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.

SENATOR SEEKS MAJOR FINE HIKES FOR 'CHRONIC' AIR POLLUTERS

Sen. Martha Escutia (D-Whittier) is pursuing a bold proposal to substantially hike air pollution fines, including a new mega-fine for "serious" or "chronic" polluters, arguing current penalties do not deter companies from routinely violating permit limits. Industry representatives said they will fight the measure, strongly disagreeing with Escutia's premise that companies merely budget fines into their business plans. SB 1205, the "Children's Breathing Rights Act," would increase civil penalties for certain violations from $1,000 to up to $10,000, and after...

TRUCKERS MULL ACTION TO PREVENT ARB ENGINE-LABEL FINES

Trucking industry representatives are pondering a challenge to new air board regulations requiring truckers to possess proof that their engines meet U.S. emission standards, charging that associated fines are excessive and possibly illegal. But late changes to the regulations made last week before they were approved remain unclear to stakeholders, who said they will undertake a review before deciding on potential action. The regulatory amendments to the Air Resources Board's Heavy-Duty Vehicle Inspection Program -- approved Jan. 26 -- require...

AIR, WATER BOARDS LAUNCH ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITION RESEARCH CHALLENGE

The state water and air boards are scheduled to meet next week to begin developing policies and measures to address atmospheric deposition. Researchers studying atmospheric deposition -- where pollutants from emissions to the air wind up in water bodies -- say the water board cannot properly address the problem with existing tools, and recommend new tools and more study. Meanwhile, industry would like to see a resolution to the airborne deposition issue before the water board moves to add more...

CRITICS CHARGE ARB SENDING MIXED MESSAGE ON RAILROAD MOU

Environmentalists and air district officials say they will continue to put pressure on the air board to either rescind or amend a controversial memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the state and railroads to reduce locomotive and railyard emissions, despite a board decision last week to let the pact stand. The board's decision to return the pact in June for review, and potentially to take another vote on whether to rescind it, is further confusing stakeholders about the board's position and...

OFFICIALS FEAR FURTHER LNG COMPATIBILITY STUDY DELAYS STANDARDS

Two energy commissioners this week said they fear awarding $3 million to an industry organization to further study potential negative air quality and equipment operation impacts from imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) will delay critical standards to ensure such effects are prevented. Power generators and air officials, among others, have urged state and federal officials to promptly set new standards to ensure "hotter burning" LNG supplies do not increase air pollution and harm industrial equipment and consumer appliances. The California...

DEFICIT FOCUS MAY HOBBLE PUSH TO RESTORE UPCOMING EPA BUDGET CUTS

EPA's prospects for winning a modest funding boost to restore deep cuts expected in the Bush administration's upcoming budget request appear slim, observers on and off Capitol Hill say, due in large part to Republican and administration commitments to rein in federal spending ahead of the midterm elections. While President Bush in the past sought cuts to EPA spending with Congress adding modest funding back into key programs, it may be difficult for lawmakers to do so in the agency's...

SEC BACKS SHAREHOLDER CHALLENGE TO GE GREENHOUSE GAS CONTROLS

The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) has agreed with a free-market advocacy group that General Electric (GE) must allow shareholders to vote on whether the company must defend the commercial benefit of its climate change policies, which are part of its highly publicized "Ecomagination" campaign. The SEC decision is a victory for the Free Enterprise Action Fund (FEAF), which has questioned the business sense of GE's policies to reduce climate change emissions, but it could have a chilling effect on...

TOP CONTENDER IN GOP RACE COULD TARGET EPA SMALL ENGINE, FUEL RULES

The pending House Republican leadership election may create a higher profile for controversial legislation on EPA engine emissions standards and so-called "boutique" fuel requirements, which are long-standing priorities for Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO), the front runner in the race for the majority leader. Observers say it is unlikely the leadership race will have any direct impact on environmental legislation, though some environmentalists say Blunt is more alarming to them than the other candidates because of his role in these issues...

EPA FACING BACKLASH OVER NEW PLAN TO BOOST VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS

EPA's burgeoning efforts to boost voluntary programs to reach environmental policy goals -- which the agency will soon highlight in a major report -- could be complicated by new opposition environmentalists are voicing to the agency's Performance Track program that EPA has long touted as a model voluntary initiative between industry and the government. The concerns, led by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Environmental Integrity Project, could signal that activists may become more active in seeking to...

EPA FINDS NEW UTILITY EQUIPMENT LEAKING POTENT GREENHOUSE GAS

A recent EPA study shows new high-voltage electrical equipment installed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is leaking an extremely powerful GHG at higher-than-anticipated rates, suggesting the agency will have to take new action under a voluntary partnership with utilities and equipment makers to curb the unexpected emissions. The findings present a new challenge for an EPA partnership with the utility industry geared toward reducing emissions of the gas, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), through strategies that include upgrading older leaking equipment...

EPA CALL FOR C-8 EMISSIONS CUTS COULD SHIFT FOCUS AWAY FROM DUPONT

EPA's recent call for DuPont and other manufacturers to cut emissions of C-8 -- a processing agent used to make common consumer products -- could shift the focus away from the U.S. chemical giant to the seven other companies that also produce similar compounds, one industry source says. Company officials indicated after EPA's announcement that they had almost complied with EPA's call to cut emissions of the compound by 95 percent by 2010. Relevant documents are available on InsideEPA.com ...

MCCAIN EYES CHANGES TO CLIMATE BILL TO BOLSTER SENATE SUPPORT

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) may change three key areas of his legislation to impose first-time economy-wide mandates to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, in an attempt to win new support for the bill and reclaim votes he lost after adding incentives for boosting nuclear power, a Republican source says. McCain and co-sponsor Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) are considering changes that may be necessary to gather sufficient bipartisan support to pass the bill including: altering its deadlines and emission caps, offering more...

ENVIRONMENTALISTS SEEK TO BROADEN SWEEPING CLEAN AIR PERMIT RULING

Environmentalists are seeking to extend a potentially sweeping precedent set by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit that could require industry to resolve alleged Clean Air Act deficiencies as part of their federal air permits, even if the allegations have not been substantiated in court. Environmentalists last week filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit objecting to EPA's approval of a Title V operating permit -- an umbrella permit that contains...

Industry Questions EPA Focus On Preventing Nanotech Pollution

The chemical industry is urging EPA to downgrade the priority its recent draft white paper placed on preventing pollution from nanotechnology, saying the agency should first try to determine what -- if any -- risks nanomaterials pose to human health and place the highest priority on collaborative approaches. At the same time, environmentalists and a policy think tank are renewing calls for new regulatory authority to limit risks posed by nanotechnology. The differences between the two camps comes as the...

Senate Energy Panel's Climate Plan Rekindles Committees' Jurisdiction Battle

A Senate energy committee effort to push forward with discussions on a possible mandatory climate change program is renewing a jurisdictional face-off with the environment committee over the proper venue for developing the initiative, a dispute that underscores continuing resistance to climate legislation. Energy committee aides, however, are indicating their intention to press on with the debate on the issue prior to resolving the procedural concerns. At a Feb. 2 briefing for reporters, staff for energy committee chairman Pete Domenici...

EPA Finds New Utility Equipment Leaking Potent Greenhouse Gas

A recent EPA study shows new high-voltage electrical equipment installed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is leaking an extremely powerful GHG at higher-than-anticipated rates, suggesting the agency will have to take new action under a voluntary partnership with utilities and equipment makers to curb the unexpected emissions. The findings present a new challenge for an EPA partnership with the utility industry geared toward reducing emissions of the gas, sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), through strategies that include upgrading older leaking equipment...

Top Contender In GOP Race Could Target EPA Small Engine, Fuel Rules

The pending House Republican leadership election may create a higher profile for controversial legislation on EPA engine emissions standards and so-called "boutique" fuel requirements, which are long-standing priorities for Rep. Roy Blunt (R-MO), the front runner in the race for the majority leader. Observers say it is unlikely the leadership race will have any direct impact on environmental legislation, though some environmentalists say Blunt is more alarming to them than the other candidates because of his role in these issues...

Cal/EPA Chief Brushes Off Industry Criticisms Of Climate Change Report

California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) Secretary Alan Lloyd is acknowledging industry criticisms that the agency's recent report on the costs of reducing greenhouse gas emissions may be incomplete, but nevertheless says the report is adequate to advance recommendations for action to the legislature and governor. Major industry groups last week accused Cal/EPA of failing to provide proper transparency and peer review of its economic impact analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission-reduction recommendations, warning that decision-makers should not rely on shaky...

NEW WIND RESEARCH MAY FURTHER DELAY EPA'S VAPOR INTRUSION GUIDE

The upcoming release of new findings on how wind can affect indoor air pollution caused by groundwater and soil contaminants, a phenomenon known as vapor intrusion, may further complicate EPA efforts to develop guidance for determining public health risks. Industry has long opposed efforts by EPA and states to provide guidance on vapor intrusion, and the new findings could further delay the agency's release of an updated guide. The research also comes as EPA scientists are raising new concerns over...

PROPERTY CONCERNS DELAY EPA CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS PLANS IN GULF

Local opposition and Louisiana private property laws are keeping EPA officials from conducting first-time tests for burning construction debris from last year's hurricanes in mobile incinerators -- testing agency officials say could help in developing a new policy for using the technology expected later this year. Officials from the agency's solid waste and research and development offices say the tests would have helped provide EPA with data on whether the incinerators -- known as air curtain destructors (ACD) -- are...

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