News
- Can a National Clean Energy Standard Energize Clean Technology Development?
There has been former bi-partisan support for the idea of using market mechanisms to develop clean technology and increase its use over time, all without impacting the federal budget. A new bill has been introduced into the Senate that seeks to do just that. The trick is to see whether anything resembling national energy policy can get passed through Congress.
- EPA Issues Final Rule on Air Emissions Created during Fracking
EPA made significant changes to the proposed rule it published last fall. The final rule adds more flexibility for the regulated community and extends requirements for "green completions" at fracking sites to January 1, 2015.
- Governor Snyder Signs New Undergound Storage Tank Bills into Law
Michigan has revamped its laws to streamline the process to achieve final closure of leaking underground storage tanks and to provide finality when an investigation and cleanup has concluded.
- Behind The Drywall Tour
The Meadowlark Builders "Behind The Drywall Tour" this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, April 20 thru 22, 2012 is proving to be a popular annual event.
- USDA Conservation Financial Assistance Available for SE Michigan Farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is making conservation financial assistance available to farmers in southeast Michigan as part of an effort to improve water quality in Lake Erie. Farmers have until April 27, 2012 to apply for the assistance at their local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.
- Wine that not only pleases the palate, but boosts Michigan’s economy
Viticulturist Robin Usborne offers techniques for growing robust wine-ready grapes and picking out the right Michigan wine to pair with holiday meals.
- Greening the supply chain easier said than done according to MSU expert
And while many companies are philosophically committed to a greener supply chain, Closs contends, they must always continually weigh the advantages of doing the environmentally friendly thing versus the costs.
- EPA takes another crack at Clean Air Act boiler rules
EPA has faced fierce criticism from the regulated community on a series of Clean Air Act rules. It has pulled back some rules earlier this year and gone back to the drawing board to alleviate some of the concerns. It has issued revised proposed rules on emissions from boilers that EPA hopes complies with the Clean Air and satisfies the greatest concerns of industry, while still trying to improve air quality and public health.
- Preserving soil, water and air quality is essential to food security and global sustainability, says MSU dean
"If we don't sustain the soil, the water and the air then basically everything else becomes meaningless," says Buhler. "All of the technology, genetics and high tech science are supported by the weather, land and water, and if those basic elements are compromised, then it all breaks down."
- Obama Administration proposes new rules for leasing on Native American lands
The Obama Administration is redrafting 50-year-old rules to make it easier to lease Native American lands. The new proposed regulation will also make it easier to build wind and solar power projects on Indian lands.