EnviroNews Q2 2004

2004·0.2 MB·English

by  Massachusetts Port Authority

Published by the
Environmental Management Unit

Logan Office Center
A quarterly environmental newsletter
Issue No. 18, Quarter II - 2004

EPA Administrator Signs New Rule
IN THE NEWS

Mike Leavitt, the Environmental
Fitchburg State College has agreed to a $205,000
Protection Administration
settlement for Hazardous Waste Violations
Administrator signed a new rule
on May 22, 2004 that will cut
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
emission levels from
settled an enforcement action against Fitchburg
construction, agricultural, and
State College for hazardous waste handling and
industrial diesel-powered equipment by more than
storage violations. The inspection took place in
90 percent. The new rule will also remove 99
April 2002 during which the EPA found multiple
percent of the sulfur from diesel fuel by the year
violations of hazardous waste handling and storage
2010.
regulations on campus. The most significant
violations involved improper storage of reactive
A celebration of the new rule was held in Boston as
wastes. Inspectors also found numerous containers
a way to recognize the efforts that Massachusetts
of unknown materials and improperly marked
has made in decreasing air emissions. The
wastes. Some of the wastes were in unsound
Massachusetts Department of Environmental
containers.
Protection (DEP) has been active in addressing
diesel pollution on several fronts. The DEP is
REGULATORY UPDATE
involved with a multi-state effort requiring medium-
and heavy-duty diesel vehicles to meet California The EPA Administrator has proposed a rule to extend
standards for model year 2005 and beyond. In deadlines under the Spill Prevention Control and
addition the entire MBTA diesel bus fleet operates Countermeasures Rule. EPA is now proposing to
on ultra low sulfur diesel fuel. Additionally the extend, by 12 months, certain upcoming compliance
DEP encourages projects such as the Central Artery dates for the July 2002 SPCC amendments. The
to retrofit off-road construction equipment with extension provides that facilities subject to the SPCC
pollution control devices. regulations (40 CFR Part 112) who are required to
amend their SPCC Plans by August 2004, and
EPA predicts that when the full inventory of subsequently implement these amendments by
nonroad engines has been replaced, 12,000 February 2005 (under the first extension), now have
premature deaths, one million lost work days, until August 17, 2005 to amend their Plans and until
February 18, 2006 to implement them.
15,000 heart attacks and 6,000 children’s asthma
related emergency room visits will be prevented.
There is some disagreement on interpretation between
EPA and the regulated community on the applicability
In New England nonroad diesel engines account for
of these changes, specifically relating to mobile
40 percent of particulate emissions and 20 percent
refuelers, mobile portal containers and loading racks.
of NOx emissions from mobile sources.
Currently, one interpretation offered would necessitate
Approximately 250,000 pieces of diesel equipment
the need for secondary containment during mobile
operate in New England. In Massachusetts alone
refueling and in loading rack areas which would
there are estimated to be 140,000.
significantly affect airport and port operations. It is
expected that EPA will issue an Advance Notice of
Excerpted from EPA Region 1 webpage
Proposed Rule Making to obtain more information on
small facility threshold, electrical (oil-filled)
equipment, mode of power, mobile refuelers, mobile
CHECK IT OUT… portal containers, loading racks, and piping. Find
more information and the proposed rule at:
The daily air quality forecast for Massachusetts at
http://www.epa.gov/oilspill/index.htm.
http://www.mass.gov/dep.
1
Disposal of Spent Fluorescent Bulbs
FOR YOUR
In Massachusetts spent fluorescent bulbs, as well as batteries, INFORMATION
pesticides, thermostats and other mercury-containing devices are
Yard Waste Management
considered Universal Waste and are regulated under 310 CMR 30.1000.
These regulations specify that the wastes must be handled either as As summer approaches it is time to
hazardous waste or recycled. If they are managed as hazardous waste get outside and mow. The
then these wastes will contribute to the facilities generation of Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection offers
hazardous waste and must be stored and disposed of in accordance with
the following information for
the Massachusetts Hazardous Waste Regulations. If your facility
environmentally friendly lawn
chooses to recycle the wastes, therefore managing them as Universal
care.
Waste, there are also special handling, storage, and disposal
requirements that must be followed. Mowing Tips and Techniques:
• Recycle grass clippings
The Massachusetts Operational Services Division has established
• Mow grass to 2” – 3” tall
contracts with companies that are authorized to remove these materials
from your facility for recycling. All Massport facilities and Massport • Do not remove more than ½ of
the grass blade in any one
tenant facilities can use these contract services. The following table
single mowing
includes the name and contact information for the vendors who will
recycle spent fluorescent bulbs. • Mow when the grass is dry
• Keep your mower blade sharp
Onyx/Superior Special Joseph Mokrisky A and B
• If excessive growth occurs
Services Inc. Ph: 800-478-6055 or 781-341-6080
Fax: [phone] raise the mower height
Email: [email protected] • Consider buying a mulching,
AERC.com, Inc. Scott Perry A recycling or non-polluting
Ph: 800-554-2372 or 978-927-7517 mower
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected] Fertilizer Application:
Northeast Lamp Robert E. Robert A Apply fertilizer to your lawn in
Recycling, Inc. Ph: 888-657-5267 or 860-292-1992
late April and again in September.
Fax: [phone]
If another application is needed,
Email: [email protected]
apply it in late May. Apply only a
ElectroniCycle, Inc. Debra Peloquin B
½ pound of nitrogen per 1000
Ph: 800-829-5082 or 978-632-7666
square feet of lawn at each
Fax: [phone]
application.
Email: [email protected]
Watering Practices:
Category Definitions:
• Do not water unless the lawn
Category A: Collection and Recycling of Fluorescent, HID and Other Lamps, Ballasts and
Mercury Containing Devices really needs it
Category B: Collection and Recycling of CRT-Containing Electronics, Computer Components, • 1 inch of water will wet the
Computer Peripherals and Miscellaneous Electronics
soil to a depth of 4” – 6”

• Water deeply and less
EnviroQuestion frequently to encourage deep
root growth
Question: How many bags of grass clippings are produced each year by • The best time to water is in the
a ½ acre lawn? morning
Answer in the next issue. • Avoid watering during mid-
day and try not to water in the
Quarter IV Question: Which New England city has the highest
evenings
recycling rate?
Other uses for grass clippings:
Answer: Worcester– the pay-as-you-throw trash recycling program has
• Compost clippings at home
diverted more than 100,000 tons of trash from being incinerated.
Saving the city millions of dollars in tipping fees while reducing air • Use clippings as mulch
pollution. The city’s recycling rate is over 50 percent. Excerpted from MADEP Don’t Trash the
Grass
2