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EPA Plan to Blend Treated with Untreated Sewage Raises Stink

WASHINGTON, DC, December 13, 2004 (ENS) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is poised to reverse a requirement that all wastewater facilities treat sewage to a secondary treatment level, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). For the last 50 years, standard sewage treatment has involved a two-step process – removal of solids, and biological treatment to kill bacteria, viruses and parasites. The new policy allows facilities to routinely bypass the second step and "blend" partially treated sewage with fully treated wastewater before discharging it into waterways, the nongovernmental organization says, warning that an increased threat of bacteria, viruses and parasites in American waterways will be the result. On November 4, 2003, the EPA proposed changes to the Clean Water Act's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirements for municipal wastewater treatment during wet weather conditions allowing routine discharges of largely untreated sewage during rain events. The draft policy was issued for public comment. The EPA calls this proposal its "blending" policy because it would allow sewer operators to mix largely untreated sewage with treated sewage before discharging it into waterways. Untreated sewage contains pathogens – bacteria such as E.coli, viruses such as hepatitis A, protozoa such […]

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FTSE Launches Corporate Governance Index

Global index provider FTSE Group (FTSE) and corporate governance leader Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) released the first phase of their joint FTSE ISS Corporate Governance Index (CGI) Series today. FTSE and ISS created this new index series in response to investor demand for better and more accessible tools to help assess and manage the impact corporate governance practices may have on investment portfolios. The new series contains a group of six equity indexes, with a corporate governance overlay. It includes companies from a universe of 2,300 constituent companies from 24 developed markets. The six indexes which go live today, are: FTSE ISS Developed CGI (covering large and mid cap stocks); FTSE ISS Europe CGI (covering large and mid cap stocks); FTSE ISS Euro CGI (covering large and mid cap stocks); FTSE ISS Japan CGI (covering large and mid cap stocks); FTSE ISS US CGI (covering large and mid cap stocks); FTSE ISS UK CGI (covering large, mid and small cap stocks). ISS' corporate governance ratings form the foundation of the index. Through its Corporate Governance Quotient (CGQ), ISS rates more than 7,500 companies, providing investment managers a valuable risk management tool. Initially launched in 2002, CGQ helps institutional investors make […]

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MTI Micro Launches Its First Mobion(TM) Product

MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. (MTI Micro), the developer of Mobion(TM) cord-free, rechargeable, portable power technology and a subsidiary of Mechanical Technology Incorporated (Nasdaq: MKTY) announced its first production shipment of an integrated micro fuel cell product, powering a portable electronics device. MTI Micro's first Mobion(TM) micro fuel cell product has been integrated into a portable radio frequency identification (RFID) reader from Intermec Technologies Corporation. This product delivers: instant cord-free re-charging, using a replaceable fuel cartridge, and extended run times between charges from three to five times longer when compared to existing Li-Ion battery technology. "This shipment represents the culmination of our productive technology collaboration with MTI," said Intermec Chief Technology Officer Arvin Danielson. "RFID is poised to deliver strong business benefits to many industries worldwide. The ability of Intermec to offer an RFID reader with the extended power cycles that MTI fuel cell technology provides will be a great benefit to our customers." In the development and qualification of this initial Mobion product, MTI Micro became the world's first company to obtain micro fuel cell safety compliance certifications from Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) and CSA International (CSA). MTI Micro also received United Nations (UN) packaging certification and was deemed compliant by […]

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Voters Want Change of Direction in Energy Policy, Poll Shows

A poll released December 2 by NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), a national conservation group, finds that a strong majority of voters want to change the direction of the country's energy policy. The post-election survey reveals broad public support for action on global warming, and for reducing U.S. dependence on oil through efficiency, clean energy, and technology innovation. According to NRDC, the findings contradict claims that the reelection of President Bush implies an endorsement of current administration policies on energy and the environment. Fifty-two percent of voters want to go in a different direction than the Presidents, NRDC said, with 45% strongly wanting a different direction and 7% not so strongly. The responses become even stronger when the questions are more specific. Seventy-two percent (72%) of voters want more action on reducing global warming, including 43% who want much more action, the survey found. This strong response was evident both in states that are predictably Republican (where 69% want more action), Democrat (76%), and in the battleground states (72%). Nearly two-thirds of voters (65%) support the McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act, which would set a nationwide limit on emissions of carbon dioxide and other emissions linked to global warming. Nearly three-quarters […]

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