On the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, and in the immediate wake of the nuclear crisis at the Daiichi plant in Fukushima following the Japanese tsunami and earthquake, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology published a new study, led by MIT Research Scientist Charles W. Forsberg, that advocates for the storing of used nuclear fuel [...]
Archive for the ‘Solid Waste’ Category
10 Jan
Recycled Content Doesn’t Have to Be Boring
If, like me, you grew up in Seattle, you probably recycle without thinking. To not recycle is blasphemous. It’s also against the law. But that’s Seattle. Surprisingly, the EPA is not in a position to establish federal regulations mandating recycling. The EPA publishes information, guidance and provides technical support to encourage recycling programs, but, ultimately, [...]
30 Dec
Is the EPA’s Regulatory Impact Analysis of the Coal Ash Rule Flawed?
Just over two years has passed since the Kingston, TN coal ash spill, but according to the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), federal proposals to regulate coal ash dumps are still “being held up by concerns that stricter standards would depress markets for coal-ash recycling.” In December of 2008, more than 1 billion gallons of coal [...]
8 Nov
Danger in the Air in Afghanistan and Iraq (and it’s not what you think)
About two weeks ago, the GAO released a report scolding the Department of Defense (DOD) on their enforcement of burn pit operations procedures and solid waste management. The GAO initially was asked to report on “(1) extent of open pit burning in Afghanistan and Iraq, and whether the military has followed its guidance; (2) alternatives [...]
