http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/03/24/ebola-outbreak-may-spread-to-liberia/6835825/
An outbreak of the highly deadly Ebola virus has been spotted in the west African country of Guinea, resulting in the death of 59 people so far. Sources state that it might soon spread to neighboring Liberia. Ebola is so deadly because it liquefies your internal organs, and if that doesn't kill you, then you will drown in your own blood. Ebola is similar to the HIV virus. It is an ancient retro virus that is originally found in monkeys. Since monkeys are consumed in Africa, the disease has spread to humans. This is the first time in 20 years that Ebola has been reported in west Africa. There isn't a cure or vaccine for Ebola, with mortality rates at 90%. Health officials are desperately trying to contain Ebola.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
5,000,000 gallons of raw sewage spills into Valley Forge Park creek
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=9470771
In Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 5 million gallons of raw sewage was released from a broken sewer line. It has split into the local creek and crews are still working to repair the rupture. There are relatively few people in the area, the only concern is for the wildlife. Sewer breaks have become more common, this is the 3rd one in two years. It might be an outdated system that needs to be repaired or replaced. The authorities are saying that the 45 year old system might have to be replaced. The route near the sewer line will most likely be closed for the next two days.
In Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 5 million gallons of raw sewage was released from a broken sewer line. It has split into the local creek and crews are still working to repair the rupture. There are relatively few people in the area, the only concern is for the wildlife. Sewer breaks have become more common, this is the 3rd one in two years. It might be an outdated system that needs to be repaired or replaced. The authorities are saying that the 45 year old system might have to be replaced. The route near the sewer line will most likely be closed for the next two days.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Coal Firm to Pay Record Penalty and Spend Millions on Water Cleanup in 5 States
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/06/us/coal-firm-to-pay-record-penalty-and-spend-millions-on-water-cleanup-in-5-states.html?_r=0
One of the nation's largest coal firms, Alpha Natural Resources, is about to pay one of the largest pollution fines in american history. It will pay $200 million to reduce pollution in mines in 5 states; Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. It will also pay $27.5 million for 6,000 violations of the Clean Water Act, the largest in its history. The udpated equipment should prevent about 36 million pounds of waste from getting into the enviroment. Many of these large energy companies have been under pressure since the chemical spill in West Virginia and the coal ash spill in North Carolinia. Its just that these companies should be paying higher fines, since they make billions of dollars a year. This is a start for prosecuting people who tear down mountains.
One of the nation's largest coal firms, Alpha Natural Resources, is about to pay one of the largest pollution fines in american history. It will pay $200 million to reduce pollution in mines in 5 states; Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. It will also pay $27.5 million for 6,000 violations of the Clean Water Act, the largest in its history. The udpated equipment should prevent about 36 million pounds of waste from getting into the enviroment. Many of these large energy companies have been under pressure since the chemical spill in West Virginia and the coal ash spill in North Carolinia. Its just that these companies should be paying higher fines, since they make billions of dollars a year. This is a start for prosecuting people who tear down mountains.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Potential new source of renewable energy found in humidity
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/47099
An amazing potential new renewable source of energy has been discovered, it is the unused evaporating water. Generators will be driven, with the help of spores of bacteria, by changes in humidity from sun warmed bodies of water. The sheets of bacteria work like a pinecone, when it is dry the sheet curls up, and then returns to normal shape when humidity rises. Along with other existing renewables, this could solve the world energy crisis. This is the largest source of energy that earth has to offer, 70% of our earth is untapped energy waiting for this technology. No one has developed this technology yet, however it is quite promising.
An amazing potential new renewable source of energy has been discovered, it is the unused evaporating water. Generators will be driven, with the help of spores of bacteria, by changes in humidity from sun warmed bodies of water. The sheets of bacteria work like a pinecone, when it is dry the sheet curls up, and then returns to normal shape when humidity rises. Along with other existing renewables, this could solve the world energy crisis. This is the largest source of energy that earth has to offer, 70% of our earth is untapped energy waiting for this technology. No one has developed this technology yet, however it is quite promising.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
New Mexico Uranium Enrichment Plant to Address Two Apparent Violations
https://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2014/02/24/new-mexico-uranium-enrichment-plant-to-address-two-apparent-violations-022401.aspx
In New Mexico, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has threatened to take actions against an uranium enrichment plant following two inccidents. The first incident was record-keeping mistake. It was an incorrect log of the mass of uranium in bottles undergoing decontamination. The incident was taken care of and minimal critical level was not triggered. This failure of something so simple as management is frigthening, considering the risks invovled with nuclear power. The second inccident occurred when bottles of the previous uranium were handled in a pleixglass box on a cart. 8 bottles were in critical mass and there weren't any saftey procedures to deal with the situation. The agency will make an enforcement date later.
In New Mexico, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has threatened to take actions against an uranium enrichment plant following two inccidents. The first incident was record-keeping mistake. It was an incorrect log of the mass of uranium in bottles undergoing decontamination. The incident was taken care of and minimal critical level was not triggered. This failure of something so simple as management is frigthening, considering the risks invovled with nuclear power. The second inccident occurred when bottles of the previous uranium were handled in a pleixglass box on a cart. 8 bottles were in critical mass and there weren't any saftey procedures to deal with the situation. The agency will make an enforcement date later.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Up to 82,000 Tons of Toxic Coal Ash Spilled Into North Carolina River
http://www.enn.com/pollution/article/46985
In Eden, North Carolinia, a stormwater pipe under a pond of coal ash burst, displacing thousands of tons of coal ash into the nearby Dan River. Duke Energy, the company who own the Dan River Steam Station estimates that up to 27 million gallons of water are now polluted. There has been a temporary solution to the problem, however a permenant solution is still being decided. Duke has 14 coal plants in the state, with 7 of them retired. Many people believe that Duke should clean up the polluntants. This is also not the first ashspill. The Tennesse Valley Authority accidentally spilled over a billion tons of ash spread out over 300 acres of land. The EPA is finallly processing laws about proper coal ash cleanup.
In Eden, North Carolinia, a stormwater pipe under a pond of coal ash burst, displacing thousands of tons of coal ash into the nearby Dan River. Duke Energy, the company who own the Dan River Steam Station estimates that up to 27 million gallons of water are now polluted. There has been a temporary solution to the problem, however a permenant solution is still being decided. Duke has 14 coal plants in the state, with 7 of them retired. Many people believe that Duke should clean up the polluntants. This is also not the first ashspill. The Tennesse Valley Authority accidentally spilled over a billion tons of ash spread out over 300 acres of land. The EPA is finallly processing laws about proper coal ash cleanup.
Wednesday, February 5, 2014
Gas company to drill in Manu National Park buffer zone, imperiling indigenous people
http://www.enn.com/wildlife/article/46981
In Peru, the Peruvian government has approved for the drilling of gas in the buffer zone of the Manu National Park, which is home to indigenous people. The gas company, Pluspetrol, has been highly reviewed and analyzed as well as effects of the drilling after meeting approval. There has been repeated criticism from the indigenous and society. Seismic tests have been outlawed in indigenous native areas, however been approved for most of the area. There will be 18 exploratory wells in six different locations. Unfortunately for the native group, the Nahua , could become devastated or possibly extinct because of this action.
In Peru, the Peruvian government has approved for the drilling of gas in the buffer zone of the Manu National Park, which is home to indigenous people. The gas company, Pluspetrol, has been highly reviewed and analyzed as well as effects of the drilling after meeting approval. There has been repeated criticism from the indigenous and society. Seismic tests have been outlawed in indigenous native areas, however been approved for most of the area. There will be 18 exploratory wells in six different locations. Unfortunately for the native group, the Nahua , could become devastated or possibly extinct because of this action.
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