Last week, the California State Water Resources Control Board established new drinking water guidelines for local water agencies to follow in detecting and reporting the presence of contaminants perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), once used in grease and stain-resistant coatings for consumer products and firefighting foams. The guidelines set interim notification levels of…
News and Updates
New York Plans Historic Expansion of Artificial Reefs
New York Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul and Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos have announced plans to deploy recycled materials to the Smithtown Reef as part of the largest expansion of artificial reefs in state history. The recycled material will be sourced from deconstructed New York State Department of Transportation projects and two decommissioned…
Pennsylvania Invests $92 Million in Water Infrastructure Projects in 13 Counties
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has announced the investment of $92 million for 19 drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source projects across 13 counties through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST). “The projects represented in today’s approvals continue our commitment to clean water for Pennsylvania,” says Wolf. “These projects benefit the environment, economic development, and…
Rhode Island Adopts ‘Resilient Rhody’ Climate Strategy
Last week, Rhode Island released its first comprehensive climate preparedness strategy, Resilient Rhody. The 85-page report was compiled using information from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, among other agencies, and recommends five dozen actions to reduce impacts of a changing climate. The strategy seeks to improve communication among emergency management groups and ensure…
Iowa to Fund Local and Regional Clean Water Campaigns
Starting this month, Iowa groups seeking to implement innovative regional and local Clean Water Awareness and Education Campaigns can apply for funding from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Watershed Improvement Section. Educational campaigns will improve public knowledge of and promote actions to reduce nonpoint source pollution and improve water quality. The DNR seeks…
DC Signs Bill to Establish Green Bank
This week, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser signed the District of Columbia Green Finance Authority Establishment Act of 2018, making DC the first U.S. city to establish a green bank. The bank will increase private investment in clean energy and address funding gaps to help consumers use energy-saving power such as solar panels. For…
ECOS Seeks Bids to Provide Training on Agile Project Management
ECOS requests proposals from qualified vendors to develop and deliver an in-person training session on Agile Project Management at the E-Enterprise for the Environment National Meeting in October 2018. Please consult the Request For Proposals for more details.
Oregon DEQ Partners with Health Authority on Cyanotoxin Testing Program
Due to a new temporary state health rule, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is partnering with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) to administer free testing of water samples for cyanotoxin at a DEQ environmental laboratory. The OHA last week passed temporary rules for the remainder of 2018 requiring some drinking water systems to…
Mississippi Funds New School Buses, Conditions Awards on Anti-Idling Policy Adoption
The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) has awarded $295,920 to 17 school districts to apply to the purchase of new school buses for the upcoming school year. The rebates were provided to the school districts toward the purchase of new diesel powered buses with more stringent pollution controls to replace older buses thus reducing…
ECOS Member Spotlight: Bruno Pigott
Two Minutes with Bruno Pigott, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) How long have you been the Commissioner of IDEM? What’s your best experience thus far? One and a half years. I have worked at IDEM for 18 years. My past duties include Chief of Staff, Assistant Commissioner in the Office of…
