EnviroPolitics Blog

Intensifying hurricanes are outgrowing their Category 6 number

*Hurricane Lee, seen by the GOES East weather satellite. Lee rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane in September after it formed over the Atlantic. (RAMMB/CIRA)*

By Scott Dance, Washington Post

When meteorologists began using the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale to measure hurricane intensity in the 1970s, a Category 5 storm represented oblivion. Such a cyclone, with sustained winds of at least 157 mph, could flatten any structure of the era, so there was no reason to give the most ferocious tier of hurricanes an upper bound.

But as the planet warms, storms are increasingly surpassing what was once considered extreme, according to research published Monday. Now, two scientists are proposing a new label they say a growing number of storms already merit: Category 6.

“Climate change has demonstrably made the strongest storms stronger,” said Michael Wehner, a senior scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. “Introduction of this hypothetical Category 6 would raise awareness of that.”

Read the full story here

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Two Public hearings on water quality in the Delaware River Estuary

From the Delaware River Basin Commission

The DRBC is sharing information about the Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) public process, which is now underway, in support of a proposed rule to upgrade water quality standards in the Delaware River Estuary. The rule would update the “designated use” for aquatic life and the water quality “criteria” for minimum dissolved oxygen values applicable to the portion of the tidal Delaware River that flows past Philadelphia, Camden, Chester, and Wilmington.

The publication of this proposed rule represents a milestone in the effort to reach a Delaware River that fully supports aquatic life and is one step in an ongoing process to improve dissolved oxygen levels in the Delaware River Estuary.

The DRBC has been an important part of the process leading up to this proposal and will continue to be involved, working with the EPA, our state environmental agencies and stakeholders to plan for the implementation of revised aquatic life use standards to improve water quality in the Delaware River.

We encourage all stakeholders to learn about the proposed rule and engage in the public process.

Public Hearings

EPA will hold two hearings, each allowing members of the public to offer oral comments of up to 5 minutes. You can register to speak, or simply listen in, at the links below:

EPA requests that individuals in need of special accommodations contact Hannah Lesch at Lesch.Hannah@epa.gov, 202-566-1224, at least three weeks prior to the hearing (by Tuesday, January 16, 2024.)

Written Comments

The comment period is now open, and EPA will accept written public comments on the proposed rule through February 20^th, 2024. See regulations.gov (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0222) to learn how to submit written comments.

Additional Information

Questions about the proposed rule or public processes should be directed to the EPA.

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New fence stops snow drifts while generating solar energy

a fence next to a snow drift — The Minnesota Department of Transportation is testing a solar snow fence near Moorhead. The dual-purpose fence prevents snow from drifting onto a nearby highway while generating electricity from solar panels. Dan Gunderson | MPR News

By Dan Gunderson, MPR News

About the only place to find snow in the Red River Valley this winter is near an obstruction where the incessant winds leave drifts. This part of the state can see 500 hours of windblown snow each winter.

Snow fences play a key role in keeping the blowing snow from clogging highways.

You might have seen snow fences along Interstate 94, or state highways in western Minnesota. Some are simply rows of corn left in a field. Others are structures made of composite materials.

They all have one job: Break the wind so drifting snow piles up before it reaches the highway.

North Dakota State University associate professor Mijia Yang walks through ankle-deep snow to get to a snow fence stretching about a third of a mile along U.S. Highway 10 east of Moorhead.

“This is our solar snow fence,” said Yang, who is leading a research project in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

a man standing next to a fence — *The Minnesota Department of Transportation is testing a solar snow fence near Moorhead. North Dakota State University Associate Professor Mijia Yang is leading the research project.*

This 100-foot section of fence is dual-purpose. Instead of brown rails made of flexible composite material designed to stop snow, this fence is made of 6-inch-wide solar panels with spaces in between to look and act like a fence.

It’s the first of its kind in the U.S., according to Yang.

Read the full story here

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EPA seeks to clarify PFAS cleanup authority

By Megan Quinn, Waste Dive

Proposed new rules would more clearly define “hazardous waste” and list nine specific PFAS under RCRA regulations but are not likely to apply to most operators of MSW and C&D landfills.

A black and gold United States Environmental Protection Agency sign next to double-glass doors. — *The Environmental Protection Agency building in Washington, D.C. Sara Samora/Waste Dive*

The U.S. EPA proposed two new rules on Thursday meant to more clearly specify its authority to identify and clean up PFAS contamination at certain hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities.

One of the proposed rules would clarify that the EPA has the authority under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to clean up “emerging chemicals of concern, such as PFAS,” that could cause hazards at permitted facilities. Part of the clarification process in the proposed rule would be to update the definition of “hazardous waste” under RCRA.

The other proposed rule would add nine PFAS compounds to the list of hazardous constituents under RCRA, meaning regulators could specifically monitor for those per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances during facility assessments and, if necessary, call for a cleanup process. Currently, RCRA does not list any PFAS as hazardous constituents.

These two proposed rules would only apply to operators whose facilities are also considered hazardous waste TSDFs, the EPA confirmed in the draft rule. Most publicly owned treatment works would also not be affected by the proposed rules.

The National Waste & Recycling Association and the Solid Waste Association of North America were not available to comment as of press time, but others familiar with the draft rules confirmed MSW and C&D landfill operators are not expected to be affected.

Read the full story here

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Enviros say PA governor’s ‘Gets It Done’ plan doesn’t

PennFuture says Pa Gov. Josh Shapiro’s newly released 10-year economic development plan Gets It Done is disappointing as it does not prioritize renewable energy, battery manufacturing, EV manufacturing, and energy efficiency to cut carbon emissions, support family-sustaining jobs, and build an economy that doesn’t harm public health.

In fact, it repackages the fossil fuel industry’s playbook in Pennsylvania, the organization says.

Additionally, community-focused, sustainable business trade organizations and state agencies that protect and preserve the health of the environment for all Pennsylvanians were not included or referenced in this plan, contends PennFuture.

“We must urge the Shapiro Administration to continue on their campaign platform to forge a new path towards a clean and sustainable economy that supports workers and protects the climate,” says PennFurure’s president and CEO Patrick McDonnell.

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Philly’s Clean Air Council is on board with Amtrak’s green decisions

Left to right: Elaine Fultz (Citizen’s Climate Lobby), Eric Cheung (Clean Air Council), Dennis Newman (Amtrak), Joe Minott (Clean Air Council)

In a news release yesterday, the Clean Air Council applauded Amtrak’s decision to forego the installation of new gas boilers to heat the railway’s historic 30th Street Station. Instead, the railway will convert its current steam generation to electricity generated by wind and solar, or use biofuels.

In addition, Amtrak has committed to purchasing 100 percent clean energy by 2030 and to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

“Amtrak’s decision to use clean renewable energy instead of methane gas boilers is a big win for the climate and public health,” said Eric Cheung, Clean Air Council Acting Executive Director.

“Amtrak’s action will help us advance the rapid transition off of fossil fuels and towards clean, renewable energy needed to combat the climate crisis. It also prevents Philadelphia residents from being exposed to the harmful air pollution that would have been emitted by the gas boilers.”

Amtrak is a federally supported corporation that operates nearly all intercity passenger trains in the United States. It was established by the U.S. Congress in 1970 and took over passenger service from the private rail companies in 1971. The name Amtrak is a combination of the words America and track. Amtrak was created to revive the declining rail travel industry in the U.S.

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