Document 7RykYw7rvGzJmqzNkr3pgrDjo

Noise Conservation I Weekly Worldwide Environmental Newsletter Leonard A. Eiserer j Business Publishers, Inc., P. O. Box 1067, Bloir Station, Silver Spring, Md. 20910, Editor and Publisher | Telephone 587-6300. Subscription Rate: $90 per year, $50 for six months. Quantity j and foreign rates on request. Vol. 8 No. 42__________________ October 19, 1970 SLANTS & TRENDS Page 417 ILLINOIS ATTY. GEN. WILLIAM J. SCOTT is slated to be first administrator of new En vironmental Protection Agency, high Republican source in Illinois has advised A/WPR. Significantly, Scott was the only state official included in the Nixon-appointed dele gation meeting with high Japanese officials in Tokyo last week on mutual environmental problems (story on page 421). Nixon strategy reportedly is to give Scott, who has risen rapidly as a pollution fighter in Illinois,national spotlight via EPA, prepara tory to running for high national office in '72. Nixon's choice is expected to be disclosed shortly, since major reorganizational work must be accomplished before EPA brings together the principal Federal pollution control agencies on Dec. 2. HOUSE HEARINGS OF UNUSUAL SIGNIFICANCE, affecting both polluters and producers of abatement systems and equipment, have been scheduled during forthcoming Lame Duck ses sion of Congress in late November. Potential role of aerospace and defense firms in solving environmental problems will be explored by House Conservation & Natural Re sources Subcommittee, headed by Rep. Henry S. Reuss (D.-Wis.). Defense industry, hard hit by budget cuts and Federal reorientation on social problems, is hungry for new markets. While some defense firms are already developing environmental business, re direction of their resources and technology on broad scale into pollution cleanup -- possibly with Federal assist -- could have sharp long-range impact on existing firms in field. Story on page 419. WHITE HOUSE HAS DENIED any involvement in decision of Internal Revenue Service to re view tax exempt status of organizations that file suits on behalf of consumers or en vironmental protection. IRS statement provoked outcry from environmental groups and public interest law firms, since loss of tax exemption would mean that gifts supporting them would no longer be tax-deductible and might dry up. To protect the Administra tion's environmental stance. White House press secretary, Ronald Ziegler, asserted "The White House was not involved in the decision nor were we informed." *** CONGRESS ENACTS RESOURCE RECOVERY ACT AUTHORIZING $463-MILLI0N FOR 3 YEARS The Resource Recovery Act of 1970, authorizing $463-million over 3 fiscal years was enacted by Congress on Oct. 13 and sent to the President for expected approval. The measure, sponsored originally in the Senate by Sen. Edmund S. Muskie (D.-Me.) as S.2005, and in the House by Rep. Paul Rogers (D.-Fla.) as H.R. 11833, extensively re writes the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965, shifting emphasis from conventional waste disposal to the recycling and recovery of materials and energy from solid waste. (Continued on following page) DSW 552410 Service for Subscribers: For further details on material appearing in A/WPR, subscribers are invited to write The Editor, P. O. Box 1067, Blair Station, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Prompt service given at no additional east. Deluxe, vinyl imprinted binders available at $3.00 each. STLCOPCB4090827 October 19. 1970 ___________!UR/WATER pollution report________ Page 418 CONGRESS ENACTS RESOURCE RECOVERY ACT OF 1970 (Cont.) ' Muskie predicted the legislation "will be a major weapon in the battle against the "third pollution," and that with adequate funding and manpower, "the diseases that in adequate solid waste management foster and the aesthetic blight of litter and dumps can be eliminated." Emphasis on Recycling and Recovery Major features of the Act in summary: ' (1) Section 208 provides grants to municipalities, states, or interstate or inter municipal agencies to construct improved solid waste disposal facilities to demonstrate areawide resource recovery systems. The emphasis here is on improved disposal facility -- one that advances the state of the art by applying new or improved techniques for reducing the environmental impact of solid waste. Single municipalities will be eligible for Federal grants of 50% of construction cost, while states, interstate and intermuni cipal agencies will be eligible for 75% grants. (2) Resource recovery systems are eligible for 75% of the costs of design, construc tion, and first-year operation and maintenance costs. These must provide a means for distributing the costs among users of the system. (3) Funding authorization includes $41.5-million for balance of fiscal 1971 for carrying out Section 208 and other operations under the Act. The Solid Waste Disposal Act of 1965 provided a $30-million annual ceiling, with actual appropriations running about half t hardmount. For fiscal '72, total of $ 80-million is specifically authorized for Section 208 demonstration and construction grants, and $72-million for other activi ties; for fiscal '73, $140-million for Section 208, and $76-million for remainder of Act. Of this money, no more than 15% of the Section 208 funds in any one year can be granted in any one..state. (4) ' ContinualTion of Interior's Bureau of Mines research-in metal and mineral solid waste problems is authorized, with $8.75-million in fiscal '71, $20-million in fiscal '72, and $22.5-million in fiscal '73. Secretary of Interior is required to consult with the administrator of Environmental Protection Agency before committing funds to any solid waste disposal project. (5) Title II, reflecting an amendment by Sen. J. Caleb Boggs (R.-Del.), establishes a National Commission on Materials Policy to study and report by June 30, 1973, on materials policy and to ascertain which Federal agency should be responsible, on a con tinuing basis, for implementing that policy. Authorization is for $2-million. (6) Section 205 authorizes new studies on important issues related to recycling -- means of recovering materials and energy, changes in production and packaging practices, including disposal charges, to reduce wastes; use of Federal procurement to develop market demand for recovered resources; and incentives and disincentives to recycling, including tax policies. EPA administrator shall report the results of such investiga tions at least annually to the President and Congress. (7) Planning grant program is expanded to include municipal and intermunicipal agencies. In the past only state and interstate agencies were aided. These grants would include funds to prepare proposals for resource recovery systems demonstration grants and programs for the removal and processing of abandoned motor vehicle hulks. Federal share of planning grants is 66-2/3% for single municipalities, and 75% for all other projects. Treatment of Grants 'Most Important' Sen. Jennings Randolph (D.-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Public Works Committee, called the treatment of demonstration and construction grants "the most important element" of the new legislation. "Rather than stay with a program of demonstrating resource recovery systems, as the Senate proposed, or a categorical construction grant program, as in the House bill, the conferees blended the two into a sharply focused program for funding innovations in solid waste management." Randolph said, "The combination of these approaches gives the solid waste disposal program maximum flexibility. Long-term solutions must rely on recycling; immediate improvements can be made in such subsystems as collection, transportation, processing, separation, and recovery or disposal ... All projects must be consistent with the guide -lines called for by this Act and with any planning.for the area involved." DSW 552411 STLCOPCB4090828 October 19, .1970iUR/WATER pollution report Page 419 ROLE OF AEROSPACE FIRMS IN SOLVING POLLUTION PROBLEMS TO BE EXPLORED BY REUSS PANEL Potential role of aerospace and defense firms in solving problems of air and water pollution and solid waste management will be explored by the House Conservation and Natural Resources Subcommittee, Nov. 23-24. Chairman Henry S. Reuss (D.-Wis.) said it is time to see "whether we can put some of the great resources of aerospace firms to work solving the critical environmental problems of the decade to come." Panel will hear testimony from Federal officials in charge of environmental research, development, and demonstration programs, as well as from aerospace industry representatives. "We want to find out where the 'technology gaps' and 'management gaps' are in our pollution control programs," Reuss explained. "Then we want to find out what the Federal government is doing to fill them and what aerospace firms can do to help. Our government witnesses can tell us this. After that, we want to hear from some aerospace firms that have actually been doing work on problems of air and water pollution and solid waste management. We want to find out how they got into it, what problems they encountered, what problems they avoided, what they would do differently if they had to do it over again, what lessons they have learned, and what they think the future holds." 10 Areas Listed for Exploration ' Reuss listed 10 areas to be explored by the panel: (1) What problems in air and water pollution control and solid waste management can best be tackled by firms with sophisticated technological, planning, and management skills of aerospace industry? (2) Will it be profitable for aerospace firms to work in these areas (a) without Federal support, (b) with Federal support for research and development, or (c) with Federal support for full-scale demonstration projects? (3) What problems have aerospace firms already encountered in dealing with such Federal agencies as National Air Pollution Control Administration, Federal Water Quality Administration, and Bureau of Solid Waste Management? (4) What could Federal environmental agencies do to make it easier for aerospace firms to deal with them? (5) What steps could aerospace firms take to deal more effec tively with these agencies? (6) Do Federal agencies have a 5-or 10-year plan for their research, development, and demonstration effort? (7) Are present and potential R&D and demonstration budgets large enough to make bidding for contracts attractive to aerospace firms? (8) Will Federally-supported R&D and demonstration projects lead to creation of actual pollution control hardware? Will there be a market for this hardware and what will competition be from existing non-aerospace firms? (9) To what extent can government create market for high-technology anti-pollution equipment by setting very strict pollution control standards? Would Federally-supported R&D and demonstration still be needed to make most advanced technology available? (10) What is best way to convert aerospace resources to work on pollution control? Through (a) separate "environmental divisions" in existing firms; (b) acquisition of existing environmental firms; (c) new small companies formed by former aerospace pro fessionals; or (d) transfer of present aerospace workers individually to cities, non aerospace firms, etc., that need skilled manpower to work on pollution problems? Hearings will begin at 10:00 a.m., Nov. 23-24, in Room 2247, Rayburn House Office Building. Members of the subcommittee are, in addition to Reuss: Reps. Jim Wright (D.-Tex.); Floyd V. Hicks (D.-Wash.); John E. Moss (D.-Calif.); Guy Vander Jagt (R.-Mich.); Gilbert Gude (R.-Mich.); Paul N. McCloskey, Jf. (R.-Calif.). DSW 552412 HOUSE COMPLETES ACTION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY EDUCATION ACT Environmental Quality Education Act (H.R.18260) was approved by the House with Senate amendments, Oct. 13. Measure provides for establishment of educational programs to encourage understanding of policies designed to preserve environmental quail ty. Funding authorization includes $5-million for year ending June 1971, $15-million for fiscal 1972, and $25-million for fiscal 1973. Program will be run by Department of Health, Education and Welfare. STLCOPCB4090829 October 19, 1970 MU/ViMEB pollution report Page 420 KUSK1E PANEL PLANS HEARINGS ON HANDLING OF RADIOACTIVE WASTES IN COLORADO Hearings on handling of radioactive wastes at Rocky Flats, Colo.,- weapons facility of the Atomic Energy Commission will be held during next session of Congress by the Senate Subcommittee on Air and Water Pollution, Chairman Edmund S. Muskie (D.-Me.), has advised Colorado Lt. Gov. Mark Hogan. Responding to a Hogan memorandum of Aug. 6 regarding the escape and disposal of radioactive materials from the weapons facility, Muskie last week said the subcommittee staff would "investigate the issues ... as soon as possible," consulting with the Governor's office, AEC, Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, Dow Chemi cal Co,, and interested citizens. Staff findings, he said, will form basis of the hearings into such matters as handling of wastes, design of settling basins, movement of wastes through ground waters, and effectiveness of controls on stack emissions. - k kk HOUSE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS END TO ALL HUMAN WASTE DISCHARGES FROM TRAINS Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration should ban the discharge of un treated or inadequately treated human wastes from all new toilet-equipped locomotives, cabooses, and passenger cars constructed after Mar. 31, 1971, and from all existing cars having such facilities after Dec. 31, 1974, the House Government Operations Committee said Oct, 11. . Recommendations were included in report which also charged that the Interstate Quarantine Regulations, which prohibit such discharges in railroad stations and car servicing areas only, have been "competely ineffective because of flagrant violation by the railroads and weak enforcement" by the Federal government. Enforcement responsi bilities were transferred from the Surgeon General to the FDA in 1969. The House panel urged that FDA "vigorously enforce" existing prohibitions against such discharges until the proposed ban becomes effective. "* During hearings by the Conservation and Natural Resources Subcommittee, headed by Rep. Henry S. Reuss (D.-Wis.), FDA estimated that 23-million pounds of untreated human wastes, or 16-million gallons of waste water, are discharged annually from locomotives and cabooses. About 19.5-million gallons of untreated human wTastes were discharged from intercity and commuter passenger trains in 1968. Copies of the report, "Environmental Pollution: Discharge of Raw Human Wastes from Railroad Trains," are available from Committee on Government Operations, 2157 Rayburn House Office Bldg., Washington, D.C. 20515. *** PRESIDENT APPOINTS 5 NEW MEMBERS TO AIR QUALITY ADVISORY BOARD Following 5 new members have been appointed by President Nixon to the Air Quality Advisory Board for 3-year terms: Arnold 0. Beckman, chairman, Beckman Instruments Co., Fullerton, Calif., replacing F. Pierce Linaweaver; William 0. Doub, attorney, Niles, Barton & Wilmer, Baltimore, Md., replacing Helen Stoll; Pierre S, du Pont IV, E.I. du Pent Co;, Wilmington, Del., replacing.George H. Taylor; Thomas L. Kimball, executive director. National Wildlife Federation, Washington, D.C., replacing John Lawrence; Joseph Kovago, mechanical engineer, Linwood, N.J., replacing Alex Barket. The 15-meraber Board, established in 1967, is chaired by the HEW Secretary, with purpose of advising Secretary and President on effective air quality control. In future, Board will be headed by new administrator of Environmental Protection Agency still to be named. *** RAND GETS $180,000 FROM NSF TO STUDY ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY-GROWTH CONFLICT Rand Corporation, California-based think-tank, has received $180,000 from National Science Foundation to conduct year-long study "on the mounting conflict between environ mental quality and environmental growth." Goal is to develop improved methods for forecasting energy requirements "as a first step in analyzing problems of providing adequate supplies of energy and electric power." Deane N. Morris, deputy head of Rand's engineering sciences department, expressed confidence that "new public-policies on... energy and formulating rational standards for environmental quality can resolve this conflict." ` DSW 552413 STLCOPCB4090830 October 19, 1970 ____ __________ JUR/ViFATEsEI pollution report--_______________ Pase 421 NIXON TO SEEK INTERNATIONAL.AGREEMENT RESTRICTING OCEAN DUMPING OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES International agreement to restrict disposal of industrial wastes in the oceans will soon be proposed by President Nixon, Russell E, Train, chairman of the Council on Environ mental Quality, said Oct. 14 in Japan where he was heading the U.S. delegation engaged in high level discussions with Japanese officials for intensified cooperation on mutual environmental problems. Only a week early, Nixon had stated he would seek legislation during next session of Congress to limit U.S. dumping of municipal, industrial, and mlli- - tary wastes into the oceans and Great Lakes (A/WPR, Oct. 12, 1970, p.409). In recent report to the President, CEQ recommended that the U.S. draft proposals to control ocean dumping for consideration at the U.N. Conference on Human Environment planned for Stockholm in June 1972. . Also from Tokyo last week, the U.S. and Japan issued a joint communique agreeing to establish a higher-level channel for closer cooperation in limiting pollution of the Pacific Ocean. During four days of meetings in Tokyo, special attention was focused on air pollu tion problems such as those which afflicted parts of Japan and the U.S. in late July- early August. After meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sato Oct. 13, Train conferred with Minister Sadonori Yamanaka, deputy director of Central Headquarters for Pollution Countermeasures. The Japanese government is reportedly seeking legislation carrying stiff penalties for industrialists found responsible for health damage or deaths from pollution. Included in the U.S. delegation were: Dr. Gordon MacDonald, CEQ member; Shiro Kashiwa, Assistant Attorney General, Land and Natural Resources Division, Department of Justice; William Scott, attorney general of Illinois; Dr. John Middleton, commissioner of National Air Pollution Cont. Administration; Dr. John Ludwig, NAPCA assistant commis sioner; Dr. Allan Hirsch, assistant commissioner for environmental and program planning. Federal Water Quality Administration; William Cawley, director, Division of Process Research & Development, FWQA; Dr. Vaun Newlll, director, NAPCA Division of Health Effects; Hugh Connolly, deputy director, Bureau of Solid Waste Management; Heyward Isham, senior staff member for international affairs, CEQ; Dr. James Slater, coordinator of U.S./Japan cooperative program in natural resources. Department of Interior. Scott, the only state official in the U.S. delegation, has been frequently rumored as a top candidate to head the newly created Environmental Protection Agency, which will combine the major U.S. pollution control programs starting Dec. 2. kkk CEQ URGES CONTINUANCE OF TAX EXEMPTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, BUT IRS CALLS HALT Recommendation of Council on Environmental Quality that Internal Revenue Service continue the tax exemption on contributions to organizations pursuing the public interest was brushed aside by IRS, Oct. 9, in announcing it was temporarily suspending such exemption for a 60-day study period. More than a week before the IRS action was taken, Russell E. Train, CEQ chairman, wrote to Randolph W. Thrower, commissioner of Internal Revenue, that the fight to clean up the environment was being aided by public interest lawyers. "Litigation brought by private groups which must rely on contributions for their support... (has) strengthened and accelerated the process of enforcement of anti pollution laws," Train said. He suggested safeguards could be established by IRS to prevent abuse of the tax exemption privilege for private gain. IRS said that decision on applications of new "public interest law firms" and other groups which want to fight court battles on environmental issues, consumer protection "and the like" would be withheld for 60 days pending a study of the situation. IRS had already put off decisions on some 50 nonprofit organizations and law firms, including the National Resources Defense Council and Environmental Action Coalition, some of which have reportedly been waiting IRS decision for up to 8 months. The IRS statement declared that clear standards were needed to define "public interest" for tax purposes, and left open final judgment on deductibility of contribu tions made during the 60-day study period for firms and groups already granted tax exemption. -- (Continued on following page) DSW 552414 STLCOPCB4090831 October 19, 1970 ABR/WATER pollution report._____ Page 422 IRS REVIEWING TAX EXEMPTION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION GROUPS (Gont.) The action drew quick fire from several public interest groups. New York's Citizens for Clean Air "deplored" the move, called it "unfair" to "all the people and organizations across the nation who are working for a better environment." Alexander Saunders, chair man of Scenic Hudson Preservation Conference, said "withdrawal of tax exemption from those who would protect our environment puts natural resources at risk of being plundered and destroyed." ' Some Democratic lawyers in Washington saw it as an effort by the Nixon Administra tion conservatives to slow the wave of litigation pushed by nonprofit groups in pollution, civil rights, and housing. The move will not hurt Ralph Nader's Center for Responsive Law, according to coun sel, Ted Jacobs, who said, "Ralph Nader has been wary of this. That's why the center has not gotten into litigation. Nader, on his personal account, has occasionally been a plaintiff (notably in suing General Motors)." Senate Panel Plans Hearings in November Conservationists on Capitol Hill responded quickly to the IRS threat against fund ing of environmental action groups. Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D.-Wis.), chairman of Sub committee on Employment, Manpower and Poverty, announced Oct. 15 that his group would hold hearings in early November on the IRS challenge. Letter to Commissioner Thrower, signed by Nelson and six other Democrats on the parent Senate Committee on Labor and Public Welfare, said the IRS action would not only have an "immediate chilling effect" on the day-to-day operations of the public interest groups, but would also jeopardize the groups' existence. The letter asked the commissioner to testify. Following the outcry against the move, IRS partially retreated from its original position, Oct. 16, by stating it "did not intend to curb operations of such organiza tions" during the 60-day review period, so long as they conform with previous rulings. Foundations and other donors "will,be fully protected in making contributions... for the support of current operations under the rulings." "On the other hand," the press release stated, "the IRS expressed the hope that major commitments for such organizations would not be undertaken during the present study." By leaving the door open for possible crackdown later, IRS said, it avoids "the inequity that would result between the groups already favorably acted upon and pending applicants that are similarly situated but do not have the benefit of a ruling." *** FAA TO PROPOSE NOISE CONTROL PROGRAM FOR 2,000 TRANSPORT JETS NEXT MONTH Federal Aviation Administration plans to issue preliminary notice next month that it expects to require modification of almost 2,000 pre-jumbo jet airliners to make them quieter during landings and takeoffs. If enacted, the proposal would be the second step in the Federal program to curb airliner noise, a program directed by Congress in 1968. In first phase, the FAA last year promulgated noise limits for the emerging genera tion of jumbo jets, led by the Boeing 747. These planes were given initial considera tion because the job of quieting noise is easier on planes being built than those already in operation. FAA now plans to tackle most other jets now in service -- the Boing 707, Boeing 727, and Douglas DC-8. FAA's forthcoming request for comments is certain to be opposed by the air trans port industry. Research by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and sub sequent study by Rohr Corporation indicated that these jets could be made quieter at estimated cost of about $665,000 for a DC-8 and $ll-million for a Boeing 707. By most optimistic projections, the proposed rule, if enacted, would not provide much relief for near-airport residents for at least three years. The rule-making procedure is expected to take about a year, while design and in stallation of the equipment would require another 24 months at least. Secor D. Browne, chairman of the Civil Aeronautics Board, in recent speeches voiced the opinion of many airline officials in estimating the cost of retrofitting at close, to $l-billion. He has questioned whether the noise reduction would be significant enough to make the cost worthwhile. Proper solution, in his view, is "to develop a brand new quiet engine and install it in existing planes. DSW 552415 a J STLCOPCB4090832 JHR/WATERPct:ol?.er_L9,f.li9i7o pollution report____________ __________ ESSO RESEARCH REPORTS DISCOVERY OF NEW CATALYST FOR CONTROLLING NOx Discovery of a "unique catalyst" -- a nickel-copper alloy -- that reduces nitrogen . oxide emissions from a 1970 car by more than 90% was reported by Esso Research and Engin eering Co., Linden, N.J., Oct. 14. While not yet ready for commercial use, "this catalyst is the most promising method we have seen for meeting the very low N0X emissions standards currently under discussion," a spokesman said, "Substantial further research and devel opment is needed before this catalyst can be incorporated into a commercial system." A complete catalytic system could include the new Esso catalyst and a second to help control hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions, the company stated. In present state of development, the Esso catalyst would need to be replaced every 8,000-15,000 miles when used with an unleaded fuel, more frequently with lead. Company scientists - have evaluated nearly 1,000 catalysts since the early '60s, and released the information on the new catalyst so all organizations working on the problem of controlling auto emissions would be able to consider the catalyst for control of N0X. A technical paper on the subject will be presented in January 1971 at Society of Automo tive Engineers meeting in Detroit. - *** U0P REPORTS $180 CATALYTIC MUFFLER SYSTEM WILL SAVE MOTORIST MONEY Universal Oil Product's catalytic muffler system which will cost the motorist $180 installed will cut operating costs $201 over a 10-year vehicle life, with net saving of $21, UOP's C.G. Gerhold and R.R. Allen told the West Coast Section of Air Pollution Con trol Association in San Francisco. The UOP approach involves: (1) use of a single, 3-component catalytic muffler; (2) carburetor adjustment to provide stoichiometric quantities of gasoline and air, instead of the lean mixtures now used; (3) use of nonleaded gasoline. The system over 10-year life of a vehicle, UOP said, would cut emissions of hydro carbons by 66%, nitrogen oxides by 83%, carbon monoxide by 86%. Muffler would cost the motorist about $100, plus incremental $50 for carburetor changeover. To the initial cost is added a 20% interest charge or about $30, reaching the $180 total. Extra cost of unleaded gasoline with comparable octane rating is esti mated at 2c/gallon. UOP report pointed to study by Standard Oil of Indiana indicating a reduced main tenance cost of l,8c/mile for a group of 358 consumer vehicles. The clean, denser gasoline has more Btus./gallon, which should translate into savings of 1.2c/gallon. In addition, the better fuel-to-air ratio should mean a savings of at least 1.75c/mile. Total bonus to user of UOP package: 2.75c/gallon. General Motors recently stated it would incorporate catalytic mufflers on all its 1975 models, stirring new interest in research by UOP and others. *** AUTOMOTIVE AIR POLLUTION RESEARCH FEATURED AT CHICAGO SYMPOSIUM NEXT MAY Major program of automotive air pollution research being sponsored jointly by in dustry and Federal government will be subject of scientific symposium at Chicago's Ambassador Hotel, May 3-5, 1971. The event will provide the first major public forum for progress report on the 3-year, multi-million dollar research program launched by the Coordinating Research Council in 1968. Financial support for the research is provided by the American Petroleum Institute, Automobile Manufacturers Association, and, on a selected-project basis by the National Air Pollution Control Administration. Program details and registration information will be announced later. ' . *** NADER PLANNING NATIONAL ANTI-POLLUTION CAMPAIGN AGAINST UNION CARBIDE A concerted nationwide campaign against Union Carbide Corp. to clean up its indus trial pollution has been launched by Ralph Nader's newly formed Public Interest Research Group in Washington. Kickoff came Oct. 14 in Alloy, W.Va., where Nader charged Union Carbide's metallurgical plant with spewing 28,000 tons of black smoke and dust particles annually into the Kanawha River Valley. DSW 552416 STLCOPCB4090833 October i9, 1970____;^.-fUB/WATiEl pollution report__________________________ Pase 424 METCALF CALLS FOR MANDATORY INDUSTRY POLLUTION INVENTORY . Federal Water Quality Administration's plan to conduct a voluntary rather than man datory inventory of industrial wastes (A/WPR, Sept. 21, 1970, p.377) has been protested by Sen. Lee Metcalf (D.-Mont.) in letter to President Nixon. Metcalf urged the President to "direct that a comprehensive, mandatory inventory of industrial water waste be under taken at once in the interests of environmental protection and law enforcement." In recent testimony before the House Conservation & Natural Resources Subcommittee, FWQA spokesman said the Federal government lacked authority for a mandatory inventory at this time. Questionnaires are scheduled to be sent to an initial group of 250 companies within the next few days, with request that they respond within 30 days. A spokesman for Metcalf called the upcoming voluntary effort "worse than nothing," putting a "premium on dishonesty," since non-polluters will reply and the polluters will ignore the request. This would leave the illusion, he said, that something is being done, when actually nothing is. An Administration spokesman responded that, "If Senator Metcalf wants to make the inventory mandatory, let him introduce legislation to make it so." He pointed out that Congress was asked for legislation on a mandatory inventory two years ago, but had refused to act. Such a bill introduced by Sen. Edmund S. Muskie is now in Senate commit tee. * * -k BRITISH PRIME MINISTER CREATES NEW 'MINISTRY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT1 Prime Minister Heath, revamping the British government structure Oct. 15, created a new Ministry for the Environment charged with: "The preservation of amenity, the protection of coast and countryside, the preservation of historic towns and monuments, and the control of air, water and noise pollution." The department will have jurisdic tion over all planning, land use, public housing, and transportation programs. Peter Walker, who has been Minister of Housing, will be the first environment chief. ... k x *c CONTROL INDUSTRY BUSINESS NEWS ' Water Pollution Research & Applications, Inc., Washington-based research and con sulting firm headed by Dr. Jack I. Bregman, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Interior, has changed its name to the acronym, WAPORA, Inc., to reflect company's growing involve ment in air pollution abatement, solid wastes management, and water resources planning. David B, Boies, who served in senior research positions at IIT Research Institute and Nalco Chemical Co., has been elected vice president-research. Company, which previously used Baltimore laboratory facilities of Alcolac, Inc., WAPORA's principal stockholder, has opened new research laboratory in Rockville, Md... WAPORA last week reported net loss of $258,520 in first full year of operation. Bregman attributed loss to start-up expenses and noted contracts received during year totaled more than $300,000. More than half the contracts was received during 4th quarter. - Sun Oil Co., Philadelphia, announced a new computer program designed to calculate pollutant concentrations from stacks in old or new plant complexes, said it is making the program available without charge to state and local governments and air pollution control agencies. Industrial users will be charged minimal fee to cover costs. Alexan der T. Doseak, commercial development department, said program can be used to evaluate emissions from such sources as electric power plants, industrial plants, and municipal incinerators. STACK programs, he said, have been "effective in calculating pollutant concentrations from 1,000 to 30,000 feet downwind... and up to 1,250 feet on either side of the plume axis." Kinetic Science Corp,, Meriden, Conn., has filed statement with SEC seeking regis tration of 65,000 common shares to be offered to public at $5. Offering will be made on "best efforts, 45% or none" basis by Fund Securities, Inc., Staten Island, N.Y. Company proposes to manufacture and market an over-running clutch and control console for indus trial water pollution control systems. Welsbach Corp., Philadelphia-based maker of ozone for water purification, has been -merged into Jamaica Water & Utilities, Inc., a diversified water utility holding company. , \ ) DSW 552417 STLCOPCB4090834 . October 19, 1970 _____ Ara/wansB pollution report_____ Pa8e 425 WAYNE COUNTY MOVES QUICKLY UNDER MICHIGAN'S NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT . . Acting on the first day (Oct. 1) that Michigan's Environmental Protection Act -- . . allowing citizen groups and governmental bodies to sue polluters -- went into.effect, the Wayne County Health Department filed air pollution suits against Chrysler, McLouth Steel, and Edward C. Levy Co. Chrysler was charged with emissions of smoke, particulates, iron oxides, and odors at its Huber Foundry, which when finished in 1967 was said to incorporate "the most -advanced anti-pollution equipment which would meet present and anticipated future needs." Emissions from two 50-ton/hour cupolas are supposed to be cleaned by high-energy water scrubbers, and the plant is equipped with 33 dust collectors, but county charges the system has broken down at least 55 times in 4 years of operation. McLouth is charged with failure to provide pollution controls, and Levy with failure to control particulates from open slag heaps. . New law gives courts power to write their own abatement programs, with deadlines, and force companies to follow them. .. - Other Environmental Legal Actions McLouth Steel Corp., was hit with second suit this month when on Oct. 14 Michigan's Atty. Gen. Frank J. Kelley asked a Wayne County Court in Detroit to enjoin company from discharging inadequately treated waste into Detroit River from its Gibralter, Mich., plant. Kelley alleged the plant has committed about 20 violations of state Water Re sources Commission regulations since 1964. . Illinois Pollution Control Board rejected a move by Atty. Gen. William J. Scott to throw out a complaint filed by the Illinois League of Women Voters to halt pollution of Lake Michigan by the North Shore Sanitary District, Scott argued the complaint was "duplicitous" because he had filed suit with similar objectives late last year. David P. Currie, IPCB chairman, in reporting 4-0 vote in favor of League, said the attorney general's motion "would have closed the door to individual participation in pollution cases whenever he had filed a suit against the same polluters. We want to open the door as wide as possible to public participation." League's complaint of Sept. 1 was first brought by citizens under new state Environmental Protection Act. In first water pollution case prosecuted in District of Columbia in 45 years, Howat Concrete Co, was fined $2,100 by General Sessions Judge DeWitt S. Hyde for polluting the Anacostia River. Judge imposed maximum fine of $100 for violation of local statute, and $2,000 for Federal offense, then urged that Congress authorize stiffer maximum penalties against polluters. *** AROUND THE STATES -WATER . ILLINOIS: Springfield -- More than 90% of Illinois municipal sewage plants are now polluting lakes and streams, Clarence W. Klassen, director of state Environmental Pro tection Agency, told municipal engineers attending the Illinois Municipal League's annual conference. He urged support of the $750-million anti-pollution bond issue on the Nov. 3 ballot. TEXAS: Houston -- Five major Houston Ship Channel industries have agreed to pay Gulf Coast Waste Disposal Authority $200,000 in a 3-phase program to determine whether joint treatment of their wastes is feasible. They are Champion Papers, Petro-Tex, Goodyear Tire & Rubber'Co., Atlantic Richfield Co., and Crown Central Petroleum Corp. Wastes of these plants account for more than 40% of industrial pollutants entering the channel. Authority officials estimate. If joint treatment proves feasible, construetion of a $35-million advanced waste treatment facility could begin by summer of 1971, - - MARYLAND: Annapolis -- State water resources department investigators charged : A.H, Smith Sand & Gravel Co. with three violations of state water quality regulations, in hearing Oct. 15, Hearing before state examiner of State Department of Water Resources , was continued until Oct. 21 after Smith -- who is also president of Citizens Bank and Trust Co. of Maryland -- arrived without a lawyer. "I thought this was more or less of - -a minor nature," he explained. State law provides $10,000 fine and year in jail for each violation. DSW 552418 STLCOPCB4090835 Octobje r_i93_1970_____ ____________pollution report Page 426 JOHNS-MANVILLE AWARDED $1-MILLION COAST GUARD CONTRACT FOR OIL SPILL CONTROL SYSTEM Johns-Manville Products Corp., New York, has been awarded a $l-million contract by U.S. Coast Guard to construct full-scale prototype off-shore oil containment system. Dr. L.R. Blair, J-M manager for government contracts, noted that of more than 40 entries submitted in response to Coast Guard solicitation for concepts of waterborne oil contain ment systems, J-M was one of four firms awarded a $174,000 Phase I contract for smallscale testing. Under the $l-million Phase II contract, J-M will build a full-scale prototype system to be air dropped into the ocean and tested in rough sea conditions of 5-ft. waves, 20 mph. winds, and 2-knot currents. Associated with J-M in the project are Hoult, Cross and Milgram of Lexington, Mass., providing theoretical design data from scale model analysis; Arthur D. Little, Inc., Cambridge, Mass., perfecting the mooring systems; Pioneer Parachute Co., Manchester, Conn., for air deployment technology and hardware. 'k "k 3 FWQA GRANTS TOTAL $1.4-MILLION FOR $5.6-MILLION WASTE TREATMENT FACILITIES Federal Water Quality Administration last week awarded 8 construction grants total ing $1,394,520 to help build $5,601,000 wo rth of waste treatment facilities. Grant Es t.Tota 1 Cost Project Colorado: Windsor............ $146,100 $ 487,000 Interceptor, stabilization lagoons Georgia: Savannah Beach 221,760 675.000 Activated sludge, chlorination Kansas: Erie................... 27,580 83,600 Stabilization pond, improvements Maryland: Howard Cnty.. 50,000 115.000 Interceptor ' New York: Speculator... 202,800 713.000 Secondary, extended aeration Ohio: Allen Cnty... 170,780 1,727,400 Activated sludge, chlorination . Virgin Islands: Dept. Health. 88,000 175.000 Secondary, activated sludge'' ' Wisconsin: So. Milwaukee 487,500 1,625,000 Secondary, phosphate removal AAA FWQA AWARDS NEW WATER POLLUTION CONTROL RESEARCH CONTRACTS State of California, Sacramento, (Louis A. Beck), $53,000, determine practicability of using algae production and harvesting treatment method to remove nutrients from agri cultural drainage waters; Bissett-Berman Corp,, San Diego, Calif., (Ed Dean), $220,485, obtain historic information on temperature as related to fish populations for establish ing criteria for use in setting state and Federal water quality standards. Ocean Science and Engineering Inc., Washington, D.C., (Wilbur G. Sherwood), $33,669, demonstrate effectiveness of a closed circuit recirculating flush system designed to preclude any overboard discharge while vessel is in port or restricted waters; Water R.esources Engineering Inc., Springfield, Va., (Dr. George K. Young, Jr.), $27,500, data processing support services. Coulter Electronics Industrial Division, Hialeah, Fla., (Anthony C. Yanette), $18,000, particle size counter; Mead Data Central, Dayton, Ohio, (Ralph E. Welsh), $13,498, implementation of FWQA R&D management information system in the Mead (Data) Central Information Management System. " Pomeroy, Johnston and Bailey, Pasadena, Calif., $69,525, determine technical and economic feasibility of in-sewer treatment of sewage. PEOPLE IN THE NEWS aaa William R. Meyer, retired Navy captain from Lake Barcroft, Va., has been named _ executive director of Virginia Air Pollution Control Board, succeeding Richard W. Arey, who retired. Paul Leach, Dade County's (Fla.) first metro pollution control officer, resigned from his $18,500-a-year job, Oct. 9, citing personal reasons. Leach, who came from Federal government's Robert A. Taft Sanitary Engineering Center at Cincinnati in Novem ber, 1965, was recently charged by Dade County Grand Jury with failing to enforce anti pollution laws. Interior Secretary Walter J. Hickel subsequently called a Federal-state enforcement Conference on Dade County pollution for Oct. 20 in Miami. -Leach said.he. has .,^been offered "several positions" elsewhere but had not decided which to take. ~ END S W 552419 \ STLCOPCB4090836