Coal ash, what’s left over after coal is burned to generate electricity, is one of the largest waste streams in the U.S., with hundreds of millions of tons of it lying in hundreds of sites across the country.
However, a lot of that ash, which can contain a host of toxic metals, isn’t just sitting around in landfills or disposal pits, it’s also been a cheap source of fill material, with 2 million tons of it being used for that purpose in 2021 alone, according to the American Coal Ash Association, a trade group.
But in a draft risk assessment published last month by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of a proposed broader revision of its coal ash management rules, the agency now says using coal ash as fill may create elevated cancer risk from radiation.
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When the energy nerds of the world write tales of Joe Biden’s presidency, a chapter will be devoted to Sen. Joe Manchin’s regular jabs over electric vehicles.
Since the passage of last year’s Inflation Reduction Act, the irascible chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee has challenged the Treasury Department over how it interprets “Made in America” requirements for electric car batteries.
The West Virginia Democrat is now asking the Government Accountability Office to issue a legal opinion on whether Congress can undo Treasury’s actions, writes Timothy Cama. The letter targets Treasury guidance for how car companies should interpret language in the law that requires that minerals and parts used to make EV batteries are sourced primarily out of the U.S. or through its trading partners.
The global supply chain for EVs began revolving around China long before automakers shoveled billions of dollars into electric car and battery assembly plants and before the U.S. government spent taxpayer money on developing a U.S. market to replace gasoline-fueled cars. So Manchin has made a sport of arguing that Biden and auto manufacturers are coddling China by pushing for too much flexibility, as the U.S. hands out generous tax benefits to EV buyers.
The White House has been grappling with how to balance a climate policy that requires more zero-carbon cars on the road and the equally desirable push for electric cars to be built on the back of U.S.-based manufacturing.
Manchin, representing a state rooted in a fossil fuel economy, has been a persistent thorn in Biden’s side and complicates the White House goal of zeroing out U.S. carbon pollution by 2050. They’ve crossed each other over a methane fee program and a tax credit for hydrogen production. He’s pushed back through letters, regulatory comments, and legislation.
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NJ Commissioner of Environmental Protection Shawn M. LaTourette has announced the winners of the 24th Annual Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards as well as the recipient of the prestigious Richard J. Sullivan Award during an awards ceremony at the Historic Masonic Temple in Trenton.
“The achievements of this year’s award winners capture the essence of environmentalism in New Jersey and set a shining example for us all to follow,” said Commissioner LaTourette. “It’s an honor to celebrate their determined efforts to protect the state’s natural resources and help others connect to nature.”
The Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards are awarded annually to individuals and organizations that demonstrate commitment and leadership on a variety of environmental issues, including environmental justice, climate change, sustainability, and education.
Named for New Jersey’s first DEP Commissioner and pioneering leader in environmental protection, the Richard J. Sullivan Award was given to Walter Mugdan, who served the public through a decades-long career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, working the last seven years of his career as Deputy Regional Administrator for Region 2.
In his final role with the EPA, Mugdan played a critical role in addressing groundwater and mine water contamination at the Ringwood Mines/Landfill Superfund site, and in adding the Lower Hackensack River to the National Priorities List. Mugdan retired in September.
The Sullivan Award honors an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership and outstanding accomplishment in safeguarding public health, protecting and enhancing New Jersey’s diverse natural resources, and creating vibrant, sustainable communities that provide economic opportunity for all.
In addition to the Sullivan Award, the 2023 Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award winners for each category are:
James J. Florio Emerging Environmental Leader: Julia Totora
Julia, a student from Pitman, participated in projects such as making leaf packs for school groups to investigate macroinvertebrates and creating a petition and letter-writing campaign seeking to eliminate plastic foam trays from her school district’s lunchrooms. On Earth Day 2023, she provided hands-on water quality education to residents of her town by leading a water testing project at a local creek and taught residents how water quality is related to their health and the health of the lake, stream and local wildlife.
Clean Air: Anna Grossman
Grossman, a resident of Montclair, supported the township’s local advocates and organizations to eliminate the local use of gas-powered leaf blowers. Grossman organized workshops and electric lawncare demonstration days, spoke at town council meetings and arranged expert testimony at public comment sessions, and coordinated a webinar with health and electric lawn care experts. In May, Grossman set up a social media and web presence, Sustainable Montclair, to support advocacy efforts on this and other local environmental causes. As of Sept. 4, gas-powered blowers and sprayers are banned year-round in Montclair.
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EASTERN PA — Torrential rain continued in parts of eastern Pennsylvania Monday morning as a multi-day storm brought flooding, flight delays, road closures, and power outages to the region.
More than three inches of rain fell in much of the area, with localized totals getting up to five inches in some areas, the National Weather Service said. Flood warnings were issued in Philadelphia, Chester, and Delaware counties, along with eastern Montgomery and southeastern Bucks counties.
Philadelphia International Airport saw 24 flight delays Monday morning due to the storm.
“Flooding is ongoing,” the National Weather Service’s Mt. Holly branch said Monday morning. “Do not drive through flooded roadways or go around barricades where roads are closed. The rain will taper off later this morning into the afternoon.”
Lehigh Valley had one of the area’s highest rainfall totals at 5.48 inches. King of Prussia had 3.2 inches, and the Philadelphia airport had 2.5.
Flooding impacted multiple parts of the Schuylkill River and other major creeks. The following waterways had reached minor or moderate flood stage by 10 a.m., according to the National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Services:
Schuylkill River in Philadelphia: 10.79 inches (6.9 inches before storm)
Schuylkill River in Norristown: 14.6 inches (9 inches before storm)
Schuylkill River in Pottstown: 10.38 inches (3.5 inches before storm)
Perkiomen Creek at Graterford: 13.8 inches (2 inches)
Perkiomen Creek at East Greenville: 9.4 inches (3 inches)
Neshaminy Creek at Langhorne: 12.4 inches (2 inches)
Delaware River at Washington Crossing: 8.2 inches (1.9)
Delaware River at Washington Street, Philadelphia 9.5 inches (variable, 1-7 inches)
Chester Creek: 11.8 inches (3 inches)
PECO reported outages impacting 3,283 customers in the region as of 10:15 a.m.
Flood warnings remain in place in southeastern Pennsylvania until 1:30 p.m.
Here’s the full forecast for the remainder of the day, according to the National Weather Service:
Showers, mainly before 1 p.m. High near 59. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low around 35.
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Brooke E. Lierman, comptroller of Maryland stands before portraits of the three prior comptrollers – from left background, William Donald Schaefer (1999-2007), Peter V. R. Franchot (2007-2023) and Louis L. Goldstein (1959-1998) on Wednesday April 19, 2023. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun Staff)
According to the latest U.S. National Climate Assessment, extreme weather events cost the United States nearly $150 billion each year, disproportionately hurting poor and disadvantaged communities. These events cast a long shadow on our economic landscape.
Whether it’s a wildfire in Maui, hurricanes in Florida, or flooding in New York City, the impacts of these disasters ripple across multiple sectors of the economy, leaving a trail of asset devaluation and increased insurance costs. As a result, these crises frequently move global markets, triggering a wave of financial pain that crashes down on not only the wheelers and dealers on Wall Street but also the millions of American workers who depend on their investment portfolios for retirement security.
It might seem odd to think that a fire in Hawaii could affect a teacher’s retirement in Maryland, but it’s true. And that’s exactly why I worked to pass legislation in my last year in office that mandates not only a regular study of our portfolio’s risk due to climate change but also requires that we treat climate risk as the investment risk it is.
As the comptroller of Maryland, I serve as the vice chair of the board of our State Retirement and Pension System, helping oversee $65 billion in assets, and diligently managing and safeguarding the financial interests of over 415,000 members. These beneficiaries are teachers, park rangers, nurses, state workers, public servants and others who help run our state and communities. It is my responsibility to evaluate all information available and ensure that they get the highest returns possible. As extreme weather events continue to intensify and our energy sources continue to transition away from fossil fuels, that means giving serious consideration to climate-related risks.
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TOWANDA — The Bradford County Commissioners held a public hearing Thursday morning on the proposed Subdivision And Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) amendment for solar energy facilities within Bradford County.
The proposed amendment seeks to “provide for the development, construction, operation, and decommissioning of utility-scale and community solar energy facilities in the county, subject to reasonable conditions that will protect the public health, safety and welfare,” according to Bradford County Planning Director Matt Williams.
County officials have anticipated solar projects within the county and sought to clarify regulations regarding them. Vesper Energy is currently developing a proposed 100-megawatt solar project within the county called Bradford Solar, according to EJay Fyke, the company’s community affairs manager. Vesper is working with up to three private landowners on the project that will take place on 600 to 700 acres of private land. Bradford Solar would generate power for 10,000 homes.
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