#Department of Water and Environmental Regulation

[colitcomedia]

Exploring how Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project by VRX Silica advances?

Discover the notable progress made by VRX Silica Limited (ASX: VRX) in the approval process for the Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project. Learn about the commencement of the Public Environmental Review (PER) period and the company's dedication to addressing stakeholder feedback. Get insights into VRX Silica's investor outlook and explore the projects within their expansive silica sand portfolio in Western Australia.

When it comes to sustainable silica sand projects, VRX Silica Limited is making significant strides. With the initiation of the four-week Public Environmental Review (PER) period, following the publication of the Environmental Review Document (ERD), VRX Silica's Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project is advancing closer to reality.

The acceptance of the Arrowsmith North Environmental Review Document by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) further demonstrates the company's commitment to transparency and environmental responsibility.

During the PER process, VRX Silica understands the importance of addressing all comments received regarding the Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project proposal. This comprehensive review and response stage serves as the final step before the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Western Australia prepares an assessment report. The recommendations made in the report will play a crucial role in the approval decision by the Western Australian Environment Minister.

Investor Outlook:

VRX Silica's commitment to sustainability and responsible resource extraction has captured the attention of investors. With a share price of AUD 0.125 per share and a 52-week range of AUD 0.093 to AUD 0.190 per share, the company's performance in the market has been notable. As of June 19th, 2023, VRX Silica has a market capitalization of AUD 70 million, with 560.40 million shares issued.

About VRX Silica:

VRX Silica Limited is an ASX-listed pure-play silica sand company with a dedicated focus on driving innovation and sustainable practices. The company's portfolio comprises four silica sand projects in Western Australia. In addition to the Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project, they also have the Arrowsmith Central Silica Sand Project, located near Eneabba, south of Geraldton. Furthermore, VRX Silica has the Muchea Silica Sand Project, situated north of Perth, and the Boyatup Silica Sand Project, positioned 100 km east of Esperance.

Conclusion:

The Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project by VRX Silica is making significant progress in its approval process, evident through the commencement of the PER period and the publication of the ERD. By addressing stakeholder feedback and adhering to sustainable practices, VRX Silica is laying a strong foundation for the project's success. With their robust investor outlook and dedication to responsible resource extraction, VRX Silica continues to shape the future of the silica sand industry in Western Australia.

[percyjackson-post]

Non Canon Riordanverse friendships I think make sense

#1 Leo Valdez and the Stoll Brothers

You cannot convince me the Stolls didn’t find out about a Hephaestus kid with incredible mechanical skills and fire powers and didn’t immediately roll up like, "Haha, hey bro...” because they absolutely did. They are Chiron’s worst nightmare, but by the gods, they are the life of Camp Half-Blood. At least once every two weeks, they’re sat in the big house getting lectured as Chiron adds more specific things to the extremely long list of camp rules. I’m talking “Absolutely nothing but organic aquatic lifeforms sanctioned by the New York State Department environmental regulations allowed in t̶h̶e̶ ̶c̶a̶n̶o̶e̶ ̶l̶a̶k̶e̶  ANY BODY OF WATER ON THE PROPERTY

[going-to-superhell]

Project 2025

All information is from the official project 2025 document

So the US election is currently happening and Biden and Trump are neck and neck. Now I am Australian, I don't know that much about US politics however I am genuinely terrified for if Trump wins. Biden is horrible but Trump is so so much worse, not just with what happened last time he was in power but with project 2025 which will be put into place if Trump gets re elected within 180 days of victory. If this happens there will might not be any going back. America will become a dictatorship if Trump wins, Trump will by pass congress and destroy what they call the 'administrative state' which includes agency's that insure clean and safe air, food, water, drugs and consumer products and hold big corporations back from making more money. tens and thousands of government employees who don't agree with him will be fired and replaced. And for the people saying Trump can't do that, if he becomes president again he can. They also plan to pop up the oil industry and claim its not an environmental problem.

In the project 2025 document the word 'sex' comes up 133 times. They are going to "resend regulations prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, transgender status and sex characteristics" as well as deleting the terms 'sexual orientation', 'dei', 'gender', 'gender equality', 'gender equity', 'gender awareness', gender-sensitive', 'abortion', reproductive health' and 'reproductive rights' from "every piece of legislation that exists."

They're also going after education and children. They have proposed eliminating the department of education which they say "injects racist, anti-American, ahistorical propaganda into American classrooms". Not only this but for all school that receive government funding all students to complete the military entrance examination. Let me say this again all public school students will have to complete the MILITARY ENTRANCE EXAMINATION. They will essentially be forcing CHILDREN into the military.

If you live in a blue state you wont be safe because as president he can force blue states into doing this. If you are able to vote in America I am begging you to because this isn't even the tip of the iceburg. America will become more of a living hell then it already is, I understand if you don't like Biden but Trump winning is so much worse.

[odinsblog]

Billionaire fossil fuel mogul David Koch died August 23, 2019. Though he will rightfully be remembered for his role in the destruction of the earth, David Koch’s influence went far beyond climate denial. Ronald Reagan may have uttered the famous words, “Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem” back in 1981—but it was David Koch, along with his elder brother Charles and a cabal of other ultrarich individuals, who truly reframed the popular view of government. Once a democratic tool used to shape the country’s future, government became seen as something intrusive and inefficient—indeed, something to be feared.

“While Charles was the mastermind of the social reengineering of the America he envisioned,” said Lisa Graves, co-director of the corporate watchdog group Documented, “David was an enthusiastic lieutenant.”

David Koch was particularly instrumental in legitimizing anti-government ideology—one the GOP now holds as gospel. In 1980, the younger Koch ran as the vice-presidential nominee for the nascent Libertarian Party. And a newly unearthed document shows Koch personally donated more than $2 million to the party—an astounding amount for the time—to promote the Ed Clark–David Koch ticket.

“Few people realize that the anti-American government antecedent to the Tea Party was fomented in the late ’70s with money from Charles and David Koch,” Graves continued. “The Libertarian Party, fueled in part with David’s wealth, pushed hard on the idea that government was the problem and the free market was the solution to everything.”

In fact, according to Graves, “The Koch-funded Libertarian Party helped spur on Ronald Reagan’s anti-government, free-market-solves-all agenda as president.”

Even by contemporary standards, the 1980 Libertarian Party platform was extreme. It called for the abolition of a wide swath of federal agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Bureau of Land Management, the Federal Election Commission, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Federal Trade Commission, and “all government agencies concerned with transportation.” It railed against campaign finance and consumer protection laws, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, any regulations of the firearm industry (including tear gas), and government intervention in labor negotiations. And the platform demanded the repeal of all taxation, and sought amnesty for those convicted of tax “resistance.”

Koch and his libertarian allies moreover advocated for the repeal of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and other social programs. They wanted to abolish federally mandated speed limits. They opposed occupational licensure, antitrust laws, labor laws protecting women and children, and “all controls on wages, prices, rents, profits, production, and interest rates.” And in true libertarian fashion, the platform urged the privatization of all schools (with an end to compulsory education laws), the railroad system, public roads and the national highway system, inland waterways, water distribution systems, public lands, and dam sites.

The Libertarian Party never made much of a splash in the election—though it did garner almost 12 percent of the vote in Alaska—but doing so was never the point. Rather, the Kochs were engaged in a long-term effort to normalize the aforementioned ideas and mainstream them into American politics.

(continue reading)

[peeetlovers]

What should you do if your dog dies of natural causes?

Losing a beloved dog is one of the most heartbreaking experiences for any pet owner. As you navigate through this difficult time, choosing to bury your dog at home can provide a sense of closeness and allow for a personal and heartfelt farewell. However, there are several important factors to consider to ensure that the burial is conducted safely, legally, and respectfully. Here are the key points to pay attention to when burying your dog.

1. Check Local Laws and Regulations

Before proceeding with a home burial, it's crucial to verify local laws and regulations. Some municipalities have specific rules regarding pet burials, such as restrictions on home burials, required burial depths, or mandates for certain types of containers. Contact your local health department or municipal office to obtain the necessary information and ensure you comply with local ordinances.

2. Choose an Appropriate Location

Selecting the right location for your dog's final resting place is essential. Choose a peaceful and secluded spot on your property that is unlikely to be disturbed in the future. Avoid areas near water sources, gardens, or places with high foot traffic. Ensure the chosen location is not prone to flooding, which could expose the grave and cause distress.

3. Digging the Grave

The grave should be deep enough to prevent other animals from disturbing the remains. A depth of at least 3 to 4 feet is recommended. The grave should also be wide and long enough to accommodate your dog comfortably. Use a sturdy shovel, and take your time to dig the grave properly, ensuring it is secure and respectful.

4. Consider a Burial Container

Using a burial container such as a biodegradable coffin or a shroud can provide added protection and dignity. Biodegradable options are environmentally friendly and will decompose naturally over time. Make sure the container is appropriately sized for your dog and that it aligns with any local regulations.

5. Handle Your Dog with Care

Gently place your dog in the chosen burial container or directly into the grave. Handle their body with respect and love, allowing yourself time for a final goodbye. This moment can be very emotional, and it's important to approach it with care and tenderness.

6. Mark the Grave

Marking the grave is a personal choice that can help you remember the burial site. Options include a simple wooden marker, a stone, or a personalized plaque. Some pet owners choose to plant a tree or flowers at the site as a living memorial. Ensure that the marker is durable and weather-resistant if you plan to visit the site regularly.

7. Consider the Surrounding Environment

Be mindful of the surrounding environment when choosing the burial site. Avoid areas that may be developed or altered in the future. Ensure that the site is not close to any underground utilities or pipes. This foresight will help prevent future disturbances to your pet's resting place.

8. Prepare Emotionally and Practically

The process of burying your dog can be emotionally taxing. Consider enlisting the help of family members or friends for both emotional support and practical assistance. Taking the time to prepare mentally for this process can help you manage your emotions and ensure that the burial is conducted with the dignity your pet deserves.

9. Think About Future Considerations

Consider how you might want to memorialize your dog in the future. Some pet owners create a small garden around the burial site or add a bench for quiet reflection. Planning for these additions can provide ongoing comfort and a special place to remember your beloved pet.

10. Seek Professional Help if Needed

If you find the process too overwhelming or if local regulations are complex, consider seeking professional help. Pet burial services can handle the logistics and legalities, ensuring that your pet's burial is conducted appropriately. These services often provide options for memorials and can guide you through the entire process with compassion.

Burying your dog at home can be a deeply personal and meaningful way to say goodbye. By paying attention to local laws, choosing an appropriate location, handling the burial with care, and considering future memorials, you can create a respectful and lasting tribute to your beloved pet. This process, though challenging, can provide comfort and a sense of closure during a difficult time. Always remember to seek support and take care of your emotional well-being as you navigate through this profound loss.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from the New York Times:

Dozens of environmental, labor and health care groups banded together on Monday to file a petition to push the Federal Emergency Management Agency to declare extreme heat and wildfire smoke as “major disasters,” like floods and tornadoes.

The petition is a major push to get the federal government to help states and local communities that are straining under the growing costs of climate change.

If accepted, the petition could unlock FEMA funds to help localities prepare for heat waves and wildfire smoke by building cooling centers or installing air filtration systems in schools. The agency could also help during emergencies by paying for water distribution, health screenings for vulnerable people and increased electricity use.

“Major disaster declarations really open up the broadest pockets of funding that FEMA has available,” said Jean Su, a senior attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, an environmental group, and the lead author of the petition. “State and local governments are severely ill equipped and underfunded to even deal with emergency measures.”

A Forecast for Heat

It’s been the hottest year on record, the Northeast is bracing for its first severe heat of the year and the Times is tracking extreme heat around the world.

The support of major labor groups like the A.F.L.-CIO and the Service Employees International Union is part of a broader strategy from unions to create protection for the tens of millions of people working outside or without air-conditioning during heat waves. Unions want the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to require employers to protect workers from extreme temperatures. The White House has pushed officials at the Labor Department, which oversees OSHA, to publish a draft heat regulation this summer. But major business and industry groups, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are opposed to any new requirements.

Labor groups and workers’ rights organizations hope that, if the petition to FEMA is accepted, there would be more pressure for employers to address heat in the workplace.

[soberscientistlife]

nytimes When the Norfolk Southern freight train careened off the tracks this month and left a fiery heap of wreckage on the outskirts of East Palestine, Ohio, a town of roughly 4,700 people, it upended an area where generations of families could afford to buy acres of land, raise horses and plant gardens, hunt deer and birds and build lives undisturbed by the chaos of bigger cities nearby. Although farming provides only a small number of jobs in the immediate area, many residents say that raising livestock and working the land are profoundly important to their way of life.

So when officials decided two weeks ago to burn off the toxic chemical cargo a few miles away, sending a huge plume of smoke to blanket the region along the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, many landowners began to worry for their safety. Vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate and ethylene glycol monobutyl are among the substances that were released into the air, surface water and surface soil, the Environmental Protection Agency said.

Officials said that the chemical burn was necessary to avoid a more harmful explosion, and that initial tests so far had found the air and water to be safe. The Biden administration said the Department of Health and Human Services and its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would continue to monitor public health and conduct assessments in the area. Still, farmers remain fearful about whether their customers will continue to trust their product.

Norfolk Southern should take care of these people for the rest of their lives. Maybe then they will realize safety regulations are a good thing.

[dreadfutures]

the next president:

chooses our supreme court nominees

chooses many other federal court judges with lifetime appointments whose judgements shape healthcare, corporate regulation, and

makes executive orders that can effectively immediately upend nationwide laws and take a long time to get halted or overturned, while setting standards for states to make laws

appoints attorney general

appoints the heads of agencies such as the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute of Health, the National Science Foundation, who decide what integral scientific research should be prioritized for funding; who have the power to enforce or not-enforce or repeal regulations that protect our health and environment

appoints the heads of agencies such as the HHS that have more immediate beneficial or neglectful impacts on local communities nationwide, in times of disaster or otherwise

through them distributes funding to integral state functions that provide environmental, health, and community resources that enable states to assess and fix things like lead in water, etc.

appoints the head of the CDC who decides how to mobilize resources and direct public action in response to epidemics

every person who runs for president of the united states and becomes president is, or will become, a mass murderer and war criminal.

and some of them will dismantle the social safety nets and infrastructure of our country in ways that set us back very very far and take a very long time to fix, if you will ever find someone who you're willing to put back into power to fix it.

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

Donald Trump brought his 2024 presidential campaign to East Palestine, Ohio, on Wednesday, nearly three weeks after a cataclysmic train derailment prompted an environmental disaster in the small town following the release of toxic chemicals.

The former president's visit to the northeastern village preempted Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg's arrival by one day, and Trump relished every opportunity to castigate his Democratic successors, saying Buttigieg "should have already been here," and commanding President Joe Biden to "get over here," according to local reports.

While assuring East Palestine residents that they had "not been forgotten," Trump managed to tout his own presence in the besieged community and brush off questions about his administration's noted history of rolling back regulations on both rail safety and hazardous chemicals.

Trump started his day by briefly visiting with local leaders, according to WKBN-27, before conducting a small press conference at a fire station, where, donning his signature "Make America Great Again" hat, he handed out a flurry of red baseball caps to attendees.

During his speech, Trump pledged to donate thousands of bottles of cleaning supplies, as well as pallets of Trump-branded water bottles to members of the community, many of whom have expressed continued concern over the safety of the town's water supply following the derailment.

"You wanna get those Trump bottles, I think, more than anybody else," Trump said, while flanked by state and local leaders, including Republican Sen. JD Vance.

The former President dismissed questions about his administration's rollback of Obama-era rail safety regulations saying he "had nothing to do with it."

The Trump administration slashed several environmental and rail regulations while in office, most notably rescinding a 2015 proposal to require faster brakes on trains that were carrying highly flammable or hazardous materials.

The Norfolk Southern Railroad Company freight train involved in this month's crash was carrying vinyl chloride, a colorless gas and known carcinogen, which produced a plume of smoke over East Palestine.

The Department of Transportation under Trump justified the rollback with a 2018 analysis arguing the cost of requiring such brakes would be "significantly higher" than the expected benefits of the update.

A spokesperson for Trump did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Following his Wednesday news conference, Trump visited a local Ohio McDonald's where he handed out more MAGA hats and bought meals for firefighters.

[colitcomedia]

VRX Silica Initiates Public Environmental Review for Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project with Publication of ERD

VRX Silica Limited (ASX: VRX) has reached a significant milestone in the approval process for its Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project. With the initiation of the four-week Public Environmental Review (PER) period following the publication of the Environmental Review Document (ERD), VRX Silica showcases its commitment to sustainable practices and environmental protection. This article provides an overview of the progress made by VRX Silica, highlights the PER process, and discusses the investor outlook and the company's profile.

Advancement in the Approval Process:

The commencement of the PER period and the publication of the ERD mark a notable advancement in the approval process for the Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has accepted the ERD for publication and release, demonstrating their confidence in VRX Silica's proposed plans. This step signifies the company's dedication to addressing stakeholder feedback and ensuring thorough environmental assessments.

The Importance of Public Environmental Review:

During the PER period, VRX Silica is required to address all comments received regarding the Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project proposal. This comprehensive review and response stage serve as the final step before the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Western Australia prepares an assessment report. The report will include recommendations to the Western Australian Environment Minister, which will influence the approval decision for the project.

Investor Outlook:

VRX Silica's investor outlook reflects a positive market perception. As of June 19th, 2023, the company's share price stands at AUD 0.125 per share, with a 52-week range of AUD 0.093 to AUD 0.190 per share. With a market capitalization valued at AUD 70 million and 560.40 million shares issued, VRX Silica demonstrates its strong presence and position in the market.

About VRX Silica:

VRX Silica Limited (ASX: VRX) has reached a significant milestone in the approval process for its Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project. With the initiation of the four-week Public Environmental Review (PER) period following the publication of the Environmental Review Document (ERD), VRX Silica showcases its commitment to sustainable practices and environmental protection. This article provides an overview of the progress made by VRX Silica, highlights the PER process, and discusses the investor outlook and the company's profile.

Advancement in the Approval Process:

The commencement of the PER period and the publication of the ERD mark a notable advancement in the approval process for the Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) has accepted the ERD for publication and release, demonstrating their confidence in VRX Silica's proposed plans. This step signifies the company's dedication to addressing stakeholder feedback and ensuring thorough environmental assessments.

The Importance of Public Environmental Review:

During the PER period, VRX Silica is required to address all comments received regarding the Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project proposal. This comprehensive review and response stage serve as the final step before the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Western Australia prepares an assessment report. The report will include recommendations to the Western Australian Environment Minister, which will influence the approval decision for the project.

Investor Outlook:

VRX Silica's investor outlook reflects a positive market perception. As of June 19th, 2023, the company's share price stands at AUD 0.125 per share, with a 52-week range of AUD 0.093 to AUD 0.190 per share. With a market capitalization valued at AUD 70 million and 560.40 million shares issued, VRX Silica demonstrates its strong presence and position in the market.

About VRX Silica:

VRX Silica Limited is an esteemed ASX-listed pure-play silica sand company, driven by an expert board and management team. The company's portfolio consists of four silica sand projects in Western Australia, including the Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project, Arrowsmith Central Silica Sand Project, Muchea Silica Sand Project, and Boyatup Silica Sand Project. These projects are strategically located across Western Australia, demonstrating VRX Silica's commitment to the industry's growth and development.

Conclusion:

The initiation of the Public Environmental Review (PER) period and the publication of the Environmental Review Document (ERD) signify a significant step forward for VRX Silica's Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project. By addressing stakeholder feedback and upholding sustainable practices, VRX Silica aims to obtain the necessary approvals for the project. Investors and stakeholders can stay informed about the company's progress and environmental initiatives through VRX Silica's official channels. However, it is important to conduct thorough research and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decisions.

is an esteemed ASX-listed pure-play silica sand company, driven by an expert board and management team. The company's portfolio consists of four silica sand projects in Western Australia, including the Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project, Arrowsmith Central Silica Sand Project, Muchea Silica Sand Project, and Boyatup Silica Sand Project. These projects are strategically located across Western Australia, demonstrating VRX Silica's commitment to the industry's growth and development.

Conclusion:

The initiation of the Public Environmental Review (PER) period and the publication of the Environmental Review Document (ERD) signify a significant step forward for VRX Silica's Arrowsmith North Silica Sand Project. By addressing stakeholder feedback and upholding sustainable practices, VRX Silica aims to obtain the necessary approvals for the project. Investors and stakeholders can stay informed about the company's progress and environmental initiatives through VRX Silica's official channels. However, it is important to conduct thorough research and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decisions.

[notwiselybuttoowell]

Critics point out that the production of LNG, when drilling, production and burning are considered, is a major driver of the climate crisis. Studies have shown that while gas emits less carbon dioxide than coal, it often also involves the leaking of large quantities of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

“This is a carbon mega bomb,” said Jeremy Symons, a former Environmental Protection Agency official, of CP2, which has requested a permit to operate until 2050, a point when Biden aims for the US to have zeroed out its emissions. “The scale of the project is almost unfathomable and it locks us into a fossil fuel dependency for the next 30 years. If all we do is shift from coal to gas, we are cooked.”

According to calculations by Symons, who runs his own consultancy, the CP2 project would cause 197m tons of planet-heating gases each year once fully operational, including emissions from the production of the gas and its eventual burning overseas, which isn’t counted in the US’s own emissions tally.

This scale of emissions is 20 times greater than the controversial Willow oil project in Alaska, which was approved by the Biden administration despite a huge outcry from Democrats, tribes and climate campaigners earlier this year.

Should several dozen other proposed gas-export facilities along the Gulf of Mexico also be built, then the overall emissions toll would be gargantuan, according to figures Symons shared with the Guardian. If all planned terminals go ahead, it would result in an extra 3.2bn tons of greenhouse gases each year, he found, close to the annual emissions of the entire European Union and severely imperiling hopes of avoiding catastrophic global heating.

“It’s an unbelievable amount of pollution and it would spell game over for a livable planet as we’ve known it,” said Symons. “We would double LNG production just with the gas terminals that have been proposed, meaning we are just shifting emissions overseas even as we act on climate here in the US. We’ve left the back door wide open, and profit-seeking oil-gas companies are taking full advantage.”

The CP2 project is awaiting permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Ferc), which regulates pipelines, as well as the US Department of Energy. Several Democratic lawmakers have criticized Ferc, and the Biden administration, for repeatedly approving huge gas projects despite concerns over damage to the climate as well as to the air and water of nearby communities, already overburdened by a tangle of oil and gas infrastructure along the Gulf coast.

Ferc has been “captured by the fossil fuel industry”, complained the US senator Jeff Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, after the agency approved a separate gas plant in the Pacific north-west last week. “Ferc may be an obscure federal agency to most people, but there are important decisions on the horizon at Ferc that will determine whether the world meets its climate goals,” he said. “With projects such as the Calcasieu Pass 2 LNG export terminal on the horizon, right now, the signs aren’t good.”

[naturalrights-retard]

A pledge by the Biden administration in December 2022 to take “more than 100 actions” to impose significantly tighter environmental standards on consumer goods is now becoming reality, and consumer groups are predicting a future in which Americans pay more for products that do less, while manufacturers warn of shortages and supply chain breakdowns.

“You’re seeing, just in the last few months, new rules from the Biden administration about clothes washers, dishwashers, and other kinds of kitchen appliances, and in every case, you’re talking about a tightening of already very, very tight standards,” O.H. Skinner, executive director of the Alliance for Consumers, told The Epoch Times.

“That will make it so that nearly the majority of the current products on the market don’t meet the standards and have to be redesigned or removed from the market,” Skinner said. “Everyday things that people actually want are going to get more expensive or disappear, and the products that will be available will be more expensive but not better. People are going to wonder why life is worse.”

These new regulations (pdf) from the Department of Energy (DOE) come on top of new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions regulations on cars and electric utilities, and efforts to ban gas stoves, which critics say will have similar consequences in those industries. Many of these new regulations will be finalized by next year and would give manufacturers several years to comply.

In December 2022, the White House announced that “the Biden-Harris Administration has surpassed its goal to take 100 actions in 2022 to strengthen energy efficiency standards for a range of appliances and equipment to lower costs for American families.” The announcement touted 110 new regulations enacted by federal agencies on “everything from air conditioners and furnaces, to clothes washers and dryers, to kitchen appliances and water heaters—as well as commercial and industrial equipment.”

According to the Biden administration: “Once finalized, these standards will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 2.4 billion metric tons, equivalent to the carbon emissions from 10 million homes, 17 million gas cars, or 21 coal-fired power plants over 30 years. The projected consumer savings from these standards would be $570 billion cumulatively, and for an average household this will mean at least $100 in annual savings.”

[cleanwaterchronicles]

Road salt, a stealthy pollutant, is damaging Michigan waters

In a dim hangar outside of Traverse City, towering piles of white crystals cast a glow in the twilight. 

Salts like those stored at the Grand Traverse County Road Commission maintenance facility keep Michigan roads, parking lots, and sidewalks clear of ice in the winter, a prudent safety measure for motorists and pedestrians. The mobility benefits of salt for a car-centric society, though, have an undesirable environmental side effect that has built up over decades of use: extensive damage to ecosystems and infrastructure.

Chloride -- the catch-all term for salts -- does not discriminate. It hurts mayflies and freshwater mussels, taking out species at the base of the freshwater food chain. It acts as a chemical instigator, loosening metals and nutrients that are otherwise bound in sediment and freeing them to flow downstream, thus feeding toxic algae in troubled places like Lake Erie. As with sun on skin, excess salt accelerates infrastructure aging. The metals and concrete in bridges, roads, and cars deteriorate faster when exposed to salts.

The state issued its first water quality standards for chloride in 2019. Not written with infrastructure in mind, the standards are intended to protect fish, insects, and other freshwater species. But the state has not yet translated those standards into a plan for limiting chloride in the eight stream sections that already exceed the limit.

Developing those pollution diets takes years. In the interim, state regulators this year are directly asking municipalities with storm sewer systems to outline steps for controlling salt runoff from roads. Roads, however, are only part of the problem. Salt applied to parking lots and sidewalks also enters streams and groundwater. But regulators say that municipalities do not have the staff or budgets to oversee salt application on private property. In part, this is a consequence of state court rulings that have deterred cities from creating agencies to manage pollutants that are flushed from paved surfaces.

The best way to deal with salt pollution is to bar it entry -- not to allow it in the water in the first place. By and large, that outcome will rely on the widespread and voluntary adoption of salt-reducing practices by road agencies, shopping mall owners, apartment complex managers, and homeowners. Reducing salt use also hinges on societal shifts: public acceptance in urban areas of slower winter driving speeds and less driving in hazardous weather.

“You can think of chloride as a permanent pollutant in the water,” said Christe Alwin of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. “Once it’s there, there’s very little opportunity to treat it.”

 

(Photo © J. Carl Ganter/Circle of Blue)

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, the landmark federal law that intended to give new life to waterways that were fouled by all manner of chemical and bacterial pollutants. The goal was to make rivers and lakes fishable and swimmable once again. The law, part of a package of national environmental reforms in the early 1970s, was transformative. By mandating pollution controls on wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities, it marked a new era of environmental stewardship -- an era in which rivers and lakes were viewed not as dumping grounds but as civic assets that fostered recreation, ecological rebirth, and economic development.

Despite undeniable progress, substantial impediments to clean water remain. The law did little to stanch the flow of dispersed pollution that comes from roads, lawns, and farms. More waters today are fishable and swimmable, particularly in major metropolitan regions. But many, especially streams and rivers that drain agricultural regions, still are not. The consequences are measured in toxic algal bloom dead zones, human sickness, and the rising cost of water treatment. 

Urban Areas on a High-Sodium Diet

A little salt can cause a lot of harm. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends water quality standards for rivers and lakes to prevent death and damage to fish, mussels, insects, and other aquatic species. For chloride, the EPA determined the threshold at which long-term damage could occur to be 230 milligrams per liter. That equals about one teaspoon of salt in five gallons of water.

Michigan has been slow to react to the salinization of its fresh water. The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy finalized water quality values for chloride only in 2019, three decades after the federal EPA published guidelines. Based on the numbers, EGLE determined last year that eight stream sections exceed the state threshold for chronic exposure, which is 150 milligrams per liter. 

Those streams -- largely in the urban areas of southeast Michigan -- include the Shiawassee River (Genesee County), Thread Creek (Genesee County), Sashabaw Creek (Oakland County), Bishop Creek and the Upper Rouge River (Rouge River watershed), Belle River (St. Clair County), Rush Creek (Ottawa County), and County Line Drain (Arenac/Iosco County), which also exceeded the sulfate standard.

The next step for those stream sections is a regulatory tool known as a total maximum daily load, or TMDL, which caps pollution discharges. However, there is no timeline yet for developing the pollution diet for those streams, according to Kevin Goodwin, an aquatic biology specialist at EGLE.

It’s no mystery where most of the salts are coming from. Water softeners and fertilizers are sources of chloride, but the major contributor, Goodwin and others said, are the salts spread on roads, parking lots, and sidewalks to keep the pavement free from ice.

Salinization of streams is a problem across the United States, where at least 20 million tons of salt were used in 2021 for highway deicing. The U.S. Geological Survey studied 19 streams in eight states and the District of Columbia, including five Great Lakes states. The researchers found that chloride levels related to road salt increased in 84 percent of sampled streams. Increases were especially notable in urban areas with a large percentage of paved surfaces.

Those findings have been replicated at the state and local level. EGLE found chloride hot spots that align with high concentrations of highways and housing developments. The Huron River, a 900-square-mile watershed in southeast Michigan that flows through Ann Arbor, is one such area. For the last two decades the Huron River Watershed Council has tested streams for pollutants. Volunteers and staff now regularly take water samples from about 40 or 50 sites in the watershed, according to Ric Lawson, a watershed planner. 

“We see that we have much higher [chloride] levels in our urban drainages,” Lawson said. 

Following up on its stream samples, the Huron River Watershed Council did additional investigation at sites with abnormally high chloride levels. Were those salts coming from a particular source? Were there, as Lawson put it, any “smoking guns?”

In short, the council didn’t find any -- no leakage from a salt storage facility, no obvious surface runoff. No smoking guns. “So it does appear it’s been broad-based, long-term application,” Lawson said, referring to the salt source. “And probably, the salts moving through groundwater are how it's getting to the surface waters.”

Broad-based is the classic definition of non-point pollution. It’s the type of threat that the Clean Water Act, which focused on pollution coming from a pipe, is not at all equipped to address. The law exempts most sources of such pollution from regulation and oversight. That’s why non-point pollution is a long-term problem. Curbing it requires, in the case of salt, a voluntary change in practices.

Less Bounce, Less Scatter

Michigan’s ground transportation network is a lattice of roughly 122,000 miles of roads. To maintain these surfaces, the state’s road agencies balance three competing objectives, said Gregg Brunner, director of the Bureau of Field Services for the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Mobility, cost, and environmental protection.

Salt -- the sodium chloride form, in fact -- is the cheapest, most effective deicing agent available, Brunner said. On that measure it beats out magnesium chloride and potassium chloride.

A non-chloride option -- calcium magnesium acetate -- is on the market. But it costs about 40 times more than sodium chloride, which is mined locally, from deposits beneath Lake Erie.

The primary objective for MDOT and other road maintenance agencies is to use less of it. In pursuit of that goal, they participated in a work group to help EGLE develop salt management guidelines. Published in 2021, the guidelines are a compilation of voluntary “best management practices” that road agencies should strive to implement. The County Road Association of Michigan, which represents the 83 county road agencies, published a similar guide based on a survey of its members.

Read the complete article here

Source: Bridge Michigan

[gunlovingpacifist]

Now I have to block you because people on the right celebrate ignorance and Mooch of blue states. Them gunz ain't gonna feed your family......

I have posed this question a few times and never get a response

.... 🤔

Here is why I am a liberal...

Why are you a Republican?

The 40-hour work week, and thus, weekends!

Overtime pay and minimum wage.

Paid Vacations.

Women’s Voting Rights

The Civil Rights Act of 1964

The right of people of all colors to use schools and facilities.

Public schools.

Public libraries

Public transportation

Public universities

Public broadcasting

Public police and fire departments

Worker’s rights

Labor safety and fairness laws

*Nixon gave us the EPA

Child-labor laws.

The right to unionize

Health care benefits

National Parks, Monuments, and Forests, “America’s Best Idea”

Interstate Highway System (Eisenhower (R) and Al Gore Sr. (D)

Safe food and drugs (via the FDA)

Social Security

NASA

The Moon Landing and other space exploration

Satellites

The Office of Congressional Ethics.

The Internet

National Weather Service

Product Labeling/Truth in Advertising Laws

Rural Electrification/Tennessee Valley Authority

Bank Deposit Insurance

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Consumer Product Safety Commission

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Rights of the disabled (via Americans With Disabilities Act)

Family and Medical Leave Act

Clean air and water (Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency).

Civilian Conservation Corps

Panama Canal

Hoover Dam

The Federal Reserve

Medicare/Medicaid

The United States Military

The FBI

The CIA

Peace between Israel and Egypt

Peace between Israel and Jordan

Veterans Medical Care

Federal Housing Administration

Extending Voting Rights to 18 year olds

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Religion/Separation of Church and State

Right to Due Process

Freedom of The Press

Right to Organize and Protest

Pell Grants and other financial aid to students

Federal Aviation Administration/Airline safety regulations

The end of slavery in the USA (The Emancipation Proclamation, The 13th Amendment)

Unemployment benefits

Smithsonian Institute

Americorps

Mandatory Food Labeling

Peace Corps

United Nations

World Health Organization

The Lincoln Tunnel

Sulfur emissions cap and trade to eliminate acid rain

Earned Income Tax Credit

The banning of lead in consumer products

National Institute of Health

Garbage pickup/clean streets

Banning of CFCs.

LGBT rights

Expanded voting access via polling places

Erie Canal

Bailout — and thus continued existence — of the American Auto Industry

Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Established the basis for Universal Human Rights by writing the Declaration of Independence

Miranda Rights

Banning of torture

The right to a proper defense in court

An independent judiciary

The right to vote

Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

Fair, open, and honest elections

The founding of The United States of America

The defeat of the Nazis and victory in World War II

Paramedics

Woman’s Right to Choose

The Civil Rights Movement

National Science Foundation

Vehicle Safety Standards

NATO

The income tax and power to tax in general, which have been used to pay for much of this list.

911 Emergency system

Tsunami, hurricane, tornado, and earthquake warning systems

The Freedom of Information Act

Water Treatment Centers and sewage systems

The Meat Inspection Act

The Pure Food And Drug Act

The Bretton Woods system

International Monetary Fund

SEC, which regulates Wall Street (weaked by conservatives)

National Endowment for the Arts

Campaign finance laws (weaked by conservatives)

Federal Crop Insurance

United States Housing Authority

School Lunch Act

Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act

Vaccination Assistance Act

The creation of counterinsurgency forces such as the Navy Seals and Green Berets.

Voting Rights Act, which ended poll taxes, literacy tests, and other voter qualification tests (weaked by conservatives)

The Brady Bill (5-day wait on handgun purchases for background checks)

Lobbying Disclosure Act

"Motor-Voter" Act

Civil Rights Act of 1968

Job Corps

Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

Teacher Corps

Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966

National Trails System Act of 1968

U.S. Postal Service

Modern Civilization

BIDEN WINS:

• Inflation Reduction Act

• CHIPS & Science Act

• PACT Act for veterans

• First major gun safety legislation in decades

• Took out the leader of al Qaeda

• Historic job growth (+12.8 million)

• Historically low unemployment

• Expanded the NATO alliance

• American Rescue Plan led to fastest jobs recovery in history

• Confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson

• Rallied our allies in support of Ukraine

•Once-in-a-generation infrastructure investments

• Student loan forgiveness

• Rural broadband investment

In not a republican. I lean right on one issue. The second amendment. Why's that hard for leftists to comprehend

[your-local-biologist]

Heat wave

It is currently about 34 degrees Celsius (around 93 degrees Fahrenheit) where I am, and it’s not even 1 o’clock yet! So, I am finding myself melting into a puddle of goo before I can even take one step outside.

"Global Warming doesn't exist," they said...I beg to differ.

Anyways, here are some environmentally friendly ways to keep cool for those of you who are probably suffering like me right now.

-----------

Depending on the temperature outside, keep the doors and windows closed: Especially if you have the A.C. on! It might seem like common sense to open the windows and turn on the A.C. at the same time, but this is a bad idea. Hot air will go to where the cold air is and disperse its own energy throughout it to raise to cold airs temperature to match the temperature of the hot air. So, if you have the A.C. on and the windows open, all you're doing is just unnecessarily releasing carbon monoxide into the atmosphere and wasting money at the same time.

Try this instead: if the temperature of the air is warmer outside than inside your home, close the windows and doors to keep the cool air in. But, if the temperature outside is cooler than inside, open the windows and let the hot air out.

If you must have the A.C. on, set it to 78° F (25° C): This is temperature recommended by the U.S Department of Energy for minimal usage of energy and cost of money.

*Extra Recommendation: Don't run your A.C if you are not in your home! This causes an unnecessary amount of pollution!!!!*

Invest in fans: This is a pretty simple one. Fans don't produce as much pollution as A.C.s do, and it's even better if you use solar panels for electricity!

Put on ice packs or small, frozen towels: Specifically, place them on your neck, under your arms, and groin/inner thighs. These areas of your body have large arteries and veins, so they carry a large amount of blood. By cooling these areas, you cool a lot of blood, and as the blood continues traveling, the rest of the body cools down at the same time.

Eat foods that don't need to be prepared by the stove or oven: This is actually something that my mom does that bothers me a lot. It could be boiling hot outside and she decides that it's a perfect time to make some soup for lunch. Then, she wonders why the house is so hot. Just, don't use the stove or oven when it's hot, you'll heat up your house that way.

Instead, there are a bunch of foods that don't need to be heated and can keep you cool and hydrated as well, such as: tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, lettuce, spinach, celery, grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, ect.

Wear thin, light, loose clothing: Specifically, in light colours! Light bounces off of things that are white or light coloured, so it's harder for those colours to absorb heat as well than darker colours do. Clothing made out of cotton, tulle, hemp, silk, or linen are usually the best choices of clothing fabric because they are very breathable.

Drink water: Even if it's not to keep cool; STAY HYDRATED!!! Your body is working hard to regulate its temperature and keep everything in a state of homeostasis. Water is very important for this process!!!

[beardedmrbean]

July 15 (UPI) -- A Canadian company that owns a now-shuttered fertilizer plant in Louisiana has agreed to pay a civil fine of $1.5 million and treat more than a billion pounds of hazardous waste to resolve allegations it violated federal environmental laws, the Justice Department said.

The settlement between PCS Nitrogen and the Justice Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality was announced Thursday, and directs the company to clean up massive piles of so-called phosphogypsum stacks that were dumped on its Geismar facility.

Officials said the facility, which encompasses some 1,050 acres, produced phosphate products from the 1960s to 2018, creating large quantities of wastewater and sold material called phosphogypsum.

These phosphogypsum stacks were deposited in large piles, some over 100 acres large and 200 feet high, on the facility. Then from 2004 to 2012, PCS Nitrogen allowed another company to dispose of its hazardous waste either directly or indirectly into its stacks, which is in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act that governs the disposal of solid and hazardous waste.

The plant was decommissioned in 2018, but the settlement announced Thursday regulates its long-term closure, requiring PCS Nitrogen to be responsible for its "post-closure care" for the next 50 years, the EPA said in a information sheet on the deal, adding that it must pay $84 million to cover these costs within 30 days of the settlement's effective date.

"This is a very important outcome as the facility is located in an area prone to hurricanes and the financial assurance secured will protect taxpayers from paying future closure and cleanup costs," Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield of the EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance assurance said in a statement.

The Saskatoon-based company Nutrien said the closure is largely complete and water treatment is underway.

"Nutrien has long been cooperating with state and federal authorities, and these settlements formally document the work Nutrien has done, and continues to do, as part of the permanent closure of the phosphate processing facility and associated gypsum stacks, including the ongoing treatment of the wastewater as required," it said in a statement.