IN THIS ISSUE |
INNOVATION FUNDS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
DOODOO DESIGNS
THRESHOLD SET FOR GHGs
JAY SAYS |
Innovation Funds for Small Business
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May 11, 2010 The EPA has awarded nearly $2.5 million to 11 companies to support their work in eight key environmental areas: monitoring and control of air emissions, biofuels, green buildings, drinking water monitoring, hazardous waste monitoring, water infrastructure, homeland security, nanotechnology and innovation in manufacturing, the agency reported. Last year, the companies received "proof of concept" awards from the agency, and will use the additional funds announced today to move their technologies towards commercialization.
The awards are part of the EPA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which issues solicitations for research proposals from small science and technology firms. Phase I contracts are used to investigate the scientific merit and technical feasibility of a concept. The Phase II contracts, which are the contracts announced today, are used to develop and commercialize the technologies from the first phase. Some of the technologies that are being developed in these awards include using microbial fuel cells to simultaneously clean wastewater and generate electricity, and developing a chromium-free, corrosion-resistant coating that can be used for industrial, automotive, and aerospace corrosion protection.
To be eligible to participate in SBIR, a small business must have fewer than 500 employees, and at least 51 percent of the business must be owned by U.S. citizens.
Source: EPA press release |
DOODOO DESIGNS
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by Roy Bigham roy@pollutionengineering.com
May 20, 2010 The occupants of the Toronto Zoo produce nearly 1,000 tons of excrement per year. Officials believe they have a plan to recycle this material into a very beneficial product.
Dave Ireland is the zoo's conservation program head and he told reporters that the facility was seeking bids to construct a recycle facility. The dung materials will be naturally processed to produce methane gas, which will be collected and burned. The heat will drive generators with the excess heat used to warm the facilities. It is calculated that the new facility will produce the equivalent amount of electricity that is normally needed to power 5,000 homes.
According to Ireland, no other zoo in the world is doing this. The project will reduce a large waste stream and significantly reduce the zoo's $1.3 million annual gas bill.
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Threshold Set for GHGs
| The EPA on Thursday, May 13, 2010, announced a final rule to address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the largest stationary sources, and also stipulated which farms and small businesses will be exempt. The phased-in approach will address facilities like power plants and oil refineries that the agency claims are responsible for 70 percent of the greenhouse gases from stationary sources.
In July 2011, Clean Air Act permitting requirements will expand to cover all new facilities with GHG emissions of at least 100,000 tpy and modifications at existing facilities that would increase GHG emissions by at least 75,000 tpy. These permits must demonstrate the use of best available control technologies to minimize GHG emission increases when facilities are constructed or significantly modified.
The regulations will be phased in, starting January 2011, when Clean Air Act permitting requirements for GHGs will kick in for large facilities that are already obtaining Clean Air Act permits for other pollutants. Those facilities will be required to include GHGs in their permit if they increase these emissions by at least 75,000 tons per year (tpy).
Under the new emissions thresholds for GHGs that begin in July 2011, the EPA estimates approximately 900 additional permitting actions covering new sources and modifications to existing sources would be subject to review each year. In addition, 550 sources will need to obtain operating permits for the first time because of their GHG emissions.
The final rule addresses a group of six greenhouse gases: CO2, methane N2, HFCs, PFC and SF6.
The agency said it received about 450,000 comments during the 60-day public comment period for its October 2009 proposal.
Use the following pdfs to find more information about the rule:
EPA fact sheet: www.epa.gov/nsr/documents/20100413fs.pdf
Read the final rule: www.epa.gov/nsr/documents/20100413final.pdf
Timeline outlining permitting steps under the tailoring rule: www.epa.gov/nsr/documents/20100413timeline.pdf
Summary of Clean Air Act permitting burdens with and without the tailoring rule: www.epa.gov/nsr/documents/20100413piecharts.pdf
Source: EPA press conference
http://www.pollutionengineering.com/Articles/Industry_News/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_1000000000000082 |
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EPA Pushes Ahead on GHG Standards
by Roy Bigham
Posted: December 23, 2010 The EPA issued its plan for establishing greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution standards under the Clean Air Act in 2011. The agency looked at a number of sectors and is moving forward on GHG standards for fossil fuel power plants and petroleum refineries – two of the largest industrial sources, representing nearly 40 percent of the GHG pollution in the United States. The schedule issued in the Dec. 23, 2010 agreements provides a clear path forward for these sectors and is part of EPA’s common-sense approach to addressing GHGs from the largest industrial pollution sources.
"We are following through on our commitment to proceed in a measured and careful way to reduce GHG pollution that threatens the health and welfare of Americans, and contributes to climate change," said Administrator Lisa Jackson. "These standards will help American companies attract private investment to the clean energy upgrades that make our companies more competitive and create good jobs here at home."
Several states, local governments and environmental organizations sued the EPA over the agency’s failure to update the pollution standards for fossil fuel power plants and petroleum refineries, two of the largest source categories of GHG pollution in the United States. Under today’s agreement, the EPA will propose standards for power plants in July 2011 and for refineries in December 2011 and will issue final standards in May 2012 and November 2012, respectively.
This schedule will allow the agency to host listening sessions with the business community, states and other stakeholders in early 2011, well before the rulemaking process begins, as well as to solicit additional feedback during the routine notice and comment period. Together this feedback will lead to smart, cost-effective and protective standards that reflect the latest and best information.
The Clean Air Act requires the EPA to set industry-specific standards for new sources that emit significant quantities of harmful pollutants. These standards, called New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), set the level of pollution new facilities may emit and address air pollution from existing facilities. The Act allows flexible and innovative approaches that take into account cost, health and environmental impacts, and energy requirements. The agency also must periodically update these standards to reflect improvements in control technologies.
Earlier this year, the EPA issued a common-sense approach to GHG permitting for the largest industrial sources. This approach, the GHG permitting guidelines issued in November, and these standards will give power plants and refineries a clear and sensible path for addressing GHG pollution.
The EPA will accept public comment on these two agreements for 30 days following publication of notice in the Federal Register. www.pollutionengineering.com JAY SAYS |
Dear Reader, The focus of our nation appears to be on green house gas which makes recycling important. We begin to see examples like this month’s Toronto Zoo recovery of animal waste to generate energy. |
Klaus Equipment Company
Phone: 724-444-3420
Fax: 724-444-3425
2866 West Bardonner Road,
Gibsonia, PA 15044
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