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.

New Hampshire Congressman Eyes Deadline Change To MTBE Waiver

Republican sources say a congressman from New Hampshire is working on an amendment that would push back the effective date of a proposed liability waiver for manufacturers of the gasoline additive methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), in an attempt to preserve a pending groundwater contamination lawsuit filed by his home state. The amendment could help clear final passage of the MTBE liability waiver by picking up the votes of New Hampshire's two senators, who last year rejected a similar proposal...

Administration Plans First Meeting On Climate Change Strategy

The Bush administration is announcing plans for the first government-wide meeting on climate change research since release of its broad plan in 2003, with officials from EPA and 12 other agencies expected to be in attendance. The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP) meeting, scheduled for November 14-16, was announced May 4 in the Federal Register. The meeting, which is being organized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will focus on topics in the final administration plan , which...

OIL INDUSTRY SEEKS TO DELAY, RELAX EPA'S LOW-SULFUR DIESEL RULE

Oil industry officials are urging EPA to delay by as much as one year the agency's upcoming low-sulfur diesel standard, and are calling on the agency to raise allowable sulfur levels several parts per million (ppm) higher than EPA's 15 ppm standard, according to sources tracking the issue. Several industry groups, including the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA), recently sent a list of options to EPA for granting such regulatory flexibility, including putting...

CLASH LOOMS OVER BILL RESTRICTING MOBILE-TO-STATIONARY AIR CREDITS

Major industry organizations and air officials are clashing with environmentalists over a bill that aims to protect low-income areas with air quality problems by restricting the use of mobile source trading credits to offset stationary source pollution. Opponents of the measure claim the bill will cripple efforts by state officials to craft multiple-credit trading schemes critical to allowing continued industrial and economic growth in California. But supporters chide some air and oil industry officials as mischaracterizing the bill to ensure...

ARB AGREES TO REVIEW OZONE STANDARD'S DISPUTED DEATH ESTIMATES

Air board officials agreed to delay adoption of a controversial health benefits section tied to the new state eight-hour ozone standard approved last week, based on complaints by industry groups that the latest death and illness prevention figures were revised using a new methodology not available to the public. The estimates, which industry fears could spur new policies or regulations to crack down harder on pollution sources, will be the subject of an upcoming meeting by air board staff. After...

LED BY SEATTLE, U.S. CITIES CALL FOR ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Several major cities nationwide are promoting a resolution set to be voted on at the next U.S. Conference of Mayors annual meeting, calling on municipalities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while urging the federal government to take action on this contentious issue. Spearheaded by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels (D), the effort seeks 141 cities to sign the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement before the U.S. Conference of Mayors meets in mid-June in Chicago. The 141 figure is intended to...

TURF BATTLE MAY ENSUE OVER MEASURE GIVING ARB SMOG CHECK CONTROL

A bill transferring control of the state's motor vehicle Smog Check program to the air board from the automotive repair bureau is stirring discontent among some state officials and affected stakeholders, who fear such a switch could lessen effective communication with the industry and consumers and negatively impact other bureau programs, according to sources. But supporters of the measure say air board control is crucial to improving Smog Check, which is reducing pollution at about only half the rate promised...

GROUPS SAY EPA SEEKS TO IMPLEMENT MACT OFF-RAMP WHILE HALTING SUIT

Environmental groups and state air officials say EPA is seeking to implement unprecedented exemptions from air toxics regulations for the plywood industry while fending off the groups' challenge to the legality of the exemptions. But EPA says it needs more time to respond to administrative petitions from the same activists to reconsider the rule. EPA's landmark rule for plywood and composite wood producers, published last year, drew challenges from environmentalists and others for including controversial off-ramps for companies that could...

EPA RETREATS ON CLEAN AIR ANALYSIS FOLLOWING JOHNSON CONFIRMATION

EPA appears likely to renege on an earlier pledge to conduct an analysis of the public health benefits of various clean air legislative proposals after the Senate approved Steve Johnson to be EPA administrator. The agency had offered to conduct the review after Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) placed a hold on Johnson's confirmation, but Carper indicated this response was inadequate. An EPA official says the agency has no plans to provide to Carper any new clean air analysis. "The proposal...

NORTHEAST SEEKS PACT WITH MIDWEST, SOUTH TO CUT EMISSIONS BEYOND CAIR

Northeast and mid-Atlantic states want to work with states in other regions to reduce power plant emissions far beyond what is required under EPA's new clean air interstate rule (CAIR), possibly in a regional cap-and-trade program covering the entire eastern United States, officials say. Midwestern and southern state officials say they have not evaluated such a proposal, but are pursuing their own ideas for further reductions in nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from power plants. The widespread...

SENATE KILLS HIGHWAY BILL PROVISION EXPANDING ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS

A freshman Senate Republican has successfully removed a provision in the pending transportation bill that he and industry proponents say would have undermined the bill's ability to streamline the National Environmental Policy Act's (NEPA) review process for new highway projects. The Senate last week eliminated a provision in the bill requiring the government to "ensure" that industry has considered whether a highway project would cause damage to the environment. Lawmakers adopted by voice vote an amendment by Sen. John Thune...

ACTIVISTS HOPE CALIFORNIA OZONE STANDARD SETS BAR FOR NEW EPA LEVELS

Even though it lacks enforceability, environmentalists hope to use the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) strict new 8-hour ozone standard as a marker for a future EPA standard as the agency's scientific advisers begin reviewing the adequacy of the national ozone limit. However, industry groups that objected to the California change say they will continue to fight any effort to impose an equivalent national standard. CARB April 28 adopted a new 8-hour ozone standard, which sets the acceptable limit for...

Northeast Delays Landmark Climate Change Strategy To Assess Local Effects

The Northeast will likely postpone unveiling its framework for a regional greenhouse gas initiative (RGGI) expected this summer to allow participating states time to assess the energy and financial impacts of the landmark cap-and-trade emissions program, officials in the region say. Officials working on the program also say they are likely to give wide discretion to states in deciding how to implement the initiative, leaving a daunting task ahead for governors and state legislators between now and the target date...

States Plan Lawsuit Over Coal Market Impacts Of EPA Mercury Rule

The governor of Illinois and the state's new senator, Barack Obama (D-IL), are joining a growing number of state officials mostly in the East who are concerned that EPA's mercury regulations create an unfair advantage for coal mined in the West, setting the stage for these states to file suit over the rule following its publication in the Federal Register. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) has announced that he would join a chorus of states in challenging the power plant...

Oil Industry Seeks Delay In Clean-Diesel Rule To Ease Delivery Snags

Oil industry officials are urging EPA to delay by as much as one year the agency's upcoming low-sulfur diesel standard, calling on the agency to temporarily raise allowable sulfur levels several parts per million (ppm) higher than EPA's 15 ppm standard, according to sources tracking the issue. Several industry groups, including the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA), recently sent a list of options to EPA for granting such regulatory flexibility, including putting off...

ACTIVISTS HOPE CALIFORNIA OZONE STANDARD SETS BAR FOR NEW EPA LEVELS

Even though it lacks enforceability, environmentalists hope to use the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) strict new 8-hour ozone standard as a marker for a future EPA standard as the agency's scientific advisors begin reviewing the adequacy of the national ozone limit this week. However, industry groups that objected to the California change say they will continue to fight any effort to impose an equivalent national standard. CARB April 28 adopted a new 8-hour ozone standard, which sets the acceptable...

GROUPS REJECT EPA MOVE TO END 'INCREMENTS' IN RULES IMPACTING PARKS

Industry, states and environmentalists are rejecting EPA proposals to abolish the way it sets emissions limits known as "increments" in pristine areas, claiming the agency's alternative proposals create too much uncertainty and are subject to legal challenges. Specifically, the groups are rejecting a proposal to use cap-and-trade programs including the new clean air interstate rule (CAIR) as substitutes for area-specific limits on pollution. Industry groups argue this approach could require more stringent emissions reductions, while states and environmentalists are pushing...

EPA FACES INTERNAL DEBATE OVER CONTROVERSIAL WESTERN AIR MODELING

An internal EPA dispute is coming to a head over whether to grant final approval to controversial air quality modeling procedures in North Dakota, which could be a model for a nationwide rulemaking, agency sources and environmentalists say. Activists close to the issue say agency headquarters appears inclined to approve the new modeling protocol, which could pave the way for industrial expansion in park and wilderness locations known as Class I areas. But technical staffers in EPA's regional offices have...

NORTHEAST SEEKS PACT WITH MIDWEST, SOUTH TO CUT EMISSIONS BEYOND CAIR

Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states want to work with states in other regions to reduce power plant emissions far beyond what is required under EPA's new clean air interstate rule (CAIR), possibly in a regional cap-and-trade program covering the entire Eastern United States, officials say. Midwestern and Southern state officials say they have not evaluated such a proposal, but are pursuing their own ideas for further reductions in nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions from power plants. The widespread...

EPA LETS STATES MEET DECREE ON AIR STANDARDS BY COMPLYING WITH CAIR

EPA is seeking to satisfy a consent decree it entered with two environmental groups over the agency's failure to require states to revise their state implementation plans (SIPs) to reflect new ambient air quality standards for ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in a way that will allow the 28 states subject to the clean air interstate rule (CAIR) to comply simply by meeting the CAIR requirements. The remaining states, mainly those west of the Mississippi, will have to follow...

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