EPA

USDA Report on Honey Bee Health

Jason Parrott — Fri, 03 May 2013 05:30:48 +0000

A new report from the USDA identifies multiple reasons why honey bees are dying off in the United States.

IL Writes New Rules for Factory Farms, CAFO's

Scott Stuntz — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:05:37 +0000

The Illinois Pollution Control board is in the process of drafting new rules regulating large scale factory farms often called confined animal feeding operations or CAFO’s. An environmental group thinks the current proposals could use strengthening.

US EPA OK's Missouri Rule Change on Pollution

Scott Stuntz — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 20:47:56 +0000

The US EPA has agreed to allow Missouri’s Department of Natural Resources to relax its rules when it comes water pollution enforcement.

Missouri has gotten the go-ahead to extend how long it gives those in violation of their water pollution permits to get into compliance.

Springfield Coal Drops Application for Mining Permit

Scott Stuntz — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 20:27:15 +0000

The company which operates the Industry Coal mine recently was found to have committed over six hundred water pollution violations. Springfield Coal also wanted to renew the mining permit for it’s mine near Industry.

The same day a press conference was to be held protesting the renewal of it’s mining permit, the company withdrew the application.

Keokuk Trying to Finish Sewer Work

Jason Parrott — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:21:53 +0000

Keokuk wants to finish some sewer work within the next few weeks.

Journalists vs Spin Doctors

Rich Egger — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 17:01:40 +0000

The panelists talk about the challenges journalists face when so many public relations specialists are working to put their own spin on events.

Mayor Requesting Penalty $$$

Jason Parrott — Tue, 20 Nov 2012 01:42:30 +0000

Keokuk is looking to benefit from a penalty to a local company.

$4.1-Million Penalty for Roquette America

Jason Parrott — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 02:45:46 +0000

Roquette America must pay a $4.1-million dollar penalty to settle allegations that it dumped industrial waste into the Mississippi River and Soap Creek.

Harkin/Grassley Visit Lee County

Jason Parrott — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 02:55:52 +0000

Two of Iowa’s political heavyweights spent some time in Lee County this week. They used separate events to tout one of the state’s growing industries.

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, visits Lee County at least once a year as part of his annual 99-county tour of the state.

His counterpart, U.S. Senator Tom Harkin’s, D-Iowa, visits are much more sporadic, which made their visits occurring at the same time rather unique.

SENATOR HARKIN VISITS FARM

Colchester Seeks Extension for Sewer Work

James Lenz — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 20:01:54 +0000

Colchester is asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for up to eight years to complete a large-scale sewer project.

The city has two options to pay for the $4.2 million project.

If the city qualifies for loans and grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program, the project might be completed in four years.

If the project qualifies for grants through the EPA the project might take eight years. That's because the city could only apply every other year.