NJIT professor's encouraging new desalination process

Drought has always been a problem but is increasing. Shortages of potable water worldwide are expected to rise to 50 percent by 2025, potentially spurring political instability and international conflict. Desalination of seawater can help coastal communities with local shortfalls but the process today is costly and not particularly efficient. But a new system developed by New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) chemical engineering professor Kamalesh Sirkar offers hope for a significant leap forward.

In 10 Innovations in Water Purification, Patrick J. Kiger writes:

In Sirkar’s direct-contact membrane distillation (DCMD) system, heated seawater flows across a plastic membrane containing a series of hollow tubes filled with cold distilled water. The DCMD’s tubes have tiny pores, which are designed so that they can be penetrated by the water vapor which collects on them, but not by salt. The vapor diffuses through the pores and is drawn off, to be condensed again into liquid water.

According to Sirkar, his system is extremely efficient — it can produce 80 liters (21 gallons) of drinking water per 100 liters (26 gallons) of seawater, about twice what existing desalination technology can produce. One potential downside of DCMD is that it requires a steady, inexpensive source of heat in order to prevent the water temperature on either side of the membrane from equalizing. But there’s the possibility that DCMD systems could someday recycle waste heat from shore-based factories and offshore oil drilling operations, making it a win-win for everybody

Also see Scientific American‘s: New Desalination Technique Yields More Drinkable Water

Our latest posts:
Tweaks ahead for New York’s Brownfields programs?
Christie takes double rap on his environmental record
Shore reconstruction bills on NJ lawmakers’ agenda
EPA hearing on cleaner auto fuel today in Philadelphia
Few surprises in latest poll on fracking in New York

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NJIT professor's encouraging new desalination process Read More »

Tweaks ahead for New York's Brownfields programs?

In an alert to clients and friends, Adam C. Arnold, an associate in the Real Property & Environmental section of the Gibbons law firm, today writes:

New York State was among the first to enact programs aimed at remediation and redevelopment of contaminated sites. The goal of such programs is both to promote economic revitalization and to encourage private entities to remediate the state’s contaminated sites.

Three such programs, the Voluntary Cleanup Program (“VCP”), the Environmental Restoration Program (ERP), and the Brownfield Cleanup Program(“BCP”), have achieved considerable success, with over 400 sites having been remediated in the past two decades.

Nevertheless, policy makers continue to search for ways to make these programs better and more cost efficient. Prompted by the impending expiration of key provisions of the BCP, a report released by the New York State Comptroller’s office in April 2013, provides an assessment of these programs, as well as some options for improvement going forward.

For more about the state’s current programs and recommendations in the new report, read Mr. Arnold’s: New Report Considers Options For Tweaking Brownfields Programs in NY

For coverage of environmental news, issues, legislation and regulation in NJ, PA, NY & DE, try a FREE subscription to EnviroPolitics. Our daily newsletter also tracks NJ & PA environment and energy bills–from introduction to enactment

Tweaks ahead for New York's Brownfields programs? Read More »

Christie to holdouts: Dunes will be built; that’s no B.S.

New Jersey 101.5 today reports:

At his latest town hall on Long Beach Island, Governor Chris Christie said his message is simple for folks who fail to sign easements by the deadline, which is today.

“We are building these dunes,” he told a cheering crowd. “And we are building these dunes whether you consent or not.”

Opponents said the easements will give the state the green light to build not only dunes nearby, but other amenities like bathrooms and amusement rides.

Christie argued, “I have no interest in taking your property. I have no interest in building anything besides a dune on your property, and then replenishing that dune when it needs to be replenished.”

He said their reasons were ‘BS’ anyway, except he used the full word. According to Christie, the reluctant homeowners just don’t want their views blocked.

See the full story here and watch the video in which the governor asked parents to cover the ears of children before he delivered his no-abbreviation phrase.

At the meeting, he also explained his administration’s plans for property buyouts in Sayreville and other communities where property owners want buyouts.

Our most recent posts:
Christie takes double rap on his environmental record
Shore reconstruction bills on NJ lawmakers’ agenda
EPA hearing on cleaner auto fuel today in Philadelphia
Few surprises in latest poll on fracking in New York
A sick river, from those who brought you Agent Orange

Christie to holdouts: Dunes will be built; that’s no B.S. Read More »

Christie takes double rap on his environmental record

Will environmental critics hurt the re-election chances of the guy on the left?

Four years after endorsing Republican Chris Christie for governor, the New Jersey Environmental Federation (NJEF) last week admitted they had screwed up big time
and this go-round would be supporting his opponent, Democrat Barbara Buono.

The organization released a chart (Governor Christie: THEN and NOW) showing Christie’s environmental promises as a candidate and his delivery (according to the NJEF) since then.

Yesterday, Tom Moran, the chief editorial writer for the Star-Ledger also teed off on the governor’s environmental record.

"When it comes to climate change, he (Christie) has been monstrously hypocritical:
He says precisely the right words, and then does precisely the wrong thing," Moran wrote.

The governor’s campaign spokesperson Kevin Roberts says the criticism is unfounded.
He claims that the governor‘s policies are "creating jobs and protecting the environment
at the same time."

The NJ Sierra Club, which opposed Christie four years ago, has barely allowed a day
to go by since without issuing a news release criticizing his administration. Other green groups either have not yet endorsed a candidate (both campaigns are in their early stages)
or have policies that keep them out of political battles.

What’s your opinion on Chris Christie’s environmental record? Let us know
in the opinion box below. If one is not visible, click on the tiny ‘opinion’ link.

Related environmental news stories:
Gov. Christie’s towering hypocrisy on climate

NJ Environmental Federation endorses Buono for Governor
Environmental Group Backs Buono After Endorsing Christie In ‘09

New Jersey Environmental Federation Opts to Back Buono

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Our most recent posts:
Shore reconstruction bills on NJ lawmakers’ agenda
EPA hearing on cleaner auto fuel today in Philadelphia
Few surprises in latest poll on fracking in New York
A sick river, from those who brought you Agent Orange

Christie takes double rap on his environmental record Read More »

Shore reconstruction bills on NJ lawmakers' agenda

EnviroPolitics photo

The New Jersey Senate Environment and Energy Committee will meet at 10 am. tomorrow in Room 10 of the State House Annex in Trenton to consider six bills addressing dune and pier reconstruction in the wake of Superstorm Sandy’s devastation.

Here’s the lineup:

S-2599 Whelan, J. (D-2); Greenstein, L.R. (D-14); Beck, J. (R-11)

Requires consideration of increased property value due to dune construction in determining compensation provided for condemned beachfront property.

Related Bill: A-3889

S-2600 Whelan, J. (D-2)

Establishes criteria and requirements for shore protection project priority list and funding from Shore Protection Fund.

Related Bill: A-3892

S-2601 Smith, B. (D-17)

Permits fifth and sixth class counties to assume control and responsibility for operation and maintenance of beaches bordering Atlantic Ocean.

Related Bill: A-3891

S-2602 Smith, B. (D-17)

Repeals law providing CAFRA permit exemption for certain grading or excavation of a dune.

Related Bill: A-3893

S-2680 Sacco, N.J. (D-32); Kyrillos, J.M. (R-13)

Allows development on piers in coastal high hazard areas in certain urban municipalities.

Related Bill: A-3933

SR-100 Smith, B. (D-17); Bateman, C. (R-16)

Urges U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA to conduct assessment of damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

Related Bill: AR-152

Related environmental news stories:

New Jerseyans salvage Sandy debris to create new goods – The Star-Ledger
Red Hook Gathering Marks Six Months Since Hurricane Sandy
Feds Give Hurricane Sandy Victims Up To 1 Year Break
Koch brother gives $100 million to Hurricane Sandy-stressed … – Grist

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For thorough coverage of environmental news, issues, legislation and regulation in NJ, PA, NY & DE, try a FREE subscription to EnviroPolitics. Our daily newsletter also tracks NJ & PA environment and energy bills–from introduction to enactment
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Our most recent posts:
EPA hearing on cleaner auto fuel today in Philadelphia
Few surprises in latest poll on fracking in New York
A sick river, from those who brought you Agent Orange
Energy and environment bills moving in Pennsylvania
Food Waste: New Jersey’s Next Recycling Frontier (Video)
In Sandy’s wake, a small NJ town struggles to recover (Video)

Shore reconstruction bills on NJ lawmakers' agenda Read More »

EPA hearing on cleaner auto fuel today in Philadelphia

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a hearing today in Philadelphia on a proposal to clean up gasoline and automobile emissions. The session is set for 10 a.m.
at the Sonesta Hotel, 1800 Market St. A second hearing is set for Monday in Chicago.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

The rules, which mandate cleaner fuels and some new vehicle technologies, are aimed at reducing soot, sulfur, and nitrogen oxide emissions.

"’We’re looking at automobiles and fuels as a system, " said ‘Christopher Grundler, director of the EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality.

The EPA says the modifications will add a penny a gallon to the cot of making gasoline beginning in 2017 and $130 to the cost of a vehicle by 2025.

But a study done on behalf of the American Petroleum Institute estimates the rule could increase gasoline prices by six to nine cents per gallon. Conservative advocacy groups say the new rules will unduly burden consumers.

The government says reducing the sulfur content of fuel will prolong the life of engine components, including catalytic converters. But the big benefit is cleaner air and improved public health.

By 2030, the EPA estimates, the reductions will prevent up to 2,400 premature deaths a year, 23,000 cases of respiratory ailments in children, and 3,200 hospital admissions and asthma-related emergency-room visits.

Read the entire story here.

Related environmental news stories:
$838,000 civil penalty issued in emissions case – Albuquerque Journal (subscription)
UN to Issue Guidelines for Reporting Black Carbon Emissions – Bloomberg
A way to curb global warming: Suck carbon emissions right out of the air? – CS Monitor

————————————————————————————————————————————-
For thorough coverage of environmental news, issues, legislation and regulation in NJ, PA, NY & DE, try a FREE subscription to EnviroPolitics. Our daily newsletter also tracks NJ & PA environment and energy bills–from introduction to enactment
———————————————————————————————————————————-

Our most recent posts:
Few surprises in latest poll on fracking in New York
A sick river, from those who brought you Agent Orange
Energy and environment bills moving in Pennsylvania
Food Waste: New Jersey’s Next Recycling Frontier (Video)
In Sandy’s wake, a small NJ town struggles to recover (Video)
NJ’s top court rules on DEP access to private property

EPA hearing on cleaner auto fuel today in Philadelphia Read More »