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The EPA recently issued its fall 2016 Regulatory Agenda, which lists 49 actions in “final rule stage.” Some of these actions are technical or noncontroversial or intended to reduce compliance burden. But a large number of them will increase or potentially increase regulatory responsibilities either for specific or multiple industrial sectors.
Two environmental groups have filed a suit in a U.S. District Court against the Department of the Interior (DOI) for allegedly failing to comply with federal law regarding the impact of hydraulic fracturing and acidizing being conducted at oil production platforms in California’s Santa Barbara Channel.
Q. Is it a correct interpretation that the hydraulic oil in a boom lift is exempt from all Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) requirements because it is an ancillary onboard oil-filled operational equipment?
In the world of stormwater, certain “qualified” professionals have hefty responsibilities, such as conducting facility inspections, monitoring, and developing and certifying the stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP). But, what does it really mean to be a qualified professional? Often, in National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater permits, there is language referring to a qualified […]
How much will Donald Trump’s energy and environmental plans for the country be influenced by what others say and want? Given that Trump has never served in a government position—and, therefore, never experienced the outside pressures commonly imposed on public servants—it is difficult to conclude that his actions will be much influenced by any group, […]
In a September 15, 2016, hearing of the House Environment Subcommittee, Jim Bridenstine (R-OK), the subcommittee chair, modified for a new purpose the “war on coal” tagline supporters of the mining and energy industries have used to characterize the Obama administration’s coal-related environmental regulations. According to Bridenstine, the administration is now also engaging in a […]
The EPA has reissued its Pesticide General Permit (PGP) for point source discharges of pesticides to waters of the United States. Authorized under the Clean Water Act’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, the PGP was first issued in 2011 and was effective for a 5-year period.
Donald Trump’s dominant victory in the presidential election in conjunction with continued Republican majorities in both houses of Congress is expected to have several levels of impact on U.S. environmental and energy policies. All impacts described are based on statements President-elect Trump has made during the months leading up to the election. Bear in mind […]
We recently encountered a list of the 10 most common Clean Air Act (CAA) violations, which included failure of facilities to track the loss of regulated refrigerants from equipment. (Seven of the other violations relate to permits.) In fact, tracking the loss of a refrigerant and recordkeeping in general are major responsibilities under EPA’s refrigerant […]
Q. Throughout our construction project, we have amended our SWPPP several times. What are our obligations now that we have altered our SWPPP?