Clean Water Act Violations - Opinion

How many times is waste dumped from residential or commercial establishments without any penalty to the culprit? This is one example of why more whistle blowers are needed - reward them and watch how may reports will be filed when this sort of thing takes place.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., September 14, 2012) – Picerne Military Management, LLC, has agreed to pay a $24,900 civil penalty to settle alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act at Fort Riley, Kan.

On December 20 and 21, 2011, Picerne pumped between 5,000 and 9,000 gallons of raw sewage from a crawl space beneath a townhome into a storm drain inlet. Over the course of the two days, the raw sewage was pumped into and through the stormwater drainage system and discharged into a tributary of the Republican River.

"These violations occurred in an area that drains into a residential area, greatly increasing the chance of contact with bacteria in the polluted stream," said EPA Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks. "Proper wastewater management is a vital piece of preserving our water resources and protecting human health and the environment."

Untreated domestic wastewater contains bacteria, solids, and organic matter than can be harmful to human health and the ecosystem of the receiving waterbody. Organic matter in wastewater robs the receiving waterbody of oxygen, which is essential for the survival of aquatic life.

Picerne Military Management is a civilian development, construction, and property management company that owns and/or operates approximately 20,000 housing units on seven Army posts throughout the U.S., including Fort Riley.

By agreeing to the settlement, Picerne Military Management has certified that it is in compliance with the Clean Water Act. The consent agreement is subject to a public comment period before it becomes final. The public notice and consent agreement can be found at the following web address: http://www.epa.gov/region7/public_notices/CWA/civil_penalty_order_public_notice_table.htm

Learn more about EPA's civil enforcement of the Clean Water Act:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/cwa/index.html

Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/eparegion7

Planning a Sustainable Plantation for Wood Production

REPORT OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO EXPAND SUSTAINABLE TROPICAL WOOD PRODUCTION

FOREST PLANTATIONS ARE AMONG SOLUTIONS

WASHINGTON (Sept.4, 2012) – The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) today released a report, "Wood for Good: Solutions for Deforestation-Free Wood Products," analyzing tropical wood production's effect on deforestation and offering solutions for sustainable production. According to the report, governments and businesses must begin using sustainably established plantation forests to minimize the toll logging is taking on tropical forests.

Many of the products used every day by American businesses and consumers are made from tropical wood, including paper, furniture, building material and shipping supplies.

"The demand for tropical wood is growing globally, while more and more of the world's tropical forests are disappearing," said Pipa Elias, UCS consultant and the report's author. "It is 100 percent possible to harvest timber in the tropics profitably and sustainably. The main roadblock is a lack of political will. Businesses and consumers must demand responsibly manufactured products – giving governments and wood producers an incentive to expand sustainability efforts."

The report outlines a threefold solution. Firstly, wood producers and businesses should turn to responsible plantation forests to harvest wood. Plantation forests established on previously degraded lands should be used for wood production and sustainable forest management practices – such as protecting water and wildlife – should be followed. Plantations forests tend to grow faster than timber in natural forests and more of the wood can be harvested. Using already-cleared areas would help meet market demand for wood, while protecting primary forests. Secondly, the report also calls on governments to institute policies that make sustainable forest management practice attractive to businesses.

And finally, governments, businesses and consumers should demand products certified by programs such as the Forest Stewardship Council and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. While these programs do not prohibit logging from old growth forests, they are the best option currently available for maintaining the profitability of the wood industry while protecting forests.

"Consumers certainly have an important role to play in safeguarding tropical forests," said Elias. "Small, everyday choices like recycling and reducing the demand for new wood absolutely help to protect tropical forests."

In addition to purchasing products that were made, packaged and transported using sustainably sourced wood, decreasing paper use at home helps reduce demand, Elias said. Consumers should buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste, swap paper towels for washcloths, pay bills electronically, and request to be removed from unwanted mailing lists.

Tropical forests are not only home to plants, animals and indigenous communities, but these habitats also purify air and water, and provide food and medicine for millions of people.

Cutting down natural forests also contributes to climate change. Tropical deforestation is responsible for about 15 percent of the world's heat-trapping emissions – more carbon pollution than the emissions from every car, truck, plane, ship and train on Earth.

"Tropical forests should be filled with the sound of howling monkeys and chirping birds, but when these resources are unmanaged, such sounds are replaced with buzzing chainsaws and falling trees," said Elias. "To reverse the damage caused by deforestation, governments and businesses must work together to integrate sustainability and profitability."

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"Wood for Good" is the third installment in a UCS series of reports highlighting business, government, and consumer solutions for deforestation-free goods. The first report, "Recipes for Success," gave solutions for deforestation-free vegetable oils. The second report, "Grade A Choice?" examines solutions for deforestation-free meat.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading U.S. science-based nonprofit organization working for a healthy environment and a safer world.  Founded in 1969, UCS is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also has offices in Berkeley, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. For more information, go to www.ucsusa.org.

Improving Efficiency in Commercial Buildings

The results of the survey are a real eye opener. Building owners need more help finding ways to fund improving operations and maintenance efficiency. See below.


(Dallas, TX – July 27, 2012)  According to a recent industry survey that interviewed nearly 4,000 building owners and operators in 24 industry segments, business owners cite four main barriers to improving energy efficiency in commercial buildings:

•    A lack of funding to pay for improvements
•    Insufficient payback or return on investment
•    Uncertainty of savings and performance
•    Lack of technical expertise to evaluate or execute projects

Fortunately, these barriers are simple to overcome with a common-sense approach to the bigger energy savings picture, and the help of a well-trained industry expert. Here are three factors to consider when you are making energy spending decisions:

1.    Increased utility savings
Lower energy bills are the number one driver of energy efficiency spending decisions in the U.S. and Canada. Over time, simple changes such as upgrading lighting systems with energy-efficient light sources and fixtures, installing high-efficiency HVAC units or even adding solar panels to the mix can have a big impact on a company's bottom line. You'll start to save immediately on energy bills, and enjoy a greater return on investment over time, thus helping offset the upfront financial commitment.

2.    Government utility incentives and rebates
There are many incentives available to businesses that invest in energy-efficient products. Government incentives and rebates can further decrease initial costs. In some areas, reduced-rate loans for energy-efficient investments can offer another incentive to help overcome financial obstacles.

3.    Enhanced brand or customer image
Customer attention and retention are two great reasons to invest in energy efficiency. Environmentally conscious consumers take note of businesses that take measures to increase efficiency and lower their carbon footprint, often rewarding them with additional purchases and higher loyalty rates.

For more information, and to find out how Lennox® products can help building owners achieve energy-efficiency goals, visit www.lennoxcommercial.com, or contact a Lennox representative.

Source: Energy Management: "Driving Efficiency," Chain Store Age, October 2011

About Lennox Industries Inc.
A worldwide leader in residential and commercial heating and air conditioning systems, Lennox Industries Inc. is based near Dallas, Texas. Deeply committed to helping consumers and businesses reduce energy needs and lessen their environmental impact, the company offers a wide range of resources for improving efficiency, including a selection of ENERGY STAR® qualified products. Lennox Industries is a subsidiary of Lennox International Inc. and is a global leader in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration markets. Lennox International stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "LII." To learn more about Lennox International, visit www.lennoxinternational.com. To learn more about Lennox Industries, contact a Lennox sales representative or visit www.lennox.com.

LD Products Headquarters Awarded LEED Platinum Certification

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LD Products' Long Beach Headquarters Awarded LEED Platinum Certification by
US Green Building Council

LONG BEACH, Calif., July 27, 2012 -- In a moment almost two years in the
making, LD Products has announced that its new Long Beach headquarters has
achieved the highest possible ranking of energy conservation and
environmentally friendly building. On June 21, 2012 the US Green Building
Council
(USGBC) officially recognized the building, which houses the online ink
retailer's corporate offices and warehouse, as the first new construction
commercial building to be awarded LEED Platinum status according to the
council's more stringent 2009 v. 3 regulations.

The construction project in Long Beach's Douglas Park business community
underwent a detailed and precise planning process. That process, which was
helmed by founder and CEO Aaron Leon, developer Chuckie Lyons, and project
manager Alex Silber, ensured that the site achieved the highest levels of
energy conservation, sustainability, comfort, and aesthetic appeal. LD
Products, which is already known for providing remanufactured ink and laser
toner as an alternative to new plastic products, has taken its environmental
efforts to a new level with this new site.
Company Senior Vice President Patrick Devane noted, "Customers buy from us
the first time mostly for the great savings. When they find out that they
are doing something good for the environment, it's an added bonus, and I
think it makes them feel good about coming back."

LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and it
is used as a measuring system for the sustainability, impact, efficiency,
and indoor environmental quality of new constructions and major renovations.
The USGBC systems awards points to buildings in
5 categories adding up to 100, with 10 extra points available for regional
priority and innovation in design. A minimum of 40 points will earn a
building certified status, while 50 to 59 points is the range for Silver
status. 60 points is the minimum to be certified Gold, and the highest
certification that a building can reach, LEED Platinum, requires a minimum
of 80 points. To earn those points, LD Products' building includes features
like waterless urinals, sound and motion activated lighting, walk-off grates
to reduce dust carried into the building, preferred parking for low-emission
vehicles, and an advanced air filtration system throughout the structure.
"The LD Products facility arguably provides the highest level of energy
performance and occupants comfort out of the nearly 100 green building
projects that we have worked on to date here at Gaia,"
Silber said. "We achieved every one of the 82 total points that were pursued
from the beginning for this LEED project."

The space of the 110,000-square foot facility is dominated by the warehouse,
which ships out thousands of packages each day. Compatible products made to
replace printer brands as well as remanufactured products, which are
cleaned, repaired, and refilled cartridges, are packaged and moved through
the LD Products warehouse to be shipped to customers. The energy used to
power the warehouse automation and conveyor system, lights, and
air-conditioning system as well as the energy used in the corporate offices,
which now stay open 14 hours per day, is provided completely from renewable
energy sources. The grid-connected photovoltaic system on the warehouse
rooftop accounts for 18% of that energy.

While the construction of such an environmentally responsible building did
come with financial costs, it also comes with benefits to the online
retailer. Since moving to the new facility just over 2 miles from its
previous home, LD Products' new headquarters has already saved the company
money on energy costs and is projected to use 47% less electricity and 42%
less potable water than a similarly sized facility.

Beginning over a decade ago with high-quality, low-cost laser toner
cartridges and remanufactured ink cartridges and continuing with today's
construction of a groundbreaking energy-efficient facility, the Long
Beach-based printing supply retailer has found success by combining
responsibility in the community with good business.

For more information, visit http://www.LDProducts.com.

Contact: Nahshon Landrum / Phone: 888.321.2552 x7230
Email: NahshonL@LDProducts.com

GSA Using LEED

More Than 1,200 Businesses and Organizations Commend GSA for Using LEED to Support Innovation and Save Taxpayer Dollars

Washington, DC - (July 25, 2012) - More than 1,200 leading businesses and organizations representing a wide array of industries across all 50 states today sent a letter asking the General Services Administration (GSA) to continue to use the LEED green building rating system to advance innovation in construction and save taxpayer dollars.
The signatories commended GSA for its leadership in improving the energy and environmental performance of federal buildings, citing the recently released sustainability and energy "scorecard" from the White House's budget office. That study showed that federal government investments in energy efficiency over the last four years are expected to save as much as $18 billion in lifecycle energy costs.
"Our nation's top private-sector leaders agree: The LEED high-performance building rating system saves businesses money and helps deliver higher profits through reduced operating costs. The same is true for LEED federal facilities, which are saving American taxpayers millions of dollars a year," said Roger Platt, Senior Vice President of Global Policy and Law, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Signatories of the letter are architects, engineers, builders, contractors, designers, planners and product manufacturers. These include Skanska, Tishman Speyer, and Kohler Co., in addition to other high-profile business leaders. They lauded GSA's decision to mirror the private sector in the use of LEED certification to reduce operating costs, save money and eliminate waste. They also agreed that deviating from LEED would add cost to projects. The executives urged GSA to continue to use the LEED building rating system and to focus on the "usability, market acceptance and effectiveness of rating tools rather than distractions focused on a single issue."
"Support for the continued use of LEED by GSA is both broad and deep. Our more than 13,000 member companies are fully engaged in the development and use of LEED. Businesses and organizations are certifying 2 million square feet of real estate to LEED each day. Clearly there is incredible agreement on the value of LEED and green building in general," Platt said.
For a full list of signatories, or to view the letter, visit bit.ly/GSAletter.
About USGBC and LEED:
The U.S. Green Building Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the creation of healthy, efficient green buildings. USGBC is predominantly known for the publication of the LEED Green Building Rating System. Private sector leaders established LEED in 2000 and it has quickly become the most widely used, voluntary, market‐driven building rating program in the country. LEED is largely responsible for the explosive growth of energy‐efficient, high-performance construction, which supports or creates nearly eight million jobs across all 50 states and contributes $554 billion to the U.S. economy annually. 48 companies in the Fortune 100 use LEED certification to reduce operating and energy costs and to increase their bottom lines. LEED-certified buildings are also saving U.S. taxpayers tens millions of dollars every day through these same efficiencies.
USGBC is working with all stakeholders, including companies across all sectors of the building industry, to ensure that LEED remains the most widely used and accepted high performance building rating system in the country. Nearly 1,300 product manufacturers are members of the U.S. Green Building Council, which oversees LEED. Manufacturers are the third largest segment of USGBC membership, behind architects and engineering firms, and builders and contractors.

New Solar Products Reduce Payback Time

 ecoSolargy Launches Top-Efficiency Solar Module Lines That Reduce Payback Time by Up to Five Years 

Nanotechnology engineered panels resist buildup and guarantee maximum performance 

IRVINE, Calif. – July 24, 2012 – ecoSolargy Inc., a full service solar solutions provider, announced today the release of its Lotus, Apollo and Zeus series, the company's new high-performance solar module lines. The new series have been designed to improve customer experience by maximizing efficiency and reducing investment payback time by up to five years. In addition to providing high-quality solar products, ecoSolargy develops strategic and installation solutions to fit the business needs of contractors, project developers and building owners.

"An increasing number of businesses have begun recognizing the environmental and cost-effective benefits of going solar," said Alan H. Lee, CEO at ecoSolargy. "ecoSolargy's objective is to facilitate the use of renewable energy through the provision of reliable and affordable solar solutions. The features in our new lines embody our commitment to sustainability, quality and cost-savings for our customers."

The new high-efficiency, black-on-black Lotus solar modules come in three different wattages to fit a variety of solar projects. The Lotus panels are engineered at the molecular level using state-of-the-art nanotechnology. Unlike regular solar modules, nanotechnology-built panels have a smooth surface that prevents water, dust and dirt accumulation, making them self-cleaning, anti-fading, anti-fogging and anti-bacterial. The modules' buildup resistance improves solar energy absorption by up to six percent and increases efficiency by 35 percent over a 20-year period. This feature also eliminates the need for periodical cleaning maintenance and ensures the panels are always performing at maximum efficiency, resulting in cost savings equivalent to a three to five year decrease in payback time.

The Lotus series also offer excellent performance under low light conditions and the black aluminum frames withstand the severest environmental conditions.

ecoSolargy's Apollo and Zeus mono-crystalline photovoltaic modules come in five different wattages that adapt to many budgets and project sizes. In addition to durability benefits –including corrosion and high wind loads resistance – both Apollo and Zeus panels rank high in performance. The Zeus 300W module has the second highest PTC[i] rating out of all 300w mono crystalline PV modules in the market; the Apollo 250W module, when combined with a M215 micro inverter, delivers one of the most efficient system performances in the market.

ecoSolargy is also revamping three of its existing module lines. The Alpha, Orion and Titan series have been improved for maximum efficiency and cost-savings. All the updated panels have more power, are more efficient and ensure quicker investment payback.

ecoSolargy's photovoltaic modules are highly efficient and reliable, and are designed to fit solar projects of all scales. Each panel undergoes meticulous quality inspection, which has earned them a 99.9 percent success rate. The company's racking and inverters are provided by industry leading partners that meet strict quality requirements.

All ecoSolargy solar panels now come with a ten-year workmanship warranty, as well as a 25-year performance guarantee, and can be financed through the company's financing program.

ecoSolargy has on-hand inventory and offers manufacturer-direct pricing on all its products, regardless of the order size. For ecoSolargy products specifications, please visit www.ecoSolargy.com.

About ecoSolargy
ecoSolargy is an American-owned full solar service solution headquartered in Irvine, CA. ecoSolargy's name combines the terms ecology, solar energy and technology and reflects the company's mission—to offer the latest in solar solutions to deliver affordable, clean and renewable energy to businesses and homes striving to achieve economic sustainability. The company has evolved from being a solar (PV) manufacturer to being a comprehensive solar solutions provider to meet the expanding needs of contractors, project developers and building owners.

For more information about ecoSolargy, please visit www.ecoSolargy.com. Follow on Facebook, facebook.com/ecoSolargy, and Twitter, twitter.com/ecoSolargy.                                                                                     

USGBC Statement About AHPBC

LEED Is Private, Voluntary, Transparent and Democratic

Washington, DC - (July 18, 2012) - The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) today applauded the creation of the American High-Performance Buildings Coalition by the American Chemistry Council and others, noting that, after 20 years, it was significant that the representative groups were finally engaging in conversation about the critical importance of green, high performance buildings for America. In response to the announcement of the new coalition, Roger Platt, Senior Vice President of Global Policy and Law at USGBC released the following statement:

"We welcome the announcement of the formation of the American High Performance Building Council, but as Ronald Reagan once said, we will 'trust but verify.'

"Like the newly formed coalition, USGBC also supports the use of green building codes and standards, in addition to third party rating systems like LEED, and has proudly worked with leading code development organizations to co-release the leading mandatory green building codes.

"In the voluntary world of rating systems, LEED is transforming America's commercial real estate market, providing immediate financial benefits to building owners, operators and some of America's most admired companies through a private, voluntary, transparent and democratic process governed by the 15,000 member organizations of the USGBC.

"USGBC knows just how crucial industry participation is to high performance building success. The 1.5 million square feet per day of commercial space we certify would not be possible without the full active participation of leading architects, engineers, builders, contractors and product manufacturers.

"If this coalition is sincere in its interest to advance high-performance buildings over the status quo, we welcome them to the table and sincerely look forward to engaging together to make green buildings more valuable to Americans."

About USGBC and LEED
The U.S Green Building Council is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the creation of healthy, efficient green buildings. USGBC is predominantly known for the publication of the LEED Green Building Rating System . Private sector leaders established LEED in 2000 and it has quickly become the most widely used, voluntary, market-driven building rating program in the country. LEED is largely responsible for the explosive growth of energy-efficient, high-performance construction, which supports or creates nearly eight million jobs across all 50 states and contributes $554 billion to the U.S. economy annually. 48 companies in the Fortune 100 use LEED certification to reduce operating and energy costs and to increase their bottom lines. LEED-certified buildings are also saving U.S. taxpayers tens millions of dollars every day through these same efficiencies.

USGBC is working with all stakeholders, including companies across all sectors of the building industry, to ensure that LEED remains the most widely used and accepted high performance building rating system in the country. Nearly 1,300 product manufacturers - including two dozen chemical companies and the American Chemistry Council itself - are members of the U.S. Green Building Council, which oversees LEED. Manufacturers are the third largest segment of USGBC membership, behind architects and engineering firms, and builders and contractors.

 

Greenbuild 2012 - Registration Opens

Registration Now Open for Greenbuild 2012
Award-winning green building conference and expo headed to San Francisco for biggest show in 11-year history

Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, co-hosts of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," and Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, Inc. to headline

San Francisco, Calif. - (July 17, 2012) - Registration is now open for the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. Taking place this year in San Francisco, Calif. at the Moscone Center, Greenbuild is the world's largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. Record attendance of 35,000 is anticipated from across the green building sector, spanning commercial and residential professionals, architects, building owners and operators, students, advocates and educators.

"We are thrilled to bring the energy of Greenbuild to San Francisco, home to some of the world's leading minds in both sustainability and technology," said Kimberly Lewis, Senior Vice President, Community Advancement, Conferences and Events, USGBC. "Greenbuild is the nexus of the sustainability movement where we celebrate collective successes, share our knowledge with one another, and challenge the status quo. This year, Greenbuild is raising the bar higher than ever."

USGBC today announced that Mika Brzezinski and Joe Scarborough, co-hosts of MSNBC's weekday morning show "Morning Joe," and Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, Inc., will headline the Greenbuild opening plenary celebration, the official Greenbuild kick-off event on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2012 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

"Sustainability is everywhere, and no longer is it an option for companies and individuals to ignore their footprints," said Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, Inc. "Collectively, we can make a profound social and environmental impact. I look forward to the ensuing discussion among the innovative crowd at Greenbuild."

The announcement of Stone, Brzezinski and Scarborough at Greenbuild is the first of many Greenbuild 2012 speaker announcements to come. Previous keynote speakers have included Thomas Friedman, Cokie Roberts, Ret. Gen. Colin Powell, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Al Gore and President Bill Clinton.

Greenbuild 2012 will feature three days of networking, educational sessions, green building tours, master speakers and plenary events. The expo hall will be the biggest in Greenbuild's 11-year history, with three floors and more than 1,000 exhibitors and 2,000 booths featuring the latest technological innovations and cutting edge products. This year's show will celebrate bringing technology and sustainability together in the global green movement. For more information on Greenbuild 2012, visit greenbuildexpo.org, follow @Greenbuild on Twitter and tweet hashtag #Greenbuild to join the conversation.

About U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and follow us on Twitter @USGBC, and Facebook at facebook.com/USGBC.

About Greenbuild
The U.S. Green Building Council's Greenbuild International Conference & Expo convenes the industry's largest gathering of representatives from all sectors of the green building movement. Three days of extensive educational programming, workshops, a vast exhibition floor and ample networking events provide unrivaled opportunities to learn about the latest technological innovations, explore new products, and exchange ideas with other professionals. Greenbuild is the three-time recipient of IMEX Green Meetings Award and the 2012 show will be held on Nov. 14-16, in San Francisco, Calif. Last year's conference in Toronto, Ontario, drew more than 23,000 attendees and featured a sold out exhibit hall floor with more than 1,700 exhibit booths. For more information, visit greenbuildexpo.org and follow us on Twitter @Greenbuild, and Facebook at facebook.com/Greenbuild.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Obtains "Green" Grant

(Kansas City, Kan., July 10, 2012) - EPA is providing a $59,876 urban waters grant to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) to evaluate the effectiveness of  the Saddle Hills neighborhood's green infrastructure in metropolitan Omaha, Neb.

UNL and partners, including the City of Omaha and the Nebraska Forest Service, will assess green infrastructure practices by creating a water quality assessment database and developing a stormwater mobile application for smartphones and mobile devices. The application will allow users, such as local residents, youth, master gardeners and city staff, to learn about ways to reduce stormwater runoff. 

"Green infrastructure and stormwater management strategies play a critical role in water quality improvement by reducing runoff that carries multiple contaminants into streams and rivers," said Karl Brooks, regional administrator. "The project will empower community residents and land owners to look at stormwater as an asset rather than a waste product, and will increase public awareness and grassroots participation through workshops about urban water quality."

The funding is part of EPA's Urban Waters program, which supports communities in their efforts to access, improve and benefit from urban waters and surrounding land.

Many urban waterways have been polluted for years by runoff from city streets and contamination from abandoned industrial facilities. Healthy and accessible urban waters can help grow local businesses and enhance educational, economic, recreational, employment and social opportunities in nearby communities. By promoting public access to urban waterways, EPA will help communities become active participants in restoring urban waters while improving and protecting their neighborhoods. 

EPA's Urban Waters program supports the goals and principles of the Urban Waters Federal Partnership, a partnership of 12 federal agencies working to reconnect urban communities with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies and collaborating with community-led revitalization efforts.

# # #

Learn more about EPA's Urban Waters program: www.epa.gov/urbanwaters/index.html

Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion7

Rainwater Harvesting Conference September 2012

Urban Rainwater Capture Focus of Annual Conference of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association

Mark your calendars for Sept. 10-12, 2012, in Raleigh, NC

 

With many parts of the U.S. facing drought, other water supply challenges, rising treatment costs, and effects of increased storm water runoff, ARCSA focuses attention on rainwater capture in the urban landscape for its annual conference September 10-12, 2012, in Raleigh, N.C.

 

This national association will deliver an extensive look at the latest technology, the regulatory environment, and new opportunities for the growing industry of rainwater system design, installation and products. In addition, several presenters from outside of the U.S. will provide a perspective on public acceptance and governance of rainwater harvesting from other parts of the world, particularly in Switzerland and Ireland.

 

The conference is open not only to ARCSA members, but also to a wide variety of affiliate industry groups, including architects, builders, plumbers, engineers, landscapers, gardeners, do-it-yourselfers, state and local water conservation leaders, and policy officials, in addition to rainwater system designers, installers and product representatives.

 

Session topics for the upcoming ARCSA conference will include:

• Rainwater harvesting and low impact development

• The energy, food, and water nexus

• Commercial rainwater systems (including military applications)

• Rainwater treatment standards for potable uses

• Storm water management and mitigation

• Updates on rainwater harvesting codes and standards from around the country

 

Both prior to and following the September conference, ARCSA will offer a number of professional training opportunities in the Raleigh-area: Certified Associate, Accredited Professional, and Rainwater Harvesting Master.

 

The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) is the premier national organization created to promote sustainable rainwater harvesting practices throughout the United States and the world. Its leadership and members work to create a favorable regulatory atmosphere, a growing resource pool of trained professionals, and an educated public on the many benefits of rainwater harvesting for potable and non-potable uses.  More information about ARCSA and the upcoming annual conference can be found at: http://www.arcsa.org