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EPA Criticized for Weakening Guidance on PFAS Contamination in Farm Sludge, Endangering U.S. Farms and Food Supply

EPA Criticized for Weakening Guidance on PFAS Contamination in Farm Sludge, Endangering U.S. Farms and Food Supply

The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) has criticized the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for abandoning its scientific findings regarding the dangers of PFAS-contaminated sewage sludge used as fertilizer and subsequently issuing watered-down guidance. SELC argues that the EPA is downplaying the risks, leaving farming families and communities exposed to toxic 'forever chemicals.' The EPA's proposed guidance relies on voluntary actions from companies, which SELC contends is insufficient, advocating instead for mandatory safeguards and enforcement. Despite the EPA suggesting sludge is applied to less than 1% of U.S. farmland, industry data indicates that approximately 70 million acres, or nearly one-fifth of all agricultural land, utilize sewage sludge as fertilizer. This widespread practice means that PFAS contamination has the potential to affect communities and farmland on a massive scale, impacting soil, crops, livestock, and drinking water. SELC previously submitted comments to the EPA on an...

Capitol Current

Who Certifies Congressional Results in Delaware, and When

Who Certifies Congressional Results in Delaware, and When

A step-by-step explainer on the officials, courts, and timeline involved in certifying federal election results in the state of Delaware.

Greenwood Chemical Company Superfund Site Faces Auction Decades After Fatal Explosion

Greenwood Chemical Company Superfund Site Faces Auction Decades After Fatal Explosion

The former Greenwood Chemical Company site, now a Superfund site in Newtown, Virginia, is slated for auction more than 40 years after a chemical explosion in April 1985 killed four men and led to the plant's closure. The incident, caused by an electrical spark igniting liquid toluene, resulted in the deaths of John Harper, Maurrie Clark, Keith Wood, and Charles Ward. This was not an isolated event, as the plant had a history of accidents, including a foreman's death in a 1966 fire and two more fatalities in the 1970s. Following the 1985 explosion, the EPA initiated a cleanup, removing chemical drums, draining lagoons, and excavating 15,000 tons of toxic soil. A groundwater treatment system, established in 2001 and now managed by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, continues to operate. The 33-acre property, assessed at $100 and with unpaid taxes, is being auctioned by Albemarle County to bring it back onto the tax rolls and into productive use, despite ongoing environmental restrictions.

EPA Awards $2.5 Million Grant for Cleanup of Camden's Former Yaffa Industrial Site

EPA Awards $2.5 Million Grant for Cleanup of Camden's Former Yaffa Industrial Site

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded a $2.5 million grant to facilitate the cleanup and revitalization of the former S. Yaffa & Sons industrial site in Camden, New Jersey. The 1.6-acre site, located at 6th and Chestnut Streets, has a history of automotive repair and illegal dumping, resulting in significant soil contamination. The funding will be used to remove approximately 11,000 tons of dirt contaminated with lead, arsenic, and PFAS, requiring excavation up to four feet deep to address underground contamination. Regional EPA administrator Michael Martucci, Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen, and U.S. Representative Donald Norcross attended the announcement of the grant.

Delaware Implements New Land-Use Laws to Address Housing Shortage and Infrastructure Gaps

Delaware Implements New Land-Use Laws to Address Housing Shortage and Infrastructure Gaps

Delaware has recently enacted two new land-use laws, House Bill 450 and Senate Bill 23, aimed at tackling the state's infrastructure deficiencies and the critical shortage of affordable housing. These legislative changes mandate that local governments modify their zoning codes to facilitate development. Senate Bill 23, also known as the 'Housing for Every Delawarean Act,' specifically seeks to expand the housing supply by requiring local jurisdictions to integrate affordable housing plans into their comprehensive plans. This applies to municipalities with populations exceeding 2,000 people. The plans must outline strategies to achieve a goal of 20% affordable housing units and diversify housing types. House Bill 450 complements this by increasing maximum permitted residential density, starting at four units per acre. These laws also introduce changes to the development approval process, including modifications to public hearing requirements for 'by-right' projects, which has drawn some concern from local l...

Department of Energy Advances Cleanup at Paducah Site with Fissile Converter Segmentation

Department of Energy Advances Cleanup at Paducah Site with Fissile Converter Segmentation

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is making significant progress in the deactivation of former uranium enrichment facilities at its Paducah Site in Kentucky. Following the successful removal of 497 converters from the C-333 Process Building earlier this year, workers have now segmented the first fissile converter from the C-337 Process Building. This marks a crucial milestone in the ongoing cleanup efforts, as crews are tasked with segmenting nearly 500 fissile converters in this building. Each converter is approximately twice the size of a standard cement mixer drum and was integral to legacy uranium enrichment operations. Segmentation involves removing, cutting, and downsizing these large converters, a process that requires specialized skills and dedication from the workforce. This initiative is part of a broader mission to clean up the site and prepare it for future opportunities, as stated by Paducah Site Federal Project Director William Wessel.

Greene Turtle Restaurant in Newark Closes Amidst Broader Delaware Retreat

Greene Turtle Restaurant in Newark Closes Amidst Broader Delaware Retreat

Greene Turtle Restaurant in Newark Closes Amidst Broader Delaware Retreat

Well Reopening Near Red Hill Stirs Up Lingering Concerns In Hawaii Over Poisoned Plume

Well Reopening Near Red Hill Stirs Up Lingering Concerns In Hawaii Over Poisoned Plume

The Navy plans to reopen a well closed after a jet fuel spill contaminated drinking water in Pearl Harbor

Sunny Skies and Sea Breezes at Dewey Beach

Sunny Skies and Sea Breezes at Dewey Beach

Dewey Beach, Delaware, is experiencing favorable weather conditions due to the interaction of continental polar air from Canada and warm maritime flow from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic. High pressure over the Midwest and a Bermuda high offshore are contributing to prolonged sunshine, light winds, and warm temperatures ranging from the upper 70s to low 80s °F (25-28 °C). Sea breezes typically develop by late morning, easing humidity and maintaining manageable heat indices. Seasonal weather patterns, including hurricanes and nor’easters, can occasionally bring high surf, rip currents, and coastal flooding, especially during late summer and early fall. Local geography, such as the Delaware Bay and Rehoboth Bay, influences temperature contrasts and storm impacts, making weather planning essential for visitors and residents alike.

Springfield News-Leader

In wide-open Conference USA, opportunities await for Missouri State football

In wide-open Conference USA, opportunities await for Missouri State football

Conference USA has always been about competitive balance. When Missouri State opens league play this week, the Bears will have chances to fulfill season-long goals.

Frozen berries sold at Trader Joe's, Walmart recalled. See products

Frozen berries sold at Trader Joe's, Walmart recalled. See products

The products were added to an expanded recall list after an E. coli outbreak.

East Coast Sees First Fall Frost and Rain

East Coast Sees First Fall Frost and Rain

The East Coast is experiencing its first fall frost of October, accompanied by light rain and cloudy skies. A low-pressure system formed over the mid-Atlantic region, bringing showers to states like Virginia, New Jersey, and Delaware, and even reaching New York City later on Sunday. This weather pattern follows a gloomy Sunday that set the stage for a sharp temperature drop. A cold front trailing the system is pushing cooler air into the region, with morning lows dipping into the 40s °F (4–9 °C) and daytime highs struggling to reach the mid-60s °F (15–18 °C). Clear skies and calm winds are expected to create frost pockets, particularly in low-lying interior areas. Temperatures are forecasted to remain slightly below average throughout the week, influenced by El Niño conditions.