$490 Million Pledged in the Fight to Protect the Ozone Layer
December 3, 2008 (EPA) 

(Washington, D.C. – Dec. 3, 2008) The U.S. made further progress protecting the ozone layer through successful agreements at the 20th meeting of the parties to the Montreal Protocol in Doha, Qatar. Developed and developing countries agreed to add $490 million to the Montreal Protocol’s Multilateral Fund for the next three years. This will help phase out chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and replacement hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and help demonstrate the environmental benefits achieved by destroying banks of unnecessary CFCs.

By the Numbers: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Releases 2008 Environmental Enforcement Report/

(12/5/2008 -- SAN FRANCISCO) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2008 enforcement actions in California included enforcement actions to reduce water pollution, clean oil spills, improve local air quality; prosecute environmental violators, and much more.

Red Goes Green: St. John’s University Strives to Reduce Carbon Footprint
December 5, 2008 (EPA) 

(New York, N.Y.) Red has been the flagship color of St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y. for decades. Today, the school is adding a touch of green through an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce its environmental impacts by adopting sustainable practices and joining EPA partnership programs.

DOE Announces up to $29.3 Million in Projects for Research, Development, and Demonstration of Altern

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the selection of six cost-shared research projects for the development and demonstration of alternative vehicle technology projects totaling a DOE investment of up to $14.55 million over three years, subject to annual appropriations. Private sector contributions will further increase the financial investment for a total of up to $29.3 million. The selections announced today are part of DOE’s continuing work to develop high efficiency vehicle technologies and are not part of the recently announced $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. Today’s announcement supports the development of next generation technologies for new alternative vehicles. The projects selected today directly support DOE’s goal to protect our national and economic security by promoting a diverse supply and delivery of reliable, affordable and environmentally sound alternative energy.

DOE Cites Bechtel National Inc. for Price-Anderson Violations
December 3, 2008 (DOE)

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today issued a Preliminary Notice of Violation (PNOV) to Bechtel National, Inc. (BNI) for nuclear safety violations at DOE’s Hanford Site near Richland, Washington. BNI is the contractor responsible for the design and construction of the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant (WTP) at the Hanford Site in southeast Washington State.

Newest Source of Biofuel: Fungus
December 5, 2008 (ENN)

It was recently discovered that a fungus found in the Patagonian Rain Forest in South America could potentially be used to fuel vehicles in the future. Yes, you heard right - Patagonian fungus, the next biofuel.

Ecoflation Threatens the Future of Economic Stability
December 5, 2008 (ENN)

According to a recent study released by the World Resources Institute, in conjunction with ATKearny, the world has experienced a remarkable rise in the prices of vital commodities in recent years. Including energy and agricultural products, the average price of oil, for example, between 2006 and 2008 rose by 110%, wheat by 136%, and rice by 217%. The purpose to highlight these numbers is to call attention to the increasing scarcity of natural resources—as these drastic increases impact companies, household, and entire economies, it is becoming more and more imperative to find better, more efficient ways to manage them in the 21st century.

Waste Management Fined for West Hawaii Landfill Violations
(October 1, 2008) US EPA 

The US EPA announced a settlement with Waste Management of Hawaii and the County of Hawaii for $33,500 in fines and $184,400 for a beneficial environmental project after violating the Clean Air Act at the West Hawaii Landfill at Waikaloa. Since 2001, Waste Management and the County of Hawaii have violated air testing and monitoring reporting requirements for hazardous air pollutants and volatile organics in the West Hawaii Landfill.