SOUTHEAST DIESEL COLLABORATIVE CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN ATLANTA

Media Advisory
August 3, 2012

SOUTHEAST DIESEL COLLABORATIVE CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN ATLANTA
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov

ATLANTA — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will join a consortium of federal, state and local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry to hold the Southeast Diesel Collaborative (SEDC) Seventh Annual Partners Meeting in Atlanta on August 7-8, 2012. The SEDC is a public-private partnership composed of stakeholders from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

The goal of the collaborative is to improve air quality and public health by reducing emissions from existing diesel engines. The conference theme is “Amplifying the Reach of the Southeast Diesel Collaborative” and will focus on nationally and regionally significant diesel emissions issues related to freight, public fleets and nonroad focus areas.  Topics also include: innovative strategies, projects, and funding; outreach and collaboration; renewable and alternative fueling for diesel engines; and future clean diesel opportunities and funding.

On August 7, this year’s winners of the SEDC Annual Leadership awards will be announced and recognized.  The winners include: Staples Inc. (Industry Award); the Alabama Department of Transportation (Community Award) and the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition (Visionary Award). The SEDC workshop, the “Freight Growth and Livable Communities Summit,” will be held on August 6.  

What:  Southeast Diesel Collaborative Seventh Annual Partners Meeting

When: August 6, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., Freight Growth and Livable Communities Summit
  August 7, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., SEDC Leadership Awards at 11:30 a.m.
  August 8, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Where:  Crowne Plaza Hotel Atlanta Perimeter at Ravinia
4355 Ashford Dunwoody Road
Atlanta, GA 30346
  (770) 395-7700

How:   Registration at www.southeastdiesel.org. There is no registration fee to attend.

About the Southeast Diesel Collaborative (SEDC)
Organized in early 2006 by EPA Region 4, the Southeast Diesel Collaborative has enjoyed unprecedented success in bringing together leaders from federal, state and local governments, non-government organizations, industry, and academia to reduce diesel engine emissions across the eight southeastern states. Focused on promoting energy independence, a cleaner environment and growing, sustainable economies, this partnership offers wide ranging health and economic benefits across a broad range of sectors. 

The Southeast Diesel Collaborative is part of EPA’s National Clean Diesel Campaign, a program combining regulatory measures with voluntary initiatives to reduce the pollution emitted from diesel engines across the country. Visit the Southeast Diesel Collaborative website at: www.southeastdiesel.org.

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New Haven Company Faces Fine for Hazardous Waste Violations

News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Office
August 2, 2012 

Contact: Dave Deegan (617) 918-1017

New Haven Company Faces Fine for Hazardous Waste Violations

(Boston, Mass. – August 2, 2012) - A New Haven, Conn. company that makes door hardware faces a penalty of $64,495 from the US Environmental Protection Agency for violating state and federal hazardous waste laws.

According to a complaint filed recently by EPA’s New England office, the Sargent Manufacturing Company failed to segregate containers of incompatible hazardous waste, failed to have an adequate hazardous waste training program, failed to close containers of hazardous waste, failed to maintain adequate aisle space between containers of hazardous waste, failed to mark containers with the date  that accumulation of hazardous waste began, failed to update and submit revised contingency plan to local authorities, and otherwise failed to manage hazardous waste in accordance with the requirements.

Sargent Manufacturing is owned by Assa Abloy, a company based in Sweden.

The case stems from a March 2011 inspection by EPA to see if the company was meeting the requirements of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and related state regulations.  This federal law is designed to help protect public health and the environment by promoting the proper management of hazardous wastes. 

Sargent’s failure to segregate containers of spent hydrochloric acid and sodium fluoride prompted significant concern.  If the containers were to break or leak, the mixing of these incompatible wastes could lead to a reaction, such as fire or explosion, or the generation of flammable hydrogen gas.  Sargent’s failure to have an adequate hazardous waste training program increased the likelihood that wastes generated may not be properly managed and that Sargent personnel may not be able to adequately coordinate all emergency response measures in the event of emergency.

More information :  Enforcing hazardous waste laws in New England (http://www.epa.gov/region1/enforcement/waste/index.html )

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Energy Department Announces New Technical Review to Assess Black Cells at Hanford’s Waste Treatment Plant

News release from the U.S. Dept. of Energy:

Energy Department Announces New Technical Review to Assess Black Cells at Hanford’s Waste Treatment Plant

August 2, 2012 - 12:15pm

News Media Contact

• (202) 586-4940

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Energy announced today that Secretary of Energy Steven Chu has assembled a group of  independent technical experts  to assess the Hanford Site’s Waste Treatment Plant (WTP), specifically as it relates to the facility’s “black cells.” The review involves the plant’s capability, as designed, to detect equipment failure and to repair failed equipment inside the WTP’s black cells.  Black cells are enclosed concrete rooms within the WTP Pretreatment facility that contain tanks and piping.  Due to high levels of radioactivity once the plant begins operations, the cells are designed to be sealed with no access by personnel over the anticipated 40-year operating life span of the plant.  The review will include the individual input of technical experts in a variety of fields.

“I will be receiving input from each of these highly capable experts to help improve our ability to detect and address any potential issues in the black cells that could arise during the course of the Waste Treatment Plant’s operational life,” said Chu.  “These experts have a reputation for developing creative solutions to highly technical issues and their independent advice will enable us to integrate worthwhile ideas into the design of the plant before construction is completed.”

The WTP is being designed and built to treat millions of gallons of tank waste from plutonium production at Hanford from the 1940s to the 1980s.  The equipment in the facility’s 18 black cells is designed to operate without moving mechanical parts that would require maintenance. DOE is now reviewing that technical approach to determine whether or not those areas can or should be accessible for monitoring and repairing equipment once operations begin.

Secretary Chu and the independent experts will begin reviewing information about WTP this week and are expected to visit the Hanford Site in the coming months. The principal purposes of the review are to assess the plant’s capability to detect equipment vulnerabilities or failures in the black cells, assess plans to repair those systems, and recommend any design changes or operational enhancements that may be needed.  The Department has named William Hamel, the Assistant Manager for Infrastructure at Idaho, as the lead federal employee to facilitate this review.  Hamel, an employee of the Office of Nuclear Energy, has in-depth knowledge and experience with black cell designs and vitrification operations.

“We welcome this assessment and look forward to assisting with this review at the Waste Treatment Plant,” said Scott Samuelson, Manager, DOE’s Office of River Protection.  “These individuals are known for both their expertise and capability to analyze complex problems and facilities and provide sound recommendations to the government.”

The following individuals will be participating in the review:

• Langdon Holton has over 35 years experience in radiochemical process engineering and operations, nuclear fuel reprocessing, waste separations and treatment and development of waste treatment technologies supporting programs within the United States, Germany and France.  Langdon Holton is employed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and has been supporting DOE in its oversight of the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant.  He has academic degrees in chemical engineering from the University of California, and graduate degrees in chemical engineering and business from the University of Washington.

• Dr. Thomas O. Hunter retired in July 2010 as President and Laboratories Director of Sandia National Laboratories.  Dr. Hunter joined Sandia in 1967 and became president in April 2005.  In May, DOE Secretary Steven Chu appointed Dr. Hunter as lead of the federal government’s scientific team that worked with BP officials to develop and analyze solutions to the BP oil spill. That work is continuing.  Dr. Hunter is a member of the Engineering Advisory Board for the University of Florida, Council on Foreign Relations, American Nuclear Society, New Mexico Technology Commercialization Council, the MIND Research Network, and the U.S. Strategic Command’s Strategic Advisory Group.  He is the author of numerous technical papers and presentations.  Dr. Hunter earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Florida, an M.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico, an M.S. in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin, and a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin.

• Dr. David Kosson is a Professor of Engineering, Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Professor of Chemical Engineering, and Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Vanderbilt University.  He also is co-principal investigator (with Charles Powers) of the multi-university Consortium for Risk Evaluation with Stakeholder Participation (CRESP).  Kosson’s research focuses on management of nuclear and chemical wastes, including process development and contaminant mass transfer applied to groundwater, soil, sediment, and waste systems.  Kosson has undergraduate and graduate degrees in chemical and biochemical engineering from Rutgers University.

• Dr. Milton Levenson has more than 60 years experience in nuclear energy, much of it relating to nuclear safety.  His technical experience includes work related to nuclear safety, fuel cycle, water reactors, advanced reactors, and remote operations.  Levenson was at Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project in the early 1940s.  He had first-hand knowledge of the first fatal nuclear accident in the United States (known as the SL-1 accident in Idaho).  He led the technical team that responded to the Three Mile Island accident in 1979, and he was appointed to a special Soviet commission that investigated the Chernobyl accident.  His professional experience includes research and operations positions at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Argonne National Laboratory, Electric Power Research Institute, and Bechtel, where he retired as vice president in 1989.  Levenson is a fellow and past president of the American Nuclear Society, a fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and a recipient of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers' Robert E. Wilson Award in Nuclear Chemical Engineering.  He is the author of more than 150 publications and presentations and holds three U.S patents.  He is also a member of the National Academies' Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board and has served on several National Research Council committees.

• Dr. Arun Majumdar became the first Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E), the country's only agency devoted to transformational energy research and development, in October 2009.  Prior to joining ARPA-E, Majumdar was the Associate Laboratory Director for Energy and Environment at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley.  His highly distinguished research career includes the science and engineering of energy conversion, transport, and storage ranging from molecular and nanoscale level to large energy systems.  In 2005, Majumdar was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering for this pioneering work.  He received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.

• Dr. Richard A. Meserve is President of the Carnegie Institution for Science and Senior of Counsel, Covington & Burling LLP.  He is a former chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and is a member of the President’s Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future.  With his Harvard law degree, received in 1975, and his Ph.D. in applied physics from Stanford, awarded in 1976, Meserve devoted his legal practice to technical issues arising at the intersection of science, law, and public policy.  Early in his career, Meserve served as legal counsel to the President’s science advisor and was a law clerk to Justice Harry A. Blackmun of the United States Supreme Court and to Judge Benjamin Kaplan of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.  Meserve received his undergraduate degree from Tufts University in 1966.

• Dr. Per Peterson is Professor and Chair of the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB).  He is a member of the President’s Blue Ribbon Commission on America’s Nuclear Future.  After joining UCB in 1990 as an Assistant Professor he received a NSF Presidential Young Investigator award, and most recently received the Fusion Power Associates Excellence in Fusion Engineering Award and the American Nuclear Society Thermal Hydraulics Division Technical Achievement Award.  Peterson’s research interests focus on topics in heat and mass transfer, fluid dynamics, and phase change.

• Dr. Monica Regalbuto works in the Process Chemistry and Engineering Department at Argonne National Laboratory.  She previously served as a Senior Program Manager with the Office of Waste Processing with the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management, supporting technical risk reduction and uncertainty in the Department’s clean-up programs. From 2003 to 2008, Regalbuto served as the head of the Process Chemistry and Engineering Department in Argonne’s Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division and managed a group of 30 researchers. Regalbuto has academic degrees in chemical engineering from the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey and graduate degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

High Ozone Levels & Poor Air Quality Predicted for parts of New England Friday Aug. 3

News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Regional Office
August 2, 2012

Contact:  David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

High Ozone Levels & Poor Air Quality Predicted for parts of New England Friday Aug. 3
Most of Conn., Central Mass., coastal N.H.

(Boston, Mass. – August 2, 2012) – Unhealthy air quality is expected for most of Connecticut, central Massachusetts, and into coastal New Hampshire. The forecast for hot weather tomorrow is also expected to cause the demand for electricity in New England to reach high load levels.

“With more very hot summer weather coming tomorrow, EPA and the State environmental agencies are predicting unhealthy air quality in parts of New England,” said Curt Spalding, Administrator of EPA’s New England office.  “Everybody can help reduce smog-forming emissions by driving less, by using public transportation, and by setting air conditioner thermostats a few degrees higher.”

Exposure to elevated ozone levels can cause breathing problems, aggravate asthma and other pre-existing lung diseases, and make people more susceptible to respiratory infection.  When ozone levels are elevated, people should refrain from strenuous outdoor activity, especially sensitive populations such as children and adults with respiratory problems.


Ground-level ozone forms when volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen (ozone precursors) interact in the presence of strong sunlight. Cars, trucks and buses give off the majority of the pollution create ozone.  Burning fossil fuels at electric generating units, particularly on hot days, also emit ozone precursors. Gasoline stations, print shops, household products like paints and cleaners, as well as lawn and garden equipment also add significantly to the ozone problem. 


When ozone is forecast to be unhealthy, EPA asks the public to take action. The public can help reduce ozone by:


- Using public transportation, car pooling and/or combining trips;
- Avoiding the use of small gasoline powered engines, such as lawn mowers and tractors, chain saws, power washers, string trimmers and leaf blowers.


Due to tomorrow’s forecast of hot weather, the demand for electricity in New England is forecast to reach high load levels. Given the ozone and high load forecasts, EPA is asking homeowners and employers to make a special effort to reduce their electricity consumption. EPA asks employers to consider asking their employees to dress casually and turn their air conditioning to a higher temperature setting and turn off any unnecessary lights and computers when not in use.  Homeowners also are urged to turn their air conditioner to a higher temperature setting, turn off unnecessary lights and appliances, such as televisions, computers, or lights during the day, and to defer household activities like laundry until later hours.


The ozone standard is 0.075 parts per million (ppm) on an 8-hour average basis. Air quality alerts are issued when ozone concentrations exceed, or are predicted to exceed, this level. So far this year, there have been 18 days in New England when ozone concentrations have exceeded the standard. (A preliminary list of this summer’s unhealthy readings can be found at http://www.epa.gov/region1/airquality/o3exceed-12.html)


EPA and the New England states provide real-time ozone data and air quality forecasts at www.epa.gov/ne/aqi. This website can also be used to sign up to receive free air quality alerts by e-mail when poor air quality is predicted for a particular area. National real-time air quality data from AirNow is also available on smart phones with free iPhone and Android apps, available for download at http://www.airnow.gov/.

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Maine Company Faces Penalty for Violations of Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations

News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Office         
August  2, 2012

Contact Information: Dave Deegan, (617) 918-1017

Maine Company Faces Penalty for Violations of Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations

(Boston, Mass. – August 2, 2012) A Maine company that provides motor vehicle services and fuel oil sales is facing a fine of up to $177,500 for violations of the Clean Water Act. 

 EPA recently filed a complaint against the J&S Oil Co., Inc. for failing to maintain and fully implement an oil spill prevention plan, which contributed to the release of approximately 1,500 gallons of used motor oil from a tanker truck at the facility.

The oil release in March 2012 prompted an emergency response from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and EPA.  The company also hired an oil spill response company to contain the spilled oil and dispose of contaminated soils. 

EPA determined that the company had failed to fully maintain and implement it Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan, as required by the Clean Water Act. SPCC plans specify spill prevention measures at facilities that store oil above threshold amounts and help ensure that a tank failure or oil spill does not lead to oil reaching bodies of water.  In its complaint EPA alleges that the company failed to provide for adequate secondary containment for some of the facility’s above-ground storage tanks and the tanker trucks parked at the facility; failed to provide secondary containment for the loading/unloading rack; failed to maintain adequate training records of oil-handling personnel in the operation and maintenance of equipment to prevent discharges; and, failed to provide adequate security for the facility.

For more information on federal oil spill prevention requirements:

            http://www.epa.gov/ne/superfund/er/oilstor.htm

            http://www.epa.gov/oilspill

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EPA Encourages the Public to Comment on Plan for Cleanup at Scientific Chemical Superfund Site in Carlstadt, New Jersey

News release:

EPA Encourages the Public to Comment on Plan for Cleanup at

Scientific Chemical Superfund Site in Carlstadt, New Jersey

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

(New York, N.Y. – August 2, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a plan to clean up contaminated ground water at the Scientific Chemical Processing Superfund site in Carlstadt, New Jersey. Past industrial activities contaminated the ground water with volatile organic compounds, which can have serious health effects, including liver damage and an increased risk of cancer. The proposed plan calls for the ground water to be treated to break down the contaminants to protect people’s health and the environment.

The EPA will hold a public meeting on August 9, 2012 to explain the proposed plan and is encouraging public comments. The meeting will be held at 7:00 p.m. at the Carlstadt Borough Hall, 500 Madison Street, Carlstadt, New Jersey. Comments will be accepted until September 4, 2012.

From the 1940s to 1980, what is now referred to as the Scientific Chemical Processing site was used to process solvents for further use or disposal. In 1970, the Scientific Chemical Processing Company leased the site and used the property for processing industrial waste from 1971 until the company was shut down.

The Scientific Chemical Processing site was listed on the EPA’s Superfund list of the nation’s most hazardous waste sites in 1983. Between 1983 and 1985, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection required the company to remove approximately 250,000 gallons of wastes stored in tanks which had been abandoned at the site. The EPA took the lead in overseeing the cleanup in 1985.

Because of the nature and complexity of the contamination at the site, the cleanup has been conducted in three phases. The first phase began in 1990, when the EPA implemented a plan to contain contaminated ground water and soil on the Scientific Chemical Processing property proper while a longer term plan could be developed. An underground wall was constructed to prevent contaminated ground water from moving off-site. A cap was installed to prevent exposure to contaminated soil on the site and to keep water from seeping into the ground water. In addition, a system was built to collect the ground water so it could be shipped off-site and treated.

In August 2002, based on the results of monitoring conducted after the first phase of work, the EPA began implementing a long term plan for the ground water and soil on the property. Under this plan, the EPA removed an area of highly contaminated soil and upgraded the ground water extraction. Ground water is still being shipped off-site for treatment. This work was completed in October 2011.

During the third phase, currently proposed by the EPA, substances designed to break the contaminants down to less toxic forms would be injected into the ground water in affected areas outside of the site. Samples of the ground water would be collected and analyzed regularly to ensure the technology is effective, and remains protective of human health and the environment. Monitoring will continue until ground water cleanup levels have been met.

The Superfund program operates on the principle that polluters should pay for the cleanups, rather than passing the costs to taxpayers. After sites are placed on the Superfund list of the most contaminated waste sites, the EPA searches for parties responsible for the contamination and holds them accountable for the costs of investigations and cleanups. The cleanup of the Scientific Chemical Processing site is being conducted and paid for by a group of over 100 companies with oversight by the EPA.

Written comments may be mailed or emailed to:

Stephanie Vaughn, Remedial Project Manager

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Region 2

290 Broadway – 19th Floor

New York, N.Y. 10007-1866

(212) 637-4410

vaughn.stephanie@epa.gov

For more information on the Scientific Chemical Processing Superfund site, go to: http://www.epa.gov/region2/superfund/npl/scientificchemical/

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

Martin Operating Partnership in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

Press release:

Martin Operating Partnership in Cameron Parish, Louisiana,

Fined for Violating the Clean Water Act

(DALLAS – August 2, 2012) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has fined Martin Operating Partnership in Cameron, Louisiana, $14,400 for violating federal Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act.

A February 28, 2012, federal inspection of the partnership’s Cameron 7 Terminal located in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, revealed the facility failed to properly manage retained stormwater from inside diked areas and failed to keep the diked area rainwater bypass valve in a closed and sealed position. The inspection also found the terminal’s SPCC plan failed to provide an adequate schedule for tank integrity testing, and the required facility diagram failed to list all oil tankage at the terminal.

SPCC regulations require onshore oil production and bulk storage facilities to provide oil spill prevention, control and countermeasures to prevent oil discharges. The SPCC program helps protect our nation’s water quality since a spill of only one gallon of oil can contaminate one million gallons of water.

Additional information on SPCC regulations is available at: http://www.epa.gov/oilspill

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

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