POLLUTION

New smog limit would hit rural areas, too

Hundreds of communities far from congested highways and belching smokestacks could soon join big cities and industrial corridors in violation of stricter limits on lung-damaging smog proposed Thursday by the Obama administration. Costs of compliance could be in the tens of billions of dollars, but the government said the rules would save other billions — as well as lives — in the long run.

By By Dina Cappiello, The Associated Press , January 08, 2010

Public hearing on pollution scheduled

A public hearing to address proposed changes to the North Dakota State Implementation Plan for the control of air pollution has been scheduled at 9 a.m. Thursday at the North Dakota Department of Health Environmental Training Center at 2639 E. Main, Bismarck.

January 06, 2010

Letter to the editor: Make real contributions to fighting air pollution

North Dakota’s leaders need to keep this old adage in mind when discussing the future of our climate and energy policy: “If you don’t have a seat at the table, you will be on the menu.” Too many of our leaders in North Dakota think that they can resist all change and maintain the status quo indefinitely. Recent frantic reactions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s endangerment finding on climate change are a case in point.

By Darren Olafson , January 06, 2010

Scientists begin testing mussels for pollutants

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California scientists hope studying 180 black mussels pried from algae-covered rocks in San Francisco Bay will provide clues into how many drugs and chemicals are polluting waters across the nation.

December 29, 2009

U.S., China pledge to reduce emissions

Even after the U.S. and China set targets this week for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the world’s combined pledges ahead of next month’s climate summit fall far short of what experts say is needed to avert dangerous global warming.

November 28, 2009

Group looks at water pollution

An environmental group says industrial facilities dumped more than 2 million pounds of toxic chemicals into Minnesota’s waterways in 2007.

October 22, 2009

Many urban streams have become salty enough to harm aquatic life, largely because of salt used for deicing roads in the winter, according to a new government study released Wednesday. The U.S. Geological Survey studied urban streams and groundwater for levels of chloride, a component of salt, in 20 states spanning from Alaska to the Great Lakes and Northeast.

By By Steve Karnowski, The Associated Press , September 17, 2009

Official: N.D. does well in study of air toxins

A state health official says North Dakota’s flat landscape and its relatively small population help hold down air pollution. Jim Semerad is an air control division manager at the state Health Department. He said the air can be cleaner on the wind-swept prairie than in valleys and ravines that trap pollution. And he said fewer people means fewer cars, which are considered sources of cancer-causing pollution.

June 30, 2009

Group sets greenhouse gas goals

The group charged by six Midwestern governors to come up with an emissions cap-and-trade system is recommending aggressive reduction goals that could bring big changes to a region that relies heavily on coal and manufacturing.

By By Elizabeth Dunbar, The Associated Press , June 09, 2009

Study: Fargo has cleanest urban air

Sixty percent of Americans live in areas with dangerously high air pollution levels, despite a growing green movement and more stringent laws aimed at improving air quality, according to a new study on air pollution. The study released today by the American Lung Association ranks cities and counties as the most and least polluted. The cleanest city in all categories was Fargo, N.D.

April 29, 2009

EPA takes step toward changes

The Environmental Protection Agency has concluded that carbon dioxide and five other greenhouse gases are a danger to public health and welfare. It is the first step to regulating pollution linked to climate change.

By By H. Josef Hebert, The Associated Press , April 21, 2009

Public comments sought on coal plant permit

North Dakota’s Health Department has extended until May 8 the deadline for public comments on a coal-drying plant in southwestern North Dakota. GTL Energy has applied for an air pollution control permit for the plant being built near South Heart. It is designed to remove water from low-quality lignite to allow it to burn more cleanly and produce more energy. The Health Department also has scheduled a public information meeting and public hearing in Dickinson on April 28.

April 16, 2009

EPA: Company agrees to pay $8,690

The federal Environmental Protection Agency says a West Fargo company has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $8,690 to settle allegations that it polluted the Heart River in Morton County while replacing a bridge.

February 03, 2009

Minn. sugar beet company cited for

American Crystal Sugar has agreed to pay a $185,000 civil penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for air quality violations.

December 17, 2008

EPA exempts farms from reporting toxic fumes

The nation’s farms no longer have to report to authorities the toxic, smelly fumes released from manure. The Bush administration issued a regulation Friday exempting farms from reporting releases of hazardous air pollution from animal waste to federal, state and local authorities. The rule applies specifically to the gases from manure that are often responsible for odor problems.

By By Dina Cappiello, The Associated Press , December 13, 2008