GreenEnvironmentNews.com | Maine Environment News

SolarBee, Incorporated in Dickinson gains $80K research award for water treatment technology

Wed, 23 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Company among 25 selected nationally under EPA's Small Business Innovation Research plan (Denver, Colo. -- May 23, 2012) The E.P.A. (EPA) has awarded Dickinson, N.D. - based SolarBee, Incorporated an $80,000 grant to conduct research on a solar-powered aeration technology to remove trihalomethanes from water distribution systems. Trihalomethanes are a group of chemicals formed as byproducts when chlorine or other disinfectants used to control microbes in drinking wate...

E.P.A. Awards $2 Million to Small Businesses

Tue, 22 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON - The E.P.A.'s (EPA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) plan recently awarded $2 million to 25 companies in support of technology development toward sustainable solutions for the environment. The SBIR plan is part of EPA's Technology Innovation for Environmental and Economic Progress: An E.P.A. Roadmap, which focuses on linking research and development, policy and finance. "Small businesses play an essential role in our communities and economic growth," sai...

Yearly N.O.A.A. report shows a record number of rebuilt fisheries

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

A record 6 fish populations were declared rebuilt to healthy levels in 2011, bringing the number of rebuilt U.S. marine fish populations in the last eleven years to 27, according to a report to Congress out today from NOAA's Fisheries Service. This report documents historic progress toward ending overfishing and rebuilding our nation's fisheries, due to the commitment of fishermen, fishing communities, non-governmental organizations, scientists, and managers. "With yearly catch ...

President quietly adds coal section to his re-election website

Fri, 11 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Posted by Matt Dempsey matt_dempsey@epw.senate.gov In Case You Missed It... Greenwire President quietly adds coal section to his re-election website Manuel Quinones, E&E reporter Published: Friday, May 11, 2012 http://www.eenews.net/Greenwire/pri...

Southern Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Seek to Protect Coastal Water from ...

Fri, 04 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

(Boston, Massachusetts - May 4, 2012) - E.P.A. is considering a suggestion to designate the coastal waters of Nantucket and Vineyard Sounds and the Islands as a "No Discharge Area." If approved, discharges of treated and untreated boat sewage would be prohibited within the town boundaries of Chilmark, West Tisbury, Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, Gosnold, Falmouth, Mashpee, Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Harwich, Chatham and Nantucket. On behalf of the Commonwealth, the Massachus...

Companies Fined for Failing to Notify Tenants About Lead Paint at 2 Navy Bases in New England

Tue, 01 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

(Boston, Massachusetts - May 1, 2012) - 2 companies have agreed to pay a penalty of $89,300 to settle E.P.A. claims that they violated federal lead paint disclosure laws at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine and the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conneticut In a recent E.P.A. enforcement complaint, E.P.A. alleged that Northeast Housing, LLC, and Balfour Beatty Military Housing Management, LLC failed on multiple occasions to notify prospective tenants, in...

N.O.A.A. Fisheries Service declares steps that may assist fishing industry facing Georges Bank ...

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Yellowtail flounder live on the ocean floor and especially prefer sandy bottoms.

Maine Launches Green Power Plan

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) and 3Degrees announced the launch of Maine Green Power, a new state-wide voluntary green power program, which gives residents and businesses the opportunity to purchase locally produced renewable energy from solar, hydro, wind, biomass or other renewable energy plans located in the state. The Maine Green Power plan will be accessible to customers of

Massachusetts Citizens Gain Prestigious Regional E.P.A. Environmental Awards

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

(Boston, Massachusetts - April 25, 2012) - Twenty-four environmental awards will be given to Massachusetts environmental groups, individuals, businesses, nonprofit and government agencies today in Boston's Faneuil Hall as E.P.A. presented its yearly Environmental Merit Awards for 2012. The merit awards, recognizing valuable contributions to environmental awareness and problem solving, are a unique way that E.P.A. can recognize individuals and groups that are making significant i...

2 Maine Citizens Gain Prestigious Regional E.P.A. Environmental Awards

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

(Boston, Massachusetts - April 25, 2012) - 2 Maine citizens from the Pine Tree State will be recognized today in Boston's Faneuil Hall as E.P.A. presented its yearly Environmental Merit Awards for 2011. The merit awards, recognizing valuable contributions to environmental awareness and problem solving, are a unique way that E.P.A. can recognize individuals and groups that are making significant impacts on environmental quality in distinct ways. Awarded by E.P.A. since...

Mount Hope Bay Seek “No Discharge” Designation to Stem Boat Pollution

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

(Boston, Massachusetts - April 19, 2012) - E.P.A. is evaluating a suggestion from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to designate the state waters of Mount Hope Bay as a "No Discharge Area." If approved, discharges of treated and untreated boat sewage would be prohibited within the town boundaries of Dighton, Berkley, Freetown, Somerset, Swansea, and Fall River. Mount Hope Bay is a shared waterbody between Massachusetts and R.I. and in 1998 Rhode Island designated all their state water...

Local students deploy global ocean drifter off of Massachusetts

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

21st century "message in a bottle" collects climate data Getting an early jump on Earth Day, students from several Boston-area schools helped ready and deploy a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) ocean drifter today, contributing to a global array that yields vital environmental data. Today's student deployment occurred at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Maine. To date, 1,250 ocean buoys, deployed by scient...

Nanotech Cotton Opens Up New Possibilities for the Fiber--and its Fans

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Cotton is going high-tech in New Orleans, La., where a team of U.S.D.A. (USDA) scientists is continuing a long tradition of innovative research on the prized natural fiber. Starting in the 1950s, chemist Ruth Benerito and her colleagues at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Southern Regional ...

E.P.A. Delivers List of Cities with the Most Energy Star Buildings in the U.S. ...

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON - Today the E.P.A. (EPA) released the yearly list of U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified buildings for 2011. The list of 25 cities is headed by Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Houston, Dallas, Riverside, California and Boston. By the end of 2011, the nearly 16,500 Energy Star certified buildings across America have helped save nearly $2.3 billion in yearly utility bills and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to...

Tampa Ranks in Top 25 U.S. Cities with the Most ENERGY STAR Buildings

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

ATLANTA - Today, the city of Tampa was listed as one of 25 cities with the greatest number of energy-efficient buildings that earned the E.P.A.'s (EPA) Energy Star certification in 2011. Energy Star labeled buildings in Tampa achieved significant reductions in their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. These buildings represent in excess of 14 million square feet and will save nearly $15 million annually in energy costs while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equal t...

San Francisco, Sacramento Top the list of

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

SAN FRANCISCO - Today the E.P.A. (EPA) released the yearly list of U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified buildings for 2011. California has 6 cities on this year's list-more than any other state. The list of 25 cities is headed by Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, San Francisco, New York, Houston, Dallas, Riverside, California and Boston. In Northern California, nearly 600 Energy Star certified buildings in San Francisco, Sacr...

E.P.A. Fines Violators of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON - The E.P.A. (EPA) announced 3 enforcement actions for violations of the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) and other lead rules. The RRP rule requires the use of lead-safe work practices to ensure that common renovation activities like sanding, cutting and demolition, which can create hazardous lead dust, are conducted properly by trained and certified contractors or individuals. E.P.A. finalized the RRP rule in 2008 and the rule took effect on April 22, 2010...

New management measures for Gulf of Maine cod for 2012

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

N.O.A.A. announced today that fishermen will be allowed to catch up to 6,700 metric tons of Gulf of Maine cod in 2012. This is the end result of collaborative work with the fishing industry to find a solution that prevented a much larger cut to the allowable catch for the 2012 fishing year. In late 2011, a new stock assessment for Gulf of Maine cod found the stock declined unexpectedly, making major reductions in catch limits necessary for the 2012 fishing year, as required unde...

E.P.A. Provides Technical Assistance to Sutherland, Neb.

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0100

(Kansas City, Kan., March 15, 2012) - The E.P.A. Region seven announced that the Village of Sutherland, Nebraska, recently received technical assistance from E.P.A. 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 4 abandoned gas stations located along U.S. Hwy. 30, which ru...

9 New England Organizations Get Energy Star Awards

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0100

(Boston, Massachusetts - March 15, 2012) - 9 New England organizations have received 2012 awards from the Energy Star Program. Each year, E.P.A. and the D.O.E. (DOE) honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through energy efficiency. Organizations are acknowledged in one of 3 major award categories: Partner of the Year, Award for Sustained Excellence, and Award for Excellence. These organizations are being acknowledged for their lon...