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.

LAWMAKERS DROP PROVISION THAT MAY HAVE THREATENED EPA CAFO PACT

Lawmakers have rejected a controversial amendment to the agriculture spending bill, which EPA alleged would have jeopardized a pending enforcement agreement with animal feeding operations by exempting the industry from cleanup and reporting requirements under Superfund law. A conference committee on the bill decided Oct. 26 not to include the amendment sponsored by Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID) after it prompted concerns from EPA, Democrats and environmental groups. Craig's amendment said EPA should not classify manure as a hazardous substance under...

EPA MAY FACE CHALLENGE IN FIGHTING PUBLIC OPPOSITION TO TRI CHANGES

EPA is facing significant public opposition to its proposed rule to reduce reporting under the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), including a host of editorials in major newspapers and negative news coverage, raising questions about how the agency will sell the controversial changes to a skeptical audience. But one source representing small businesses, who favors the changes, doubts the opposition will affect what EPA includes in the final rule, claiming the criticisms levied have been too general and do not address...

BUSH ADMINISTRATION PROCEEDS WITH CONTENTIOUS RADIATION POLICIES

The Bush administration appears to be proceeding with two controversial radiation exposure policies that have been criticized as unsafe by some EPA officials and environmentalists, including revisions to decades-old federal radiation protection standards and a much-criticized guide for cleaning up contamination from a terrorist "dirty bomb" attack. EPA last month submitted for White House approval the Federal Radiation Protection Guidance for Exposure of the General Public, first proposed by the Office of Radiation & Indoor Air (ORIA) in 1994. The...

Democrats' Climate Push May Squeeze GOP Moderates On Science Panel

A novel effort by 150 House Democrats to require that the White House turn over documents showing what it knows about climate change effects on U.S. coastal regions may force key Republican moderates to choose party loyalty over their environmental records, or risk leaving themselves open to attacks from conservative opponents in upcoming primaries, sources say. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) has initiated a rare House procedure with the backing of 150 of his Democratic colleagues that seeks information from the...

EPA To Issue Long-Delayed Rule Implementing 8-Hour Ozone Standard

NEWARK, DE -- EPA is slated to finalize a long-delayed rule setting out planning and control obligations states will face for implementing the agency's strict 8-hour ozone standard. State officials have criticized EPA for the delay, saying it may be difficult to prepare plans on how to meet the standard that are due next year. At the same time, the rule may face lawsuits from states, industry and environmentalists on a host of controversial air issues. Lydia Wegman of EPA's...

Study Linking Air Pollution, Flu Outbreaks May Prompt Stricter EPA Regulations

A first-of-its-kind study by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) that evaluates whether lowering air emissions can reduce flu deaths could encourage EPA to include reduced flu incidence as a new benefit of cutting pollution in its regulatory cost-benefit analyses, according to an agency economist. Such a move could lead to stricter regulations for a broad range of sources, such as power plants, industrial facilities, cars and trucks. The landmark study is being conducted in Hong Kong and comes at a...

LANDMARK AIR POLLUTION, FLU STUDY MAY AFFECT EPA COST-BENEFIT TALLIES

A first-of-its-kind study by the Health Effects Institute (HEI) that evaluates whether lowering air emissions can reduce flu deaths could encourage EPA to include reduced flu incidence as a new benefit of cutting pollution in regulatory cost-benefit analyses, according to an agency economist. Such a move could lead to stricter regulations for a broad range of sources, such as power plants, industrial facilities, cars and trucks. The landmark study is being conducted in Hong Kong and comes at a critical...

RULING MAY PROMPT ACTIVIST LAWSUITS SEEKING NSR LIMITS IN AIR PERMITS

A federal court decision may prompt environmental groups to file lawsuits challenging clean air operating permits for power plants that allegedly violated new source review (NSR) requirements, potentially creating a new avenue for NSR litigation beyond enforcement challenges . At the same time, industry officials say the decision rests on shaky ground and is unlikely to set any precedent. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit ruled in favor of environmentalists Oct. 24 in New York Public Interest...

INHOFE MAY CALL FOR EPA TO REVISIT ANALYSIS OF CLEAN AIR BILLS

Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK), a key proponent of the Bush administration's Clear Skies initiative to cut power plant pollution, may call on EPA to revisit its recently released data comparing the bill to several legislative alternatives because of concerns regarding its assumptions on the cost of climate change mandates, according to a Republican source. Inhofe, chairman of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee (EPW), has concerns about cost estimates in the modeling, which Democratic opponents of the Clear Skies...

PARK SERVICE CHANGES MAY HELP INDUSTRY IN CLEAN AIR PERMIT DISPUTES

Draft management changes at the National Park Service (NPS) may allow more flexibility for industry in clean air permit disputes near pristine areas by directing park officials to explore technological alternatives with states before seeking to block the construction of new facilities. Activist groups fear the proposed changes could also weaken visibility protections in national parks and allow greater access to off-road vehicles that threaten air quality. The proposals have also spurred opposition from senators in both parties. However, the...

STATES, ACTIVISTS CONCERNED ABOUT EPA PUSH FOR 'PREDICTIVE MONITORS'

State air regulators and environmentalists are concerned about EPA proposals that could increase the use of what are known as predictive emission monitoring systems (PEMS), which relies on measuring various inputs to determine a facility's emissions rather than monitoring what is actually coming out of a smokestack. These groups worry that such a system will result in less transparent emissions monitoring, hampering enforcement and possibly leading to worse air pollution that is difficult to detect. EPA is in the midst...

ENERGY LAW PERMIT STREAMLINING PLAN WILL NOT TAP EPA STAFF RESOURCES

A recently completed plan by EPA and other federal agencies to implement an oil and gas permit streamlining pilot project required by the new energy law will not redirect EPA staff from their usual permitting duties to implement the project, as agency officials had previously feared, according to a copy of the plan released Oct. 25. Instead, the plan redirects 10 Interior Department Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) employees, four U.S. Forest Service employees and one Bureau of Reclamation employee...

AGENCIES LAUNCH ENERGY LAW-MANDATED STUDY TO BOOST OIL RE-REFINING

The Department of Energy (DOE), in consultation with EPA, is preparing to launch a study required by the newly enacted energy law on the energy and environmental benefits of re-refining used vehicle lubricating oil, which one industry source says could boost energy conservation by encouraging oil recycling. The energy law requires DOE to submit a report on the issue to Congress within 90 days of the legislation's enactment, which was Aug. 8. But a DOE spokesman says the department will...

REPUBLICANS EYE REFINERY BILL STALEMATE AS MID-TERM ELECTION ISSUE

Senate Republicans are drawing the political battle lines on energy and environmental policies leading into the mid-term elections in 2006, following the environment committee's failure last week to approve refinery legislation, according to industry and congressional sources. Republicans are laying the groundwork to blame Democrats and their "obstructionist" tactics for contributing to continued high energy prices, while Democrats are accusing Republicans of being more interested in helping big oil companies than consumers. The deepening standoff is occurring as energy industry...

Energy Law Permit Streamlining Plan Will Not Tap EPA Staff Resources

A recently completed plan by EPA and other federal agencies to implement an oil and gas permit streamlining pilot project required by the new energy law will not redirect EPA staff from their usual permitting duties to implement the project, as agency officials had previously feared, according to a copy of the plan released Oct. 25. Instead, the plan redirects 10 Interior Department Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) employees, four U.S. Forest Service employees and one Bureau of Reclamation employee...

Republicans Eye Refinery Bill Stalemate As Mid-Term Election Issue

Senate Republicans are drawing the political battle lines on energy and environmental policies leading into the mid-term elections in 2006, following the environment committee's failure last week to approve refinery legislation, according to industry and congressional sources. Republicans are laying the groundwork to blame Democrats and their obstructionist tactics for contributing to continued high energy prices, while Democrats are accusing Republicans of being more interested in helping big oil companies than consumers. The deepening standoff is occurring as energy industry...

RESEARCH ON DRIVING COULD BACK STRICTER LIGHT TRUCK STANDARD

Two University of California-Irvine researchers say federal regulators may need to strengthen a proposed light truck fuel efficiency standard because the plan overstates the effect of vehicle efficiency on miles driven and thus underestimates the benefits of stricter regulations, according to their analysis. The critique could offer an additional rationale for tightening the proposal, with proponents of stricter fuel economy limits already calling on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to be more ambitious in its regulation due to...

STATES, ROAD BUILDERS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT EPA PM2.5 HOT SPOT RULE

The road building industry and some state officials are raising concerns that EPA has agreed to consider amending a transportation emission rule in order to account for localized emissions of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), known as "hot spots." Sources in several states say it may be difficult to comply with the rule because of tight deadlines and the lack of a monitoring network to account for the hot spots. At the same time, industry officials argue the move could jeopardize...

RULING MAY PROMPT ACTIVIST LAWSUITS SEEKING NSR LIMITS IN AIR PERMITS

A federal court decision may prompt environmental groups to file lawsuits challenging clean air operating permits for power plants that allegedly violated new source review (NSR) requirements, potentially creating a new avenue for NSR litigation beyond enforcement challenges . At the same time, industry officials say the decision rests on shaky ground and is unlikely to set any precedent. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit ruled in favor of environmentalists Oct. 24 in New York Public Interest...

POTENTIAL NSR LAWSUIT WOULD QUESTION POWER PLANT CO-OWNERS' ROLE

Environmentalists may file a lawsuit that could reopen past litigation over a power company's business relationship with separate company that may have violated new source review (NSR) regulations. Activists may pursue the unusual case in an attempt to force the installation of emissions controls at a facility owned by Southern Company subsidiary Georgia Power, which is subject to a pending enforcement action for alleged NSR violations. Yet in doing so, the activists are contesting an air permit that EPA approved...

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