Rural Community Assistance Partnership

Practical solutions for improving rural communities
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March 2011

Society of Environmental Journalists: Oil fracking poses similar concerns as gas fracking

Posted Mon, 2011/03/07 - 11:13am by RCAP

March 2, 2011

The technique called hydraulic fracturing (or fracking) that is increasingly being used to extract natural gas is drawing widespread attention, concern, and media coverage across the country. Next up: oil fracking.

RCAP sends letters to subcommittees on budget proposals

Posted Mon, 2011/03/07 - 11:06am by RCAP

As Congress debates the federal budget for the remainder of this fiscal year and the next, RCAP is working to ensure that small water and wastewater systems are not left to fend for themselves. RCAP supports continued investment in the federal programs that enable rural communities to provide clean, affordable water to their residents. One such program that is on the chopping block is the EPA’s fund for technical assistance to small water and wastewater systems.

Politico: Main Content The GOP's secret EPA love

Posted Mon, 2011/03/07 - 10:37am by RCAP

On March 3, Politico ran a front-page article about Obama's federal budget proposal and what it would do to the state revolving funds of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

RCAP's regional partners, which carry out the national network's work with small, rural communities, have these state revolving funds as one funding source that communities can access for their infrastructure projects. The RCAP network also receives funding from other EPA sources for its annual budget to carry out its work with communities.

The article reads:

Edmonson County Water District Receives ARRA Funds to Provide Safe Drinking Water

Posted Thu, 2011/03/03 - 3:44pm by Travis Mitchell
Where: Edmonson County, Kentucky
 
Problem:Quantity/Quality - Water Supply
 
Solution: Construction of water line extensions

Arch Coal to pay $4 million to settle Clean Water Act violations in Appalachian mining operations

Posted Thu, 2011/03/03 - 12:21pm by RCAP

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Justice Department announced March 1 that Arch Coal Inc., the second largest supplier of coal in the United States, has agreed to pay a $4 million dollar penalty for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Under the settlement, Arch Coal will implement changes to its mining operations in Virginia, West Virginia and Kentucky to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act.

New "Save Water Today" campaign aims to promote water efficiency

Posted Wed, 2011/03/02 - 3:58pm by RCAP

A new public service awareness campaign called "Save Water Today" is designed to promote the efficient use and conservation of water. The campaign is a joint effort of the Student Conservation Association (SCA), American Water,  and the US Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense Program.