California Regulator Sees Need For National Method To Measure Efficiency

A consistent method to measure energy efficiency savings nationwide will be necessary to resolve the diversity among state efficiency efforts, according to leading clean energy advocate and just-retired California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Commissioner Dian Grueneich, who says several states already recognize such a need. Grueneich said in an exclusive Dec. 21 interview that there is a critical need for a consistent methodology to measure energy efficiency, and she discussed the challenges regulators will face as electric vehicles (EV) come...

New California Attorney General Vows To Defend AB 32 Climate Rules

New California Attorney General Kamala Harris (D) vowed to "aggressively defend" the state's embattled climate change law AB 32 and the state's greenhouse gas regulations, among other major environmental protection programs, in a Jan. 3 inauguration speech. Harris assumed control of the office from Jerry Brown (D), who was sworn in as California's governor on Jan. 3. Harris's narrow victory over Republican Steven Cooley in the attorney general's race was seen as a major gain for environmentalists, who feared Cooley...

PG&E Warns Against Transporting Landfill Gas In California Pipelines

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. (PG&E), which is one of the state's largest natural gas suppliers and has been under heavy public fire after a deadly pipeline explosion several months ago, is urging state energy regulators to scale back proposals to allow methane from California landfills to be transported in the state's pipeline system, indicating the plan could lead to more disasters. The warning comes as the state eyes a variety of measures to increase the use of so-called renewable...

Challenge To OEHHA Prop. 65 Chemical Listing Again Targets NTP Study

In another attack on scientific research conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP), the personal care products industry is challenging the health hazard office's proposed Proposition 65 carcinogen listing of a chemical used in soaps, cosmetics and shampoos. The industry has been granted more time to make its case against the proposed listing, which brings with it a range of legal vulnerabilities for companies and potentially damaging stigmas if warning labels are required on numerous products. At issue is the...

California Agency Floats Plan To Protect Communities Under Cap & Trade

California's health department in a new report lays out measures to protect disadvantaged communities from potentially negative economic and environmental impacts resulting from the state's recently approved greenhouse gas (GHG) cap-and-trade regulations. The measures, which could be implemented by state lawmakers this year, include ensuring that low-income residents receive subsidies to pay for higher energy bills expected to result from the program, and that program revenue be used for energy efficiency and transportation improvement projects in disadvantaged communities. Concerns about...

OEHHA Floats Revised Cumulative Impacts Report; Guidelines To Follow

The health hazard office has issued a revised report to be used by Cal/EPA agencies as a starting point to implement the "precautionary principle" in policies and regulations. The revised report, including a "screening tool," appears to include some changes from a previous draft, but likely not enough to fully erase industry concerns, sources said. The office is expected soon to release guidelines for how Cal/EPA agencies may incorporate the screening tool in various programs. Environmental justice advocates say the...

Activists File CEQA GHG Lawsuit Over SoCal Development Project

Environmentalists have filed a lawsuit challenging the approval of a large southern California residential development project, arguing in part that project proponents failed to adequately address greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The lawsuit signals another legal challenge by activists over the use of a San Joaquin Valley air district policy of addressing GHG emissions under CEQA, an approach that environmentalists strongly oppose. Activists say that if the court faults the San Joaquin Valley air...

Former EPA Official Seen As Leading Candidate For Cal/EPA Secretary

Former U.S. EPA Region IX Administrator Felicia Marcus is seen as a leading candidate for Cal/EPA secretary under Gov. Jerry Brown (D), according to sources. A decision on the appointment may not be made for several weeks, as current secretary Linda Adams is scheduled to stay at the post until at least the end of January, according to an agency official. Meanwhile, former state assemblyman John Laird (D), who was also rumored to be a candidate for the Cal/EPA secretary...

Activists File CEQA Lawsuit Challenging DPR Methyl Iodide Approval

Environmentalists Dec. 30 filed a lawsuit challenging the pesticide department's decision last month to register in California the controversial fumigant methyl iodide for use on strawberries and other crops. The activists argue the department violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other state laws by deciding to register the fumigant. For example, the groups argue the department failed to properly analyze the environmental impacts of the chemical's use, failed to involve the health hazard office in the registration decision,...

OEHHA Releases Stricter Hexavalent Chromium Drinking Water Standard

The health hazard office has released for public review a more stringent hexavalent chromium drinking water public health goal (PHG) following an independent scientific review done at the request of stakeholder groups, which argued a previous draft PHG was too stringent. Industries and some drinking water agencies strongly opposed the original draft PHG and are likely to raise even more concerns about the more stringent, updated standard. Meanwhile, environmentalists are applauding the move by the agency to set a stricter...

ARB Eyes Expanding Local Regulators' Authority In Cap & Trade Program

The California air board has agreed to consider significantly expanding the authority of local air districts to carry out major portions of the state's newly approved greenhouse gas (GHG) cap-and-trade program. While the move responds to strong pressure from local officials, it is drawing concerns from environmentalists and other stakeholders, who fear it could overly complicate and undermine the environmental integrity of the program. Critics fear that giving local air districts the authority to gather and report emissions data under...

OEHHA Poised To Unveil Revised Perchlorate Drinking Water Goal

The health hazard office was expected at press time to release Jan. 7 a revised drinking water public health goal (PHG) for the controversial chemical perchlorate, which may be a more stringent level of 1 part per billion (ppb) sought by activists, according to sources. The current standard is 6 ppb. The revised PHG has been long awaited by environmentalists, who petitioned the agency in 2006 to revisit and strengthen an existing standard for perchlorate. The Office of Environmental Health...

Science Panel May Pressure DTSC To Tighten Green Chemistry Rules

Cal/EPA Secretary Linda Adams late last month ordered the toxics department to delay finalizing its landmark green chemistry regulations based on concerns raised by environmentalists and a key lawmaker that the rules cater to the chemical industry and fall short of what is required under law. Adams also announced that a science panel overseeing the regulations will soon hold a hearing where critical policy issues in the regulations are expected to be further debated among stakeholders. Some members of the...

Insider - January 6, 2011

Emerging GOP Strategy The new Republican leadership in Congress is pursuing several lines of attack against EPA regulations and policies: GOP Sharpens Three-Pronged Legislative Strategy To Overturn EPA Rules The new Republican House majority in the 112th Congress is crafting a three-pronged strategy to challenge what it sees as costly EPA regulations, planning a series of Congressional Review Act (CRA) votes to undo rules, proposed spending cuts to prevent the implementation of regulations, and aggressive oversight to highlight rules' costs,...

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