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.

Study Linking Mercury, Autism Prompts Calls For EPA To Tighten Rule

New evidence linking mercury exposure to autism in children is prompting calls for EPA to tighten its proposal to require first-time mercury reductions from the electric power sector. While the study does not claim to prove that mercury exposure causes autism, it provides further evidence that it may be a factor. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just completed an 18-month review that finds autistic children share a near-universal trait that makes them more susceptible to mercury exposure from a variety...

SCIENTISTS ACCUSE INDUSTRY OF MANIPULATING MAJOR PM2.5 STUDY FINDINGS

Scientists involved in a major Atlanta-area study on the health effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution say the utility group funding the research is "inappropriately" interpreting its initial data as evidence that power plant emissions have a negligible impact on cardiovascular health, when compared to other PM2.5 sources such as mobile source emissions. The scientists say the study results so far are inconclusive as to power plant health impacts, and they caution that Atlanta may not be a good...

Scientists Question Utility Claims About Air Pollution Health Effects

Scientists involved in a major study on the health effects of tiny soot particles in the Atlanta metropolitan area say a utility group that is funding the effort is "inappropriately" interpreting initial findings in a way that could ease future emission controls. The utility group says the findings show that power plant emissions have a "miniscule" impact on cardiovascular health when compared to air pollution from vehicles. The scientists say the study results so far are inconclusive as to the...

U.S. To Push 'Collaborative' Mercury Cuts As Alternative To EU Treaty

The United States plans to propose a collaborative approach to reducing global mercury emissions that could be pushed as a limited alternative to European calls for a treaty that could ban certain commercial activities. Sweden, Norway and other European nations have recently proposed sweeping mercury control measures, including a possible ban on trade involving the neurotoxin, and the European Union is expected to propose a treaty process at a February 21-25 United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Governing Council meeting in...

Experts Cautious Of Early Conclusions From EPA-Backed Air Study

Air quality experts are cautioning against premature conclusions based on a recent study partially funded by EPA that found human exposure to tiny particles of soot did not result in cardiovascular health effects. These experts say the study does not prove that so-called "ultrafine" particles are safe. Academic and industry scientists agree that the findings are important because test animals exposed to much greater concentrations of ultrafine particulate matter (PM) than those used in this study have shown adverse cardiovascular...

Study Linking Mercury, Autism Prompts Calls For EPA To Tighten Rule

New evidence linking mercury exposure to autism in children is prompting calls for EPA to tighten its proposal to require first-time mercury reductions from the electric power sector. While the study does not claim to prove that mercury exposure causes autism, it provides further evidence that it may be a factor. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just completed an 18-month review that finds autistic children share a near-universal trait that makes them more susceptible to mercury exposure from a variety...

EPA Advisers Issue Surprise Call To Study Unintended CO2 Emission Cuts

An EPA advisory committee's new air quality report includes a surprise recommendation for the agency to help states evaluate reductions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases that may be achieved under rules primarily intended to curb pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter. The committee added the recommendation to a comprehensive report that calls for major changes in the way EPA regulates air quality. Members of the committee note the report has ambitious goals, but acknowledge that implementing...

Court Narrows Precedent-Setting Ruling 'Vacating' Clean Air Rule

A federal appellate court has narrowed its previous precedent-setting decision to vacate an EPA air rule in its rejection of a Bush administration request to reconsider the case. The latest ruling, which backs an industry challenge to an EPA-approved list of alternatives to an ozone-depleting chemical, grants future courts the discretion in allowing the agency to revise allegedly flawed regulations. The decision may quell fears by EPA officials who were worried that the previous decision would set a dangerous precedent,...

Environmentalists Say Georgia Power Case May Spur Tougher Particulate Controls

Environmentalists say a recent court ruling highlights their ability to use citizen suits as a tool to force utilities to reduce particulate matter (PM) emissions, underscoring a possible strategy by environmentalists for seeking emission cuts beyond the pending requirements under EPA's new nonattainment designations for fine particles. A federal district court last month ruled in Sierra club et al v. Georgia Power Company that a facility owned by the company violated what are known as "opacity" limits between 1998 and...

SCIENTISTS ACCUSE INDUSTRY OF MANIPULATING MAJOR PM2.5 STUDY FINDINGS

Scientists involved in a major Atlanta-area study on the health effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution say the utility group funding the research is "inappropriately" interpreting its initial data as evidence that power plant emissions have a negligible impact on cardiovascular health, when compared to other PM2.5 sources such as mobile source emissions. The scientists say the study results so far are inconclusive as to power plant health impacts, and they caution that Atlanta may not be a good...

ARB INDOOR AIR REPORT SENT TO PEER REVIEWERS UNDER HEAVY CRITICISM

An air board report on indoor air quality, which recommends substantial regulatory actions to reduce emissions from a variety of indoor products, is headed to a peer review panel under heavy criticism from state and national industry groups, including home appliance manufacturers, carpet makers and builders. These groups are pressing board staff to delete recommendations for new emission standards for products, and maintain that the report is filled with misleading data and statements about the risks posed by these products...

ARB EASES DIESEL TRUCK RULE ON RURAL AREAS; UTILITIES SEEK MORE RELIEF

Air board staff has further relaxed for rural areas its proposed rule to reduce heavy-duty diesel engine emissions, but appears to be maintaining requirements on utilities and larger public fleets despite protests from those organizations. The rule, which may be considered by the board in February, was revised last month for the second time since May 2004. At issue is the Air Resources Board's "Proposed Diesel PM Control Measure for On-Road Heavy-Duty Diesel-Fueled Fleet Vehicles Owned and Operated by Public...

LAO AGAIN TELLS LAWMAKERS ARB MUST CRACK DOWN ON DISTRICTS

The Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) is recommending again this year the Legislature pursue legislation requiring the air board to better oversee local air quality districts. But air pollution control officers say they like the degree of oversight they receive now from the board. Better Air Resources Board review of local air districts will help the districts maintain a consistent enforcement policy, states the LAO's biannual legislative recommendations report, released last month. Last month's recommendation marks the second time the LAO...

REVISED SOUTH COAST RECLAIM PLAN STILL DRAWS FIRE FROM ALL SIDES

Further revisions to a proposal to amend the South Coast air district's RECLAIM credit trading program are still failing to satisfy any sides of the debate, with environmentalists asking for more pollution reduction and various industry coalitions seeking more trading privileges and a lower pollution-reduction mandate. The amendments to the RECLAIM program are considered important to ensure the district garners adequate pollution reduction from participating large stationary source facilities while still providing incentives for operations to install necessary controls and...

SCIENTISTS ACCUSE INDUSTRY OF MANIPULATING MAJOR PM2.5 STUDY FINDINGS

Scientists involved in a major Atlanta-area study on the health effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution say the utility group funding the research is "inappropriately" interpreting its initial data as evidence that power plant emissions have a negligible impact on cardiovascular health, when compared to other PM2.5 sources such as mobile source emissions. The scientists say the study results so far are inconclusive as to power plant health impacts, and they caution that Atlanta may not be a good...

EPA ADVISERS ISSUE CALL TO STUDY CO2 'CO-BENEFITS' OF EMISSIONS CUTS

An EPA advisory committee's new air quality report includes a surprise recommendation for the agency to help states evaluate reductions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases that may be achieved under rules primarily intended to curb pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter. The committee added the recommendation to a comprehensive report that calls for major changes in the way EPA regulates air quality. Members of the committee acknowledge the report has ambitious goals and that implementing them...

Scientists Question Utility Claims About Air Pollution Health Effects

Scientists involved in a major study on the health effects of tiny soot particles in the Atlanta metropolitan area say a utility group that is funding the effort is "inappropriately" interpreting initial findings in a way that could ease future emission controls. The utility group says the findings show that power plant emissions have a "minuscule" impact on cardiovascular health when compared to air pollution from vehicles. The scientists say the study results so far are inconclusive as to the...

Outlook 2005 Clean Air Tracking

REGULATION Air Rule For Region X Indian Reservations EPA is expected to finalize in 2005 a first-time federal implementation plan (FIP) that contains basic air rules that would apply to all Native American reservations in the Region X states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. EPA says the rules are needed "to establish a level playing field and create basic federally enforceable rules" under the air act for sovereign Native American lands, which presently have no clean air restrictions. But opponents...

Outlook 2005 New Source Review Tracking

New Rulemakings EPA has repeatedly indicated its intention to issue additional regulations increasing flexibility under the NSR program, with agency air officials now saying the agency could issue proposed rules sometime in the spring. Specifically, the new reforms would make it easier to disaggregate, or count separately, several changes at a facility, lessening instances when environmental reviews are triggered. Also at stake are rules for measuring the effects of changes that remove bottlenecks in industrial operations, as well as new...

Moderate Democrats Offer Environment Agenda For Western, Rural Voters

A centrist Democratic think tank has developed an environmental policy agenda for the next four years that is intended to appeal to western and rural voters. The policy recommendations are based on local and state initiatives that emphasize market-based approaches to reducing environmental contaminants, such as a cap-and-trade program for carbon dioxide emissions. The agenda , released last month by the Democratic Leadership Council's Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), comes as the party is sifting through its policy priorities following last...

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