The Latest in Regulations
Democracy In Action
Not sure if you ever had the privilege to be called upon to serve on jury before, but I recently was called to do so. I must admit it was the first time I actually had to show up for service. Personally it is something I’ve tried to avoid. Time,. . .
USDA To Tighten Organic Regs
The USDA has finally issued new rules for Organic beef. The rules will go into effect this coming June. The new rules are to clear up some questions regarding how much of an organic livestock’s life should be spent grazing. Some of the regulations themselves have been a bit gray. . .
Just What is Organic?
What does the term organic mean to you? Most of us understand organic to represent an item or product that has been sourced from organic ingredients. An organic ingredient is such that it has not been altered through the use of pesticides, man-made fertilizers, and that has not been genetically. . .
Interior Seeks Agreement On Windfarm
The U.S. Interior Department is seeking to reach an agreement over the controversial Cape Cod wind power project that would be located in Federal waters off Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Kids Safe Chemical Act
Congress is considering a new revision to the Toxic Substance Control Act, the law that determines how hazardous chemicals are managed and registered in the U.S. The TSCA was passed in 1976, and has not bee revised since its enactment. The current law covers 62,000 chemicals, but since its passing. . .
EPA Finally Acting Like EPA
The science has finally returned to the U.S. EPA. This past week the EPA announced that they have the authority to regulate green house gases under the Clean Air Act. The gases that are covered under the act include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, perfluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluroride.. . .
Carbon Consumption Tax
Governments and the media have focused on cutting our green house gases. Lowering our carbon foot print in any manner to help lower these climate, and health altering gases is the main priority. Our efforts to switch to renewable energy sources is one way to achieve this, but it does. . .
Household Product Labeling Act
The U.S. House of Representatives introduced H.R. 3057 – Household Product Labeling Act on June 25, 2009. The act will require that household cleaning products and similar products bear a label that contains a complete and accurate list of all the product’s ingredients. A similar act was introduced and passed. . .
FDA To Regulate Bisphenol A
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans on issuing new regulations on the amount of Bisphenol A that can be used in food and drink products. Bisphenol A has been linked in several studies to heightened risk of reproductive abnormalities, breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, and heart disease. Several states. . .
Clean Cruise Ship Act Introduced
The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate introduced identical bills to regulate the discharging of raw untreated sewage from cruise ships in U.S. waters. Previous legislation allowed cruise ships to discharge their untreated raw sewage and waste water only three miles from U.S. shore lines. There are currently. . .
National Health
As the debate on National Health rages through out the media and in people’s homes, some of the basics seem to be missing from the debate. On the conservative side, it’s let it be, the market place is taking care of business. (Highly simplified, of course.) On the liberal side. . .
Solar Telephone Poles
Commercial and Governmental efforts in solar energy have focused on large solar fields. The usage of large tracts of land to build tomorrow’s sustainable energy sources. Private home use has focused on placing panels on the roof of homes. But, perhaps one of the most innovative approaches to solar panel. . .
Twenty Three Gigawatts
Twenty Three Gigawatts is what one large wind turbine generates in power. Enough power to run half the needs of a small town of 12,000 people. Lately there have been news articles touching on the opposition to these towers around populated areas. Some local residents are not too keen on. . .
Phosphates still an Issue
In 1974 when the US EPA was created one of their first efforts at regulating pollution was a phosphate ban on laundry detergents. Phosphates found in laundry detergents had a devastating effect on aquatic life. Waste water treatment plants had an extremely difficult time in eradicating phosphates out of their. . .
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