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.

Petroleum Industry Seeks EPA Help To Meet Upcoming Clean-Diesel Standard

Petroleum industry groups are engaged in discussions with EPA about overcoming what the groups say are technical obstacles to transporting fuel that complies with an upcoming standard for cleaner burning highway diesel fuel. Sources say the industry may urge EPA to offer incentives or use its enforcement discretion if fuel suppliers fall short of the new requirements. Industry officials say the biggest unknown in meeting the new requirements is how to avoid downstream contamination of the fuel. The product has...

States Say Short Comment Period Hurt Study Of Air Rule's Modeling Changes

States are continuing to criticize EPA for allegedly providing inadequate time to review and comment on new modeling techniques for the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), which addresses transported air pollution. Both the Northeast States For Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) and the Ozone Transport Commission suspect there are technical inaccuracies in the new modeling methods that could make the CAIR rule appear more effective than states believe it actually is. However, both groups say they could not verify their...

Environmentalists Say Utility Proposal Will Boost Calls For Coal-Gasification Plants

Environmentalists say a pledge by American Electric Power (AEP) that it will build at least one coal gasification power plant within the next decade may provide critics of proposed traditional coal-fired plants ammunition in pressing regulators to require the utility industry to consider the newer technology. An August announcement by the company suggested the cost of building gasification projects could be less than the estimated costs of one such plan rejected last year by Wisconsin regulators on cost grounds, one...

DOD OBJECTS TO STRINGENT COLORADO INDOOR AIR STANDARDS FOR TCE

The Defense Department is calling Colorado's decision to adopt a stringent indoor air policy for trichloroethylene (TCE) premature, pointing to the unresolved controversy over the scientific values on which the state bases its screening and remediation policy. The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) Aug. 20 finalized an interim policy that sets 0.016 micrograms per cubic meter (ug/m 3 ) of TCE in air as a screening level -- the first test to determine whether cleanup should be...

ARMY SAYS ANNISTON INCINERATOR PERMIT VIOLATIONS BEING ADDRESSED

The Army says it has already corrected most of the permit violations cited in an Aug. 26 notice from Alabama regulators, and is working to resolve the remaining issues. This is the second time this year the state has issued a notice of violation to the Anniston Chemical Agent Disposal Facility (ANCDF). "We have cleared up most of these issues. It is our goal to ensure that they do not occur again," ANCDF site project manager Timothy Garrett said in...

FEDERAL, STATE OFFICIALS EYE REGULATORY IMPACTS OF CO2 STORAGE

Federal and state officials are beginning to address the regulatory implications of storing, or sequestering, carbon dioxide (CO2) underground to address global warming, with EPA forming a new workgroup on the issue and energy-producing states developing recommendations on potential state regulatory changes, according to government sources. Although research on storing CO2 is at an early stage, government-sponsored projects are moving toward injecting small quantities of CO2 underground to study its effects and scientists' ability to track the materials, federal officials...

ACTIVISTS SAY SENATORS' REMARKS SHOW MOMENTUM FOR CLIMATE BILL

Environmentalists say recent remarks by two Republican senators who had voted against legislation to curb greenhouse gas emissions may show increasing support for such measures, after the lawmakers cited the need to address global warming while on a fact-finding trip to Norway on climate change. "I voted against it, but I am more open to voting differently now," said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), one of the lawmakers on the trip, according to a translation of an Aug. 23 Norwegian press...

EPA MODELING CITES BENEFITS OF MERCURY TRADING IN INTERSTATE AIR RULE

EPA will soon unveil long-awaited modeling data on the combined impact of the administration's controversial mercury emissions plan and the "co-benefits" resulting from the agency's rule regulating transported pollution across states, according to a top air program official. High-level agency officials promised several months ago that the agency would conduct additional research on the mercury rule, but until now they have not elaborated on what that research might entail. But states and other outside groups, who have already analyzed the...

CHEMICAL MAKERS CITE COURT RULING IN PUSH TO DELAY EPA AIR RULE

A group of chemical companies is citing a recent appellate ruling in urging EPA to delay implementing part of a major air toxics rule and to conduct an administrative review of the measure even as the agency continues settlement talks with industry over the rule. The Aug. 11 petition, filed by Clariant America, Eastman Chemical Co. and Rohm & Haas Co., asks EPA to stay the application of the leak detection and repair (LDAR) requirements of the miscellaneous organic national...

STATES SAY SHORT COMMENT PERIOD HURT STUDY OF CAIR MODEL CHANGES

States are continuing to criticize EPA for allegedly providing inadequate time to review and comment on new modeling techniques for the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), which addresses transported air pollution. Both the Northeast States For Coordinated Air Use Management (NESCAUM) and the Ozone Transport Commission suspect there are technical inaccuracies in the new modeling methods that could make the CAIR rule appear more effective than states believe it actually is. However, both groups say they could not verify their...

PACT WITH OIL COMPANY MAY HELP EPA DEVELOP GUIDE ON 'UPSET' EMISSIONS

EPA and the petrochemical company Flint Hills Resources (FHR) have agreed to develop and evaluate strategies for curtailing so-called "upset" emissions, in what agency and company sources say could lead to guidance to minimize such emissions from petroleum refineries and other industrial facilities. Both agency and industry sources say the Aug. 6 agreement builds upon significant progress the company has made over the past several years in reducing upset emissions from flaring, or combustion of gases often released during startup,...

Federal, State Officials Eye Regulatory Implications Of Disposing CO2

Federal and state officials are beginning to address the regulatory implications of capturing and disposing, or sequestering, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by placing them underground to prevent global warming, with EPA forming a new workgroup on the issue and energy-producing states developing recommendations on potential state regulatory changes, according to government sources. Although research on storing CO2 is at an early stage, government-sponsored projects are moving toward injecting small quantities of CO2 underground to study its effects and scientists' ability...

GOP Platform Avoids Criticizing Congress Over Clean Air Legislation

The Republican Party platform approved this week by delegates at the national convention in New York City lauds President Bush's Clear Skies legislation to address pollution from electric utilities, but makes no mention of an alternative regulatory approach that the administration has touted as necessary because the president's bill has languished for years in Congress. The platform's omission of the clean air interstate rule (CAIR) is strategic, designed to not offend Republican congressional leaders such as Senate Majority Leader Bill...

Chemical Makers Cite Court Ruling In Push To Delay EPA Air Rule

A group of chemical companies is citing an appeals court ruling last year in urging EPA to delay implementation of part of a major air toxics rule and conduct an administrative review of the measure even as the agency continues settlement talks with the industry over the rule. The Aug. 11 petition , filed by Clariant America, Eastman Chemical Company and Rohm & Haas Company, asks EPA to stay the application of the leak detection and repair (LDAR) requirements of...

California To Enact Fees Funding Host Of Air Quality Programs

The California legislature late on Aug. 27 approved a bill, pushed by a broad coalition of government and industry officials and environmentalists, seeking to generate about $80 million annually through fees to fund a host of air quality programs. California EPA is a major backer of the measure and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is expected to sign it into state law. But automobile dealers and rubber manufacturers are questioning whether the new fees contained in the proposal are actually taxes...

EPA Region Poised To Finalize Landmark Clean Air Rule For Tribal Lands

The White House is reviewing a final EPA Region 10 regulation that would for the first time implement clean air rules for all tribal lands in an entire EPA region, but the rule is facing fierce opposition from non-tribal residents who fear the measure does not guarantee them due process rights. Agency sources say they have addressed the due process concerns raised by non-tribal members by having federal, not tribal, entities take responsibility for implementing the requirements to preserve non-tribal...

California Legislature Approves Carpool Lane Incentives For Hybrids

Despite a late lobbying push by the Ford Motor Co., the California legislature approved a measure that will allow some hybrid vehicle drivers to access the state's "carpool lanes," even when driving alone, as an incentive to purchase ultra-fuel-efficient vehicles. Ford's lobbying effort fell short of stopping the bill with one Republican senator calling the company's chairman a "billionaire crybaby," and accusing him of "unmitigated gall." Because the Schwarzenegger Administration backed the bill with state Treasurer Phil Angelides (D), the...

California Port Pollution Bill Seen As Environmental Test For Schwarzenegger

The California Legislature's just-passed bill that seeks to freeze air emissions from two ports presents Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) with a stark choice between siding with environmentalists who support the measure, or a long list of business groups that oppose it. Some Schwarzenegger administration officials have voiced opposition to the bill, but sources say the governor has not yet indicated his stance on the legislation. The bill, AB 2042, requires the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to develop...

Pact With Oil Company May Help EPA Develop Guide On 'Upset' Emissions

EPA and the petrochemical company Flint Hills Resources (FHR) have agreed to cooperate on development and evaluation of strategies for curtailing so-called "upset" emissions, in what agency and company sources say could lead to guidance to minimize such emissions from petroleum refineries and other industrial facilities. Both agency and industry sources say the Aug. 6 agreement builds upon significant progress the company has made in reducing upset emissions from flaring, or combustion of gases often released during startup, shutdown and...

REGION X POISED TO FINALIZE LANDMARK CLEAN AIR RULE FOR TRIBAL LANDS

The White House is reviewing a final EPA Region X regulation that would for the first time implement clean air rules for all tribal lands in an entire EPA region, but the rule is facing fierce opposition from non-tribal residents who fear the measure does not guarantee them due process rights. Agency sources say they have addressed the due process concerns raised by non-tribal members by having federal, not tribal, entities take responsibility for implementing the requirements to preserve non-tribal...

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