Sustainability Solutions - Managing Plug Loads

Monday, May 10, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.
Plug loads account for approximately 20 percent of energy consumption in a large office building. So, it follows that aggressive plug load management can boost a company's bottom line, especially during the air-conditioning season as office equipment adds significant heat to the office environment.

The use of power strips is perhaps the easiest and least-expensive way in which to manage plug loads. Have a written policy asking employees to turn off equipment at the power strip at night and on...
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Michigan DNRE Organization April 13, 2010

Friday, April 16, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.

The newly formed Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment recently released their Organization Chart.

Please see the link below for details.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/currentorg_112205_7.pdf

DNRE Director Humphries Confirmed

Tuesday, April 13, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.
Rebecca A. Humphries was confirmed as Director of the newly created Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) on March 3, 2010.  She has held the post since January 17, 2010 when the DNRE was first created by Governor Granholm under Executive Order 2009-45.  The DNRE combines the powers and functions of the former Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality.

Humphries began her career with the Department of Natural Resources in 1978, rising to the rank of...Read More »

DNRE P2 Loan Monies Still Available: Part Eight

Thursday, March 25, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.
If you have a potential pollution prevention project to submit for the state's low-interest loan program, or have questions regarding the program itself, please contact August Mack and we can help you qualify your project and work through the details of the program!

August Mack specializes in environmental, health and safety compliance; environmental due diligence; environmental site remediation; and sustainable business strategies to the industrial, legal, financial, health care and government...

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DNRE P2 Loan Monies Still Available: Part Seven

Tuesday, March 23, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.
These recent examples demonstrate the diversity of projects that may qualify for Michigan's low-interest pollution prevention loan program:
  • A dry cleaner purchased a wet-cleaning system and an air board press.
  • A graphics company purchased a computer-to-plate imaging system.
  • A farm upgraded their manure management equipment and systems.
  • A plastic's manufacturer purchased a closed-loop cooling water system.
  • A trucking company purchased a closed-loop wash water system.
  • A Dentist purchased a new digital...
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DNRE P2 Loan Monies Still Available: Part Six

Thursday, March 18, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.
Project applications are reviewed by the state within 30 days of receipt.  Notification of eligibility is typically made within 45 days. Once approved, the loan recipient must enter into a loan agreement within 90 days, and must initiate the project within 180 days after the loan documents are signed.  Upon completion of the project, the loan recipient has 90 days to report to the state the pollution prevention results achieved.
 


August Mack specializes in environmental, health and...

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DNRE P2 Loan Monies Still Available: Part Five

Tuesday, March 16, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.

Did you know?

  • There are no deadlines for submitting a potential project as the program is ongoing similar to the state's highly successful Brownfield program.
  • The DNRE does not charge any fees.
  • And fees charged by the lender-of-choice may be rolled into the loan.

August Mack specializes in environmental, health and safety compliance; environmental due diligence; environmental site remediation; and sustainable business strategies to the industrial, legal, financial, health care and government sectors...

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DNRE P2 Loan Monies Still Available: Part Four

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.
The Office of Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance (OPPCA) is responsible for reviewing proposed P2 projects.  Applicants can select their lender-of-choice (e.g., bank or credit union) who is responsible for reviewing the applicant's credit worthiness and managing the loan.  Simultaneously, the applicant can submit their proposed project to OPPCA to verify that pollution prevention occurs at the site.  Once approved by OPPCA, the business then finalizes the loan with their lender.

August...

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DNRE P2 Loan Monies Still Available: Part Three

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.
Authority for Michigan's low-interest loan program comes from Part 145 of PA 451 of 1994, as amended.  Funding to support the program was approved by voters in November 1998 as a part of the Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI). The funds come from the state's small business pollution prevention assistance revolving loan fund established by the CMI within the state treasury, and are administered by the Office of Pollution Prevention and Compliance Assistance (OPPCA).


August Mack specializes in...

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An Interesting Question

Friday, March 5, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.

St. Clair Shores officials are expected to take steps next month to have certain neighborhoods added to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPAs) list of high-priority areas due to the presence of PCB contamination. They hope to have the sites officially added to the National Priority List for cleanups by September, and therefore be eligible for Superfund cleanup funding.

Both the local community, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, currently have little money for...

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Michigan's Budget Woes Impact Cleanup Efforts

Thursday, March 4, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.

March 4, 2010 - Representatives of the newly formed Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment indicated today that the state's ongoing structural budget deficit, combined with decreasing tax revenues due to poor economic conditions, and the lack of new cleanup bond initiatives are limiting their ability to complete environmental cleanup activities at abandoned ("orphan") contaminated sites throughout the state.

There are more than 4,000 orphan sites in Michigan. These sites impair...

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DNRE P2 Loan Monies Still Available: Part Two

Thursday, March 4, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.

In order to qualify, a business must meet the following criteria:

  • Be independently owned and operated
  • Not be dominant in its field
  • Be a for-profit business
  • Employ 500 or fewer full-time employees
Examples of recent loan program participants include:
  • Diesel Fleet Owners
  • Medical Doctors
  • Dentists
  • Golf Courses
  • Graphic Designers / Printers
  • Farmers
  • Dry Cleaners
  • Manufacturers
To date, more than 40 businesses have applied for and received low-interest P2 monies with an average loan amount of approximately $110,000.

 

A...

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DNRE P2 Loan Monies Still Available: Part One

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.

Michigan's Small Business Pollution Prevention (P2) Loan Program provides low-interest loans to the manufacturing, agricultural, retail and service industries for projects that result in the reduction of waste generation, improve recycling / reuse of materials, conserve water or energy on site or produce agricultural-based energy.  The program provides loans of up to $400,000 at an interest rate not to exceed five percent to eligible small businesses.

August Mack specializes in environmental,...

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Mandatory Reporting of GHG Rule: Part Seven

Wednesday, February 3, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.

The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases GHG) Rule is now in affect (as of January 1, 2010). The purpose of this posting is to review where you should be in terms of compliance.

  • Have you completed a GHG emissions inventory?  Remember the Mandatory Reporting Rule is based on actual emissions.
  • Did you implement your GHG emissions tracking program on or before January 1, 2010?
  • Have you installed any necessary fuel monitoring or flow metering devices required...
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February 2, 2010

Tuesday, February 2, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.
In case you missed the news: Today at dawn, Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his den and saw his shadow, thereby predicting 6 more weeks of winter.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Leadership Changes at Michigan DEQ: January 2010

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.
On December 22, 2009, Director Steven Chester announced that he will leave his post at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality on January 4, 2010. Governor Granholm appointed Deputy Director Jim Sygo to serve as interim Director from January 4th to January 17th, when Executive Order 2009-45 takes effect combining the DEQ with the Department of Natural Resources into the newly formed Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Governor Granholm is expected to appoint a permanent...
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Mold Basics: Part Four

Friday, December 18, 2009 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.
It is best to hire reputable, experienced professionals to clean and remove molds from affected areas. Doing so will limit potential exposures to employees and the possible spread of molds to other areas.

Professionals are better equipped to construct work containment areas, manage the flow of air during cleanup, handle cleaning chemicals &/or biocides, wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as identify impacted materials that will need to be treated or discarded.

Consider performing...
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Mold Basics: Part Three

Friday, December 18, 2009 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.

To prevent molds from growing, you must control moisture.  Here are some helpful tips:

  • Act quickly, within 24 hours, to clean up sudden large leaks and spills
  • Maintain your roofing and drainage systems to prevent moisture intrusion
  • Regularly service the HVAC system
  • Add and/or use ventilation systems to lower the humidity
  • Use a dehumidifier
  • Insulate cold surfaces
  • Increase air movement and air exchanges
  • Increase the air temperature
  • Maintain indoor relative humidity below 60 percent
  • Add mold inhibitors to...
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Mold Basics: Part Two

Friday, December 18, 2009 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.
Indications of mold often include visible growths and musty odors, which may indicate hidden growths behind walls or other surfaces. If you believe that you have hidden molds, it is best to hire a professional to investigate both the potential hidden molds and the possible unknown moisture sources that could promote mold growth.

Controlling moisture is the key to controlling mold since all molds require a moisture source to grow.  If you are dealing with a sudden release of moisture such as a...
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Mandatory Reporting of GHG Rule: Part Six

Wednesday, December 9, 2009 by August Mack Environmental, Inc.
Some key dates include the following:
  • September 22, 2009 - The Rule was signed by the Administrator
  • October 30, 2009 - The Rule was published in the Federal Register
  • December 29, 2009 - The Rule goes into effect (60 days after being published)
  • January 1, 2010 - The Rule requires monitoring to begin
  • January 28, 2010 - The last day to request an extension for the installation of monitoring devices (30 days after the rule goes into effect)
  • March 31, 2010 - Monitoring devices such as fuel and flow meters...
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