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.

CAL/EPA DRAFTS GHG REDUCTION TARGETS; WEST COAST GOALS TO FOLLOW

Cal/EPA and energy commission officials are drafting landmark greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets for California expected to be announced by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger early next year, possibly in his January State of the State speech, according to sources. West Coast regional GHG reduction targets are subsequently expected to be announced jointly by California, Oregon and Washington officials, according to a source involved in the effort. The forthcoming targets are an important signal that more efficient and cleaner energy is...

NEW FEES, TAXES EYED FOR BILLS BOOSTING AIR QUALITY PROGRAMS

Stakeholders are developing another list of potential fuel fees and taxes to fund air quality programs, which are expected to be introduced in the upcoming legislative session. The bills would build on last year's successful effort to generate approximately $140 million in new funds for incentive-based mobile source emission reduction programs. Oil industry officials say they are open to a gas tax, but insist that an accompanying alternative compliance strategy be hashed out to provide some relief for refineries from...

POTENTIAL ETHANOL INCREASE IN RFG SEEN BUOYING IN-STATE INDUSTRY

The nascent California ethanol production industry could see its market broadened substantially if the air board eventually raises a cap on the alcohol's content in reformulated gasoline (RFG), which is seen by some officials as a distinct possibility. Production increases and refueling infrastructure improvements could also buoy the industry by enabling the use of ethanol in thousands of government-owned flexible-fuel vehicles (FFVs), which are now being run on gasoline. At a recent biofuels industry conference, California Energy Commission (CEC) Chairman...

JET SAFETY CONCERNS DELAY NEW ARB DIESEL LUBRICITY STANDARD

Concerns about the composition and safety of jet fuel are spurring the air board to delay a new lubricity standard for clean diesel fuel. The delay is not expected to result in emission increases, but air board staff acknowledges that the standard is intended to allow new, lower-emitting engine technology to perform optimally. The Air Resources Board executive officer was expected this week to approve a 120-day delay -- from Jan. 1, 2005, to May 1, 2005 -- of the...

FINDINGS MAY SUPPORT AIR POLLUTION CUTS TO REDUCE HEART DISEASE RISKS

A forthcoming study suggesting that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is as much a contributor to heart disease as poor diet, stress and lack of exercise could help policymakers justify further reductions in the acceptable level of the pollutant, according to sources familiar with PM research. Researchers for the first time tested humans to examine what impact PM2.5 has on atherosclerosis -- a narrowing of the arteries that can lead to blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. It found...

ARB AUDIT OF EMBATTLED SAN JOAQUIN DISTRICT MAY GO EASY ON OFFICIALS

Environmentalists say that a forthcoming air board audit of the San Joaquin Valley air district is unlikely to deliver any lighting bolts of criticism that may force new enforcement on polluters or more rules to meet the district's state implementation plan (SIP) requirements. Some activists charge that the agriculture industry's influence over district board members, combined with the state air board's historical reluctance to substantially hammer sister regulatory agencies, may prevent any significant recommendations for change at the district. San...

EPA WEIGHS OVERHAULING OZONE RULES FOR VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS

EPA will soon seek comment on a proposed overhaul of the way it regulates ozone-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may seek to replace the current emphasis on reducing overall VOC content in the atmosphere with a more flexible system that distinguishes between each compound based on its potential to form ozone, EPA and other sources say. The effort could result in a major reorganization of a key policy that has changed little since 1977, which EPA hopes will produce...

STATES VOICE GROWING CONCERN OVER PREEMPTION OF ENVIRONMENT RULES

Key state officials are raising concern over the growing number of congressional and Bush administration efforts to preempt state environmental and other rules, and are pushing a series of measures to raise awareness of the issue, state sources and other observers say. The National Governors Association (NGA) has asked the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) to develop a report on recent and anticipated efforts in Congress to broaden federal authority by preempting state environmental and other regulations, state sources...

ANALYSIS SHOWS COAL PLANTS PROFITABLE DESPITE ENVIRONMENTAL RULES

A new analysis by an international consulting firm finds that future environmental requirements -- including many possible policies for curbing greenhouse gases -- are unlikely to erode the competitiveness of most coal-fired power plants and could even make many facilities more competitive as they install pollution controls. "The value of efficient large coal fired power plants can actually increase rather than decrease with stringent environmental control programs," says an executive summary provided to Inside EPA by Cambridge Energy Research Associates...

EPA Delays Deregulating Popular Chemical Based On Cancer Risk Data

EPA air officials have postponed for now the planned deregulation of a widely used solvent because of recent data on what they say is a closely related chemical that raises cancer risk concerns. But a chemical industry source says the substances are different enough to merit separate risk evaluations. Sources say the information prompted EPA air officials to hold off on including methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) in a group of seven other air toxins that the agency delisted from regulatory...

EPA Delays Deregulating Popular Chemical Based On Cancer Risk Data

EPA air officials have postponed for now the planned deregulation of a widely used solvent because of recent data on what they say is a closely related chemical that raises cancer risk concerns. But a chemical industry source says the substances are different enough to merit separate risk evaluations. Sources say the information prompted EPA air officials to hold off on including methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) in a group of seven other air toxins that the agency delisted from regulatory...

January Statement Expected From Schwarzenegger On Greenhouse Gas Goals

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is poised to announce as early as January a first-time goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to several sources tracking the issue. The move by the nation's largest state would add weight to similar efforts in other parts of the country, while adding the voice of a prominent Republican to the national debate. In advance of a possible announcement, California and two other western states have approved a series of staff-level recommendations on measures...

New Findings May Encourage Air Pollution Cuts To Reduce Heart Disease Risks

A yet-to-be published study suggesting that exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is as much a contributor to heart disease as poor diet, stress and lack of exercise could help policymakers justify further reductions in the acceptable level of the pollutant, according to sources familiar with PM research. Researchers for the first time tested humans to examine what impact PM2.5 has on atherosclerosis -- a narrowing of the arteries that can lead to blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. It...

GAO Nearing Completion Of Key Audit On Mercury Emission Controls

Congressional investigators are moving forward with a study of mercury-emission control technologies at electric utilities in a report they expect to issue in early 2005, just prior to EPA's release of its controversial mercury rule that is due by March 15. Nine senators, led by James Jeffords (I-VT), last spring asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the investigative arm of Congress, to provide information on "the availability, cost, effectiveness and use of technologies that power plants might install to limit...

PAVLEY, ARB HOPE GHG PITCH TO CANADA WILL TRIGGER 'CONTINENTAL SHIFT'

Assemblywoman Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) and a high-level air board staffer this week pitched to Canadian officials her landmark legislation requiring new regulations on automakers to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Pavley and air board officials hope her visit will help trigger a "continental shift" in regulating GHG emissions, combined with the expectation that several key Northeast states will adopt the air board regulation. Chuck Shulock, the chief Air Resources Board staffer on the GHG regulation, was scheduled to accompany...

AUTOMAKERS PRESS ARB FOR SECOND HEARING ON VEHICLE GHG RULE

Automakers are seeking a second air board hearing on its controversial regulation requiring greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions in future vehicles, charging multiple administrative law violations. But air board officials are declining these requests and intend soon to send the rule to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) for final approval. It is widely expected that automakers will sue the state over the regulation once OAL approves the rule. Air Resources Board officials were scheduled this week to meet privately...

LACK OF VERIFIED CONTROLS, FUNDING KEY CONCERNS IN ARB OFF-ROAD RULE

Industry representatives say a total lack of verified particulate matter (PM)-control technology for heavy-duty diesel engines used in construction and other industries is a chief concern in air board staff's development of a first-time regulation to crack down on such equipment. Incentive funding, compliance schedules, costs and credit for existing cleaner fleets and early compliance options are other issues being aired by several major industries. Dubbed the "Diesel Off-road Equipment Measure," Air Resources Board staff is in the beginning stages...

EPA Revising Cost-Benefit Model To Account For Mercury Technology Limits

EPA is planning revisions to a controversial clean air cost-benefit model that will likely lead the agency to counter claims by state and environmental groups that industry can achieve early emission reduction targets that are stricter than what EPA has proposed in its mercury control plan. The agency is revising a key assumption in its integrated planning model (IPM) -- that technology needed to achieve steep reductions in mercury emissions would be available immediately -- to reflect agency data showing...

Senate Democrat Claims GOP Support For Clean Air Talks With EPA

Sen. Thomas Carper (D-DE) says he has enlisted two key Republican colleagues in his effort to meet with EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt to discuss the administration's use of "good science" and emerging technologies to reduce utility air emissions, in advance of an upcoming congressional debate on multi-pollutant legislation. Carper says Sens. George Voinovich (R-OH), the chairman of the Senate environment panel's clean air subcommittee, and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) are awaiting a response from Leavitt on their request for a meeting...

Environmentalists Pursue Novel Argument Against EPA Air Toxics Rule

Environmentalists are making a novel argument in a legal challenge to EPA's landmark air toxics rule for industrial boilers, suggesting that the agency's decision to create exemptions that limit public health benefits may be unlawful. The environmentalists say the Bush administration's pursuit of regulatory proposals with lower cost-benefit ratios than more protective options is arbitrary and should be reversed under the Administrative Procedure Act. "At best, EPA's decision to authorize such exemptions despite its own data concerning the inevitable damage...

Pages

Not a subscriber? Sign up for 30 days free access to exclusive environmental policy reporting.