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The EPA recently announced a proposed regulation to strengthen limits on emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from most new, modified, and reconstructed fossil fuel-fired stationary combustion turbines. The regulation, if finalized, will “ensure that new turbines built at power plants or industrial facilities—especially large ones that could operate for decades—would be among the most efficient […]
The EPA recently released interim guidance and additional materials to support the regulatory community in implementing the requirements of the final rule for the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Application Exclusion Zone (AEZ). An AEZ is defined as an area immediately surrounding pesticide application equipment during an outdoor pesticide application. The final rule defines additional […]
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the successful EPA registration of the first antimicrobial product using the revised efficacy protocol for pre-harvest agricultural water. The registration of SANIDATE 12.0 is the result of a collaborative effort between government, academia, and industry. This marks the first-ever FDA approval of a treatment for use […]
A decision issued in November by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has created tremendous uncertainty for the future of regulating the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In Marin Audubon Society v. Federal Aviation Administration, a divided D.C. Circuit Court ruled that the Council for Environmental Quality (CEQ) was never granted the authority to promulgate […]
On November 21, 2024, the EPA released the “National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution: Part Three of a Series on Building a Circular Economy for All,” which outlines opportunities for action to protect communities from the impacts of plastic production and waste and details how government agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and communities can take additional action […]
A federal grand jury has indicted Houston-based Phillips 66 on several charges related to alleged Clean Water Act (CWA) violations. Phillips is charged with two counts of negligently violating the CWA and four counts of knowingly violating the CWA in incidents that allegedly discharged thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater from the Phillips Carson oil […]
The EPA recently announced the registration of the new active ingredient glufosinate-P, which controls weeds in conventional and glufosinate-resistant field corn, sweet corn, soybean, cotton, and canola. The Agency also released its final biological evaluation for the active ingredient under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). “Glufosinate-P is the first new active ingredient registration where EPA […]
The EPA recently announced it finalized stronger requirements for identifying and cleaning up lead paint dust in pre-1978 homes and childcare facilities. “There is no safe level of lead exposure, particularly for children. In children, lead can severely harm mental and physical development, slow down learning, and irreversibly damage the brain,” states an EPA news […]
The American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) Formaldehyde Panel sent a detailed letter, dated November 4, 2024, to the EPA to bring its attention to “the substantial comments submitted to the EPA from a diverse group of stakeholders and peer reviewers raising major issues with the EPA’s 2024 draft formaldehyde risk assessment.” The ACC alleges the Biden […]
A congressional delegation from San Diego in October requested EPA support to assist the San Diego County Air Pollution District with air monitoring for neighborhoods near the Mexico border. “In early September, high levels of noxious gases such as hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide were measured by scientific teams in the river valley and noticed […]