University of Florida in Gainesville, FL wins First Prize for Large Institutions RainWorks Challenge

EPA News Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2013

University of Florida in Gainesville, FL wins First Prize for Large Institutions RainWorks Challenge

Contact: William McBride, 404-562-8378 (direct), 404-562-8400 (main), mcbride.william@epa.gov

Atlanta -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that the University of Florida at Gainesville, Florida won first prize among large institutions in the Agency’s first Campus RainWorks Challenge. EPA created the challenge to inspire the next generation of landscape architects, planners and engineers to develop innovative green infrastructure.

The design submitted by the winning team from the University of Florida targets Reitz Lawn, an 11-acre open area and pedestrian corridor on campus. The plan aims to remove pollutants from stormwater before they reach nearby Lake Alice, which drains directly into the Floridian Aquifer.  The design includes naturalistic rain gardens and bioswales, two architectural collection pools, a green wall, a green roof, and a campus garden.

The team’s design was unique among the entries received in seeking student input. The team displayed an informational kiosk at the University’s Student Union, where team members surveyed students to identify major pedestrian routes through the Reitz Lawn, learn more about current uses, and solicit opinions on potential design elements and reduce water used for campus landscaping by 3 million gallons annually.

The project will serve as an ongoing stormwater management design and research site for the University of Florida’s campus and nearby Lake Alice. The University of Florida’s team was composed of a faculty advisor and 12 graduate students from various disciplines including landscape architecture, environmental engineering, and agricultural and biological engineering.

More than 30 expert judges from EPA, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Water Environment Federation and the American Society of Civil Engineers reviewed submissions from 218 teams. The winners were selected based on six criteria: analysis and planning, preservation or restoration of natural features, integrated water management, soil and vegetation management, value to campus, and likelihood of implementation.

Stormwater is one of the most widespread challenges to water quality in the nation. Large volumes of polluted stormwater degrade our nation’s rivers, lakes and aquatic habitats and contribute to downstream flooding.

The Campus RainWorks Challenge engages students and faculty at colleges and universities to apply green infrastructure principles and design, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and increase the use of green infrastructure on campuses across the nation. Green infrastructure filters and captures pollutants by passing stormwater through soils and retaining it on site. Green roofs, permeable surfaces and rain gardens are some of the most common types of green infrastructure.

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Beef Products Inc. to Pay $450,000 Penalty for Clean Air Act Violations at its Waterloo, Iowa, Facility

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7

11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, KS 66219

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

Beef Products Inc. to Pay $450,000 Penalty for Clean Air Act Violations at its Waterloo, Iowa, Facility

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

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Lenexa, Kan., April 23, 2013) - Beef Products Inc. (BPI) has agreed to pay a $450,000 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of Clean Air Act regulations in Waterloo, Iowa, the Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

As part of a consent decree lodged today in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, BPI has agreed to conduct third-party audits of its compliance with the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program requirements at the company’s South Sioux City, Nebraska, facility. BPI will then have 90 days to submit a plan to EPA that will correct identified violations within one year.

Today’s settlement stems from a 2007 incident at the now-closed Waterloo, Iowa, facility that released more than 1,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia into a production area occupied by BPI workers. The anhydrous ammonia trapped two BPI employees resulting in the permanent disability of one worker and the death of the other. During the response to the release, BPI directed its employees to enter the facility while dangerous levels of airborne anhydrous ammonia remained present.

After the 2007 incident, EPA gathered information about the release and facility operations through information requests and an inspection. Based on these activities, EPA determined that BPI did have a risk management program on paper, but failed to implement the program at the Waterloo facility, contributing to the 2007 incident.

“The implementation of a risk management program is integral to the safe operation of facilities where anhydrous ammonia is used,” Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. “The 2007 incident in Waterloo demonstrates that having a plan only on paper increases the risk of accidental exposure to both employees and first responders.”

In 2005, with a goal of preventing accidents and helping regulated entities understand their obligations in accordance with environmental laws, EPA Region 7 published an Accident Prevention and Response Manual for Anhydrous Ammonia Refrigeration System Operators. That guide, now in its third edition, is available online.

Anhydrous ammonia is considered a poisonous gas but is commonly used in industrial refrigeration systems. Exposure to its vapors can cause temporary blindness and eye damage and irritation of the skin, mouth, throat, respiratory tract and mucous membranes. Prolonged exposure to anhydrous ammonia vapor at high concentrations can lead to serious lung damage and death.

The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. Once it is published in the Federal Register, a copy of the consent decree will be available on the Justice Department web site atwww.usdoj.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html.

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Dutch Study: Dredging Damaging Elbe River Ecosystem - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Dutch Study: Dredging Damaging Elbe River Ecosystem - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Cal Poly Pomona Receives Honorable Mention at EPA’s First-Ever Campus RainWorks Challenge

EPA News Release:

Cal Poly Pomona Receives Honorable Mention at EPA’s First-Ever Campus RainWorks Challenge

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the winners of the Campus RainWorks Challenge, a new design challenge created to inspire the next generation of landscape architects, planners and engineers to develop innovative green infrastructure systems that reduce stormwater pollution and support sustainable communities. California State Polytechnic University, located in Pomona, Calif., was recognized as a runner up among small institutions.

The Campus RainWorks Challenge engages students and faculty members at colleges and universities to apply green infrastructure principles and design, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and increase the use of green infrastructure on campuses across the nation.

Stormwater is one of the most widespread challenges to water quality in the nation. Large volumes of stormwater pollute our nation’s streams, rivers and lakes, posing a threat to human health and the environment and contributing to downstream flooding.

The California State Polytechnic team focused on three priority areas along the campus’ southern periphery: the Agricultural Valley, the Agriscapes Valley, and the South Campus Gateway. The team’s design proposes a system of bioretention ponds, bioswales, percolation wells, and wetlands to meet the design goals of pollutant reduction, runoff reduction, and improving campus connectivity and aesthetic appeal. The goals of the team’s design plan were to address gaps in the campus’ proposed Stormwater Management Plan, reduce pollutant loads and runoff volumes, and to create a more aesthetically appealing landscape with improved pedestrian and bicycle connectivity.

The four winners are the University of Florida, Gainsville (1st prize, large institution), the Illinois Institute of Technology (1st prize, small institution), University of Arizona, Tuscon (2nd prize, large institution), and the Missouri University of Science and Technology (2nd prize, small institution). Teams from Kansas State University, Columbia University, and University of Texas-Arlington were recognized as honorable mentions for their entries.

The challenge received submissions from 218 teams, which were reviewed by more than 30 expert judges from EPA, the American Society of Landscape Architects, the Water Environment Federation, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. The winning teams were selected based on six criteria: analysis and planning; preservation or restoration of natural features; integrated water management; soil and vegetation management; value to campus; and likelihood of implementation.

Green infrastructure helps communities to maintain healthy waters, support sustainable communities, and provide multiple environmental benefits. Green infrastructure captures and filters pollutants by passing stormwater through soils and retaining it on site. Example of effective green infrastructure include green roofs, permeable materials, alternative designs for streets and buildings, trees, rain gardens and rain harvesting systems.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/campusrainworks

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Green Award for innovation given to southern California federal agency

EPA News Release:

Green Award for innovation given to southern California federal agency

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced it has selected the Chet Holifield Building in Laguna Niguel to receive a Federal Green Challenge award for its work in environmental education and outreach.

“EPA is pleased to recognize the Chet Holifield Building for its outstanding leadership to reduce their environmental footprint,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “By taking the initiative to reduce waste and conserve water and energy, this agency will not only help motivate other federal agencies and organizations to follow suit, but save the government money as well.”

The Chet Holifield Building was selected for its work to reduce recycling and energy costs through education and outreach. The building created a Green Team representing five agencies. They reached the 1,900 employees through various outreach activities including e-mail broadcasts, website information, posters and Earth Week activities. The Green Team hosted electronicwaste collection events, developed a sustainability tip sheet and hosted a water conservation speaker from the Moulton Water District. Over the past year, as a result of these efforts, the Chet Holifield Building increased recycled materials by 21%, decreased water use by 7.4% and decrease gas use by 2.5%.

In total, Federal Green Award participants regionally:

--reduced over 57.5 million kWh of electricity and 342 million cubic feet of natural gas (equivalent to the energy used in a year by almost 2200 households);

--prevented over 40,000 tons of waste from reaching landfills, through composting and recycling, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over 107,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (the equivalent of taking over 22,000 cars off the road for a year);

--reduced water usage by over 357 billion gallons; and

--saved over $16.6 million by reducing waste, water and energy use.

The Federal Green Challenge is a national effort to challenge EPA and other federal agencies to reduce the federal government's environmental impact. Offices or facilities start their participation by selecting a minimum two of the six target areas—waste, electronics, purchasing, energy, water, or transportation—and commit to improve by at least 5% per year in their selected target areas.

For more information on the Federal Green Challenge winners, visit: www.epa.gov/region9/federalgreenchallenge/awards/pacificswawards/

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Green Award recognition given to Hawaii federal agencies

EPA News Release:

Green Award recognition given to Hawaii federal agencies

USPS, HUD find innovative avenues to reduce energy consumption, increase recycling

HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces today it has selected the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as award winners, and the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park with an honorable mention in the EPA’s Federal Green Challenge Program.

“EPA is pleased to recognize the U.S. Postal Service, Housing and Urban Development, and the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park for their outstanding leadership to reduce their environmental footprint,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “By taking the initiative to reduce waste and conserve water and energy, these agencies will not only help motivate other federal agencies and organizations to follow suit, but save the government money as well.”

Leadership Category

Winner: USPS Honolulu Processing and Distribution Center: USPS Honolulu achieved a 70.7% recycling rate, increasing significantly by 400 tons in the last year. One of the keys to their success was the creation of a Green Team of finance managers, maintenance managers, operations specialists, and vehicle maintenance staff. The Green Team set a standard for recycling at the Honolulu plant and communicated that to the more than 160 Postmasters in Hawai’i. There were significant cost reductions of $65k as a result of decrease trash disposal.

Innovation Category

Winner: HUD Honolulu: HUD Honolulu created a tracking tool to analyze the transportation methods of the staff. The tool not only allowed HUD to establish detailed transportation metrics, but also encouraged more sustainable transportation choices on a person-by-person basis. They took many factors into account including staff point of origin, total miles to work, mode of transportation, and frequency of work-related travel. As a result, they exceeded their goal of decreasing commuting via car by 5%.

Education and Outreach Category

Honorable Mention: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park: In conjunction with the University of Hawai'i at Hilo, they developed an employee survey to ascertain energy knowledge, views, and habits. The students from the university analyzed the survey results and developed recommendations for educating the national park employees about energy conservation methods. As a result, informational signs and stickers were put up and energy meters were added to some equipment. Additionally, supervisors monitored employee activity and the energy manager tracked quantitative results through energy bills.

In total, Federal Green Award participants regionally:

• ·         );
• ·         prevented over 40,000 tons of waste from reaching landfills, through composting and recycling, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over 107,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (the equivalent of taking over 22,000 cars off the road for a year);
• ·         reduced water usage by over 357 billion gallons; and
• ·        

The Federal Green Challenge is a national effort to challenge EPA and other federal agencies to reduce the federal government's environmental impact. Offices or facilities start their participation by selecting a minimum two of the six target areas—waste, electronics, purchasing, energy, water, or transportation—and commit to improve by at least 5% per year in their selected target areas.

For more information on the Federal Green Challenge winners, visit:www.epa.gov/region9/federalgreenchallenge/awards/pacificswawards/

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Green Award for innovation given to U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest office

EPA News Release:

Green Award for innovation given to U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest office

Federal agency finds innovative avenues to reduce energy consumption

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces today it has selected the U.S. Forest Service Region 5 office based in Vallejo, Calif. to receive a Federal Green Challenge honorable mention award for innovation in its energy conservation efforts.

“EPA is pleased to recognize the U.S. Forest Service Region 5 for its outstanding leadership to reduce their environmental footprint,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “By taking the initiative to reduce waste and conserve water and energy, this agency will not only help motivate other federal agencies and organizations to follow suit, but save the government money as well.”

U.S. Forest Service Region 5 office, which manages activities in 18 national forests within California, Hawai’i and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands, was selected as an honorable mention award-winner for its work to reduce energy consumption and related costs through various innovative initiatives. For example, the office’s participation in the “Power-IT Down” program, which had employees power down their computers and unplug their appliances twice a month, resulted in an energy reduction of over 22,000 kilowatt hours, saving $3,650 in electricity fees.

In total, Federal Green Award participants nationwide:

- reduced over 57.5 million kWh of electricity and 342 million cubic feet of natural gas (equivalent to the energy used in a year by almost 2200 households);

- prevented over 40,000 tons of waste from reaching landfills, through composting and recycling, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over 107,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (the equivalent of taking over 22,000 cars off the road for a year);

- reduced water usage by over 357 billion gallons; and

- saved over $16.6 million by reducing waste, water and energy use.

The Federal Green Challenge is a national effort to challenge EPA and other federal agencies to reduce the federal government's environmental impact. Offices or facilities start their participation by selecting a minimum two of the six target areas—waste, electronics, purchasing, energy, water, or transportation—and commit to improve by at least 5% per year in their selected target areas.

For more information on the Federal Green Challenge winners, visit: www.epa.gov/region9/federalgreenchallenge/awards/pacificswawards/

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