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Last month, a coalition of six organizations petitioned the EPA to immediately suspend and cancel all glyphosate registrations. The petition was filed by the Center for Food Safety (CFF), which was joined by Lideres Campesinas, Beyond Pesticides, the Farmworker Association of Florida, Rural Coalition, and Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, Inc. These nonprofits work to protect […]
In a news release, the EPA announced it moved further and faster than ever in 2023 to deliver on its mission to protect human health and the environment by tackling climate change, advancing environmental justice, and protecting the health and safety of communities across the country. “President Biden believes every person in this country deserves […]
In December 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) declined to hear a case challenging the EPA’s authority to address climate pollution under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The Concerned Household Electricity Consumers Council (CHECC) and the FAIR Energy Foundation (Fair), the two groups requesting SCOTUS review, have taken a well-known stance that denies the integrity […]
Last month, the EPA announced settlements with two interstate trucking companies over claims of violating the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Truck and Bus Regulation. Capurro Trucking and Republic Services operate diesel-fueled heavy-duty trucks in California and other states. The EPA alleges the companies failed to install controls to reduce pollution, upgrade model year engines, […]
On December 27, 2023, the EPA published annual inflationary increases to the fine amounts for civil penalties assessed under its authority. Federal agencies have been required to issue regulations adjusting for inflation the statutory civil monetary penalties that can be imposed under the laws administered by them since 1996. Adjustments to the penalty amounts are […]
In the fourth quarter (Q4), the EPA finalized 206 settlement agreements with companies small and large across the United States. This represents a significant decrease in enforcement actions—down from 515 penalties—issued in Q3 for 2023. The actions taken resulted in $4,289,749.25 in fines. Here are some of the highlights. CAA violations yield biggest fine from […]
The state of Ohio recently reached a settlement of $110 million with The Chemours Co., Dupont De Nemours Inc., and Corteva Inc. to resolve legal claims of chemical contamination dating back 70 years from the company’s Parkersburg, West Virginia, facility, Washington Works. “Chemours, a spin-off of DuPont, said it would be responsible for half of […]
An ongoing controversial construction project in Atlanta for a new training facility for fire and police personnel—nicknamed “Cop City”—highlights what some have characterized as “complicit” actions by the federal government. These allegations are the result of the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) removal of a “streamgauge” that measured sediment pollution levels at a creek near the […]
In November 2023, the EPA published final updates to its “Implementing Regulations” under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA). The Implementing Regulations set timelines and other requirements for state plans to limit pollution from existing sources under Section 111. The updates apply to state plans developed for all emissions guidelines published after July […]
On December 21, 2023, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia agreed to pause lawsuits seeking to end the mandatory California-led phase-in of electric heavy-duty trucks until the court rules on separate suits filed to decide whether various aspects of mandating electric passenger cars and light pickup trucks is lawful. “Judges Michelle […]