Environment | WPN World People News

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on February 19, announced an Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) settlement with Integrity Applied Science in which the company has agreed to pay a $24,335 penalty and comply with requirements to report hazardous chemicals stored at their facility at 10765 Turner Boulevard in Longmont, Colo.

The EU is toughening the rules on the most lasting and polluting chemicals. The Romanian presidency of the Council reached a provisional agreement with the European Parliament on updating the regulation on persistent organic pollutants, on February 19, the UN-agreed list of dangerous substances. This regulation will help protect people and the environment against these chemicals.

Trident Seafoods Corporation has agreed to reduce emissions of ozone-depleting substances from refrigeration equipment on its vessels, under a proposed settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. Under the settlement, Trident will spend up to $23 million to reduce coolant leaks from refrigerators and other equipment, use alternative refrigerants, and improve company-wide compliance. The company will also pay a $900,000 civil penalty.

On February 19, Latino workers and environmental organizations, represented by Earthjustice and the Natural Resources Defense Council, sued the Trump administration over its failure to ban the commercial and consumer use of methylene chloride, a highly lethal chemical in paint strippers. More than 50 people have already died from exposure to methylene chloride paint strippers, most of whom were workers exposed on the job.

On February 15, the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota issued a landmark dismissal of all claims against all defendants in the US$900 million case against Greenpeace and others brought by Energy Transfer Partners.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reached a settlement agreement with Keller Supply Company to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act. The Seattle-based company sells wood stoves and heaters in Alaska, California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The company has agreed to pay a $8,250 penalty for selling five uncertified residential wood stoves in Alaska, California, Oregon and Washington.

On February 11, WWF published a report on the ‘Economic impacts of hydrocarbon exploitation in Greece’ as part of the launch of its international campaign to halt oil and gas drilling plans in the country. The study, commissioned by WWF and conducted by eftec, finds that a major oil spill in Greece would devastate the country’s tourism and fishing industries, and cost the Greek economy more than 7.5 billion euros.

Black rhinos (Diceros bicornis); Hluhluwe Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal Province, Republic of South Africa

On February 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled its delayed Nationwide Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan. The plan is too little, too late, and falls short of what is needed to protect communities from a class of chemicals that are polluting drinking water and air, while exposing families, particularly children, to a myriad of health risks, including cancer.

An IUCN study has identified tree species native to Indonesia’s Kutai National Park that are resilient to climate change and support threatened East Bornean orangutan populations, recommending their use in reforestation efforts.