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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: 781-341-6088 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: 978-927-7284 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: 860-292-1114 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: 978-632-1651 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