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The EPA recently announced a proposed rule to assess a charge on certain large emitters of methane waste from the oil and gas sector that exceed emissions intensity levels set by Congress. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022 amended the Clean Air Act (CAA) to add Section 136: Methane Emissions and Waste Reduction Incentive […]
On January 17, 2024, the EPA issued guidance that recommends lowering the screening levels used to investigate and clean up lead-contaminated soil in residential areas where children live and play. The guidance, issued by the EPA Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), marks the first time in 30 years the Agency has recommended lowering […]
In January 2024, chemical manufacturer Nox-Crete Inc., located in Omaha, Nebraska, agreed to pay a $37,026 EPA civil penalty and install a fire suppression system to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act (CAA); Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA); and Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). The facility, which […]
Reports are due by March 1, 2024, for facilities subject to Biennial Hazardous Waste and Tier II Hazardous Chemical Inventory Reporting regulations. Biennial Hazardous Waste Reporting Biennial hazardous waste reports are used to compile data on the generation, management, and minimization of hazardous waste. Facilities required to report: Large quantity generators (LGQ), or those that […]
A group of more than 4,700 auto dealerships, calling themselves the “EV Voice of the Customer,” sent a second letter to President Joseph Biden, Jr., urging him to “hit the brakes” on a proposed EPA electric vehicle (EV) mandate. This letter, dated January 25, 2024, reminded the president that the industry group had sent a […]
President Joseph Biden Jr.’s campaign platform carried a commitment to confront long-standing environmental/climate injustices and inequities. Considering the historical fact that industry has been held accountable for pollution damages and largely bears the financial costs of pollution control measures in response to regulatory actions to address environmental justice (EJ) issues, these initiatives have significant impact […]
On February 1, 2024, the EPA announced two new proposed regulations to protect communities and the environment from the health risks posed by certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals that are also referred to as “forever chemicals” because of their resistance to breaking down in the environment over […]
TEMPO, which stands for Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring Pollution, is the first-ever space-based instrument to monitor air pollutants hourly across the North American continent during daytime. Recognized by TIME magazine as one of the best inventions of 2023, this National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) instrument tracks pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, ozone, aerosols, sulfur dioxide, […]
Last year, lawsuits against major chemical manufacturers resulted in settlements totaling more than $11 billion. This year, as the EPA brings even more regulations into play and awareness of the extent of the harm from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination continues to grow, analysts predict substantially more lawsuits will be filed, resulting in even […]
A draft risk assessment published by the EPA reveals the potential for elevated cancer risk from radiation from the use of coal ash as fill material in building sites. Coal ash is the residual “leftover” from burning coal for energy, and it contains many toxic metal contaminants like mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. “Coal ash … […]