No WhiteWash!

Eastman Chemical has been fined $48,000 for many violations that that are listed in the following link.  Amended Technical Secretary’s Order & Assessment of Civil Penalty

Order Summary from Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation

A Technical Secretary’s Order was issued to Eastman Chemical Company in Sullivan County for emission violations, work practice violations, and compliance certification reporting deficiencies. The Order assesses a total Civil Penalty of $48,000.00, of which $24,000.00 is non-contingent.

Eastman’s Betty Payne stated, “Basically they were largely related to missed equipment monitoring,”

Ms. Payne statement does not make me feel safe and comfortable given the very large number of findings in the report.

Sixty percent of Americans live in areas with unhealthy air pollution levels, despite a growing green movement and more stringent laws aimed at improving air quality, the American Lung Association said in a report released Wednesday.

The public-health group ranked the pollution levels of U.S. cities and counties based on air quality measurements that state and local agencies reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency between 2005 and 2007.

Read more via 60% Of Americans Breathing Unhealthy Air – CBS News.

The counties and metro areas with the nation’s poorest air quality.

Worst Cities For Short-Term Particle Pollution

Worst Cities For Year-Round Particle Pollution

Worst Cities For Ozone Pollution

The annual report–State of the Air 2009–found that six in 10 Americans live in counties where ozone or particle pollution has reached dangerous levels. Both types of pollution can be deadly and have been linked to worsening respiratory conditions like asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, and there is evidence that particle pollution increases risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Read more via America’s Most Polluted Cities – Forbes.com.

KINGSPORT, Tenn., April 23, 2009 – Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE:EMN) today announced earnings from continuing operations of $0.03 per diluted share for first quarter 2009 versus $1.46 per diluted share for first quarter 2008. Excluding the items described in the following paragraph, first-quarter 2009 earnings from continuing operations were $0.25 per diluted share, while first-quarter 2008 earnings from continuing operations were $1.48 per diluted share. For reconciliations to reported company and segment earnings, see Tables 3 and 5 in the accompanying first-quarter 2009 financial tables.

Included in the results for first quarter 2009 was a restructuring charge of $26 million for the previously announced reduction in force of approximately 300 people. Included in the results for first quarter 2008 were asset impairments and restructuring charges of $17 million, accelerated depreciation costs of $2 million, and net deferred tax benefits of $11 million.

"In this very difficult economic environment, we remain focused on taking the actions necessary to deliver operating cash flows that will more than support both our dividend and capital expenditures,” said Brian Ferguson, chairman and CEO. "We made good progress in the first quarter with solid operating cash flows, and are on track to meet this objective."

(In millions, except per share amounts)		1Q2009	1Q2008
Sales revenue		$1,129	$1,727
Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations		$0.03	$1.46
Earnings per diluted share from continuing operations
	excluding accelerated depreciation costs, asset
	impairments and restructuring charges and net deferred tax benefits*	$0.25	$1.48
Net cash provided by (used in)operating activities		$82	($53)
*For reconciliations to reported company and segment sales revenue and earnings see Tables 3, 4 and 5 in the accompanying first-quarter 2009 financial tables.

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Sales revenue for first quarter 2009 was $1.1 billion, a 35 percent decrease compared with first quarter 2008. Sales revenue for both first quarter 2009 and first quarter 2008 included contract ethylene sales resulting from the fourth-quarter 2006 divestiture of the polyethylene business. Also included in first-quarter 2008 sales revenue were contract polymer intermediates sales resulting from the fourth-quarter 2007 divestiture of PET polymers manufacturing facilities and related businesses in Mexico and Argentina. Excluding these items for both periods, sales revenue declined by 30 percent due to a decline in sales volume of 19 percent primarily attributed to the global recession and lower selling prices. For reconciliations to reported company and segment sales revenue, see Table 4 in the accompanying first-quarter 2009 financial tables. Operating earnings in first quarter 2009 were $25 million compared with operating earnings of $168 million in first quarter 2008. Excluding asset impairments and restructuring charges in first quarter 2009 and 2008 and accelerated depreciation costs in first quarter 2008, operating earnings were $51 million in first quarter 2009 compared with $187 million in first quarter 2008. Operating results declined in all segments except Fibers because of weak demand which resulted in lower sales volume, continued low capacity utilization, and higher unit costs. In addition, lower selling prices were offset by lower raw material and energy costs. Operating results benefited from continued implementation of cost reduction actions. Continue reading “Eastman Announces First-Quarter 2009 Financial Results” »

EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson signed a final rule to reinstate stricter reporting requirements for industrial and federal facilities that release toxic substances that threaten human health and the environment.

“People have a right to information that might affect their health and the health of their children — and EPA has a responsibility to provide it,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “Restoring the TRI reporting requirements assures transparency and provides a crucial tool for safeguarding human health and the environment in our communities.”

The final rule reinstates Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting requirements that were replaced by the TRI Burden Reduction Rule in December 2006. The 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act, signed by President Obama on March 11, 2009, mandated that prior TRI reporting requirements be reestablished.

These changes will apply to all TRI reports due July 1, 2009.

TRI is a publicly available EPA database that contains information on toxic chemical releases and waste management activities reported annually by certain industries as well as federal facilities.

The December 2006 TRI Burden Reduction Final Rule expanded Form A eligibility for non-Persistent, Bioaccumulative, Toxic (non-PBT) chemicals to 5,000 pounds and allowed use of Form A for the first time for PBT chemicals under limited circumstances. This rule was met with concern over the availability of required data under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and resulted in a lawsuit by 13 states to restore the TRI Form A thresholds and usage to what they were prior to the 2006 rule.

Following the rule signature, all reports on PBT chemicals must be submitted on the more detailed Form R. For all other chemicals, the shorter Form A may only be used if the annual reporting amount is 500 pounds or less and less than 1 million pounds of the chemical was manufactured, processed or otherwise used during the reporting year.

TRI-ME software and other reporting assistance materials are being revised and will be available soon. TRI reports for 2008 are due on July 1, 2009.

Read more via 04/21/2009: EPA Administrator Reinstates Full TRI Reporting Requirements.

Let’s see, we have them blaming cows for global warming and now fat people are to blame.  What’s next?

The rising number of fat people was yesterday blamed for global warming.

Scientists warned that the increase in big-eaters means more food production — a major cause of CO2 gas emissions warming the planet.

Overweight people are also more likely to drive, adding to environmental damage.

Read more via Fatties cause global warming | The Sun |News.

Last year, downtown Atlanta lost a convention to another Southern city because the visiting group perceived the other city as “greener” than Atlanta. The loss propelled Holly Elmore into action.

“Environmental practices are fast becoming a strong consideration in business decisions,” explains the Green Foodservice Alliance founder. Elmore teamed up with Atlanta Recycles and Laura Turner Seydel — eco-awareness consultant and an Atlanta native — to create the South’s first Zero Waste Zone.

Read more via Downtown Atlanta recycles self into a Zero Waste Zone – CNN.com.

The Container Recycling Institute, an advocacy group, says 11 states require deposits on some beverages: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Oregon and Vermont. The institute’s website lists Florida, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Tennessee and West Virginia with pending bills proposing deposits, including water bottles.

Read more via Water-bottle deposits required in more states – USATODAY.com.

It’s about the time of year when many of those with seasonal allergies are starting to grumble.

Armed with tissues, medications and sinus rinses, they may curl up on the couch — when not suffering through the workday — simply riding it out until the season passes.

But because the immune system is attuned to, for example, the pollen from local trees and grasses that it knows, switching one’s environment can sometimes be a great source of relief, allergists said.

How’s that for an excuse to take a vacation?

Read more via Five places to escape seasonal allergies – CNN.com.

Traces of a chemical used in rocket fuel were found in samples of powdered baby formula, and could exceed what’s considered a safe dose for adults if mixed with water also contaminated with the ingredient, a U.S. government study has found.

The study by scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked for the chemical, perchlorate, in different brands of powdered baby formula. It was published last month, but the Environmental Working Group issued a news release Thursday drawing attention to it.

The chemical has turned up in several cities’ drinking water supplies. It can occur naturally, but most perchlorate contamination has been tied to defense and aerospace sites.

Read more via Rocket fuel chemical found in baby formula