transportation more efficient and reliable, reinforce existing investments and support vibrant neighborhoods that attract new business.

More information on the Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program and the selected communities: http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia2012.htm

More information on the Partnership for Sustainable Communities: http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/eparegion2 and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/eparegion2.

12-033                                                             # # #