Find the idea of wind energy appealing? I certainly do. How about the idea of wind energy without the massive blades that currently allow a wind turbine to collect that energy? Sounds like something out of a science fiction novel to me! Continue reading
This week the EPA released its draft assessment of the potential impacts of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas on drinking water resources. The findings are now available for public comment and expert peer review.
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Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972, World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 as the UN’s “principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment”. The number of nations participating in the holiday has grown to over 100, with thousands of activities planned around the globe each year.
The 2015 WED theme and motto is “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care.”, and encourages sustainability and living within planetary boundaries. This year, Italy is serving as the host country, headquartered at the Milan Expo . The Expo will run from May 1 through October 31, and visitors will find a variety of activities, as well as environmentally friendly new technologies to check out.
Can’t hop a flight to Italy? Follow this link to find events taking place in your area, or create and register your own!
Last year, tens of thousands of tons of coal ash spilled into the Dan River from a closed power plant previously operated by Duke Energy. The spill occurred when underground storm water pipes broke and an estimated 39,000 tons of waste emptied into the river.
Dan River Power Station ( 36.491514, -79.719610)
Google Imagery
The Associated Press reports that Duke Energy Corp. pleaded guilty this past Thursday to nine criminal violations of the federal Clean Water Act. Duke has been sentenced to five years’ probation and must pay $68 million in fines and $34 million on miscellaneous environmental projects that will benefit local rivers and wetlands. Additionally, if Duke violates the terms of its probation and breaks the law within the next five years they could be subject to further action by the court. Continue reading
This week marked the annual TCEQ Environmental Trade Fair and Conference, held here in our own Austin, Texas. Conference attendees worked toward renewed certifications and learned about specifics of the environmental industry. Although many of the classes present similar material year to year, we heard about several sessions that stood out to our colleagues as being very helpful.
Additionally, the TCEQ conference is a great opportunity for networking and establishing personal connections with some of the people we work with most often. My coworkers and I took turns stepping away from the office to spend time in the main exhibition hall, chatting with clients and industry professionals. It was great to see familiar and new faces alike and continue to learn about how business is going across the state. As one would hope, the first day of the conference is followed by several networking happy hours and evening events, allowing out-of-towners to explore Austin and have some fun.
We hope everyone who came into town enjoyed the conference as much as we did!
Meghan Juedeman
mjuedeman@banksinfo.com
We will be at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Trade Fair and Conference this year. Please stop by booth #303 and say hello!
Carissa Ries
carissar@banksinfo.com
