The Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) and the California Environmental Protection Agency Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) announced today a video contest on the subject of pollution prevention. The contest is open to the public and the deadline for submission of a 60 second or less video is September 19. The winning videos will be featured during Pollution Prevention Week September 20-27; this year honoring the 20-year anniversary of the Pollution Prevention Act signed by Congress in 1990. Video contest winners will also be recognized at a ceremony during the WSPPN 2010 Conference in San Diego on October 27-28. Read more
EPA announced on July 8 that it is launching a new on-line tool for scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing that was built by Purdue University with support from the agency. The Integrated Environmental Modeling Hub (iemHUB) allows environmental researchers to analyze environmental problems and combine environmental models so that a better understanding of the environment can be developed – everything from keeping beaches clean to predicting climate effects. EPA uses integrated modeling assessments to inform decision making in support of its broad mission of protecting human health and safeguarding the environment. With the website, the agency is providing a state-of-the-art resource to the environmental modeling community. The iemHUB supports the development of integrated models and their use in conducting research and informing the decision making process. The iemHUB is being released by the EPA-supported Community of Practice for Integrated Environmental Modeling (CIEM). The Community of Practice is an informal collaborative organization that was set-up by EPA and other scientists to advance the state of the science and technology related to integrated modeling.
The California Assembly unanimously passed AB283, the first step toward allowing bio-cremation, an alternative to burial and incineration. The bill, which uses alkoline hydrolysis to dispose of human remains, next goes to the Senate for review.
The process produces a sterile liquid that is not harmful and can be disposed of at a water treatment plant, supporters contend.
Read more:
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/05/20/2763781/bio-cremation-offers-third-option.html
Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx™) is a consortium of eight regional pollution prevention information centers, funded in part through grants from EPA. These centers all provide pollution prevention information, networking opportunities and other services to States, local governments and technical assistance providers in their region. The centers represent a broad constituency, including state and local pollution prevention programs, manufacturing extension partnerships, cooperative extension and nonprofit organizations. The diversity of audience contributes to an overall breadth of P2 information and opportunities.
This is your opportunity to shine! We are looking for dynamic individuals with vision and energy to make this a memorable event. Whatever your unique skill set is, there is a place for you. Not sure how you can participate? No worries! If you are willing, able, and smiling, we’ll find just the right spot for you!
Contact John Mukhar at John.Mukhar@sanjoseca.gov to join the team or for more information…
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Watch this narrated presentation from representatives of Los Angeles based Origin Oil about the development of their technologies which pair wastewater treatment plants, algae development systems and a biofuel processing facility.
A letter from (PDF) Chris Beaven of Origin Oil explains the Federal funding available right now and the wastewater partnerships the company is searching for.
Their system breaks down algae as a feedstock and produces a clean biofuel. Is algae the energy of the future? Everyone from the Feds to private industry to WEF’s Algae Working Group are trying to figure that out.
Contact information:
Chris Beaven
Business Development
OriginOil, Inc.
O: 323-939-6006
F: 323-315-2306
M: 310-490-0939
e: chris@originoil.com
w: www.originoil.com
The presentation and audio are from the March P3S meeting. Used with permission.
By Wendy Wert
Chair
CWEA Training Coordination Committee
Dr. Wes Eckenfelder – friend, colleague, and pioneer in the Environmental Engineering Profession – passed away Saturday evening, March 27, 2010. A few days before, on March 22, 2010 the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) hosted a tribute and technical seminar honoring Wes Eckenfelder’s contributions to the field. The seminar was held at the Hyperion Wastewater Treatment Plant in Los Angeles. The program began with an outline of the program presented by moderator David Greenwood. Mr. Greenwood introduced the first speaker David Jenkins, professor emeritus of UC Berkeley.
Dr. Jenkins initiated proceedings by showing attendees a photograph of Wes Eckenfelder and presenting a brief biography of Eckenfelder. Wes has been deemed the “godfather” of wastewater treatment by many of his colleagues, former students and peers, Wes played a significant role in the development of wastewater treatment. Through research, numerous technical publications and multiple courses and seminars, his name has become well known in the industry. Wes’ sense of humor has enlightened many presentations. It has been noted that he has a way of presenting highly technical information such that it can be easily understood. He encouraged his students to expand think for themselves, and never hesitated to share his knowledge with others in his field, which as Dr. Jenkins noted, was the purpose of the CWEA seminar.
The P3S Committee’s March 24th meeting features a presentation by the VP of Operations for OriginOil, a Los Angeles based company developing algaes that can be turned into biofuels. Some in the industry are exploring growing algae in wastewater. Join in person or on-line – the choice is yours.
P3S Committee Meeting
Wednesday, March 24th
10:00 – 11:00am
Webinar: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/join/568503763
Call in number for audio: (888) 872-1176 passcode 4878#
We recommend joining the webinar a few minutes early
Or join in person and enjoy the lunch, RSVP to John Boyd at jboyd@lacsd.org:
City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation
2714 Media Center Drive
Los Angeles CA 90065
Learn more about algae after the jump…
Hanlon Announces April 15th EPA Water Summit in Washington DC
By Alec Mackie
P3S Vendor Co-Chair
In early March 300 wastewater and stormwater professionals gathered in Long Beach for the California Water Environment Association’s 37th annual Pretreatment, Pollution Prevention and Stormwater conference, known as P3S. State and federal regulators provided updates on programs and goals, while California professionals offered updates on their finished and ongoing projects. There were nearly 70 presentations during the three day conference, including several on the hot topics of MS4 permits, water reuse and chemicals of emerging concern.
In the opening session James Hanlon, Director of the Office of Wastewater Management for the EPA, made the first public announcement of an April 15th clean water summit featuring EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. The summit will bring together several of the “top thinkers” from all aspects of the water industry to discuss how to get the country on the right track toward achieving clean water goals. The summit will also focus on innovation and green jobs as well as examine difficult issues of non-point and stormwater pollution. The summit will be held in Washington DC and also features Peter Silva, EPA’s Head of the Office of Water.
Award Winner: Huntsman Advanced Materials
By Paul Schmidtbauer and Tim Potter, P3S Awards Committee
Since 1971, the P3S Committee has been recognizing the achievements of high performing companies in the area of wastewater and stormwater excellence with annual awards. Separate awards are given for Southern California and Northern California and in the large and small facility categories.
Award nominations are submitted by local authorities such as the local POTW source control inspector. Nominees are evaluated by the P3S awards subcommittee including an on-site inspection. To nominate an outstanding company in your region, please email pschmidtbauer@socwa.com.
Also during the awards banquet Preeti Ghuman, an engineer with LACSD, was presented with her P3S silver manhole.
