Certified Water Efficiency Homes WaterSense Certification

EPA has recognized the first WaterSense labeled homes in the country. WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored by EPA that seeks to promote water efficiency. The program helps homebuyers cut water and energy use and reduce utility bills. Four WaterSense labeled new homes have been built by KB Home in Roseville, California, and will save an average of 10,000 gallons of water and at least $100 on utility costs each year.

Each house includes WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures, an efficient hot water delivery system, water-efficient landscape design, and other water and energy-efficient features. Each WaterSense labeled new home is independently inspected and certified to ensure EPA’s criteria are met for both water efficiency and performance. A WaterSense labeled new home is built to use about 20 percent less water than a typical new home.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Ohio to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website

Petition Denied To Ban Lead Fishing Tackle

EPA has denied the petition calling for a ban on the manufacture, use and processing of lead in fishing gear. EPA determined that the petitioners had not demonstrated that the requested rule is necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment, as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Considering the increasing number of limitations on the use of lead fishing gear on some federal and state lands, as well as various education and outreach activities, EPA questioned whether a national ban on lead in fishing gear would be the least burdensome, adequately protective approach to address the concern, as required under TSCA. EPA also notes that the prevalence of non-lead alternatives in the marketplace continues to increase.

On August 3, 2010, the American Bird Conservancy and a number of other groups petitioned EPA under Section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to "prohibit the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of lead for shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers." On August 27, 2010, EPA denied the portion of the petition relating to lead in ammunition because the agency does not have the legal authority to regulate this type of product under TSCA.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Ohio to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

For further information contact Caltha LLP at info@calthacompany.com or Caltha LLP Website