What GAO Found
Waterless and water-efficient fracturing technologies such as gas-based fracturing or foams have been used to reduce the use of freshwater in hydraulic fracturing operations, although the main benefit is enhanced hydrocarbon recovery. The geologic formation characteristics of shale plays largely determine their use. According to experts GAO consulted, hydraulic fracturing operators are managing their water resources more efficiently—for example, by treating produced water for recycle and reuse—as an important part of their overall strategy to reduce cost, improve operational efficiency, and reduce the demand for freshwater.
Dry and hybrid (wet-dry) cooling systems are mature technologies to cool thermoelectric power plants, and are highly efficient in terms of water usage. However, these technologies cost more than conventional wet cooling systems and can result in an energy penalty that requires more fuel to be burnt per unit of electricity produced, thereby reducing the net electricity output from the plant. Some emerging cooling technologies which may help reduce water use in wet recirculating cooling systems are at the prototype or conceptual stage of development, and their effectiveness at saving water for power plant cooling applications is still uncertain.
The regional distribution of electricity generation using different types of cooling systems, fuels, and generation technology—the combination of which largely determine a plant’s overall water usage—reflects water stress conditions to a certain extent. Options for plants to switch between various types of cooling systems and generation technologies are limited or have drawbacks. In the most water-stressed regions, there is an emerging trend of new construction natural gas combined cycle plants that also use dry cooling technology, a combination which is both energy and water efficient.
Why GAO Did This Study
Many regions within the United States experience moderate to exceptional drought forcing state officials to make difficult choices regarding energy and water. Competition for freshwater continues to increase due to industrial, municipal, and especially agricultural and energy sector demand. The thermoelectric power industry, for example, accounted for 38 percent of all freshwater withdrawals in the United States in 2010.
GAO has issued a series of six reports on the interdependencies between energy and water. In this report, GAO assessed advanced and emerging technologies that can reduce water use in hydraulic fracturing and thermoelectric power plant cooling. GAO also examined the impact of regional differences in thermoelectric power generation on water use in water-stressed versus unstressed areas of the United States.
To perform this technology assessment, GAO reviewed relevant peer-reviewed scientific literature and government reports and consulted experts with a wide variety of backgrounds and expertise. Experts convened with the assistance of the National Academy of Sciences advised GAO, and reviewed a draft of this report. GAO incorporated their comments in the final report as appropriate.
View GAO-15-545 or key components at http://www.gao.gov. For more information, contact Chief Scientist Timothy Persons at (202) 512-6412 or personst@gao.gov.
Day: September 8, 2015
Climate Change as a Charitable Investment?
Read the full post at the Climate Law Blog.
Mitigating climate change is going to require unlocking new sources of finance to fund the innovative technologies that will take us to a low-emissions future. Program related investments (PRIs), investments that support charitable activities while also offering the potential return of capital, are one vehicle that could help unlock these funds. However, a lack of clarity over whether potential PRIs would be eligible, and the imposition of a heavy penalty tax for getting it wrong, has made would-be investors hesitant and created barriers to their utilization.
To resolve some of the uncertainty surrounding the use of PRIs for climate-related investments, the Columbia Environmental Law Clinic has just published a new report: Clarifying IRS’s View on Climate Change as a Charitable Purpose in order to Mobilize Program-Related Investments for Climate Change Solutions.
Judge: Injunction against water rule limited to 13 states
Read the full story from the Associated Press.
A federal judge in North Dakota said Friday that his injunction blocking a new Obama administration rule aimed at regulating some small waterways applies only to the 13 states that sued to block it, and not nationwide.
The ruling by U.S. District Judge Ralph Erickson clarified the temporary injunction he issued last week at the request of North Dakota and 12 other states. They sought to stop the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers from regulating some small streams, tributaries and wetlands under the Clean Water Act.
Wisconsin DNR asks for hunters to record their wildlife observations
With the start of deer hunting in Wisconsin for 2015 when the archery season opens Sept. 12, state wildlife officials are kicking off the seventh annual Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey, an easy-to-do survey where hunters can record their observations of deer and other wildlife while out hunting. Survey results help track population trends for Wisconsin’s deer herd and other wildlife.
“The Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey is a fun opportunity for hunters to share their enthusiasm for wildlife while helping survey efforts,” says Jes Rees Lohr, wildlife research scientist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR asks hunters to record all of their hunting activity throughout the deer season, even if no wildlife sightings were made during a hunt. The observations provide the DNR with an index to abundance for many wildlife species. In 2014, there were more than 15,000 trips logged totaling more than 66,000 hours of observations. In addition, hunters reported a total of 5,634 bucks, 13,419 does and 8,253 fawns. Since starting in 2009, the Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey has reported more than 80,000 hunting trips from hunters all around the state.
At the end of each year, participants will receive a personalized summary of all recorded wildlife from that season. Participants can access the survey webpage by going to the DNR website, dnr.wi.gov, and search keywords “Deer Hunter Wildlife.” Tally sheets can be filled out either electronically or printed from the site. The survey period ends January 2016
Lastly, don’t forget to keep sending in your trail camera photos. The trail camera gallery can be accessed through the Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey webpage. Check back often as the site is updated as soon as new photos are sent in.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Rees Lohr, wildlife research scientist, 608-221-6349.
Webinar: Federal Food Recovery Opportunities to Meet Executive Order Objectives
Thu, Sep 24, 2015 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM CDT
Register at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7306168273814174977
Executive Order 13693 (“Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade”, March 2015), calls on federal agencies to maintain leadership in sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A key element of the order is to “advance waste prevention and pollution prevention by . . . diverting at least 50% of non-hazardous solid waste, including food and compostable material.”
Wasted food constitutes the largest quantity of divertible material sent to landfills. Of the estimated 34 million tons thrown out, only 2.5 percent is diverted. Wasted food is estimated at 30-40% of the food supply and is the third largest source of methane gas, one of the most potent greenhouse gases responsible for trapping heat in the atmosphere.
Food recovery, which includes practices such as the purchase of less food, donation of edible food and composting, can significantly reduce waste to landfills. This webinar will outline why federal food purchasing matters and how to include food recovery into strategic planning and food service contracts and leases. It will also feature an example of how a federal and concessioner partnership successfully contributed to food recovery.
Darby Hoover, Senior Resource Specialist, and JoAnne Berkenkamp, Senior Advocate, Food and Agriculture Program, Natural Resources Defense Council, will outline a five-point plan to help federal agencies strengthen business practices and identify high priority waste reduction strategies associated with food services. A representative from the National Park Service is expected to speak as well.
EPA releases two new alternatives assessment reports and a technical correction
EPA announces the availability of two final reports on alternatives assessments for flame retardants and a technical correction to a 2014 final alternatives assessment report.
The first report addresses flame retardant chemicals that are used to meet fire safety requirements for upholstered consumer products containing flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF). The report finalizes information in a 2014 update and supplement to a 2005 report on alternatives to pentabromodiphenyl ether (pentaBDE), which was developed by EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) Furniture Flame Retardancy Partnership. The final report provides a detailed comparison of the potential human health and environmental effects of 20 chemical alternatives. The report briefly describes other (non-flame retardant) methods that can be used to provide increased fire safety. There are several alternative flame retardants that are anticipated to safer, based on preferable hazard profiles, when flame retardants are used to meet end-use product flammability standards. For additional information and a link to view or download a copy of the final report, see: http://www2.epa.gov/saferchoice/flame-retardants-used-flexible-polyurethane-foam.
The second report addresses flame retardant chemicals used to meet fire safety standards in printed circuit boards for electronic products, such as cell phones and computers. It finalizes information in a 2014 update to the 2008 draft alternatives assessment report. The final report provides updated human health and environmental information on 10 flame retardants – Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), which is one of the most commonly used flame retardants for printed circuit boards in electronics, and nine alternative chemicals. The final report also supplements the 2008 draft report with a summary of research on combustion by-products from burning printed circuit boards to simulate uncontrolled recycling or incineration. The hazard profiles of the 10 chemicals, combined with the combustion testing results, will be useful to manufacturers in choosing safer materials and meeting environmental standards for greener or environmentally preferable electronics. For additional information and a copy of the final report, see: http://www2.epa.gov/saferchoice/alternatives-assessment-partnership-evaluate-flame-retardants-printed-circuit-boards.
EPA is also issuing a technical correction to a 2014 final alternatives assessment report on the use of Bisphenol A in thermal paper, such as cash register receipts and tickets. After further analysis of new data submitted in response to the draft report, EPA has revised the toxicity designation for one alternative from high to moderate. For additional information and a copy of the report, see: http://www2.epa.gov/saferchoice/partnership-evaluate-alternatives-bisphenol-thermal-paper.
For information on DfE alternatives assessments, see http://www2.epa.gov/saferchoice/design-environment-alternatives-assessments.
Saving Ohio’s Pollinators – ODOT State Initiative
Read the full post at Monarch Joint Venture.
Pollinators are critical to maintaining our ecosystems and putting food on our tables. Yet honeybees, monarchs and our native pollinators are in decline. Habitat loss has been identified as a significant factor in this decline. Fortunately, transportation rights-of-way can provide habitat corridors for pollinators to reproduce, forage and migrate. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is well aware of this fact, and has taken action to protect Ohio’s pollinators through the state-wide “Saving Ohio’s Pollinators” initiative.
A Major New Research Collaboration with Unilever & U.S. EPA
Dr. Rusty Thomas, Director of the National Center for Computational Toxicology (NCCT) at the U.S. EPA shares how a major new research collaboration with Unilever will advance non-animal approaches for chemical risk assessment.
EPA Tribal Science Webinar Series Kickoff: Discussions on Research, Traditional Knowledge and Community Health
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. CDT
Hosted by the National Center for Environmental Research and the Office of Science Policy
The U.S. EPA Sustainable and Healthy Communities Seminar Series presents the Tribal Science Webinar Series Kickoff. The Tribal Science Webinar Series is co-hosted by the National Center for Environmental Research (NCER) and the Office of Science Policy. The webinar series will develop a forum for discussion of the complex environmental issues facing many tribal and indigenous communities, by featuring a wide variety of expert guest speakers, from government, academic institutions and other organizations. The topic for the October 2015 Tribal Science Webinar is Native Science and Environmental Health: Discussions on Research, Traditional Knowledge and Community Health.
Speaker Bios
Darrell Winner is the Senior Science Advisor for NCER. Previously, Dr. Winner served as NCER’s acting Deputy Director, a position in which he managed extramural grant and fellowship programs. Before returning to NCER he was the acting Deputy Director for EPA’s National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA), where he managed research, administrative support, and extramural activities for over 200 Federal employees in 3 different locations. During his time in leadership, NCEA completed several assessments that had been in process for decades, including dioxin and PERC. Dr. Winner has also served as the Acting National Program Director for Global Change Research and as a division director and assistant center director at NCER. Dr. Winner has helped to plan the EPA research strategy to understand the impact of climate change on air quality and managed many of the extramural research projects on this topic. Dr. Winner earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Science from the California Institute of Technology. Before joining EPA’s Office of Research & Development, Dr. Winner worked at the Air Force Research Laboratory, as well as several different EPA Offices, including Policy, Air, and Environmental Information.
Dr. Cynthia McOliver is an Environmental Health Scientist at NCER. She joined NCER in 2011. She has managed a variety of portfolios within Human Health Team in the Water Health and Innovation Division – Tribal Environmental Health Research, Food Allergy/Allergenicity, and the Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, and was a staff member for the quarterly Environment, Health and Society Bulletin. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Mississippi and a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Texas in Houston. Prior to starting her Ph.D. studies, she was a licensed sanitarian/health inspector for the City of Houston Health Department, in the Food Safety Program. She obtained her Ph.D. and post-doctoral training in the Water Program- Environmental Health Sciences from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, MD.
Dr. Clint Carroll is an Assistant Professor in the Ethnic Studies Department of University of Colorado, Boulder. He is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and his research explores the intersection of indigenous governance and indigenous environmental perspectives in settler state contexts. He studies the ability of indigenous nations to assert sovereignty over their lands and the extent to which this enables the perpetuation of unique ecological knowledges and practices. As a graduate student, he was awarded the EPA Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowship, and his work is featured in a recent EPA report, “A Decade of Tribal Environmental Health Research (PDF)”. He received his Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy and Management from the University of California, Berkeley and a B.A. in Anthropology (Summa cum laude) from the University of Arizona, Tucson.
To Access the Web Conference
- Please register for this seminar at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/us-epa-september-2015-tribal-webinar-series-kickoff-tickets-18102550215
- Click on the conference link and enter as a guest: https://epa.connectsolutions.com/shc_seminars/
- Dial: (866) 299-3188, then enter the conference code: 9195415646#
Please Note:
- Audio from the conference line will be broadcast both by telephone and by computer via Adobe Connect. If you plan to participate by phone, please mute your computer speakers prior to the seminar to avoid feedback.
- If possible, please arrange to connect to the conference from a central location to ensure that we have sufficient conference lines.
- If you have trouble accessing the link above, presentation materials will be distributed to invitees prior to the seminar as soon as they are available. If you cannot locate or open the materials via your email service, please contact Greg Grissom grissom.greg@epa.gov to obtain the needed files.
- This seminar will be recorded in its entirety. The recording is permanently archived by SHC and may be viewed at any time online for your convenience. If you are interested in obtaining an offline copy of the recording, please contact Greg Grissom grissom.greg@epa.gov.
- If you know of a colleague or colleagues who should be added to the mailing list for the seminars, or if you do not wish to be included on this mailing list, please email Greg Grissom grissom.greg@epa.gov
Arlington Develops Path for Getting Public Onboard with Bikeshare
Read the full post at Shareable.
While humans have been planning cities and transportation networks for millennia, planning for bikeshare is something new.
In just the last few years, many American cities have launched ambitious bikeshare services — with systems in at least 78 major U.S. cities — all aimed at providing a new transportation option.
Planners have learned much about the technical side of putting together these networks, from station density to operating procedures. However, the ideal public side of this process hasn’t been formalized, particularly for individual stations.
Are new stations more like, say, new passenger rail stations? Or are they more like bus stops? What is the right level of public outreach for an individual station? Approaches in the field have varied, from handling planning in large batches to working on a smaller scale.
In the public policy world, Arlington, Virginia, is known for the “Arlington Way” — a commitment to an open and participatory planning process. That ideal is not only built into planning for the Capital Bikeshare system in Arlington, but on a very granular level — meetings and communication with civic associations and individual residents about individual sites.
Working with BikeArlington, the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services, and Capital Bikeshare, Arlington County Capital Bikeshare Manager Paul DeMaio and I recently developed a brief document, Building Bikeshare Together, which outlines this process step by step.
You must be logged in to post a comment.