GreenEnvironmentNews.com | South Carolina Environment News

Biocontrol Agent Tested to Battle Invasive Kudzu Bug

Thu, 03 May 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Don't let its common name fool you: The "kudzu bug" isn't to be trusted. Sure, it will feed voraciously on the stems of kudzu, the "Vine That Ate the South." But Megacopta cribraria also has a taste for legumes, including soybeans. And in Georgia, where this native of Asia was 1st discovered in October 2009, there's worry the pest will infest peanuts, endangering the state's $2-billion legume crop. U.S.D....

Rise in Asian Tiger Shrimp sightings prompts scientific look at invasion concerns

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Asian tiger shrimp. (Credit / with permission from: Ryan Werner.) The recent rise in sightings of non-native Asian tiger shrimp off the U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts has gove...

Biomass Cogeneration Facility Opens at Energy Department Location

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

The Energy Department and Ameresco, Incorporated marked the successful operational startup of a new $795 million biomass-fueled cogeneration facility at DOE's Savannah River Location (SRS) in Aiken, South Carolina, on March 12. The 20-megawatt plan created an estimated 800 jobs, and when fully operational, the plant will employ 25 fulltime jobs onsite and support the local logging community. The facility replaced a deteriorating and inefficient 1950s-era coal powerhouse and oil-fired boile...

Transportation Department Offers $13.1 Million for Green Transit

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

U.S. Department of Transportation on April two offered $13.1 million to fund eleven innovative research and demonstration plans under Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) National Fuel Cell Bus Program. The plan advances hydrogen fuel cell power for transit buses and is designed to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and promote cleaner air. The funds are shared by 3 consortia: Calstart in Pasadena, California; the Center for Transportation and the Environment in Atlanta, Ge...

Inhofe Welcomes NRC Approval for 2 Nuclear Reactors that will Create up to 3,800 Jobs

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Contact: Matt Dempsey Matt_Dempsey@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-9797 Katie Brown Katie_Brown@epw.senate.gov (202) 224-2160 Inhofe Welcomes NRC Approval for 2 Nuclear Reactors that will Create up to 3,800 Jobs

New West Coast studies to look at models for sustaining America's fishing industry

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0100

Part of the "locavore" trend, Bob Campbell of Yankee Fishermen's Co-Op sells lobster and shrimp to patrons at a winter farmer's market in Exeter, N.H.

D.O.E. Declares Startup of Biomass Cogeneration Facility

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 07:00:00 +0100

The U.S. D.O.E. (DOE) announced the operational startup of the Savannah River Location (SRS) Biomass Cogeneration Facility, a new 20 megawatt renewable energy facility located in South Carolina. The facility will primarily use local forest residue, wood chips, and bio-derived fuels. In 2009, the D.O.E. agreed to an energy savings performance contract (ESPC) with Ame...

One Individual and 20 Organizations Gain Inaugural Climate Leadership Awards

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON: Today, the E.P.A. (EPA), the Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO), the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES) (formerly the Pew Center on Global Climate Change), and The Climate Registry (TCR) named the winners of the inaugural Climate Leadership Awards. The awards recognize corporate, organizational, and individual leadership in addressing climate change and reducing carbon pollution. From setting and exceeding aggressive emissions reduction goals to reducing t...

Sumter Coatings Incorporated to Pay Civil Penalty for Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ...

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0100

(ATLANTA - Feb. 27, 2012) - Sumter Coatings Incorporated (SCI) agreed to pay a $55,000 civil penalty as part of a settlement with the E.P.A. (EPA) for a series of hazardous waste violations at its facility in Sumter, South Carolina. As part of the settlement, SCI agreed to develop a personnel training program, develop a schedule for implementation of the training plan and identify facility employees that require training. SCI manufactures paints and coatings primarily for the steel...

Benedict College and E.P.A. to Collaborate on Green Initiatives

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:00:00 +0100

ATLANTA - On Friday, the E.P.A. (EPA) will enter into an arrangement with Benedict College to support campus greening and sustainability. As part of the agreement, E.P.A. will commit to enhance the university's environmental policy and science curricula and offer opportunities for students interested in environmental careers. A Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) will be signed during a ceremony at Benedict. WHO: Gwen Keyes Fleming, Regional Administrator, E.P.A. R...

Southeast Facilities Ordered to Comply with Clean Water Act; Costs of Restoration and Civil ...

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(ATLANTA - Dec. 8, 2011) Over the past fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2011), the E.P.A. (EPA) Region four has cited 16 entities throughout the Southeast for depositing dredged and/or fill material into waters of the U.S. in violation of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Such unauthorized discharges threaten water quality and damage habitats. As part of the settlements, the responsible parties in Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina will ...

Southeast Facilities Ordered to Comply with Clean Water Act; Penalties Total In excess of $180,000

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:00:00 +0100

(ATLANTA - Dec. 6, 2011) Over the past fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2010 to Sept. 30, 2011), the E.P.A. (EPA) Region four issued Consent Agreements and Final Orders (CA/FOs) against 25 entities throughout the Southeast for violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA). As part of the settlements, the responsible parties in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee agreed to come into compliance and pay $184,317 in civil penalties. Additionally, these e...

E.P.A. Recognizes 19 Organizations for Leadership in Clean Energy

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 07:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON - Today, the E.P.A. (EPA) presented the eleventh yearly Green Power Leadership Awards to 19 E.P.A. Green Power Partners across the country. Winning partners range from iconic commercial buildings and Fortune 500 companies to local governments and higher education institutions. Through the use of clean, renewable energy sources, partners are increasing our country's energy security, reducing harmful pollution and helping protect people's health and the environmen...

PNNL expertise highlighted at Supercomputing

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:00:00 +0100

November 10, 2011

E.P.A. to Hold a Public Availability Session Regarding the Capital City Plume Site, Montgomery, ...

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 07:00:00 +0100

The E.P.A. (EPA) will hold a Public Availability Session on Thursday, November 3, 2011 regarding the Capital City Plume Location in Montgomery, AL. Representatives from EPA, the U.S.G.S., the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry will be accessible to provide information and answer questions about Location activities. The Public Availability Session will be held from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Montgomery Public Li...

New regional climate science collaborations announced in Alaska, California/Nevada, and the ...

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Wildfires. High Resolution (Credit: NOAA) N.O.A.A. today announced 3 new Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessmen...

E.P.A. Outlines Next Steps at the Capital City Plume Location in Montgomery, Alabama

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0100

Next Steps 1. E.P.A. will communicate to building owners and the general public the results of indoor air quality and outside soil vapor sampling that took place in mid-August 2011 as soon as those results are available. 2. If warranted by the results of the sampling data, E.P.A. may undertake additional sampling and/or mitigate exposure to contaminants through indoor air utilizing its emergency response authority. 3. E.P.A. will conduct ground...

Homebuilder Ryland Group Inc., To Pay $625,000 Penalty and Implement Company-Wide Stormwater ...

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON - The Ryland Group Inc., one of the nation's biggest homebuilders, will pay a civil penalty of $625,000 to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations at its construction sites, including sites located in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the Department of Justice and the E.P.A. (EPA) announced today. Ryland will also invest in compliance programs to enhance employee training and increase management oversight at all current and future construction sites. The company is ...

DOE, Agriculture Department Fund Bioenergy Crop Research

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0100

D.O.E. and the U.S.D.A. announced on August eleven that they have awarded ten grants totaling $12.2 million to spur research into growing biofuel and bioenergy crops. The ten plans are located in California, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Virginia. The investments are part of a broader administration effort to develop domestic renewable energy and advanced biofuels. Overall, the plans are designed to enhance special crops to be grown...

U.S.D.A. and D.O.E. Fund Ten Research Plans to Accelerate Bioenergy Crop Production and Spur ...

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 07:00:00 +0100

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Departments of Energy and Agriculture have awarded ten grants totaling $12.2 million to spur research into improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of growing biofuel and bioenergy crops. The investments are part of a broader effort by the Obama administration to develop domestic renewable energy and advanced biofuels, providing a more secure future for America's energy needs and creating new opportunities for the American farming industry...