Environment | WPN World People News

The World Bank Groups’ Board of Executive Directors on Monday approved a Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) Grants totaling US$8.73 million for the West Balkans Drina River Basin Management Project for Bosnia and Herzegovina (US$3.37 million), Montenegro (US$2.72 million), and Serbia (US$2.63 million).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reached settlement with SGL Automotive Carbon Fibers, LLC, for violating federal emergency planning, reporting and public notification laws. The violations took place at the international company’s Moses Lake, Washington, fabrication facility and included failing to report storage of nitrogen and ammonium bicarbonate, as well as the unpermitted release of hydrogen cyanide and ammonia.

Ministers of Environment from France, the Netherlands and Morocco, mayors and CEOs joined with the World Bank Group and other stakeholders to call for global and more concerted action to tackle the climate impact of transport while ensuring mobility for everyone, on May 6

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses National Assembly of Seychelles, 8 May 2016.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) and President of Seychelles , Michel Alix Michel (right) in the Seychelles, 07 May 2016.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addresses the Climate Action Summit 2016 in Washington D.C.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice announced a settlement on Wednesday that requires Parkway Iron and Metal Co. to pay $145,000 and spend approximately $260,000 to install pollution controls for alleged Clean Air Act violations at its scrap metal recycling business in Clifton, N.J. The company was fined for improperly shredding dozens of refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners without first removing refrigerants, including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFCs).

The U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon on Wednesday invalidated the federal government’s 2014 Columbia Basin salmon biological opinion (salmon plan or BiOp). Judge Michael Simon ruled that this latest plan—like each of its four predecessors—violates the federal Endangered Species Act and additionally the National Environmental Policy Act.

The Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) has agreed to pay a $116,843 penalty to settle alleged violations of underground storage tank regulations at five bus garages in Philadelphia, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on May 4. The settlement addresses compliance with environmental regulations that help protect communities and the environment from exposure to oil or potentially harmful chemicals.

The U.S. Justice Department, EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced on Tuesday that Schneider Electric USA will pay a $6,868,975 penalty for allegedly violating the terms of a 2002 court-approved Superfund consent decree during its cleanup at the Rodale Manufacturing Superfund Site located in Emmaus, Pa. These violations resulted in uncontrolled emissions of air pollutants that can cause threats to public health and the environment.