The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a 2020 notice of funding availability under its Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program, including grants for the new State infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA). The programs accelerate investment in critical water infrastructure through innovative and flexible financing that can support diverse projects in communities large and small. This year’s funding will provide up to $6 billion to support $12 billion in water infrastructure projects, while creating more than 35,000 jobs and improving environmental protection in communities across the country.
Read MoreTag: EPA
EPA measures air pollutant levels’ 50-year descent
The federal government’s latest annual report on air quality trends, “Our Nation’s Air – EPA Celebrates 50 Years!,” documents pollution reduction progress from 1970-2019, emphasizing gains during the last few years. The combined emissions of Environmental Protection Agency-designated criteria pollutants and their precursors dropped 7 percent from 2017 to 2019. That metric reflects three-year declines in the emissions levels of nitrogen oxides, -10 percent; particulate matter 2.5, -1 percent; sulfur dioxide, -16 percent; carbon monoxide, -6 percent; and, volatile organic compounds, -3 percent.
Read MorePervious, permeable pavement materials prevail in EPA RainWorks Challenge
Winning projects from an annual Environmental Protection Agency competition that engages college students in on-campus green infrastructure design demonstrate the health and environmental benefits of good stormwater management.
Read MoreNOx, PM levels dive in latest EPA air quality report
Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff
The federal government’s latest annual report on air quality trends, “Our Nation’s Air – EPA Celebrates 50 Years!,” documents pollution reduction progress from 1970-2019, emphasizing gains during the last few years. The combined emissions of Environmental Protection Agency-designated criteria pollutants and their precursors dropped 7 percent from 2017 to 2019. That metric reflects three-year declines in the emissions levels of nitrogen oxides, -10 percent; particulate matter 2.5, -1 percent; sulfur dioxide, -16 percent; carbon monoxide, -6 percent; and, volatile organic compounds, -3 percent.
Read MoreCement, concrete hold steady as minor GHG emissions data points
Technology Trends’ Craig Yeack breaks down cement savings and carbon dioxide emissions reduction math in a report on ready mixed production and the CarbonCure Technologies process. Outside of fly ash, admixtures and blended binders, CarbonCure’s dosing and injection technology is among the most widely adopted tools for lowering embodied carbon in finished concrete.
Read MoreEPA revisits SCM in procurement guidelines; honors CalPortland and Cemex
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has opened a public comment period through July 6 on the Agency’s current list of 61 items that are or can be made from recovered materials in eight Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) categories, plus recommendations to federal agencies on purchasing such items. The largest category, Construction Products, includes blended cement or concrete containing fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag and silica fume.
Read MoreTransparency drives EPA’s historic shift on guidance documents
Sources: Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff
EPA has moved to establish consistent requirements for guidance document issuance. Officials envision a formal petition process for the public to request that the agency modify or withdraw such documents, and keep them accessible and transparent to the public.
Read MoreCement holds steady as minor greenhouse gas emissions data point
Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff
A just-released EPA report shows the United States continuing to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions disproportionate to economic output: 2018 levels were down 10 percent compared to 2005, while the economy grew 25 percent over that 13-year span.
Read MoreEPA revisits SCM in procurement guidelines assessment
Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff
EPA has opened a public comment period through July 6 on the Agency’s current list of 61 items that are or can be made from recovered materials in eight Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) categories, plus recommendations to federal agencies on purchasing such items. The largest category, Construction Products, includes cement or concrete containing fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag and silica fume.
Read MoreEnergy Star cement mills log Btu savings by the trillions
Sources: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.; CP staff
Thirteen portland cement plants earned U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Certification for 2019: Alamo Cement Co., San Antonio; Argos USA, Calera, Ala. and Harleyville, S.C.; Ash Grove Cement, Seattle; Buzzi Unicem USA, Festus, Mo. and Chattanooga, Tenn.; CalPortland Co., Rillito, Ariz.; Cemex USA, Brooksville and Miami, Fla.; GCC of America, Pueblo, Colo.; Salt River Materials, Clarkdale, Ariz.; plus, Titan America, Medley, Fla. and Troutville, Va.
Read More