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.

EPA TO ADDRESS PM2.5 'HOT SPOTS' IN TRANSPORTATION CONFORMITY RULES

EPA will amend its transportation conformity plans for the agency's fine particulate matter (PM2.5) standards after acknowledging in a legal settlement with activists that the plans fail to address localized concentrations of PM2.5 known as "hot spots." EPA is taking comment on its proposal to issue regulatory amendments by March 31, 2006, as part of a Sept. 8 proposed settlement agreement in the case Environmental Defense et al. v. EPA , filed in the United States Court of Appeals for...

STATES EYE LIMITED TRADING IN MODEL FOR EXCEEDING EPA MERCURY RULE

State and local air officials may endorse limited emissions trading in an upcoming model rule for helping states adopt regulations more stringent than EPA's mercury regulation for electric utilities, acknowledging states that have developed or that may want to consider such flexibility for the industry. The possible option comes as part of a model rule likely to offer a number of options for exceeding EPA's requirements, with state and local air officials holding longstanding reservations over EPA's rule allowing comprehensive...

STATES, CONSUMER GROUPS SUE DOE OVER APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY UPGRADES

Fifteen states along with environmental and consumer groups filed suit against the Department of Energy (DOE) early this month over the department's failure to conduct mandatory upgrades of efficiency standards for 22 appliances, after they say DOE repeatedly promised to accelerate its appliance efficiency program but never did. The groups have been pressing DOE since 2001 to update the standards, as Congress mandated in the Energy Policy Conservation Act. They have met with former Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham and current...

MARYLAND UTILITY BILL SUPPORTERS SEEK TO SHAPE ELECTION DEBATE

Supporters of a Maryland power plant bill that would impose limits on carbon dioxide (CO2), mercury and other pollutants are hoping to make the bill a key issue in the upcoming governor's race in an attempt to boost chances for the bill's passage when the state legislature reconvenes in January. The bill could make Maryland one of very few states to regulate greenhouse gases, and it would also impose power plant mercury controls stricter than in EPA's controversial rule. While...

INDUSTRY ARGUES HAZE TRADING RULE FAILS TO COMPLY WITH COURT RULING

Industry officials are taking aim at an EPA proposal allowing Western states to set up an emissions trading program to comply with visibility requirements, at the same time that industry groups and environmentalists are challenging a separate visibility rule in court. The Center for Energy & Economic Development (CEED), a coalition of mining and electricity companies, filed Sept. 16 comments objecting to EPA's Aug. 1 proposal allowing states to set up a cap-and-trade program as an alternative to a command-and-control...

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP SUES EPA OVER FAILURE TO UPDATE NOX STANDARD

An environmental group filed suit against EPA Sept. 12 over the agency's failure to update the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for nitrogen oxides (NOx), which the group says the agency was required to conduct in 2001. The Clean Air Act mandates that EPA review and update NAAQS standards every five years but the agency has not reviewed NOx since 1996, according to the complaint. The case, Center for Biological Diversity v. Stephen L. Johnson, was filed in United...

ENGINE MAKERS, REFINERS FACE OFF ON POSSIBLE EPA DIESEL RULE WAIVER

Petrochemical refiners are urging EPA to relax sulfur limits in diesel fuel in response to hydrogen supply disruptions resulting from Hurricane Katrina. But engine manufacturers are opposing the effort, saying it may damage many engines and increase particulate matter emissions. The National Petrochemical and Refiners Association is talking to EPA about a possible waiver of a nationwide, year-round limit of 500 parts per million (ppm) of sulfur in diesel fuel because of damage to hydrogen supply operations along the Gulf...

Insurers Offer Risk-Reduction Strategy For Katrina Cleanups

Two subsidiaries of one of the nation's largest insurance sellers have outlined steps on handling hazardous wastes for businesses returning to areas damaged by Hurricane Katrina, in an effort to minimize the spread of pollution and limit the future liability of those businesses. The risk-management plan was prepared for companies that do not typically handle hazardous materials, such as building owners and service industries. At the same time, EPA has not issued guidance on handling and disposing of contaminated debris...

States Eye Limited Trading In Model Plan For Exceeding EPA Mercury Rule

State and local air officials may endorse limited emissions trading in an upcoming model rule for helping states adopt standards more stringent than EPA's mercury regulation for electric utilities, in response to states that have developed or that may want to consider such flexibility for the industry. The possible option comes as part of a model rule likely to offer a number of options for exceeding EPA's requirements, with state and local air officials holding longstanding reservations over EPA's rule...

Inhofe Hearing Will Challenge Global Warming-Hurricane Link

Senate environment committee chairman James Inhofe (R-OK), a long-time skeptic of scientific claims that greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change, will likely use already planned hearings to debunk recent claims by environmentalists that the effects of climate change increases the intensity of storms, like Hurricane Katrina. Supporters of Inhofe's effort say such a hearing could be aimed at preempting hearings by Senate proponents of climate controls, such as Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), who may seek to bolster such a...

Hydrogen Proponents Cite Katrina In Push For Clean-Fuel's Use

A group formed earlier in the year to promote hydrogen has launched a public relations network in response to energy disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina to encourage greater use and renewable sources of the cleaner-burning fuel. The group, Cleanpeace.org, is trying to build public pressure on U.S. policy leaders to encourage a hydrogen-based economy to reduce U.S. dependence on oil, which the group says threatens the entire economy as evidenced by the hurricane's devastating effects. Cleanpeace.org's new "virtual network," modeled...

EPA WEIGHS OPTIONS FOR ADDRESSING FUTURE VAPOR INTRUSION RISKS

EPA staff is considering strategies for determining potential risks from indoor chemical vapors from soil and groundwater -- known as vapor intrusion -- on polluted properties that may be redeveloped in the future, according to an agency source. Among the options under consideration are incorporating advice for detecting future contamination in a revised vapor intrusion guidance scheduled to be released later this year, or even developing a separate guidance on the issue at a later date. A draft EPA guidance...

KEY GOP SENATOR EYES HEARING TO CHALLENGE NEW ROUND OF PM RULES

Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) is planning a hearing within weeks to raise concerns about EPA's possible issuance of new, more stringent particulate matter (PM) standards in December, according to a Republican source. The senator could also use the hearing as an opportunity to reiterate his support for the Bush administration's Clear Skies legislation as an alternative to stricter PM standards, by repeating his previous arguments that the bill would help many areas substantially reduce PM pollution. EPA is under a...

STATES BLAST EPA PLAN ON AIR VIOLATIONS CAUSED BY 'NATURAL EVENTS'

States are criticizing a newly drafted EPA plan to account for particulate matter (PM) and other air quality violations caused by forest fires and other acts of nature, saying the agency has ignored a detailed set of recommendations from Western states. EPA is floating a draft report for comment among states and other federal agencies as a prelude for a first-time rulemaking on "natural events." The rule would lay out how states can ensure that the effects of natural occurrences...

INDUSTRY GROUPS TAKE EPA TO COURT OVER REGIONAL HAZE RULE

Industry groups representing coal producers and utilities are suing EPA over its recently finalized rule that seeks to limit regional haze, arguing it is too stringent and allows states to regulate facilities that are not proven contributors to haze. The Center for Energy and Economic Development (CEED) and the Utility Air Regulatory Group (UARG) both filed court papers Sept. 6 challenging the rule in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, an industry source says. CEED...

INHOFE BACKING FOR BRAC REFINERY PLAN FAILS TO QUELL BROAD SKEPTICISM

Senate environment committee chairman James Inhofe's (R-OK) backing, following Hurricane Katrina, of administration plans to site oil refineries on closed military bases is doing little to build support for the idea from base redevelopers and local government officials. These officials say community opposition, the long period of time DOD is afforded before closures become effective, and a mismatch between available properties and ideal refinery locations are just a few of the obstacles standing in the way of implementing the idea...

FOLLOWING KATRINA, ENGLAND CALLS ON U.S. MILITARY TO CONSERVE FUEL

With parts of the United States facing fuel shortages caused by Hurricane Katrina, acting Deputy Defense (DOD) Secretary Gordon England wants the U.S. military -- the nation's largest single petroleum consumer -- to hunt for ways to conserve. England has called for the military to take a number of steps to reduce fuel consumption, including deferring discretionary travel, maximizing use of aviation and ground combat simulators, and using mass transportation. "This situation is serious and our government needs the [Defense]...

EPA Weighs Options For Addressing Future Vapor Intrusion Risks

EPA staff is considering strategies for determining potential risks from indoor chemical vapors from soil and groundwater -- known as vapor intrusion -- on polluted properties that may be redeveloped in the future, according to an agency source. Among the options under consideration are incorporating advice for detecting future contamination in a revised vapor intrusion guidance scheduled to be released later this year, or even developing a separate guidance on the issue at a later date. A draft EPA guidance...

Imminent EPA Reforms May Dramatically Reduce Toxics Reporting

EPA is preparing to unveil reforms to its Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting rules that are expected to dramatically reduce reporting burdens for industry and small businesses in particular, according to EPA, industry and environmentalist sources. EPA's proposed TRI burden reduction regulation would exempt companies whose toxics emissions have not significantly changed from a prior year from reporting actual emissions in alternate years. Instead, it would allow companies to declare that there has been "no significant change" in releases, according...

CONGRESS EYES NEW ENERGY BILLS AMID CONCERNS OVER HURRICANE IMPACT

Just weeks after passing a massive energy bill, Congress is considering a new package of energy legislation to address supply concerns underscored in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Key lawmakers have introduced legislation to boost supply by increasing drilling and constructing new refineries, as well as measures improving automobile fuel efficiency. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM) told reporters Sept. 13 that the idea of boosting corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for automobiles is encountering...

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