Category: Regulatory Developments

Electronic recordkeeping

Final Rule Issued on NPDES Electronic Reporting

On November 2, 2020, a final rule addressing the Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Electronic Reporting Rule (eRule) was published by the EPA in the Federal Register.

Final Rule Issued for NSR Permitting Process

On October 22, 2020, the EPA finalized a rule to streamline and improve the Clean Air New Source Review (NSR) permitting process. It specifically clarifies the process to evaluate when an NSR preconstruction permit is required when an existing major emitter facility makes changes.

Oregon state flag facemask

Oregon Prepares to Establish Emergency COVID-19 Rule

This week, Oregon may become the third state to establish an emergency workplace health standard for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposures. COVID-19 is a respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Air pollution, pollutants, smokestacks

EPA Rolls Back Startup and Shutdown Excess Emissions Prohibition

On October 9, 2020, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler issued a memorandum to EPA regional administrators addressing “the question of whether and when it may be permissible for a state to include certain types of provisions governing periods of startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) in state implementation plans (SIPs) developed pursuant to section 110 of the […]

Asbestos danger

Bill That Would Ban Asbestos Fails in House

Partisan politics are blamed for the House’s failure to pass a bill that would have amended the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to prohibit the manufacturing, processing, and distribution of asbestos or any mixture or article containing asbestos, according to The Hill.

Plastic waste in ocean, marine debris

A Look at the Save Our Seas 2.0 Act

The Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, a bill focused on the reduction of plastic waste and marine debris, was passed by the U.S. Senate earlier this year and was recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on October 1. As the legislation moves forward to most likely being signed into law, let’s take a […]

Air pollution, pollutants, smokestacks

Will Revised Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Extend Beyond Power Plants?

On October 15, 2020, the EPA proposed Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) revisions to reduce summertime nitrous oxides (NOx) emissions from upwind power plants in 12 states: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Michigan flag facemask, COVID-19

Michigan Latest State to Issue Emergency COVID-19 Regulations

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) issued emergency regulations for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposures in the workplace. The regulations include a requirement for remote work, when feasible. Michigan becomes the second state, following Virginia, to issue emergency COVID-19 regulations.