Archive for February, 2011

2010 Recap; Great Year for EPA Pollution Relief

Posted on February 21st, 2011 in Uncategorized by Bob Vitale

It’s great to see the ongoing commitment and impact the EPA is having in their efforts to reduce air, land and water pollution. The agency just reported that 2010 was their best year ever with respect to enforcement and compliance actions; $110 million in civil penalties and spend of approximately $12 billion on pollution relief, reducing pollution by more than 1.4 billion lb. Civil facility violations rose to 575 facilities from 318 facilities in 2009. In 2010, the EPA also received its highest funding level ever at $600 million.

The big win for our country is for industry to be thinking proactively about air, land and water pollution, which we know so many industry leaders are doing. As we at Midwest consider ourselves pollution stewards, we take pride in seeing the EPA continue their diligence, but more importantly take pride in how organizations are building pollution reduction into their budgets from the start of every project.

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No More Brine or Hydrocarbon Mixtures with Water for Dust Abatement on Roads

Posted on February 2nd, 2011 in Dust Control, Environmental by Bob Vitale

As we move into 2011 environmental protection amendments continue to move to the forefront of the news. Take this recent case in Mt. Pleasant Twnp, PA. The township has put forth an amendment for consideration that would require gas and drilling operators to purchase environmental pollution liability coverage in case of release for vapor or fumes, provide copies of water testing of private wells and springs and prohibit any brine or hydrocarbon mixtures with water to be used for dust abatement on roads.

It’s been long known that these mixtures used for dust abatement are simply not environmentally friendly, and have caused irrefutable damages to local communities, and should simply never be used. It’s the old “trying to save a dollar” syndrome, instead of “lets do it right from the start.”

We’re hoping as we move into the new decade, builders, developers and industry executives will start with an Environmental Friendly Plan, and look to use this to their competitive advantage. And when it comes to dust abatement, go to a specialist, like Midwest.

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