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Arizona – Energy Tax Incentive Program Begins

  Businesses that invest in the production and use of renewable energy products may soon realize new tax benefits. Under the new Renewable Energy Tax Incentive Program, which began in January 2010, an income tax credit and property tax reduction are available to Arizona businesses in renewable energy industries.

Arkansas – Nonattainment Areas for Smog Standard

  Businesses in Arkansas face much stricter emission limits with the federal EPA's recent proposal to strengthen the national standards for ozone. Based on 2006-2008 data, the federal agency listed counties that currently would violate the proposed standards and counties projected to violate them in 2020. In Arkansas, the counties and their surrounding areas currently affected by the proposed changes are Crittenden, Newton, Polk and Pulaski.

Colorado – State Commission Wins Solid Waste Lawsuit

  Colorado's Solid and Hazardous Waste Commission has won a lawsuit upholding the state's oil and gas brine waste disposal rules. The District Court in Denver declared the rules regarding commercial exploration and production brine waste impoundments reasonable and constitutional.

Florida – EPA Proposes Nutrient Limits

  The federal EPA is proposing water quality standards to protect Florida's waters. The proposed action would set a series of numeric limits on the amount of the nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) that would be allowed in Florida's lakes, rivers, streams, springs and canals. This is the first time that the agency has ever enforced numeric limits on nutrient runoff for any state.

Illinois – Reviving FutureGen

  In an effort to make FutureGen construction a reality in Illinois, Gov. Pat Quinn recently announced that Exelon Corp. will join ranks with some of the world's largest energy firms as a member of the FutureGen Alliance. According to the governor, at a time of high unemployment, the project would create jobs and economic growth.

Montana – Lowest Preparedness Score

  Trust for America's Health (TFAH) recently released its seventh annual Ready or Not? Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism 2009 report and Montana had the lowest score, with three points out of 10. The H1N1 flu outbreak exposed serious underlying gaps in the nation's ability to respond to public health emergencies and the economic crisis is straining an already fragile public health system, according to the report.

North Carolina – Stricter Water Classifications Proposed

  The North Carolina DENR recently proposed stricter classifications for two groups of waters. The DENR proposed that segments of the Catawba River be reclassified as "high-quality" waters. It would include the mainstream of the river and the headwater tributaries starting at the river's source, and ending at the river's confluence with the Left Prong Catawba River.

Utah – Revising Medical Waste Rules

  The Utah DEQ has made several changes to its infectious waste rules. The state regulations apply to: (1) any health facility that generates more than 200 lbs. per month of infectious waste, (2) any transporter that collects and transports more than 200 lbs. of infectious waste in any one load, and (3) a facility storing more than 200 lbs. of infectious waste, or treating or disposing of infectious waste.

Washington – Endothall Allowed in General Permit

  The Washington Department of Ecology is proposing to revise its aquatic pesticide irrigation district general permit to allow the use of the herbicide endothall as an alternative to acrolein. The permit covers 16 irrigation districts that use pesticides to control aquatic weeds and algae growth in irrigation systems.