From media@lists.azdeq.gov Thu Nov 5 11:27:50 2009 From: media@lists.azdeq.gov (media@lists.azdeq.gov) Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 11:27:50 -0700 Subject: [ADEQ Media] Nine Schools in Maricopa Unified School District #20 Join ADEQ's School Bus Anti-Idling Program Message-ID: PHOENIX (Nov. 5, 2009) -- The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality announced today that nine schools in the Maricopa Unified School District #20 have joined the department's School Bus Anti-Idling Program. The schools joining the highly successful program are Maricopa High School, Desert Wind and Maricopa Wells middle schools, and Butterfield, Maricopa, Pima Butte, Saddleback, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa elementary schools. The district has a total of 6,500 students and 50 buses. Overall, a total of 157 school districts in all of the State of Arizona's 15 counties participate in the program, which began in 2004, including 1,024 schools, 4,841 school buses and more than 710,000 students. "This is proving to be a great partnership between ADEQ and school districts throughout the state," said ADEQ Director Benjamin H. Grumbles. "It has produced outstanding results in reducing the children's exposure to toxic diesel exhaust and we strongly encourage other school districts in the state to join us in this important effort." Schools participating in the anti-idling program require bus drivers to turn off their engines when they arrive at a loading or departure spot on school grounds and not turn the engine back on until the bus is ready to leave. Buses also must be parked at least 100 feet from a school air intake system and signs are posted advising drivers to limit idling near schools. Diesel emissions from school buses can aggravate respiratory illnesses such as asthma and have been linked to heart and lung disease. One of the primary components of diesel emissions, carbon monoxide, also can reduce alertness and learning capacity in children. For more information about the School Bus Anti-Idling Program, contact Julie Finke of ADEQ at (602)771-2231 or jac@azdeq.gov -30- "News media interested in additional information on this or any other topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at ms15@azdeq.gov." To receive press releases by email: http://www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html Follow ADEQ on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ArizonaDEQ ********************************************************************** NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential under state and federal law. This information may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-mail, and then delete the original e-mail. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From media@lists.azdeq.gov Thu Nov 5 14:20:58 2009 From: media@lists.azdeq.gov (media@lists.azdeq.gov) Date: Thu, 5 Nov 2009 14:20:58 -0700 Subject: [ADEQ Media] ADEQ Announces Electronics Waste Recycling Event will be held Saturday, Nov. 21 at Kennedy School in Superior Message-ID: PHOENIX (Nov. 5, 2009) - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials announced today that an electronics waste recycling event will be held Saturday afternoon, Nov. 21 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. in Superior at the parking lot of Kennedy Elementary School, 1500 W. Sunset Drive. ADEQ and its partners - the Town of Superior, Resolution Copper Mining and Green-Tech Assets of Mesa -- anticipate collecting tons of unwanted televisions, computers, monitors, batteries, chargers, cell phones, VCRs, CD and DVD players, printers, small appliances, fax machines, cables and cords during the event. Green-Tech Assets uses state of the art software to erase all hard drives and will also provide machinery on site to crush hard drives if customers so desire. Green-Tech Assets also will provide companies and individuals donating e-waste a certificate of disposal for their records. "Electronics waste is a pressing problem in Arizona and throughout the country and the proper handling and disposal of it can become a great opportunity as well," said ADEQ Director Benjamin H. Grumbles. "This is our fourth big e-waste recycling event and we'll be sponsoring similar recycling roundups throughout the state in the coming year. We should always remember in our daily lives the three Rs - reduce, reuse and recycle." "The Town of Superior is excited to be working with ADEQ, Resolution and Green-Tech Assets on this e-recycling event," said Superior Mayor Michael Hing. "These events divert a large volume of materials from the landfill and recycling is just the responsible thing to do." ADEQ and Green-Tech Assets sponsored the largest electronics recycling event ever in rural Arizona in late August when nearly 30 tons of recyclables were collected in Show Low and disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner, rather than having the electronic devices take up valuable landfill space. ADEQ and Green-Tech also participated in an electronics recycling event in September in Williams which collected more than seven tons of recyclables and another in October in Payson which collected more than five tons. -30- "News media interested in additional information on this or any other topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at ms15@azdeq.gov." To receive press releases by email: http://www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html Follow ADEQ on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ArizonaDEQ ********************************************************************** NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential under state and federal law. This information may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-mail, and then delete the original e-mail. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From media@lists.azdeq.gov Tue Nov 10 09:33:50 2009 From: media@lists.azdeq.gov (media@lists.azdeq.gov) Date: Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:33:50 -0700 Subject: [ADEQ Media] ADEQ Announces Electronics Waste Recycling Event will be held Saturday, Nov. 21 at Fry's Parking Lot in Globe Message-ID: PHOENIX (Nov. 10, 2009) - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials announced today that an electronics waste recycling event will be held Saturday Nov. 21 from 9 a.m.- 1 p.m. in Globe in the parking lot of Fry's Food Store, 2115 Highway 60. ADEQ and its partners - Gila County, City of Globe, Town of Miami, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold and Green-Tech Assets of Mesa -- anticipate collecting tons of unwanted televisions, computers, monitors, batteries, chargers, cell phones, VCRs, CD and DVD players, printers, small appliances, fax machines, cables and cords. Green-Tech Assets uses state of the art software to erase all hard drives and will also provide machinery on site to crush hard drives. Green-Tech Assets also will provide companies and individuals donating e-waste a certificate of disposal for their records. "Electronics waste is a pressing problem in Arizona and throughout the country and the proper handling and disposal of it can become a great opportunity as well," said ADEQ Director Benjamin H. Grumbles. "This is our fourth big e-waste recycling event and we'll be sponsoring similar recycling roundups throughout the state in the coming year. We should always remember in our daily lives the three Rs - reduce, reuse and recycle." "We would like to encourage the community to take advantage of this event to recycle their old electronics and keep these items out of our landfill," said Sharon Winters, manager of Gila County Recycling and Landfill Management. The Gila County Waste Tire program also will have bins available at the event to drop off tires that are less than 4 feet in diameter, with a limit of 10 per licensed driver. Tires with rims are acceptable. ADEQ and Green-Tech Assets sponsored the largest electronics recycling event ever in rural Arizona in late August when nearly 30 tons of recyclables were collected in Show Low and disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner, rather than having the electronic devices take up valuable landfill space. ADEQ and Green-Tech also participated in an electronics recycling event in September in Williams which collected more than seven tons of recyclables and another in October in Payson which collected more than five tons. -30- "News media interested in additional information on this or any other topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at ms15@azdeq.gov." To receive press releases by email: http://www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html Follow ADEQ on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ArizonaDEQ ********************************************************************** NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential under state and federal law. This information may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-mail, and then delete the original e-mail. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From media@lists.azdeq.gov Fri Nov 13 13:05:39 2009 From: media@lists.azdeq.gov (media@lists.azdeq.gov) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:05:39 -0700 Subject: [ADEQ Media] Maricopa County Judge Enters $71, 100 Judgment Against Kuhles Capital for Violations at Dewey-Humboldt Facility Message-ID: PHOENIX (Nov. 13, 2009) - A Maricopa County Superior Court judge has entered a $71,100 judgment against Kuhles Capital, LLC for illegally disposing of asbestos-containing materials and failure to obtain an aquifer protection permit required for solid waste disposal facilities at its landfill in Dewey-Humboldt in Yavapai County. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and the Arizona Attorney General's Office filed a civil complaint against Kuhles Capital in April 2009 for failure to perform a thorough asbestos survey before beginning demolition activities; handling regulated asbestos-containing materials improperly, such as not removing them from structures before demolition or disposing of the materials as soon as practical; and failure to have at least one on-site employee trained in asbestos removal regulations. In July 2007, the company began to close its landfill and demolish structures on its site. ADEQ issued an Order of Abatement in February 2008 to stop the demolition because samples taken by ADEQ inspectors tested positive for asbestos in siding material, roofing paint, and floor tile at the facility. State and Federal law requires regulated asbestos-containing material to be wetted and covered, which inspectors did not observe during two subsequent visits. ADEQ's complaint also addressed other violations, including accepting un-permitted wastes such as household waste and tires into its landfill; and failure to monitor groundwater and landfill gas, failure to submit a landfill closure plan to ADEQ, and failing to maintain financial assurance for monitoring the landfill after closure. Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Michael Barth's ruling also orders Kuhles Capital to comply with ADEQ's 2008 abatement order and to provide the necessary closure and post-closure plans for the landfill including proof of financial responsibility. "The judge's ruling underscores the importance of pollution prevention and careful management of asbestos and hazardous waste at landfills," ADEQ Director Benjamin H. Grumbles said. "ADEQ is committed to working with businesses to reduce risks to Arizona's citizens and natural resources and this ruling sends a strong signal that it doesn't pay to put people and aquifers at risk." "This case represented an unnecessary and highly dangerous disregard for the health of the Dewey-Humboldt community," Attorney General Terry Goddard said. "I am committed to working with ADEQ and local environmental enforcement agencies to maintain the healthy environment and quality outdoor lifestyle that attract so many to Arizona." Asbestos is known to cause cancer and respiratory diseases in humans. There is no known safe exposure level to asbestos. The greater the exposure, the greater the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease. ADEQ issued a Compliance Order in 2005 to stop the landfill from accepting un-permitted waste, and a Notice of Violation in 2006 because the landfill failed to conduct waste screening and removal as required by the Compliance Order. -30- "News media interested in additional information on this or any other topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at ms15@azdeq.gov." To receive press releases by email: http://www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html Follow ADEQ on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ArizonaDEQ ********************************************************************** NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential under state and federal law. This information may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-mail, and then delete the original e-mail. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From media@lists.azdeq.gov Wed Nov 18 11:19:53 2009 From: media@lists.azdeq.gov (media@lists.azdeq.gov) Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:19:53 -0700 Subject: [ADEQ Media] ADEQ Requests Emissions Testing Exemption for Motorcycles in Phoenix Metropolitan Area Message-ID: PHOENIX - (DATE) - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials announced today that they have requested the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to approve the exemption of motorcycles in the Phoenix metropolitan area from the State's vehicle emissions inspection (VEI) program. "Since January, Governor (Jan) Brewer has asked her agencies to streamline Arizona government," said ADEQ Director Benjamin H. Grumbles. "This is a great example of how our agency can make the lives of state residents simpler and still ensure Arizona has clean air to breathe." Phoenix is the only metropolitan area in the country in which motorcycle emissions are required to be tested. Because motorcycles make up only 3.5 percent of the vehicles tested and test failure rates have decreased significantly, testing and repair of motorcycles does not provide a significant benefit in improving air quality, according to a recent analysis by ADEQ and the Maricopa Association of Governments. "This is a good step and it follows through on the Legislature's action in 2008 to help motorcycle owners save time and money without putting air quality at risk. We will also continue to encourage everyone to drive wisely and that includes using fuel efficient vehicles and keeping engines properly tuned and tires properly inflated," Grumbles said. Cars, trucks, and motorcycles have their emissions tested as part of a program to help reduce the levels of carbon monoxide and ozone in the air and meet federal air quality health standards. Vehicles with excess emissions are required to be repaired. The motorcycle study and exemption request are the result of 2008 State of Arizona legislation that allows the exemption with EPA approval. For the exemption to take effect, EPA will have to approve it by July 1, 2010. For now, Phoenix motorcycles will still need to be tested. ADEQ has been and will continue working closely with EPA officials to help expedite the approval process. Last year, ADEQ's VEI program diagnosed more than 150,000 vehicles as in violation of Arizona's clean air standards. They were repaired and returned to Arizona roadways within those standards. Motorcycle owners and other interested parties can view the study and request at the ADEQ records center at 1110 W. Washington Street in Phoenix. -30- "News media interested in additional information on this or any other topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at ms15@azdeq.gov." To receive press releases by email: http://www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html Follow ADEQ on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ArizonaDEQ ********************************************************************** NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential under state and federal law. This information may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-mail, and then delete the original e-mail. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From media@lists.azdeq.gov Mon Nov 23 13:03:58 2009 From: media@lists.azdeq.gov (media@lists.azdeq.gov) Date: Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:03:58 -0700 Subject: [ADEQ Media] ADEQ Announces "Ambos Nogales" Free Electronics Waste Recycling Event will be held Dec. 5 in Nogales border region Message-ID: PHOENIX (Nov. 23, 2009) - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality officials announced today that the first coordinated free electronics waste recycling event on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border will be held Saturday, Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. in Nogales, Ariz., and Nogales, Sonora. In Nogales, Ariz., the site of the event will be in the parking lot of Fresh Produce Association of the Americas at 590 E. Frontage Road on Interstate 19. ADEQ and its partners - Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, the Nogales International, Friends of the Santa Cruz River, and E-Waste Harvesters of Phoenix -- anticipate collecting tons of unwanted televisions, computers, monitors, batteries, chargers, cell phones, VCRs, CD and DVD players, printers, small appliances, fax machines, cables and cords during the event. On the Sonoran side, the Nogales company TOM Transformadora de Mexico and partner APSA will be conducting a simultaneous free e-recycling event for businesses and residents of Nogales, Sonora. Those, and other recycling efforts in Nogales, Sonora, are funded by the Border Environment Cooperation Commission/Comisi?n de Cooperaci?n Ecol?gica Fronteriza. "Electronics waste is a pressing problem in Arizona and throughout the country and the proper handling and disposal of it can become a great binational opportunity as well," said ADEQ Director Benjamin H. Grumbles. "We are delighted to be participating in this first of its kind coordinated free e-recycling event in the U.S. and Mexico. "This is our sixth big e-waste recycling event in Arizona and we'll be sponsoring similar recycling roundups throughout the state in the coming year. We should always remember in our daily lives the three Rs - reduce, reuse and recycle," Grumbles said. "The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas is excited to be working with ADEQ on this initiative to keep electronic waste out of our landfills," said Allison Moore, communications director for FPAA. "This is just one of many initiatives that the produce industry has embraced in order to ensure that we are good environmental stewards." Manuel Coppola, editor and publisher of the Nogales International, said the simultaneous e-recycling events are important for fostering environmental stewardship on both sides of the border. "This electronic recycling effort serves an important function in bringing about an environmental ethic with no regards to international barriers," Coppola said. Companies and individuals donating e-waste will receive a certificate of disposal for their records from E-Waste Harvesters if they want the document. The company uses state of the art software to erase all hard drives and a hard drive crusher will be available for use on site if requested. ADEQ sponsored the largest electronics recycling event ever in rural Arizona in late August when nearly 30 tons of recyclables were collected in Show Low and disposed of in an environmentally sensitive manner, rather than having the electronic devices take up valuable landfill space. Another about 20 tons of recyclables have been collected in events in Williams, Payson, Globe and Superior. -30- "News media interested in additional information on this or any other topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at ms15@azdeq.gov." To receive press releases by email: http://www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html Follow ADEQ on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ArizonaDEQ ********************************************************************** NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential under state and federal law. This information may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-mail, and then delete the original e-mail. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From media@lists.azdeq.gov Tue Nov 24 10:44:31 2009 From: media@lists.azdeq.gov (media@lists.azdeq.gov) Date: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 10:44:31 -0700 Subject: [ADEQ Media] ADEQ Urges Proper Disposal of Turkey Grease Through Recycling Rather than Pouring it Down The Drain Message-ID: PHOENIX - (Nov. 24, 2009) - Don't listen to any of the traditional gobbledygook when it comes to disposing of turkey grease after your Thanksgiving Day feast. Pouring the grease down the drain clogs the pipes of many homes along with causing wastewater blockages and overflows in municipalities. There are environmentally conscious alternatives to disposal that not only protect wastewater infrastructure but can also help clean the air. "Just say no to clogs and yes to turkey grease recycling," said Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Benjamin H. Grumbles. "Thankfully, more households, businesses, and communities are seeing green by keeping fats, waste vegetable oils, and greases out of drains and sewers and converting them into clean-burning biodiesel fuel easily and cheaply." Arizona offers several venues for grease collection that will ensure it is used locally for the production of clean burning fuel. The Town of Gilbert and Az Biodiesel group are partnering to collect the grease through Monday, Dec. 7 at eight Gilbert fire stations located at the following addresses: 215 N. Cooper Road, 2730 E. Williams Field Road, 2855 E. Guadalupe Road, 1011 E. Guadalupe Road, 909 E. Ray Road, 3630 E. Germann Road, 1095 E. Germann Road and 3595 E. Warner Road. In the Town of Cave Creek, Dynamite Biofuels Co-op is partnering with Big Earl's Greasy Eats Restaurant, 6135 E. Cave Creek Road, and is offering a bin for grease collection daily from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday during the holiday season. In Tucson, the Tucson Clean Cities Coalition, Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department and the recycling group Grecycle will be sponsoring a grease disposal drive on Friday, Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at O'Reilly Chevrolet, 6160 E. Broadway; Pima County Industrial Wastewater Control Plant, 5025 W. Ina Road; and the City of Tucson Water Plant #2, 1102 W. Irvington Road. -30- "News media interested in additional information on this or any other topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at ms15@azdeq.gov." To receive press releases by email: http://www.azdeq.gov/subscribe.html Follow ADEQ on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ArizonaDEQ ********************************************************************** NOTICE: This e-mail (and any attachments) may contain PRIVILEGED OR CONFIDENTIAL information and is intended only for the use of the specific individual(s) to whom it is addressed. It may contain information that is privileged and confidential under state and federal law. This information may be used or disclosed only in accordance with law, and you may be subject to penalties under law for improper use or further disclosure of the information in this e-mail and its attachments. If you have received this e-mail in error, please immediately notify the person named above by reply e-mail, and then delete the original e-mail. Thank you. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: