IWRC Environmental RSS Feed

The Banning of BPA

2011-12-05T00:00:00 -0600

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic compound with two phenol functional groups. It is used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, along with other applications. As it has been known to be estrogenic since the mid 1930s, concerns about the use of bisphenol A in consumer products have been regularly reported in the news media since 2008, after several governments issued reports questioning its safety, prompting some retailers to remove products containing it from their shelves.

Plastic Bags: On Their Way Out?

2011-12-05T00:00:00 -0600

In California alone, consumers use upwards of 19 million plastic bags per year, which require approximately 8 million barrels of oil to produce. 90 percent of the bags used in the United States never get recycled. Globally, of the 500 billion of the flimsy, single-use bags we go through, many end up either in landfills or as wind-blown or ocean gyre litter that gets consumed by wildlife and marine life, resulting in many agonizingly painful deaths. For many environmentalists and concerned consumers, plastic bags represent Public Enemy #1. Across the globe, cities, counties and countries are grappling with this environmental disaster. Countries that have banned their use include Italy, Thailand, Bangladesh, Israel and Rwanda, as well as a number of cities in India, Australia and Canada.

EPA Proposes Changes to Clean Air Act Standards for Boilers and Incinerators

2011-12-02T11:06:00 -0600

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing changes to Clean Air Act standards for boilers and certain incinerators based on extensive analysis, review and consideration of data and input from states, environmental groups, industry, lawmakers and the public.

Building a Better World With Green Cement

2011-11-30T00:00:00 -0600

“You know, cement is everywhere,”?Nikolaos Vlasopoulos, an environmental engineer at Imperial College in London, says while sitting in a brightly lit college conference room in a hulking seven-story building held up by the topic of conversation. “It’s all around us.”

Hearing on overturning NY fracking ban draws huge turnout

2011-11-30T00:00:00 -0600

The final hearings on regulations that would end a ban on drilling for natural gas in New York state got under way on Tuesday in a packed auditorium at Sullivan County Community College. In a last chance for communities to voice their views for and against a controversial drilling technique called fracking, about 300 people turned up, many of whom were left in the rain as the house spilled above capacity.

Move Over Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Make Room For "Green Tuesday"

2011-11-28T00:00:00 -0600

Shoppers who want to save green — and be greener — during the holiday season are the focus of a major new push by the nonprofit Green America to make the Tuesday after every Thanksgiving Green Tuesday.

Be Extra Careful with Farm Operations This Week

2011-11-28T00:00:00 -0600

A dry fall has helped producers complete a large part of manure and fertilizer application, but low stream flow can mean extra risk for any spills or runoff that occurs.

Six Iowa Watersheds Receive Management Funding

2011-11-23T00:00:00 -0600

Last week watershed management received a boost across Iowa when the Economic Development Authority and the Department of Natural Resources distributed funding to monitor flooding.

Tyson plant in Perry releases waste water into North Racoon River

2011-11-23T00:00:00 -0600

Up to 40,000 gallons of waste water from a manure pit at the Tyson meat processing plant in Perry spilled into the North Raccoon River this week. The spill started sometime Monday night or early Tuesday morning.

First Green House Gas Permit

2011-11-18T00:00:00 -0600

Green house gases are such materials as Carbon Dioxide and Methane that are implicated in global warming. From a permitting point of view it is a new phenomena. Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the first Texas Greenhouse Gas (GHG) permit for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Thomas C. Ferguson Power Plant in Llano County, Texas. LCRA is modernizing and expanding its plant by replacing its 37 year old unit with a new more efficient and reliable natural gas powered unit.

How Apple’s Product Design Reduces Carbon Footprint

2011-11-18T00:00:00 -0600

Apple products come in black, white—and green, says the company’s environmental Web page: “Apple reports environmental impact comprehensively. We do this by focusing on our products: what happens when we design them, what happens when we make them, and what happens when you take them home and use them.”

Johnson County moves to increase small wind use

2011-11-16T00:00:00 -0600

Turbines between 81 and 150 feet tall, which currently do not have an applicable ordinance, would be eligible for a conditional use permit under the change. Those generators — generally businesses that use the energy to power their own developments — are limited to a generating capacity of 100 kilowatts.

Lead Air Quality

2011-11-10T00:00:00 -0600

It has long been understood that lead in water is not good. Well neither is lead in the air. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined that available air quality information indicates that 39 states are meeting the health-based national air quality standards for lead set in 2008.

CMAQ

2011-10-20T00:00:00 -0600

Air modeling is an important science for predicting the impact of air quality changes. There are numerous conservative models available to fit many different circumstances. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just released a new version of its Community Multi-scale Air Quality model (CMAQ) that uses up-to-the minute meteorology and air chemistry data to determine how weather conditions affect pollution, and how pollution can affect and change weather.

Andrews Air Force Base

2011-09-22T00:00:00 -0600

Most people think of polluted sites as being something industry does. Not so. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it has signed an agreement with the Department of Defense to remediate Joint Base Andrews (formerly Andrews Air Force Base) located in Clinton, Md. Although cleanup activities have been on-going at the facility, the federal facility agreement ensures that cleanup actions proceed with EPA oversight within an enforceable framework, in a manner that protects the community and the environment.

Obama Halts EPA Regulation On Smog Standards

2011-09-02T00:00:00 -0600

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is sacking a controversial proposed regulation tightening government smog standards, bowing to the demands of congressional Republicans and some business leaders.

Spill of 275,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil closes Mobile River

2011-09-01T00:00:00 -0600

MOBILE, Alabama -- About 275,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil spilled in the middle of the night at the Gulf Coast Asphalt Company's facility on the Mobile River.

Well Water Trace Metals

2011-08-30T00:00:00 -0600

The water that people drink is supplied from several possible sources such as rainwater collection, ponded surface water, streams, desalinized seawater and well or ground water. Wells can vary greatly in depth, water volume and water quality.

U.S. Farmers Rely On Internet More And More: Department Of Agriculture Report

2011-08-26T00:00:00 -0600

Think of farms and images of tractors and combines come to mind. But what about laptops, smart phones and tablets?

Air Emissions and Disaster

2011-08-12T00:00:00 -0600

As a result of the fire that shut down Valero’s Memphis, Tennessee refinery, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has exercised its authority under the Clean Air Act to temporarily waive certain federal clean gasoline requirements for parts of Tennessee. This waiver will allow greater flexibility for the fuel distribution system to support an adequate supply.

Le Mars named Iowa’s top recycling city

2011-08-08T00:00:00 -0600

After an incredible increase in recycling, the Department of Natural Resources named Le Mars Iowa’s top recycling city. The Le Mars Daily Sentinel reports that their city has more than quadrupled their recycling between 2006 and 2010:

Two fish kills reported in central Iowa

2011-08-05T00:00:00 -0600

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating two separate fish kills in central Iowa’s Hamilton County — one on the South Skunk River, the other on a tributary.

Water samples in the tributary were tested for levels of dissolved oxygen, acidity and ammonia. All test results showed normal levels, indicating the fish kill did not result from excessive fertilizer or manure in the stream.

Landowners in the area have reported aerial spraying, possibly of a corn fungicide, in fields next to the tributary stream.

EPA Takes Action on Reducing Barriers to the Use of Carbon Capture and Sequestration Technologies

2011-08-04T00:00:00 -0600

Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a rule to advance the use of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies, while protecting Americans’ health and the environment. CCS technologies allow carbon dioxide (CO₂) to be captured at stationary sources - like coal-fired power plants and large industrial operations - and injected underground for long-term storage in a process called geologic sequestration.

Lake Acidification Causes

2011-08-03T00:00:00 -0600

Acidification caused by acid rain precipitation has been, and remains, a major environmental issue because of its life-threatening effects on biota, its global spread, and the prolonged recovery period associated with it. International cooperation to reduce the precursors of acid precipitation has provided a textbook example of how society can address a complex environmental pollution problem with support from science.

California EPA Sets 1st in U.S. Goal For Pollutant Chromium 6

2011-07-31T00:00:00 -0600

Chromium 6 or Hexavalent chromium is a carcinogenic pollutant made famous by Erin Brockovich. California's new goal for the pollutant, set by the state's Environmental Protection Agency, was set on Wednesday at 0.02 parts per billion. This is the level of the element that the state believes is not likely to cause a significant health risk in drinking water.

FedEx Wins Big in Efficiency & Reduced Aircraft Emissions

2011-07-25T04:00:00 -0600

As the world becomes more interconnected, and cross-border commerce helps lift millions out of poverty,logistics companies that are so important to supply chains must find a balance between optimal efficiency and mitigating their impact on people, communities, and the planet.

Nuclear power plant surrounded by flood waters

2011-07-25T00:00:00 -0600

With the Fukushima tragedy still fresh on everyone’s mind it’s time for Americans to consider the safety of our own nuclear power plants.

Hazardous waste collection planned next month for W.D.M. residents

2011-07-22T00:00:00 -0600

West Des Moines residents will have the opportunity to dispose of household hazardous waste next month.

The city, in conjunction with Metro Waste Authority, will accept items from 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 27 at Colby Park, 6900 School St., Windsor Heights.

New Energy Star Initiative Recognizes Cutting-Edge Products with Highest Energy Efficiency

2011-07-19T12:00:00 -0600

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today are announcing for the first time products recognized as the most energy-efficient in their categories among those that have earned the Energy Star label.

EPA Opens Public Comment On Secondary Air Standards For Nitrogen And Sulfur Oxides

2011-07-18T00:00:00 -0600

After a careful review of the best available science, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing secondary air quality standards to protect the environment from nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx). Today's proposal builds on EPA efforts already underway to reduce NOx and SOx emissions.

Suppliers For Nike And Adidas Accused Of Polluting Rivers

2011-07-14T00:00:00 -0600

The environmental group Greenpeace reported this week that eight samples of wastewater discharged from two factories in the Yangtze and Pearl River deltas in China, contained “a cocktail of hazardous chemicals”.

Wind power makes new home in Cedar Rapids

2011-07-12T00:00:00 -0600

Cedar Rapids new wind turbine ordinance went into effect nine months ago, and residents are finally starting to take advantage of the new opportunities it creates.

Toxic Metals In 'Clean' Shop Towels May Pose A Health Risk To Some Workers

2011-07-11T00:00:00 -0600

Once a week, a batch of freshly laundered red towels, sealed in plastic, arrives at the Atlas Garage on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, while 100 or so soiled rags begin their journey back to a commercial washing facility.

On the Radio: Cleaner air means more jobs for Iowans

2011-07-06T10:00:00 -0600

Check out this week’s radio segment on reducing air pollution and stimulating Iowa’s economy.

Los Alamos Lab Under Siege From Wildfire

2011-06-28T00:00:00 -0600

A wildfire burning near the desert birthplace of the atomic bomb advanced on the Los Alamos laboratory and thousands of outdoor drums of plutonium-contaminated waste Tuesday as authorities stepped up efforts to protect the site and monitor the air for radiation.

Smog creates health risks for Iowans

2011-06-27T00:00:00 -0600

Emphysema, bronchitis and asthma – those are just a few conditions that can be caused or worsened by smog, a form of pollution we usually associate with coastal states.

EPA Delays Rules for Factory Boilers

2011-06-25T00:00:00 -0600

The Environmental Protection Agency said Friday it would delay issuing final regulations aimed at cutting pollution from factory boilers until April 2012, amid pressure from industry groups and lawmakers.

The EPA decision came just days after a top EPA official publicly touted the health and economic benefits of a separate but similar rule to control mercury emissions from aging coal-fired power plants.

Iowa Man Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Conspiring to Violate the Clean Air Act

2011-06-22T00:00:00 -0600

Bobby Joe Knapp, of West Des Moines, Iowa, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge James E. Gritzner to 41 months in prison for conspiring to violate the Clean Air Act. The former owner and operator of the Equitable Building in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, was also sentenced for violating Clean Air Act asbestos work practice standards for his role during the renovation of more than 10 floors of the building between 2005 and 2008.

New Congressional Research Service Publication: EPA Regulations: Too Much, Too Little, or On Track?

2011-06-22T00:00:00 -0600

In the two years since Barack Obama was sworn in as President, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed and promulgated numerous regulations implementing the pollution control statutes enacted by Congress.

Downsizing — A Thousand Square Feet Per Person, A New American Standard

2011-06-20T00:00:00 -0600

Let’s face it, the Great Recession has not been a plus for the green movement overall. Most ordinary Americans are still sympathetic to the cause, but their willingness to spend even a penny extra for environmentally friendly products has been dampened by four dollar gas, five dollar cereal and loss of equity in their homes.

American Consumers and Greener Vehicles

2011-06-17T00:00:00 -0600

Cutting emissions from US automobiles will be critical to any strategy for slowing global warming. America’s adoption of hybrids, fully electric vehicles and fuel efficient small cars are also crucial to the transition to a low carbon economy.

Short Term Air Emissions and Their Effect on Global Warming

2011-06-16T00:00:00 -0600

Fast action on certain pollutants such as black carbon, ground-level ozone and methane may help limit near term global temperature rise and significantly increase the chances of keeping temperature rise below 3.6 degrees F.

EPA Identifies Areas in Iowa and Kansas That Would Not Meet Tighter Lead Air Standards

2011-06-15T00:00:00 -0600

Today, EPA is announcing areas in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and Saline County, Kan., that would not meet tighter lead air standards.

The Energy Debate: Coal Vs. Nuclear

2011-06-14T00:00:00 -0600

As America struggles down the road toward a coherent energy policy that focuses on a higher degree of self-reliance, policymakers face numerous issues and realities. These include: the finite supply and environmental impact of fossil fuels, the feasibility and costs to implement a widespread switch to renewable energy sources, and the variables that lead to consumers' preferences for particular types of power generation.

EPA delays rollout of CO2 rule on power plants

2011-06-13T00:00:00 -0600

(Reuters) - The Environmental Protection Agency, under pressure from Republicans and big utilities, said on Monday it had extended a deadline by two months on draft rules that would for the first time limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

USDA Studies Emission Reduction On Iowa Farms

2011-06-10T00:00:00 -0600

The Agricultural Department is trying to figure out how they can properly assist farmers in reducing green house gas emissions, and Iowa is helping.

MIT Study calculates cost of lax air pollution regulations in China

2011-06-06T00:00:00 -0600

A new study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change looks at the cost to the Chinese economy of lax air quality regulations between 1975 and 2005. The MIT researchers found that air pollutants produced a substantial socio-economic cost to China over the past three decades.

UNI hosts environmental forum for students

2011-05-26T00:00:00 -0600

About 1,000 local high school students were on theUniversity of Northern Iowa campus on Tuesday to attend“Green: What Does it Mean? Exploring Our Sustainable Community.”

There were 40 speakers at the 5-hour event that covered a wide range of environmental topics.

Iowans urged to donate cash, not goods, to storm victims

2011-05-26T00:00:00 -0600

Thousands of Americans – from Joplin, Missouri to Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee - are trying to piece their lives back together after losing homes and other possessions in natural disasters.

Iowa DOT launches recycling project at rest areas

2011-05-26T00:00:00 -0600

Motorists who make a pit stop at some of Iowa’s rest areas will soon be able to recycle beverage containers. The Iowa Department of Transportation is launching a year-long pilot project by placing recycling bins at eight rest areas near Ankeny, Mitchellville, Story City and Waukee.

Muscatine company moves to improve air quality

2011-05-25T00:00:00 -0600

Grain Processing Corp., a Muscatine-based firm that has not done much to help boost Eastern Iowa’s air quality, announced yesterday that it was going to change it’s tune.

They have pledged $100 million dollars over the next four years to improve air quality and reduce emissions.

Governor, MidAmerican president press for action on nuclear bill

2011-05-25T00:00:00 -0600

Governor Branstad says it would unwise for legislators to table a bill that would outline the initial financing guidelines for a new nuclear power plant in Iowa.

Iowa now #6 in USA for being bicycle friendly

2011-05-25T00:00:00 -0600

The League of American Bicyclists now ranks Iowa as the number-six most bike-friendly state in the nation. Iowa got high marks for educating and encouraging riders and for enforcing public safety laws.

The Deal We Dare Not Turn Down: Save This Rainforest, or Trigger Our Destruction

2011-05-25T00:00:00 -0600

Sometimes, there are hinge-points in human history -- moments when we have to choose between an exuberant descent into lunacy, and a still, sober voice offering us a sane way out. Usually, we can only see them when we look back from a distance.

Waste Heat Recovery: The Next Wave of Clean Tech

2011-05-24T00:00:00 -0600

The terms renewable energy and clean technology conjure up images of photovoltaic panels baking in the desert sun, wind turbines rotating lazily in the wind, and large dams generating hydro-power. However, there is another important and growing clean energy technology that the average consumer hasn’t heard of yet: waste heat recovery.

Fryday

2011-05-24T00:00:00 -0600

The Friday before Memorial Day is Don’t Fry Day, a time to remind people at the start of summer about the dangers from exposure to the sun’s harmful rays.

Selling Electric Vehicles - Easy. Charging Options - Very Tricky

2011-05-19T00:00:00 -0600

A new survey from Accenture finds that the majority of consumers are interested in buying plug-in electric vehicles (PEV). But how consumers charge those vehicles is a complicated issue, with charging infrastructure and cost being top concerns.

Johnson County May Add More Wind Power

2011-05-12T00:00:00 -0600

PNE Wind Energy hopes to add 10 to 20 more wind turbines in Johnson County by 2013, its leader told the county Board of Supervisors.

To limit erosion, some researchers hope to develop perennial crops

2011-05-04T00:00:00 -0600

As winds and heavy rains are sweeping away Iowa’s soil at record rates, some researchers are looking to develop crops that will keep more soil on the ground.

How to Increase Plastic Bottle Recycling

2011-11-16T16:15:00 -0600

If it's not easy to recycle something, is it really recyclable?

That's a fair question to ask, since we consumers are constantly being reassured that a product is "green" or "greener" because it is "recyclable" -- even when, in reality, the product is barely being recycled at all. It's also a great question to ask following America Recycles Day, the November 15 event that promotes recycling but gives little lip service to reducing waste.