You Dump It, You Drink It

September 10, 2004

EPAÆs ôYou Dump It, You Drink Itö campaign focuses on the proper management of used motor oil and includes a variety of free, printed information materials that are available in both Spanish and English. The materials for this program were developed during a series of focus groups, one-on-one and telephone interviews, and on-the-job observations of employees in major Hispanic population centers. Materials in the "You Dump It, You Drink It" campaign include:




ADEQ Issues Notices in Asbestos Dumping Violations

Three companies and two individuals were issued notices of violation by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) for their part in the illegal disposal of over 1,000 bags of material containing asbestos at a site southwest of Yuma, AZ.

The companies, International Environmental Corporation and Southwest Hazard Control, Inc., are contractors for the removal of waste material containing asbestos from Maricopa County building renovation projects. The third company, Environmental Management Consultants, operated a laboratory which produced asbestos-containing waste material.

The individuals cited, Mr. San Pedro Martinez and Mr. Pete Auza, were the transporter and purchaser of the material respectively. Auza instructed his employees to dispose of the material on private property, where it was subsequently discovered by the propertyÆs owner.

Following notification, ADEQ conducted an investigation, leading to charges being filed for the improper handling and disposal of asbestos-containing waste. The waste was removed to Copper Mountain Landfill in Welton, AZ, a site equipped and permitted for asbestos storage.




Region 4 Environmental Research Seminar

On September 28 - 29, 2004, scientists affiliated with EPAÆs Office of Research and Development (ORD), EPA Region 4, and EPAÆs Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Grants will present their research findings at Region 4's second Environmental Research Seminar. The 2004 seminar will follow a two-day format, including an opening presentation on Environmental Trends in the Southeast followed by a panel discussion on Linking Environmental Trends to EPA Research. The seminar will feature two concurrent sessions of individual research presentations by scientists associated with EPA ORD laboratories, Region 4, and STAR Grant recipients. Attendees can choose from 19 different research presentations in addition to the opening presentation and panel discussion.




Waste Reduction & Energy Efficiency Conference Announced

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality announced the 12th Annual Great Lakes Region Waste Reduction and Energy Efficiency Conference and Expo, to be held at the Burton Manor in Livonia, MI on October 26. The conference and expo, entitled Staying Competitive in the Environmental Arena, is held each year to highlight the latest waste reduction and energy efficiency technologies and applications.

Designed for individuals working in the environmental field, the event is geared towards creating more cost-effective business operation through recycling, pollution prevention and energy efficiency processes. Keynote speaker Scott Leopold, CEO of Leopold Bros. of Ann Arbor, MI, will discuss the challenges his company overcame in creating the worldÆs first environmentally sustainable brewery and distillery, and how this in turn led to greater profitability.

The Conference and Expo, originally targeted towards automobile suppliers and manufacturers, has evolved over time to be of interest to other businesses and industries, as well as community organizations and local governments. Sessions such as Recycling, Green Building, Elevating Awareness, Greening the Supply Chain, Metrics, Energy Efficiency, and Green Manufacturing will provide useful information to businesses of all sizes.

Registration is available online at http://www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops under "Upcoming Workshops." More registration information may be obtained by contacting the Environmental Assistance Center by e-mail at deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov, or by phone at 800-662-9278.




ConocoPhillips Fined by TCEQ

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) approved a fine of $140,250 against ConocoPhillips Company as the result of alleged water quality violations at the companyÆs Sweeny, TX, oil refinery.

The violations were discovered in 2002 during record reviews, according to TCEQ. Violations included failure to pay all required TCEQ hazardous waste generation fees and failure to comply with limits on selenium, ammonia nitrogen, total suspended solids, oxygen demand, PH, and total organic compounds in its effluent discharge into Linville Bayou.

Funds for a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) were included in the fine, to be used for required improvements to the City of SweenyÆs wastewater collection system.