1) U.S. to Give Out Over $175M for Clean Fuel Tech Research
The Obama administration said it will give more than $175 million to car companies and research centers to spur clean auto technology and production of advanced car batteries. “The Department of Energy is investing in new advanced technologies that will significantly improve vehicle fuel economy, save consumers money, and create skilled jobs for Americans,” U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu said.
(Source: Reuters, 2011-08-10)
2) New Air Quality Rules Could Adversely Affect Energy Supplies
As 58 million people across 13 states sweated through the third day of a heat wave last month, power demand in North America’s largest regional grid jurisdiction hit a record high, and yet there was no shortage, no rolling blackout and no brownout in an area that stretches from Maryland to Chicago. But that may not be the case in the future as stricter air quality rules are put in place.
(Source: The New York Times, 2011-08-11)
3) EPA Bans DuPont from Selling Weed Killer that Kills Trees
DuPont announced that it is conducting “broad scientific and stewardship reviews” after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency pulled its herbicide Imprelis off the market. In its Stop Sale, Use, or Removal Order, the EPA said that DuPont had test data that showed its herbicide Imprelis was harmful to Norway spruce, balsam fir and other trees when it was given EPA approval last August.
(Source: Miami Herald, 2011-08-11)
4) EPA Says Agency Will Update Ozone Standards “Shortly”
The Environmental Protection Agency reiterated that it intends to issue updated ozone standards “shortly,” but did not offer a specific deadline for finalizing the rules. The regulations are still undergoing an inter-agency review process, the EPA said in a motion filed in federal court on the status of the standards.
(Source: The Hill, 2011-08-12)
5) Report Finds Fecal Risk from Georgia Farms in Water
A report blasting Georgia’s environmental oversight of large livestock farms has raised concerns about potential contamination of Georgia waterways with chemicals from manure. The report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Inspector General found nearly three-fourths of state inspections of 48 large farms known as “concentrated animal feeding operations” were faulty or incomplete.
(Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 2011-08-14)
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