GreenEnvironmentNews.com | Oregon Environment News

Not just blowing in the wind: Compressing air for renewable energy storage

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:00 +0100

May 20, 2013

Skin Cancer Remains the Most Common Cancer in US, Americans Urged to Take Action/EPA, CDC, FDA, ...

Mon, 20 May 2013 07:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON - The E.P.A. (EPA), joined by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is recognizing the Friday before Memorial Day as "Don't Fry Day", to encourage Americans to take a few simple steps to protect their health and prevent skin cancer throughout the summer. "While we're making progress toward restoring the Earth's ozone layer, Americans need to take steps now f...

8 cities and counties in Idaho, Oregon and Washington gain $2.6 million from E.P.A. ...

Wed, 08 May 2013 07:00:00 +0100

(Seattle - May 9, 2013) 8 northwest communities have been selected to gain $2.6 million from EPA's Brownfields Assessment, Revolving Loan Fund and Cleanup (ARC) Grants program. The City of Vancouver, WA, also received a $200,000 Brownfields Area Wide Planning Grant. These funds will provide key support toward the assessment, cleanup and revitalization of regional brownfield properties. According to Dennis McLerran, E.P.A. regional administrator in Seattle, the Brownfields ARC grant...

Northwest federal agencies are combating climate change - reducing greenhouse gas emissions ...

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0100

(Seattle - April 23, 2013) - Today, the E.P.A., Region ten acknowledged federal agencies in the Northwest and Alaska as Federal Green Challenge winners for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions five percent or more in 2 target areas - energy, electronics, transportation, waste, water, or purchasing. The combined efforts of 47 participants, 100s of facilities, and in excess of 100,000 federal employees in the Northwest and Alaska saved over $3.5 million for U.S. taxpayers by: ...

E.P.A. Northwest Region launches Twitter feed on Earth Day

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0100

(Seattle-April 22, 2013) The E.P.A. Region ten office launched the @EPAnorthwest Twitter feed on Earth Day, April 22. The @EPAnorthwest feed features environmental news, highlights and eco-tips from the Pacific Northwest, Inland Northwest and Alaska. E.P.A. Region 10, headquartered in Seattle, manages E.P.A. activity in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. For more information on E.P.A. Region ten activities, follow us on Twitter @EPAnorthwest, or visit our website:

Kicking Off Earth Week, E.P.A. Recognizes Puerto Rico Environmental Leaders

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0100

(New York, N.Y.) The E.P.A. today announced that it has recognized 5 individuals and organizations from across Puerto Rico with Environmental Quality Awards for their achievements in protecting public health and the environment. E.P.A. Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck was joined by Linda Cox, Executive Director of the Bronx River Alliance to present the awards to this year's recipients at a ceremony at EPA's offices in Manhattan. "EPA is thrilled to honor the work of th...

Kicking Off Earth Week, E.P.A. Recognizes U.S. Virgin Islands Environmental Leaders

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0100

(New York, N.Y.) The E.P.A. today announced that it has recognized 3 individuals and organizations from across the U.S. Virgin Islands with Environmental Quality Awards for their achievements in protecting public health and the environment. E.P.A. Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck was joined by Linda Cox, Executive Director of the Bronx River Alliance to present the awards to this year's recipients at a ceremony at EPA's offices in Manhattan. "EPA is thrilled to honor the work ...

Kicking Off Earth Week, E.P.A. Recognizes New York Environmental Leaders

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0100

(New York, N.Y.) The E.P.A. today announced that it has recognized seventeen individuals and organizations from across New York with Environmental Quality Awards for their achievements in protecting public health and the environment. In addition, the President's Environmental Youth Award, given each year to ten students from across the country, was awarded to Christopher Johnston, a high school student from Manhasset, New York. E.P.A. Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck was joined by L...

Green-Powered Northwest Colleges and Businesses are Reducing Pollution and Fighting Climate Change

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0100

(April 17, 2013 - Seattle) -- Today, the E.P.A. announced the Green Power Partnership Top 50 Green-Powered organizations using electricity from clean, renewable sources such as solar and wind energy. Several businesses and colleges in the Pacific Northwest are among the best in the nation in increasing renewable energy use. Microsoft Corporation moved into Second place in the Top 50 nati...

Nevada Deploys 1st U.S. Commercial, Grid-Connected Enhanced Geothermal System

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0100

As part of the Obama Administration's all-of-the-above energy strategy, the Energy Department today acknowledged the nation's 1st commercial enhanced geothermal system (EGS) plan to supply electricity to the grid. Based in Churchill County, Nevada, Ormat Technologies' Desert Pea...

A solar booster shot for natural gas power plants

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0100

April 11, 2013

Witnesses Agree that Healthy Forest Management Will Create Jobs, Support Rural Schools, & ...

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON, D.C. , April 11, 2013 - Today, the House Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held a legislative hearing on several pieces of legislation to restore active and healthy management of our national forests in order to provide a stable revenue stream for rural schools and counties and prevent devastating wildfires. The Subcommittee heard testimony...

Portland Oil Re-Refining Company ordered to safely dispose PCB-contaminated oil or pay penalty

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0100

(Seattle - April 3, 2013) The E.P.A., Region ten has ordered Oil Re-Refining Company (ORRCO) of Portland, Oregon to properly dispose of PCB-contaminated oil or pay a federal penalty. E.P.A. issued the order to expedite disposal of the PCB waste to protect human health and the environment. "EPA enforcement helps deter violators, who could otherwise gain an unfair business advantage over their environmentally compliant competitors," said Kelly McFadden, manager of E.P.A. Region ten T...

Oregon fuel companies fined for federal oil spill prevention and response violations

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 07:00:00 +0100

(Seattle - April 1, 2013) Tyree Oil Inc., Carson Oil Co., and Ferrell's Fuel Network will pay fines and invest in facility upgrades for violating federal oil spill prevention and response rules at their Oregon facilities, according to separate settlements with the E.P.A.. E.P.A. inspections of each facility from 2007 and 2011 found multiple violations of federal spill prevention rules and spill response requirements under the Clean Water Act, intended to protect people and the environment.

Apple Data Centers Powered with 100% Renewable Energy

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 07:00:00 +0100

Apple recently announced that all of its data centers are now powered with 100% renewable energy. Apple installed a 20-MW solar array at its LEED platinum certified Maiden, North Carolina datacenter in December 2012. That array is accompanied by an onsite 10-MW fuel cell installation, and a 2nd 20-MW solar facility is currently under construction. Apple's new data center in Prineville, Oregon...

Oregon and Washington schools and businesses are top 2013 Energy Star Partners in saving energy ...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 07:00:00 +0100

(Seattle - March 26, 2013) The E.P.A. and the D.O.E. are honoring a select group of public schools, energy companies, and other organizations as 2013 Energy Star award winners. E.P.A. is recognizing 2 Oregon and Washington school districts, an Oregon builder's group, and 2 energy and real estate companies in Washington as the Energy Star 'best of the best' for their long-term commitment to protecting the climate through superior energy efficiency. Northwest Energy Efficiency All...

Chairman Hastings Joins Calls for Obama Admin to Fully Delist Gray Wolf

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON, D.C. , March 25, 2013 - House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04), Senator Orin Hatch (UT), Senator John Barrasso and Representative Cynthia Lummis (WY) today, along with 68 other Members of Congress, sent a bipartisan, bicameral letter to U.S.F.W.S. (USFWS) Director Dan Ashe urging support for the delisting of the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in all lower 48 states. The U.S.F.W.S. delisted the wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains ...

Stop the Drops! EPA’s National “Fix-a-Leak Week” Kicks Off in ...

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 07:00:00 +0100

(Portland, Oregon - March 18, 2013) Every year, in excess of one trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes nationwide. That's equivalent to the total yearly water use of Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami combined! Experts estimate that leaks in almost ten percent of American homes drip away almost 90 gallons of water a day. The usual culprits: leaky toilets, faucets and showerheads. The E.P.A.'s WaterSense plan is again teaming up with local partners to promote the 5th yearly

Seattle-Portland metro areas in top 25 cities for Energy Star buildings

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 07:00:00 +0100

Cities acknowledged for cutting energy waste and combating climate change (Seattle - March 12, 2013) Today the E.P.A. acknowledged the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma and Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metropolitan areas for their high numbers of Energy Star certified buildings, highlighting how owners and managers of commercial, government, and other buildings in the Northwest are taking action on climate change while delivering real financial savings. "Through their partner...

Chairman Hastings' Keynote Speech before the Family Farm Alliance Yearly Conference

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 07:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON, D.C. , February 22, 2013 - Thank you for that warm welcome and introduction, Mike (LaPlant). For those of you who don't know, Mike is the President of the Washington State Farm Bureau and a Director of the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District. Mike is not only a constituent from Ephrata, Washington, but a friend. And I want to thank you at the Family Farm Alliance for inviting me here today. We have enjoyed a great relationship over the years, where many of yo...