MVCAC March 2009

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7 discussions

Non-attainment for PM 2.5 (particulate matter)
by Duane330＠aol.com 28 Apr '09

28 Apr '09

EPA Makes Decision to Designate Areas Not Meeting Standards for Fine Particle Pollution Press Release: U.S. EPA. Date: 12/22/2008 Contact Information: Cathy Milbourn, (202) 564-4355 /7849/ Milbourn.Cathy(a)epa.gov (Washington, D.C. – Dec.22, 2008)EPA has notified 25 governors and 23 tribal leaders that certain areas in their states and tribal lands do not meet the agency’s daily standards for fine particle pollution, also known as PM 2.5. “These designations are an important step in our steady march toward cleaner air,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “We will continue working with our state and tribal partners to meet these air quality standards.” EPA closely reviewed recommendations from states and tribes along with public comments before making its decision to designate 211 counties and parts of counties as not meeting EPA’s PM 2.5 standards. These areas, called nonattainment areas, include counties with monitors violating the standards and nearby areas that contribute to that violation. Affected states and tribes will be required to take steps to reduce the pollution that forms fine particles. The vast majority of U.S. counties and tribal lands are meeting these standards, but will need to continue working to maintain clean air. In 2006, EPA strengthened the 24-hour fine particle standards from 65 micrograms per cubic meter to 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air to protect public health. Nationwide, monitored levels of fine particle pollution fell 11 percent from 2000 to 2007. Fine particles can either be emitted directly, or they can form in the atmosphere from reactions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Exposure to fine particle pollution can cause a number of serious health problems including aggravated asthma, increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits for respiratory and cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and premature death. More information on the designations: _http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/index.htm_ (http://www.epa.gov/pmdesignations/2006standards/index.htm) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 10 Southwestern Pa. counties cited for not reaching soot pollution standards Tuesday, December 23, 2008, By Don Hopey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Ten southwestern Pennsylvania counties are among 211 counties and 23 Native American reservations across the nation designated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency yesterday as not meeting tighter federal health standards for fine particle soot pollution. Parts of Allegheny, Armstrong, Lawrence, Greene and Indiana, and all of Beaver, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland and Cambria counties were declared in "nonattainment" of the daily federal pollution standards for fine particulates. Also in nonattainment are seven counties around Philadelphia in the southeastern corner of the state, three around Harrisburg, two around Allentown and Lancaster County. Because of those designations, Pennsylvania and 24 other states containing counties not meeting the health standard must submit plans to the EPA detailing how they will reduce fine particle pollution or risk losing federal highway funding. Allegheny County and most of the other southwestern Pennsylvania counties struggled to meet less stringent health-based soot standards set in 1997. What's different for the fine particle standard set in 2006 is that the more polluted areas of some counties -- like Liberty-Clairton in Allegheny County -- have been carved out as nonattainment areas, while the remainder of the counties, where soot pollution readings are lower, can avoid the negative designation. "I think it's a good idea to back off the whole county designation. It allows us to concentrate our pollution reduction efforts in those areas where they are needed most," said Dr. Bruce Dixon, Allegheny County Health Department director. "From a health perspective, for many living in our county, airborne particulates are not the foremost pollutant," he said. "But in some areas of the Mon Valley where industry is concentrated, we need to recognize that it is." Dr. Dixon said U.S. Steel Corp.'s ongoing $1.2 billion coke oven replacement project at its Clairton Works will help the Liberty-Clairton area reduce soot levels and move that part of the Monongahela River Valley toward attainment of the federal standard. "It may even achieve the standard," he said. "But if not, we will look at reductions from other industry. We want every industry to make improvements to their processes that reduce pollution. Our first target date is 2010, so we have some time." The federal standard measures soot particles that are 2.5 micrometers in size, called PM 2.5 -- so small that several hundred could fit on the period at the end of this sentence. The fine particle pollution can be emitted directly from coal-burning power plants, other industrial sources or vehicles, or form in the atmosphere from chemical reactions involving sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides. Exposure to higher levels of such soot pollution can cause a number of serious health problems, including asthma, heart attacks and premature death, as well as increased hospital admissions and emergency room visits for respiratory and cardiovascular problems. The EPA designations culminate a two-year process that identified counties that failed to meet the 2006 standards and allowed states, tribal leaders, environmental groups and business and industry lobbyists to comment on the agency's proposed designations. The American Lung Association faulted the EPA for leaving five metropolitan areas and several counties with high air pollution off its nonattainment list for fine particles, saying it puts populations in those areas at risk. The five cities -- Houston, Texas; Augusta and Columbus, Ga.; Greenville, S.C.; and Fairmont, W.Va. -- all showed unhealthy year-round levels of soot pollution. In two of those cities, Columbus and Houston, fine particulate levels have worsened. "The Clean Air Act plainly requires the EPA to identify all the places where air pollution poses a threat to public health," said Paul Billings, American Lung Association vice president for national policy and advocacy. "The EPA has a responsibility to do more to protect public health when it comes to air pollution." The EPA said it "closely reviewed" recommendations from states and public comments before making its nonattainment designations. Don Hopey can be reached at _dhopey(a)post-gazette.com_ (mailto:dhopey@post-gazette.com) or 412-263-1983. First published on December 23, 2008 at 12:00 am **************One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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Impact of Air Quality Regulations
by Duane330＠aol.com 26 Mar '09

26 Mar '09

E.P.A. SCIENCE GRANTS MEASURE PROGRESS IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS THAT PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH EPA has awarded 10 EPA Science-to-Achieve-Results research grants totaling $5 million to universities, state departments of public health and one research institute to measure progress in environmental programs that protect human health. Using health outcomes data provides a new way to determine program success in reducing the incidence of environmentally-related diseases, such as asthma, and will help environmental managers evaluate the effectiveness of programs in protecting human health. Two grants were awarded to Johns Hopkins researchers in Region 3. Under one of the grants, _ "Statistical Models for Estimating the Health Impact of Air Quality Regulations_ (http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDe… /0) , researchers will develop evidence of the gains in public health that have followed the implementation of costly regulatory policies. The other grant also to Johns Hopkins titled: _"Longitudinal Indicators of Policy Impact on Pollution, Exposure and Health Risk_ (http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncer_abstracts/index.cfm/fuseaction/display.abstractDe…) " will develop state level indicators of environmental pollution, population exposure, and population health risks. For more information on the grants, go to _http://www.epa.gov/ncer/indicators_ (http://www.epa.gov/ncer/indicators) **************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)

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Lead, dioxin and mercury
by Duane330＠aol.com 26 Mar '09

26 Mar '09

EPA ISSUES THE MOST RECENT INFORMATION ON TOXIC CHEMICAL RELEASES EPA is making the most recently reported data available on toxic chemical releases into the environment through its Toxics Release Inventory for 2007. The data shows overall decrease of five percent in releases since 2006. (Releases to air decreased seven percent and releases to water decreased five percent). The report also shows a 40 percent increase in the release of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals (PCBs) like lead, dioxin, and mercury. Overall releases increased one percent. For more information on the TRI reporting change, go to _epa.gov/tri_ (http://www.epa.gov/tri) For additional information, go to _TRI 2007 Public Data Release_ (http://www.epa.gov/tri/tridata/tri07/index.htm) , and the _TRI Explorer tool_ (http://www.epa.gov/triexplorer) . **************Feeling the pinch at the grocery store? Make dinner for $10 or less. (http://food.aol.com/frugal-feasts?ncid=emlcntusfood00000001)

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Earth Hour. Saturday @ 8:30 pm
by Duane330＠aol.com 24 Mar '09

24 Mar '09

Turn out. Take action. Be part of this historic event. March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, local time World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> For more information, see the following web-site..... _http://www.earthhourus.org/main.php_ (http://www.earthhourus.org/main.php) **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220085203x1201389322/aol?redir=htt… %3D62%26bcd%3DMarchfooterNO62)

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Longview to get More Tax Breaks from State of WV
by Paula Hunt 24 Mar '09

24 Mar '09

from the Charleston Daily Mail : http://www.dailymail.com/Business/200903220265 (Please click on the link above if the story below has a bunch of gibberish in it. Sometimes cutting and pasting doesn't work well in e mails. -Pjh) Monday March 23, 2009 State approves more power plant bonds Longview factory is one of largest private investments in W.Va. history by George Hohmann Daily Mail Business Editor CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The state Economic Development Authority has given preliminary approval to a $45 million tax-free bond issue to help finance the Longview power plant under construction at Maidsville, near Morgantown. The allocation, approved Thursday, is the latest of several approved for the plant. The authority said in April 2007 that it would issue up to $600 million in bonds to help finance the $1.83 billion project. In November 2007 the authority approved a $17.2 million bond issue. A $43.3 million bond issue was approved last July and a $40.8 million bond issue was approved in December. Longview is one of the largest private investments in the history of West Virginia. It is the first coal-fired plant to be built in the state since 1993. Ground for the 695-megawatt plant was broken in May 2007. It is scheduled to begin producing power next year. Also during its regular monthly meeting, the authority agreed to buy 32 acres in The Highlands business park, east of Wheeling, for $5 million from the Ohio County Development Authority. .... (see full story for the rest) Contact writer George Hohmann at <http://www.dailymail.com/Business/contact/ohfvarff+qnvylznvy+pbz+return=/Bu…>busin...(a)dailymail.com or 304-348-4836.

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Fwd: looking for standing witnesses on Hatsfield Ferry Power Plant
by James Kotcon 05 Mar '09

05 Mar '09

I met Lisa Marcucci a few years back working on the Nemacolin and Robinson Township power plants in PA. Anyone know anyone who could fit the description? Jim Kotocn >>> "Frank Young" <frankly(a)mtparty.org> 3/5/2009 7:52 PM >>> "Standing witnesses should be those using the Monongahela River for drinking water sources -- fishing and consuming fish caught in the Mon River -- individuals recreating on the Mon River on a regular basis." Hi All, > Environmental Integrity Project has been working with Earthjustice on a possible challenge to the Hatfield's Ferry Power Plant NPDES permit. If we proceed with a legal challenge, we need standing witnesses for the case. Earthjustice is interesting in identifying residents living in Masontown, Carmichaels and other Mon Valley communities. > Standing witnesses should be those: > -- using the Monongahela River for drinking water sources -- fishing and consuming fish caught in the Mon River -- individuals recreating on the Mon River on a regular basis > > Could any of you indentify any folks who fit this description -- and whom you think we could contact for further discussion? If you could email me their contact info, I will work with Earthjustice in contacting them. > > Many thanks, > Lisa > > > -- Lisa Graves Marcucci > Environmental Integrity Project > PA Coordinator, Community Outreach > 123 Oakwood Drive > Jefferson Hills, PA 15025 > 412-655-0261 > 412-897-0569 (cell) > lisagmarcucci(a)gmail.com <mailto:lisagmarcucci@gmail.com> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Terri Davin <terri(a)coalfieldjustice.org> To: Coalwatc <coalwatch@lists.coalfieldjustice..org> Sent: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 3:20:47 PM Subject: [Coalwatch] looking for standing witnesses on Hatsfield Ferry Power Plant ------- Original Message -------- > Subject: looking for standing witnesses > Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 14:29:54 -0500 > From: Lisa Graves-Marcucci <lisagmarcucci@gmail..com> > To: Mountain Watershed Association <mwa(a)mtwatershed.com>, Citizens Coal Council <ccc(a)citizenscoalcouncil.org>, Raina Rippel <raina(a)coalfieldjustice.org> > > > > Hi All, > Environmental Integrity Project has been working with Earthjustice on a possible challenge to the Hatfield's Ferry Power Plant NPDES permit. If we proceed with a legal challenge, we need standing witnesses for the case. Earthjustice is interesting in identifying residents living in Masontown, Carmichaels and other Mon Valley communities. > Standing witnesses should be those: > -- using the Monongahela River for drinking water sources -- fishing and consuming fish caught in the Mon River -- individuals recreating on the Mon River on a regular basis > > Could any of you indentify any folks who fit this description -- and whom you think we could contact for further discussion? If you could email me their contact info, I will work with Earthjustice in contacting them. > > Many thanks, > Lisa > > > -- Lisa Graves Marcucci > Environmental Integrity Project > PA Coordinator, Community Outreach > 123 Oakwood Drive > Jefferson Hills, PA 15025 > 412-655-0261 > 412-897-0569 (cell) > lisagmarcucci(a)gmail.com <mailto:lisagmarcucci@gmail.com> > > > > _______________________________________________ The Coalwatch Listserv exists to allow for the open discussions and strategies around justice issues in the coalfields. Messages to the coalwatch listserv are private and confidential. Do NOT forward e-mails posted to this listserv unless specifically allowed to. Coalwatch mailing list Coalwatch@lists..coalfieldjustice.org http://lists.coalfieldjustice.org/listinfo.cgi/coalwatch-coalfieldjustice.o…

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Fwd: FYI
by Dfvet＠aol.com 02 Mar '09

02 Mar '09

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MVCAC March 2009