Recycle Act clears Congress and is sent to President Biden

By Hannah Zuckerman, Scrap News

Late on Friday, Nov. 5, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan INVEST in America Act by a 228–206 vote. Supported by 13 Republicans and all but six Democrats, the legislation goes to President Joe Biden to sign into law.

The $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which the Senate passed in August, focuses on improving the nation’s roads and bridges, freight and passenger rail, and communications systems, and investing in environmentally sustainable energy. “The INVEST Act represents a rare opportunity to greatly improve our nation’s physical infrastructure that will lead to lasting improvements as well as help ease the supply chain shortages,” comments Billy Johnson, ISRI’s chief lobbyist.

Several important components for the recycling industry lie within the infrastructure bill’s 2,700 pages: the $75 million Recycling Enhancements to Collection and Yield through Consumer Learning and Education (RECYCLE) Act, $150 million for critical mineral and battery recycling, and $100 million for the Environmental Protection Agency’s pollution-prevention program.

The bipartisan and bicameral RECYCLE Act “provides public awareness, education, and much needed clarity for residential recycling programs in the United States,” Johnson says. It authorizes a $15 million annual EPA grants program to help educate consumers about residential and community recycling. Its goal is to decrease contamination in the recycling stream and support recycling infrastructure.

ISRI was instrumental in developing the RECYCLE Act and collaborating with the measure’s sponsor, Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio. He introduced the bill in 2019 and it was introduced to the 117th Congress on March 23. “The idea is to fix the problem before it happens,” Johnson explains. “If the recycler receives good material at the start, then it’s easier to get a higher value and better commodity.”

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The winter solstice arrives in New Jersey on Dec. 21. The Ursid meteor shower is likely to peak the morning of Dec. 22.

(Shutterstock)

Sarah Salvadore's profile picture
By Sarah Salvadore, Patch Staff

NEW JERSEY — The darkest day of the year is upon us, which means the winter solstice is just days away in New Jersey.

The celestial holiday celebrated through the ages as the beginning of light arrives in the Garden State on Dec. 21 at 7:18 a.m. EST. If you’re not a fan of daylight, you’re in luck — we’ll see only nine hours and 18 minutes of sunlight on the first day of winter.

Whether you’re a fan or not, there’s plenty New Jersey residents can do to embrace the winter season. For example, Morristown is having a Winter Solstice Celebration on Dec. 21 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There’s going to be a bonfire, with s’mores, hot chocolate, apple cider, and more. Get details here .

For anyone hoping to stretch their winter solstice revelry into the evening hours — or into the next day, perhaps — here’s a bonus: The Ursid meteor shower is likely to peak the morning of Dec. 22.

The annual Ursid meteor shower, which runs from Dec. 17-26 each year, is a minor meteor shower with only five to 10 shooting stars an hour. Still, a nearly moonless sky translates into excellent viewing conditions in New Jersey, depending on the weather.

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Maryland Governor Larry Hogan tests positive for covid-19

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan

Gov. Larry Hogan, who is fully vaccinated and received a booster, has tested positive for the coronavirus, he announced Monday.

Hogan said he received a positive rapid test on Monday as part of his regular testing routine. He said he was “feeling fine at the moment.

“As the Omicron variant becomes dominant, I want to urge you to get vaccinated or get your booster as soon as possible,” Hogan tweeted.

Hogan’s positive test comes as hospitalizations are surging and as the state remains in the dark over its case count. More than two weeks ago the state health department was attacked. The state has not provided any information on when the cases rates and positivity rates, which indicate the spread of the virus, will be available.

Related news:
NJ Senater Cory Booker tests positive for COVID-19
3 Democratic lawmakers announce positive Covid-19 tests

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NJ Senater Cory Booker tests positive for COVID-19

Cory Booker, Democrat
U.S. Senator Cory Booker

By Christopher Doyle Press of Atlantic City

U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) announced Sunday that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

Booker said he had first began feeling sick Saturday, and that his symptoms were mild. The junior senator from New Jersey said he had received the initial two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and had recently received a booster dose.

“I learned today that I tested positive for COVID-19 after first feeling symptoms on Saturday. Fortunately, my symptoms are relatively mild,” Booker said in a statement issued Sunday night. “I’m beyond grateful to have received two doses of vaccine and, more recently, a booster — I’m certain that without them I would be doing much worse. I encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated and boosted.”

3 Democratic lawmakers announce positive Covid-19 tests

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends, due to new coronavirus variants and waning immunity, that everyone 16 years old or older who has received their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines at least six months ago get a booster shot. The CDC also recommends that anyone who received a dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago get a booster shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine.

Public health agencies and infectious-disease experts have said that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are effective at preventing illness from COVID-19, particularly when one receives a booster shot. They are more effective still at preventing hospitalization and death.

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Maine solar farm approved after plan is changed to avoid overhead power lines in recreation area

Approval comes after developers and state officials revise plan to no longer require overhead power lines on Tall Pines Way, through part of the Bond Brook Recreation Area.

BY KEITH EDWARDS KENNEBEC JOURNAL

The approval came after the developers and state officials offered a revised plan that would no longer require overhead power lines to be installed on the city’s Tall Pines Way, through part of the Bond Brook Recreation Area.

The original plan for the site was also modified to reduce the impact on trails — used by hikers and mountain bikers — on state- and city-owned land in the surrounding area.

The project, which received permit approval in a 6-0 vote Tuesday, would consist of ground-mounted solar panels on an enclosed area spanning 18.42 acres, with solar arrays attached to a fixed-tilt racking system.

It would be located on undeveloped, forested land northeast of the airport’s main runway. The project would feed electricity into the power grid, offsetting the state’s electrical costs over the 21-year lease with a private developer that would build, operate and maintain the system for the state.

State officials expect the project to generate electricity that could save Maine $6 million over 20 years.

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Maine solar farm approved after plan is changed to avoid overhead power lines in recreation area Read More »