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Curbing GHGs with Cap–and–Trade —How It Works The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI or “Reggie”) was first discussed in 2003 by the governors of nine states as a possible way to lower CO2 emissions from electric power plants on a regional scale. In late 2005, seven states – Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, […]
Nutrient Pollution—What It Is and What to Do About It According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the impacts of nutrient pollution are found in all types of our nation’s water bodies. In fact, “More than 100,000 miles of rivers and streams, close to 2.5 million acres of lakes, reservoirs and ponds, and more […]
Sector Highlights from the 2013 Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program In 2013 1,572 power plants reported, which is down from 1,589 in 2011 and 1,601 in 2012. This sector consists of facilities that produce electricity by combusting fossil fuels and/or biomass and the emissions from this sector are solely from stationary fuel combustion sources, although carbon […]
National Highlights from the 2013 Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program Mandatory reporting of GHGs became law in October 2009 for sources emitting 25,000 metric tons or more of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) per year in the United States. Reporting began in 2010 and in 2011, the EPA published the first GHGRP report setting a benchmark for […]
The Second Integrated Urban Air Report to Congress—What’s Next? With publication of the Second Integrated Urban Air Report to Congress, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fulfilled its three primary obligations under the 1990 Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments. These are: Report twice on accomplishments realized relative to reducing harmful air toxics; Regulate 90 […]
Major Findings from the Second Integrated Urban Air Report to Congress Under the Clean Air Act (CAA) Amendments of 1990, the EPA was tasked with taking action to reduce toxic air emissions and associated human health risks. In 1999, the EPA developed the Integrated Urban Air Toxics Strategy for reducing air toxics risks from all […]
How to Qualify for RMP Program Level 1 After determining that a propane storage facility is subject to the RMP regulation, the next step is to identify which program level applies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established three program levels that reflect different levels of risk and, subsequently, the level of effort required to […]
RMP Applicability for Propane Storage Facilities As early as November 2013, seven states had already declared states of emergency to allow for delivery of more propane, and that was a month before a massive ice storm struck, affecting power for more than 1.5 million people. By the time winter was over, the National Oceanic and […]
SPCC Plan Compliance FAQs for Production, Drilling and Workover Facilities Q: Are there SPCC Plan requirements that apply to all covered oil production, drilling and workover facilities? A: Yes. 40 CFR part 112.7 provides the general requirements for SPCC Plans at all facilities covered by the regulations. Although these requirements are extensive, there are a […]
SPCC Applicability FAQs for Production, Drilling and Workover Facilities Q: What different types of activities at non-transportation, onshore oil production, drilling and workover facilities are covered under the SPCC rule? A: The SPCC rule defines “facilities” as “any mobile or fixed, onshore or offshore building, property, parcel, lease, structure, installation, equipment, pipe, or pipeline (other […]