Air

Tracking the latest agency and congressional debates over rules to cut emissions of traditional pollutants, and a broad range of novel EPA policies including the agency's shift to a "multipollutant" regulatory approach for individual sectors.

Topic Subtitle
Tracking the latest agency and congressional debates over rules to cut emissions of traditional pollutants, and a broad range of novel EPA policies including the agency's shift to a "multipollutant" regulatory approach for individual sectors.

High Court Petition In CO2 Suit Downplays Environmental Issues

State and environmentalist sources say their strategy in trying to get the Supreme Court to hear their appeal of a high-profile greenhouse gas emission lawsuit rests on attracting conservative justices to the case by downplaying the environmental aspects of their argument in favor of broader concerns. The groups are focusing on their assertion that a lower court decision, if allowed to stand, would allow all federal agencies to ignore statutory requirements at will. A host of attorneys general (AGs) and...

Inhofe Pushes Uniform Implementation Of EPA Rules Across Regions

Republican staff members on the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee have initiated an investigation into how EPA regions may vary in implementing and enforcing agency rules, saying EPA regional offices should be held accountable for inconsistent practices that may "unfairly" target small businesses. Committee staff members for Chairman James Inhofe (R-OK) would not specify the EPA regulations that they say are being implemented inconsistently, but the senator and his staff have spoken generally of early findings from the investigation...

INHOFE PUSHES UNIFORM IMPLEMENTATION OF EPA RULES ACROSS REGIONS

Republican staff members on the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee have initiated an investigation into how EPA regions may vary in implementing and enforcing agency rules, saying EPA regional offices should be held accountable for inconsistent practices that may "unfairly" target small businesses. Committee staff members for environment committee Chairman James Inhofe (R-OK) would not specify the EPA regulations that they say are being implemented inconsistently, but the senator and his staff have spoken generally of early findings from...

EPA To Streamline Air Conformity Rules Following Agencies' Concerns

Responding to concerns raised by the Defense, Energy and other departments, EPA this spring will propose new reforms to streamline a 13-year-old Clean Air Act rule ensuring that federal actions do not further erode air quality in areas that are not meeting the agency's health-based pollution standards, according to EPA documents and government sources. The proposal is still undergoing internal agency review, but EPA documents say the agency is considering a number of reforms to its 1993 "general conformity" rule...

AIR RULE COULD BE NEW FOCUS OF SUIT ON EPA POWER TO REGULATE CO2

EPA's just-released rule setting new source performance standards (NSPS) for electric utilities could become a new focus of litigation from states and environmentalists over whether the agency has authority to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions after a federal appellate court last year issued a largely inconclusive ruling on the issue. State attorneys general (AGs) and environmental groups are weighing whether to file a second legal challenge over the issue because EPA concludes in the NSPS rule that it lacks authority...

ANALYST: LAWMAKERS MUST DIRECT GOVERNOR'S CLIMATE CHANGE PLAN

The legislative analyst is recommending lawmakers take over direction of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's Climate Change Initiative, in part by determining the feasibility of its emission-reduction targets, the costs and benefits of its chief implementation measures and whether the air board should take over program oversight. These determinations are critical to developing an overall climate change policy that should be put into statute, according to Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill. The analyst's recommendations are expected to help shape legislative proposals this year...

PUSH FOR GREENER INFRASTRUCTURE BONDS FACES REPUBLICAN BLOCK

While environmentalists pressure the Legislature to add environmental protection principles to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's infrastructure bond proposals, Assembly and Senate Republicans are mounting their own strategy to block these efforts, claiming they will unnecessarily slow much needed infrastructure repairs. It remains unclear how successful environmentalists' efforts will be to put their mark on the bond proposal, after key Republicans and Democrats this week exposed polarized views of such action. A coalition of about 35 environmental groups last week launched an...

LLOYD DEPARTURE TO CLEAN-VEHICLE GROUP LEAVES TOP TWO CAL/EPA POSITIONS VACANT

With the departure of secretary Alan Lloyd taking effect this week, the two top Cal/EPA positions are now vacant, prompting more speculation among stakeholders about replacements. A day after leaving the agency, Lloyd began March 1 a new job as president of The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), whose mission is to promote advanced, low-emissions transportation technology worldwide. It is unclear when the governor plans to appoint a new Cal/EPA secretary and undersecretary; the undersecretary position has been vacant...

INDUSTRY OBJECTS TO PROPOSED AUTO FEES TO CLEAN STORMWATER

Two new bills proposing auto-part and vehicle-registration environmental fees to bolster stormwater management are drawing early fire from the automobile and automotive parts industries. But local governments are applauding the legislation, which they argue allows them to fund projects to mitigate indirect pollution caused by vehicles. Both bills are seen as important because air and water regulators are just beginning to understand sources of indirect pollution, and because local governments are struggling to meet stiff water quality standards that in...

COMPANY CHARGES ARB SCHOOL BUS PROGRAM SHUTS OUT KEY TECHNOLOGY

A major manufacturer of engine-emission control systems is calling on lawmakers to overhaul a special air board program to reduce pollution from school buses, charging that rules shut out proven technology intended for older buses. The company is seeking legislative changes to the program that would allow more technology to qualify for grants, even though it currently does not meet board certification standards. Engine Control Systems, a worldwide manufacturer of exhaust retrofit systems designed to reduce particulate matter (PM) from...

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FAULT PORT PLAN FOR IGNORING WATER QUALITY

A coalition of local governments is criticizing a draft administration proposal to mitigate air pollution from port expansion projects for its apparent failure to consider water quality impacts. The local officials are urging air officials to take a more significant role in offsetting indirect pollution from airborne particles -- known as atmospheric deposition -- that could have cross-media implications. The Coalition for Practical Regulation (CPR) -- made up of 43 Los Angeles County cities that has in the past sued...

GOVERNOR SIGNS TRUCKER BILL REQUIRING ARB TO JUSTIFY DIESEL FUEL

The air board must verify that its clean-diesel fuel regulation reduces pollution more than a federal clean-diesel standard that kicks in later this year, under a new law signed by the governor. California truckers, who sponsored the bill, contend that the board has failed to justify a California-specific clean diesel fuel and argue the regulation will put state-based trucking companies at a competitive disadvantage because of higher-priced fuel than neighboring states. The bill, AB 679 (Assemblyman Ronald Calderon, D-Montebello), was...

AIR RULE COULD BE NEW FOCUS OF SUIT ON EPA POWER TO REGULATE CO2

U.S. EPA's just-released rule setting new source performance standards (NSPS) for electric utilities could become a new focus of litigation from states and environmentalists over whether the agency has authority to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, after a federal appellate court last year issued a largely inconclusive ruling on the issue. State attorneys general (AGs) and environmental groups are weighing whether to file a second legal challenge over the issue, because EPA concludes in the NSPS rule that it lacks...

EPA TO STREAMLINE AIR CONFORMITY RULES FOLLOWING AGENCIES' CONCERNS

Responding to concerns raised by the Defense, Energy and other departments, EPA this spring will propose new reforms to streamline a 13-year-old Clean Air Act rule ensuring that federal actions do not further erode air quality in areas that are not meeting the agency's health-based pollution standards, according to EPA documents and government sources. The proposal is still undergoing internal agency review, but EPA documents say the agency is considering a number of reforms to its 1993 "general conformity" rule...

PARK SERVICE REFORMS FACE QUESTIONS OVER POSSIBLE AIR ACT VIOLATIONS

The Bush administration's controversial proposed changes in how the National Park Service (NPS) manages its facilities have sparked criticism from environmentalists, who say the plans may violate the Clean Air Act by removing park superintendents' responsibility for assessing whether new industrial development degrades air quality. The proposed changes have also attracted opposition from members of Congress. Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) sent a Feb. 16 letter to NPS Director Fran Mainella raising concern that the new policies "propose a de-emphasis of...

EPA's Ethanol Plant Emissions Plan Could Bolster Air Permit Flexibility

EPA's just-issued proposal allowing new ethanol production facilities to emit more pollutants and still be classified as "minor sources" not subject to federal rules could pave the way for construction of more high-polluting, coal-fired ethanol plants and bolster permit applicants who are already facing suits from environmentalists, sources say. However, some EPA sources say flexible minor source permits could also help agency efforts to encourage the facilities to voluntarily install more efficient combined heat and power (CHP) systems in the...

Air Rule Could Be New Focus Of Suit On EPA Power To Regulate CO2

EPA's just-released rule setting new source performance standards (NSPS) for electric utilities could become a new focus of litigation from states and environmentalists over whether the agency has authority to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions after a federal appellate court last year issued a largely inconclusive ruling on the issue. State attorneys general (AGs) and environmental groups are weighing whether to file a second legal challenge over the issue because EPA concludes in the NSPS rule that it lacks authority...

California Governor's Hydrogen Initiative Faces Roadblocks

California's nonpartisan legislative analyst and a key state senator are trying to rein in Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's (R) spending on the California Hydrogen Highway Network initiative, charging that requests for more money are premature and that administration officials have not provided relevant progress reports. Hydrogen vehicle proponents nationwide are closely watching the development of Schwarzenegger's initiative as California is further along than other states in attempting to commercialize the technology. Environmentalists and some state Democrats say hydrogen vehicle and fuel...

Park Service Reforms Face Criticism Over Clean Air Act Violations

Controversial reforms the Bush administration is seeking for the National Park Service (NPS) is raising criticism from environmentalists, who say the changes may violate the Clean Air Act by removing park superintendents' responsibility for assessing whether new industrial development adversely impacts air quality. The controversy comes as hundreds of new coal-fired power plants have been proposed in the past few years that would be located in or around park and wilderness areas. A host of environmentalists and other groups submitted...

Some Republicans Retreat From White House On Environmental Issues

In a sign of growing Republican unease with the White House, both conservative and moderate House Republicans are increasingly fighting or seeking to distance themselves from various Bush administration policies on environmental and energy issues that may come under scrutiny as the midterm elections approach, according to observers on and off Capitol Hill. These observers say Republicans are breaking from the White House as a way to shield themselves from Democratic attacks in the upcoming elections, where Democrats and environmentalists...

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