Archive for the ‘Energy’ Category
Tuesday, April 28th, 2015
The DOE EM PPPO recently launched a website that “will help people stay current, involved and informed” about the radioactive material cleanup efforts at the Portsmouth, Ohio and Paducah, Kentucky Gaseous Diffusion Plant Sites. Photo source: PPPO
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
The Cold War is a distant memory for many. Political tension between the United States and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics led to a massive buildup of nuclear weapons over decades. That era is over and has left a legacy of nuclear material, radioactive waste, and contamination. It all sounds a little scary. But you can take some comfort due to the work of the Department of Energy (DOE). Many Americans are oblivious to the role of DOE in everyday life. Our focus for this government spotlight is DOE’s Office of Environmental Management (EM), the United States’ response to its Cold War environmental legacy. Since 1989, EM’s focus has been on managing nuclear materials and cleaning up radioactive waste and contamination in the United States.
EM’s Legacy…
EM’s impact on communities around the country cannot be overstated. Nuclear products, if not properly managed, can have serious consequences on life and our environment. Here are five important ways EM is working for Americans and keeping the environment safe from the harmful effects of radioactive waste and contamination.
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Retiring Nuclear Facilities. One of the responsibilities of EM is deactivation and decommissioning (D&D). During this process, EM safely and completely shuts down nuclear facilities to protect the environment and communities from hazardous and radioactive materials. One facility that is currently in the process of D&D is the Kentucky-based Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant, which in the past was a nuclear enrichment plant for military and civil programs. The Paducah facility was the last uranium enrichment plant in the USA. Last month, the EM Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office (PPPO) launched a new website (energy.gov/pppo) that “will help people stay current, involved and informed” about the progress of the decommissioning of the Paducah plant, according to PPPO Manager William E. Murphie.
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Promoting Sustainability. In addition to D&D, EM has a strong commitment to renewable energy. For instance, innovations at EM have led to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®), a noted green building certification program, honored EM’s groundwater treatment plant at Hanford (Washington State) with the very first gold certification in the sustainable design category. Additionally, EM’s Savannah River Site (SRS) recently received a Department of Energy Sustainability Award. Why? SRS developed a new way to determine radiation levels from containers of transuranic (TRU) waste—materials from plutonium or other human-made radioactive elements. The new technique has already saved the government more than $10 million.
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Processing Waste. The SRS initiative above is part of EM’s Tank Waste and Waste Processing program. EM is tasked with disposing of radioactive and hazardous waste at a number of facilities around the country. How much nuclear waste are we talking about? There’s a lot of it. DOE is responsible for more than 85 million gallons of liquid waste and over 4,000 cubic meters of solid waste in bins.
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Protecting the Public and Environment. The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) is the only deep geologic repository for TRU waste in the United States. TRU waste can remain harmful for thousands of years according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). So, this type of radioactive material must be kept isolated to keep the public and environment safe. As its name suggests, WIPP is secluded—located in the Chihuahauan Desert of southeastern New Mexico, approximately 26 miles east of Carlsbad. DOE sites send contaminated materials including soil, clothing, and debris to WIPP for permanent disposal in rooms that are located 2,150 feet underground.
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Consolidating to Improve Business and Performance. In order to meet its high-stakes mission of waste management and nuclear clean-up, EM is doing its work smarter. Last year, Federal News Radio highlighted the EM Consolidated Business Center (EMCBC) and how that office has pulled many of EM’s functions into one centralized location. The result is that things are working better, including the overall management of radioactive waste site closures.
Environmental Thoughts…
The use of nuclear energy and products remain highly controversial. (1) What are your thoughts about the work EM is currently doing around nuclear waste management and cleanup? (2) Are you for or against the use of nuclear power? (3) What are your ideas around sustainable sources of energy?
Tags: Carlsbad, Dennis Powell, DOE, , EM, EMCBC, environment, EPA, government spotlight, Hanford, nuclear, Ola Sage, PPPO, SRS, TRU, WIPP
Posted in Energy, Government, Risk Management | 16 Comments »
Wednesday, April 9th, 2014
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
The politics around global warming ain’t pretty.  All jokes aside, being more conscious of our energy consumption and searching for cleaner forms of energy are not liberal, moderate, or conservative ways of thinking. Energy efficiency, conservation, and renewal forms of energy are global considerations and perhaps better ways of doing things to ensure a more ideal future.
The EPA says energy efficiency saves us money!
Why?
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Energy efficiency is good for the environment! As many of you know, e-Management supports causes and campaigns that focus on education, energy, and the elimination of poverty. Currently, we are wrapping up yet another successful ENERGY STAR campaign for 2013-2014. A voluntary program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ENERGY STAR has had a real impact on reducing “significant” greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the pledges and actions of millions of people. Why is this important? Well, excessive greenhouse gases may lead to significant increases in temperature, which could result in more severe weather conditions including more frequent and destructive storms, as well as longer and harsher droughts.
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Energy efficiency is good for business! Energy efficiency leads to a better economy according to the EPA. How? The Alliance to Save Energy points to hundreds of thousands of jobs that have been created through energy-efficient building projects and the new jobs that are being created from innovations developed to improve energy consumption and efficiency.
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Energy efficiency saves you tons of money! Taking energy conservation seriously can save you tons of money. Did you know ENERGY STAR appliances can help American households cut electricity costs by nearly a third? Additionally, getting rid of conventional incandescent light bulbs can help you save up to 80% in energy costs, according to the Alliance to Save Energy.
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Energy efficiency could save lives. Livescience, an online tech and science publication with more than 8 million readers, report that reducing greenhouse gas emissions “could prevent up to 3 million premature deaths annually by the year 2100.” Those figures are based in part due to low air pollutants, which may lead to serious illnesses.
Becoming an “energy star.”
According to the EPA, energy efficiency reduces concerns around “the challenges of high energy prices, energy security and independence, air pollution, and global climate change.” Becoming an “energy star”—doing your part by being more energy conscious—is one of the best contributions you can leave for future generations. So, (1) are you concerned about issues around energy creation, consumption, or the impact energy has on the environment? (2) What policies, if any, would you enact when it comes to energy? Finally, (3) do you have any energy saving tips to share?
Tags: blog, conservation, Dennis Powell, , energy efficiency, ENERGY STAR, EPA, Ola Sage, renewable
Posted in Energy, Lifestyle, Uncategorized | 26 Comments »
Monumental Learning and Fun
Wednesday, August 7th, 2013
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park? When is your next trip there?
What federal organization manages more than 400 national parks, conservation and historical lands, and national monuments? If you guess the National Park Service (NPS) you are absolutely correct. NPS is a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior and has been around since President Woodrow Wilson signed a law establishing the organization way back in 1916. NPS, supported by 28,000 workers and professionals, has an annual budget of about $3 billion. More than nearly 2.5 million volunteer for the National Park Service.
Every year more than 275 million people visit the 400+ U.S. national parks every year. Now, that’s a lot of people. The system includes more than 84 million acres of land in every state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. Now, that’s a lot of land. But, wait…did you know that Delaware is the only state without a national park? Who knew?
What Makes the National Park Service properties so special?
Well, NPS offers something for everyone: breath-taking parklands, recreation, cultural heritage, and history. For your convenience, e-Management has pulled together some of the popular NPS destinations and points of interest.
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African-American Heritage: As discussed earlier, NPS oversees historical land and monuments. The bureau manages African-American Heritage Sites, which spotlights the roles blacks played in American history. Popular sites include the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park, and Martin Luther King, Jr., National Historic Site. The Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in Washington, D.C., is also part of NPS’ African-American Heritage Sites. Douglass was a 19th century black abolitionist who advised President Abraham Lincoln on issues from emancipation to fair pay for black soldiers who fought alongside whites in the Civil War.
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Hispanic Heritage: The Hispanic Heritage Sites preserve the history of Hispanic Americans. These sites are comprised of at least 20 properties. Each site spotlights Hispanic heritage. For instance, the popular Chamizal National Memorial in El Paso, Texas is more than a place for recreation or relaxation. The park has become a symbol for reconciliation. Why? According to park’s website, this site represents “the peaceful settlement of a 100-year border dispute between nations.” The park features a museum that provides the history of U.S.A. and Mexico border disputes and eventual resolution. Other parks in the Hispanic Heritage Sites include the De Soto National Memorial in Bradenton (Florida), Presidio of San Francisco, and the San Juan National Historic Site in Puerto Rico.
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Women’s History: Women’s History Sites throughout the National Park Service feature information on the contributions of women in the U.S.A. Popular sites include the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, and the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site. Another site, the Sewall-Belmont House is considered by some historians to be the birth place of the women’s suffrage movement in the U.S.A. According to its website, the site “is committed to sharing the untold stories of women’s history.”
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The Grand Canyon: Who remembers the Brady Bunch episode that featured the family’s annual camping trip? Where did they go? The Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. This national park is very much a part of American popular culture. Really, the site is featured in numerous movies including the Grand Canyon; Thelma and Louise; and Transformers. So, it should come as no surprise that the canyon was the second most visited NPS property last year. What’s to do there? You can hike, take mule trips into the canyon, and camp. This is the perfect destination for people who love the great outdoors. Perhaps the most interesting aspect to the Grand Canyon is its spectacular sunrise and sunset vistas. You haven’t lived until you’ve seen this spectacular view!
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The Great Smoky Mountains: The Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s popularity may come as a surprise to some. Spanning the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, the park is by far the most visited national park—beating out the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park, and even Yellowstone National Park. Nearly 10 million people visited the park last year. That’s twice as many as the Grand Canyon! What’s the attraction? The area is a natural and cultural history treasure. The park offers diverse landscapes, plants, and wildlife. The Great Smoky Mountains region also has one of the largest collections of log cabins and preserved buildings in the country. Beyond historical structures, other points of interest and activities include viewing wildflowers, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and bicycling.
What’s Your Favorite NPS Treasure?
The National Park Service’s official mission is to care “for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.” NPS resources are places for monumental learning and fun. As we have seen, NPS is more than just parks. NPS showcases our country’s diverse history. So, (1) when was the last time you visited a national park, monument, or heritage site? (2) What is your favorite NPS destination, treasure, or points of interest?
Tags: African American, Dennis Powell, , Government, government spotlight, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, heritage, Hispanic, National Park Service, Ola Sage, women's history
Posted in Corporate, Dining, Economy, Energy, Entertainment, Events, Family, Gadgets, Government, Healthcare, Information Security, Social Media, Travel, Uncategorized | 37 Comments »
What’s “Going Green” Got to Do with It?
Thursday, March 28th, 2013
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
Energy Saving Bulbs: Compact fluorescent bulbs are like the poster children of the going green movement. Ironically, these bulbs are potentially tonic due to mercury, a hazardous material, contained within them. So, remember to recycle your bulbs. Do not throw them out with regular garbage.
Is going green the smart thing to do or the chic thing to do? I guess it depends on who you ask. On one hand, opponents of going green say it’s more style than substance. To support their point, challengers point to the toxicity of the compact fluorescent bulbs—you know the “poster child” for the green moment. Other naysayers assert going green is too expensive for businesses and could cost American jobs. In contrast, supporters say going green is less about being in fashion and more about saving the planet from what they see as eminent doom in the form of global warming. Green advocates proclaim that going green means a lower carbon footprint, more jobs, greater energy independence, and a stronger economy. Regardless of the political sparring around the pros and cons of going green, the trend is people are more conscious of environmental issues and are more open to conservation and recycling. For many, conservation and recycling just seem to make sense.
What happens when you go green?
1. Reversing global warming: According to the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the vast majority of scientists around the world believe global warming is a fact. Global warming can lead to extreme weather conditions including severe and prolonged droughts, violent hurricanes, extreme heat waves, and super snowstorms. Additionally, going green may reduce the effects of climate change that many scientists believe to be caused by human consumption. Total disaster claims in the U.S.A. alone in 2011 from extreme weather events were $55 billion. Experts say that extreme climatic events have surprising effects including the potential for insurance companies revoking coverage in areas being hit hardest by weather disasters. Global warming could even increase the occurrence of diseases and infections.
2. Lower cost of food: A warmer globe could mean less food and higher prices. The EDF highlights the $5.2 billion in agricultural losses due to a recent drought in Texas, which led to higher food costs in America. Globally, food costs have gone up 79 percent over the past 5 years according to EDF. Going green could help reduce the negative impact of global warming. Additionally, we could feed 10 billion people simply recovering 20 percent of food waste.
3. More jobs, better paying jobs, and lower energy costs in the long term: According to The Nation, green energy may be the “best” roadmap for economic growth in the U.S.A. Smart investments in green energy development would mean new jobs with salaries that may build a stronger middle-class. In addition, so-called “renewable energies” could lead to lower “energy bills for Americans, cheaper transportation, and price stability.” Additionally, cost savings from less energy consumption due to more efficient alliances and smart grids would offset any short-term rise in energy costs.
Questioning the Going Green Movement
In addition to the potential for more efficient energy production and distribution, energy independence, stabilized food costs, and the reduction of severe weather, going green just seems to be a sensible thing to do. If people generally believe saving money and reducing waste are great in terms of finance, why are saving resources (e.g., food, energy, materials) and reducing waste such difficult concepts to grasp for some? Going green is supposed to be all about saving energy and resources as well as reducing our waste. According to Sustainable America, the U.S.A. has only 5 percent of the world’s population, yet the country accounts for 24 percent of global consumption. On the surface, that doesn’t seem to be a sustainable model or even remotely sensible. Still, I suspect our nation cannot ignore that there may be significant upfront costs to consumers, businesses, and government when transitioning to a “greener” way of doing things. So, (1) what do you think about going green? (2) Is going green really about saving resources? (3) Or is it more about saving face in a world full of people who are becoming more and more influenced by eco-activist journalists or environmentalists? If you think going green is a flawed concept, (4) do you think global warming is the real deal or simply a faux?
Tags: , Environmental Defense Fund, EPA, Going green, green, Ola Sage, Sustainable America
Posted in Economy, Energy, Entertainment, Green Computing, Lifestyle | 32 Comments »
The Little Known Agency That Does So Much
Wednesday, November 21st, 2012
By Dennis Powell, e-Management
Are you sick of being stuck in traffic? Well, the Maritime Administration could help with your predicament by reducing the number of large trucks on the road.
For decades, the public’s perception of government has slowly deteriorated. In a Pew Research Report released last year, public satisfaction with the government was only 11 percent—an all time low. I wonder if those numbers would improve if more Americans knew about the awesome things many government agencies do to create jobs, keep people safe, and help promote energy independence.
Enough on Stats, Let’s Turn the Spotlight on MARAD
Maritime Administration (MARAD) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). According to its website, MARAD promotes “the development and maintenance of an adequate, well-balanced United States merchant marine.” Okay, so what does that mean? It means that MARAD might just be the best agency you never knew existed.
And…to know MARAD is to value MARAD.
Seriously, Democrats, Republicans, and everyone in between should absolutely love MARAD! Why? Because of its potential!
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MARAD helps to free up the roads. Are you sick of being stuck in traffic? Well MARAD could help with your predicament by reducing the number of large trucks on the road. The agency runs the America’s Marine Highway Program, which was established by the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The program promises to relieve congestion on the highway. Instead of using commercial vehicles for shipping goods over long distances, the same cargo can be transported using the marine highway, which consists of more than more 29,000 miles (46670 kilometers) of waterways including the oceans, rivers, gulfs, and lakes.
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MARAD promotes safety and stronger national security. The National Defense Reserve Fleet (NDRF), owned and maintained by MARAD, serves our national shipping needs during times when we need help the most. The merchant marines assist the armed forces during times of war. When national emergencies arise, MARAD may also be called on to support relief or evacuation efforts. MARAD also provides alternative ways to transport hazardous materials—keeping our communities safe.
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MARAD promotes a stronger economy and job creation. The merchant marine is responsible for the transport of commercial import and export goods. In addition, the Marine Highway Program can help to create new jobs for many Americans. The use of our waterways could also mean savings for state governments due to less “wear and tear on roads and bridges.” The program means new opportunities for shipbuilders, which would lead to even more jobs!
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MARAD promotes green values and sustainability. Another bonus of MARAD’s Marine Highway Program is the impact it will have on the environment. According to MARAD, the program promotes transportation that is sustainable and “requires less energy and reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per ton-mile of freight moved.” Also, marine fleets are using innovative engine technology mandated by MARAD, which promotes sustainability and is safe for the environment.
MARAD’s Potential?
Every administration from the 1970s to the present has talked about energy independence with relatively little progress. MARAD seems to be an agency that could help to bring the USA closer to that reality. But do you think MARAD will actually have any real effect on energy independence? Can MARAD have a bona fide impact on reducing the number of commercial vehicles on the roads? Do you think MARAD is an asset to government or a potential liability for taxpayers?
Tags: America's Marine Highway Program, Dennis Powell, Department of Transportation, DOT, , Energy, federal, Government, independence, jobs, MARAD, Marines, Maritime Administration, merchant, National Defense Reserve Fleet, NDRF, Ola Sage, state
Posted in Energy, Government, Uncategorized | 11 Comments »
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