Latest news with #DEP
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Science
- Yahoo
A jellyfish at Presque Isle? What you should know about this freshwater species
First it was an alligator in Lake Erie, now a jellyfish-like creature has been spotted in Presque Isle. On July 29, according to a Facebook post from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, DEP intern Ray Walter spotted what was described as an incredibly rare organism off the dock at Marina Lake within Presque Isle Bay. The organism was identified as a "Craspedacusta Sowerbii," or in laymen's terms a freshwater jellyfish. The DEP stated on its Facebook page that the freshwater jellyfish is hard to find and most of the time doesn't make a surface appearance as it is often found stuck to the bottom of a polyp. Occasionally this organism will form into the shape of a jellyfish. Here's more on what you need to know about the Craspedacusta Sowerbii. More: Alligator sighting in Lake Erie? Officials investigate claim, share safety tips What is a Craspedacusta Sowerbii? The Craspedacusta Sowerbii is a freshwater hydrozoan jellyfish, according to the United States Geological Survey website. It's the only known species of freshwater jellyfish found in North America. What does a Craspedacusta Sowerbii look like? Often the size of a penny, the Craspedacusta Sowerbii can measure from 5 to 22 millimeters. According to the Craspedacusta Sowerbii shares many similar traits and characteristics of a jellyfish. It can be a white or green colored creature with 99% of its body made of water. The organism lacks a skeleton and contains no organs for breathing. It can have anywhere between three and seven string-like tentacles which helps it capture food and remain safe against predators. At the end of the tentacles, freshwater jellyfish have eyespots which are used to detect light and dark to also assist in escaping predators and finding food. For movement, the Craspedacusta Sowerbii can move in any direction by pulsating contractions. Where are Craspedacusta Sowerbii typically found? The Craspedacusta Sowerbii can be found in a variety of freshwater environments including lakes, reservoirs, man-made impoundments, rock quarries, algae-filled ponds and even rivers. They often live in shallow water to conserve energy. The organism is often spotted in the summer and fall months when water temperatures warm up. Can I get stung by a freshwater jellyfish? Although the Craspedacusta Sowerbii possess stinging cells, they are unable to penetrate human skin. Therefore, the freshwater jellyfish cannot give you a painful sting unlike other jellyfish. What does a freshwater jellyfish eat? states that a freshwater jellyfish eats zooplankton. They use their tentacles to sting the prey to immobilize said prey before eating it Animal spotting: Flocking to Presque Isle this summer for bird watching? What to know if you go What do I do if I spot a freshwater jellyfish? If you are around the Presque Isle area and you happen to spot a freshwater jellyfish, it is not cause for alarm. You can call the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to report them so they can track and keep record of the organism. Contact Nicholas Sorensen at Nsorensen@ (This story has been updated to add new information and to correct an inaccuracy.) This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: What to know about freshwater jellyfish spotted at Presque Isle Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
17-07-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
After storms cause massive subway flooding, MTA chief calls on NYC to grow sewer capacity
MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber is calling on New York City to build up its sewer system after massive subway flooding during Monday's storm. He spoke to CBS News New York's Dick Brennan about what happened and how to fix things for future storms. Video from the West 28th Street station in Chelsea showed water gushing from a drain and completely flooding the platform. "This manhole cover was levitating about this high because there was the water pressure actually exploded it out," Lieber said. Out of the subway system's over 490 total stations, about 20 were put out of service during the storm. "That's no excuse for those 20 stations that were unavailable, had bad conditions. But this is not going to knock out the whole system and we were ready to go the next morning," Lieber said. He said hundreds of people worked overnight to make sure the trains were back up and running for the Tuesday morning commute. During those storms, the subway system got hit with a double whammy — torrential rain from above and a sewer system that couldn't handle it below. New York City Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala says they've done a good job to maintain the sewer system, but climate change is sending storms nobody could have expected. "Addressing storm water resilience to fix this underground infrastructure is going to be the work of tens of years, decades. We put out our report last spring that estimated a total cost of roughly $30 billion," Aggarwala said. But Lieber says the city has to step up and pay up to fix their sewers. "Because the rainfalls are going to keep happening, we need them to grow the capacity so it doesn't back up into the subways," he said. Lieber says the city could focus area by area if the money is there. "There is no quick solution to the big issue, but you can do it in a localized way," he said. In the meantime, Lieber says the MTA is hardening its infrastructure. One of the improvements to fight subway flooding the so-called step-up into the station. By placing a raised platform at the entrances to underground subway stations, the water then has to rise higher before it goes cascading down the steps into the station. Lieber says the MTA already spent $8 billion on resiliency after Hurricane Sandy and has spent close to $1 billion from the new capital budget. He says the system has a knack for bouncing back and is hoping to be ready when the next storm hits.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Phillips 66's Bayway refinery partially shut after power outage, sources say
NEW YORK (Reuters) -Phillips 66 has partially shut its 258,500 barrel-per-day Bayway refinery in Linden, New Jersey, after rainstorms in the region caused a power outage at the plant, three sources familiar with the matter said. Phillips 66 confirmed the power outage, but declined to provide more details. A computer that monitors emissions from the refinery's flare stack was damaged during flooding, according to a report filed with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Tuesday. All other monitoring equipment was functioning normally, the report said. There was no major damage to critical infrastructure, and the refinery's flares were working properly after the overnight power outage, the Linden Police Department posted on Facebook on Tuesday. Another report filed with the DEP on Tuesday noted that the sewer system at the refinery was leaking unknown amounts of residual oil into the Morses Mill Creek. Phillips 66 was actively purchasing refined products from the New York Harbor spot market since Tuesday, two market participants said.
Reuters
16-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Phillips 66's Bayway refinery partially shut after power outage, sources say
NEW YORK, July 16 (Reuters) - Phillips 66 (PSX.N), opens new tab has partially shut its 258,500 barrel-per-day Bayway refinery in Linden, New Jersey, after rainstorms in the region caused a power outage at the plant, three sources familiar with the matter said. Phillips 66 confirmed the power outage, but declined to provide more details. A computer that monitors emissions from the refinery's flare stack was damaged during flooding, according to a report filed with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on Tuesday. All other monitoring equipment was functioning normally, the report said. There was no major damage to critical infrastructure, and the refinery's flares were working properly after the overnight power outage, the Linden Police Department posted on Facebook on Tuesday. Another report filed with the DEP on Tuesday noted that the sewer system at the refinery was leaking unknown amounts of residual oil into the Morses Mill Creek. Phillips 66 was actively purchasing refined products from the New York Harbor spot market since Tuesday, two market participants said.
Newsweek
16-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Thousands Warned To Go Inside If They Start Coughing
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Thousands of Americans in northern and central Maine were under an air quality alert on Wednesday after state officials warned of unhealthy pollution levels from wildfire smoke. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) reported that fine particle pollution from smoke had pushed air quality into the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" category, prompting warnings for residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and to stay alert for respiratory symptoms. Why It Matters The alert comes as smoke from Canadian wildfires has descended across the U.S. throughout the summer, creating hazy skies in some areas while blanketing other regions with smoke that is thick enough to cause physical symptoms. The most recent alert in Maine emphasized heightened risks for vulnerable populations—children, the elderly, people with asthma or heart diseases, and those working or exercising outdoors. A stock photo of a man coughing. A stock photo of a man coughing. Liubomyr Vorona/Getty What to Know The alert affects thousands from Allagash to Topsfield, including key cities such as Caribou, Houlton, Greenville, and Millinocket, and was scheduled to remain in effect until midnight. Smoke and particle pollution, primarily traced to wildfires burning in Canada, contributed to the degraded air quality, which officials said may persist until at least Thursday. "Smoke is expected to continue to impact Maine on Thursday. It should start to clear out later in the day," the air quality alert from the DEP said. State health authorities urged people experiencing coughing, shortness of breath, throat irritation, or chest discomfort to immediately limit outdoor exposure. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection issued the air quality alert for the following regions: Northwest Aroostook, Northeast Aroostook, Northern Somerset, Northern Piscataquis, Northern Penobscot, Southeast Aroostook, Central Piscataquis, Central Penobscot, Southern Piscataquis, and Northern Washington counties. Affected cities include Allagash, Clayton Lake, Madawaska, Fort Kent, Frenchville, Presque Isle, Caribou, Van Buren, Mars Hill, Ashland, Millinocket, Greenville, Lincoln, Dover-Foxcroft, and several others, covering much of the northern and central part of the state. Officials expected the highest concentration of smoke and particle pollution to begin dissipating by Wednesday evening. However, polluted air and moderate particle levels could linger into Thursday as the smoke plume gradually exits the region. Local and federal data confirmed the region was experiencing pollution levels classified as "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, in which the Air Quality Index (AQI) measures between 101 and 150, meaning that susceptible individuals could experience adverse health effects, while the general public could also be affected with prolonged exposure." The AQI scale used for these alerts helps residents understand the severity of pollution. Officials warned that exposure to AQI considered unhealthy for sensitive groups may cause health effects for sensitive individuals and could begin to affect the general public with prolonged or strenuous outdoor exposure. For the remainder of Maine, particle and ozone levels were expected to remain in the moderate AQI range. What People Are Saying National Weather Service (NWS) Caribou in an air quality alert: "The Maine Department of Environmental Protection recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects. People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, the elderly, those with pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma, those with heart disease and anyone who is working hard outdoors. But if you experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing, throat irritation or an uncomfortable sensation in your chest please consider limiting the intensity and duration of your outdoor activities." NWS meteorologist Alice Brennan told Newsweek: "Based on forecasting, [the smoke] should start to clear out a bit. The heaviest was definitely today and should start to gradually push out by tomorrow. There is a low-pressure system coming in that's going to bring a good chance for thunderstorms, especially north of I-95, so gusty winds, heavy rainfall, things like that." What Happens Next Air quality across Maine is expected to improve as denser smoke moves out by Wednesday evening. However, some particle pollution may persist into Thursday until wind patterns fully clear the region. State agencies are continuing to monitor the situation and will update forecasts and advisories as conditions change.
