http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents Where it Pays To Buy Green. http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/153 The Chesapeake Bay watershed stretches across 64,000 square miles and encompasses parts of six states and the District of Columbia. The Chesapeake Bay and its watershed make up one of the most biologically productive systems in the world, with more than 3,600 migratory and resident animal species that live, feed, find shelter and reproduce in the estuary and its watershed. Habitats in the watershed provide a vital ecological link for Atlantic Coast fish populations and birds using the Atlantic Flyway. Water Pollution http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/151 A month has almost passed since the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) widely known as COP-15 was held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Many had hoped that this summit would lead to an accord that would progress from Kyoto's success. The Kyoto Protocol (which came out of the COP-3 Climate Talks in Kyoto, Japan in 1997) was aimed at combating global warming through an international environmental treaty. Climate Change http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/147 Starting on January 1, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require large emitters of heat-trapping emissions to collect greenhouse gas (GHG) emission data under a new reporting system. These large emitters include fossil fuel suppliers and industrial gas suppliers, direct greenhouse gas emitters and manufacturers of heavy duty and off road vehicles and engines. It is expected that this mandatory reporting requirement will cover approximately 85 percent of the nation's GHG emissions and apply to approximately 10,000 facilities. Air Pollution http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/145 The GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership is an EPA cooperative alliance with the supermarket industry and other stakeholders. The partnership was established to promote advanced technologies, strategies, and practices that reduce refrigerant charges and emissions of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases. Environmental Regulation and Policy http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/143 In 2004, EPA launched SmartWaySM — an innovative brand that represents environmentally cleaner, more fuel efficient transportation options. Having personally worked in the U.S. EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality and on the development of this program, I realized the importance of the brand. The brand represented "the smart way to save fuel, money and the environment." Basically, the program promotes the concept of green travel through a partnership alliance with government and industry. Eco Travel http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/140 In recent years, EPA has learned that caulk containing potentially harmful polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was used in many buildings, including schools, in the 1950s through the 1970s. In general, schools and buildings built after 1978 do not contain PCBs in caulk. On September 25, 2009, EPA announced new guidance for school administrators and building managers with important information about managing PCBs in caulk and tools to help minimize possible exposure. Michael's Orchard http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/137 On January 1, 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will, for the first time, require facilities that emit heat-trapping emissions to begin collecting greenhouse gas (GHG) data. This new program will establish a new reporting data retrieval system and cover approximately 85 percent of the nation’s GHG emissions and apply to roughly 10,000 facilities.  Environmental Regulation and Policy http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/135 School is back! Our children are once again back in the Shrine of Knowledge. But how safe is their classroom? Were any structural improvements made on the shrine during the summer? Are the kids being exposed to any indoor air contaminants that are being off gassed by structural improvements? How can we be sure? What can we do? Air Pollution http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/131 Particle pollution is also known as particulate matter, or PM, and its concentration levels are usually measured in micrograms. Researchers at Johns Hopkins found a direct corelation between increasing concentrations of PM in indoor air and increased asthma symptpms in preschool children. Air Pollution http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/129 EPA recently announced that comprehensive reports and data on water enforcement in all 50 States will be made available to the public. This announcement is in line with the Obama Administration's push for transparency and the public's right to know. Environmental Regulation and Policy http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/127 The Obama Administration has presented a budget that cuts back almost all funding for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository project.  Environmental Regulation and Policy http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/124 California’s waiver request enabling the state to enforce its greenhouse gas emissions standards for new motor vehicles, beginning with the current model year has recently been granted by EPA. Cars and Transportation http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/120 The Food and Drug Adminsitration (FDA) recommends that women who are pregnant, or may become pregnant, and nursing mothers avoid fish that may contain unsafe levels of methylmercury. Such fish includes swordfish, king mackerel, shark, or tilefish. A recent study released last month by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has shown the rise of methylmercury in ocean life. Water Pollution http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/118 EPA Press Release: President Obama Announces National Fuel Efficiency Policy. These standards are projected to save 1.8 billion barrels of oil and to reduce approximately 900 million metric tons in greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental Regulation and Policy http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/114 EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson held a conference call on May 7, 2009 to brief reporters on EPA’s Fiscal Year 2010 budget blueprint. Jackson said “These investments demonstrate that it is possible to work towards both a green economy and a green environment by positioning EPA to lead the way in green jobs, in innovation and technology, and in action on global climate change.” Environmental Regulation and Policy http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/108 Almost everyone became concerned with coal ash when a coal ash containment dike failed at the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Kingston Fossil Plant on December 22, 2008. The initial release of materials from the plant’s retention pond created a tidal wave of water and ash which destroyed several homes and ruptured a major gas line in a neighborhood located adjacent to the plant. Water Pollution http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/102 On March 3, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a list of 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the largest number of energy efficient buildings in 2008 that have earned EPA’s Energy Star. The list is headed by Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Washington, D.C., Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis-St Paul, Atlanta, Seattle, Boston and New York. Green Residences http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/101 EPA is seeking public comment on the annual Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks Environmental Regulation and Policy http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/98 Find out the quality of your tap water and test for specific contaminants. Water Pollution http://www.ecoplum.com/gcontents/view/92 What is an Estuary and why is it so important to our ecosystem? Water Pollution