Analysis, News and Notes

Egypt: Key Business and Environmental Risks

Feb 8th, 2011 | By
Egypt: Key Business and Environmental Risks

Egypt continues to witness social, economic and political turmoil as thousands of protestors have vowed to increase the momentum of demonstrations across the country. The majority demand the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak, who has ruled Egypt for three decades. Having taken power in 1981 following the assassination of former President Anwar al-Sadat by Islamist
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Distracted Driving Overview

Jan 12th, 2011 | By

Distracted driving accidents killed nearly 5,500 people in the United States in 2009 and injured 500,000 more. Distracted driving is operating a motor vehicle while engaging in any non-driving activity. Non-driving activities have the potential to distract the driver from the primary task of driving, which increases the risk of having a motor vehicle accident. Oprah Winfrey, an American television host and producer, has also taken up the cause. Expressing her outrage against distracted driving, Oprah urged her followers to make their cars a “no phone zone.” View Oprah’s distracted driving video […]



Proposed Bill Changes Regulation of Chemicals Under TSCA

Oct 22nd, 2010 | By
Proposed Bill Changes Regulation of Chemicals Under TSCA

A new bill introduced in the U.S. Congress proposes to change how chemicals that are manufactured or imported into the United States are regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The bill places the burden on chemical manufacturers to demonstrate to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that their chemicals are safe. It would replace the current law that allows chemicals into commerce until EPA demonstrates that the chemicals pose an unreasonable risk to health or the environment. [More…]



Airports and the Environment

Oct 3rd, 2010 | By
Airports and the Environment

A new report on aviation and the environment from the U.S. Government Accounting Office finds that airports have made progress in addressing environmental impacts in four key areas: reducing noise levels, controlling water pollution, reducing air emissions and using environmentally sustainable practices.



Keeping “Current” with Electric Vehicles

Sep 18th, 2010 | By

If you’ve read any of the automotive headlines in recent months, you’ve probably seen that battery-operated, all-electric vehicles may soon be on a car lot near you. The catch phrase of our credit-crazed world – “Charge it” – will soon take on a whole new meaning. It won’t be about buying tires or wipers at
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U.S. EPA Denies Petition to Regulate Lead Ammunition, Continues to Review Lead Sinkers

Sep 12th, 2010 | By
U.S. EPA Denies Petition to Regulate Lead Ammunition, Continues to Review Lead Sinkers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency denied a petition calling for a ban on the manufacture and distribution of lead ammunition used for hunting, but will review a request regarding lead fishing sinkers. The petitioners argued that lead poisoning from ammunition and fishing sinkers “present an unreasonable risk of injury” to both human health and the environment.



China Closes 2,000 Manufacturing Operations to Help Meet Energy Reduction Targets

Aug 25th, 2010 | By

China, the world’s largest energy user, ordered 2,000 industrial facilities producing steel, coal, cement, aluminum, glass and other materials to close their old and obsolete plants by the end of September. Facilities that fail to meet the regulatory deadline risk losing their pollution emission certifications, having their bank loans frozen, and having their power cut
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Environmental Issue Surveys: What Are They Telling Us?

Jul 27th, 2010 | By

A fresh environmental issue survey from CNN/Opinion Research finds that a majority of Americans believe that the economy should take precedence over the environment. It wasn’t by a huge number – a little more than half (51%) picked “economy” and slightly less than half (45%) picked “environment.” The margin of error was 3%. Pollsters love
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How Will a Hurricane Affect the Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill?

Jul 12th, 2010 | By

It’s been 82 days since the April 20, 2010 explosion occurred on the Deepwater Horizon drill rig and caused the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The hurricane season in the Atlantic Basin is already upon us, commencing on June 1, 2010 and lasting through the end of November. The U.S. Department of Commerce
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What’s Going on with the U.S. Economy

Jan 9th, 2010 | By

Notes from Dr. Brian Fabbri’s talk, “Economic Recovery is Here,” presented to the French American Chamber of Commerce.