Category: Regulatory Developments

Air emissions, pollution

During Pandemic, EPA Relaxes Clean Air Act Monitoring

The COVID-19 pandemic may be restricting travel, access, and safety for personnel who perform required Clean Air Act (CAA) monitoring and related tasks at power plants. Accordingly, the EPA has issued an interim final rule that provides flexibility intended to cut compliance costs under three 40 CFR Part 75 programs: the Acid Rain Program, the […]

Coal Plant

Small Coal Plants Benefit from MATS Amendment

It has been clear for some time that deregulatory actions at the federal level will slow but not stop the decline of coal as an energy source in the United States. Still, the EPA continues to do what it can to ensure that coal remains a key component of the nation’s energy portfolio.

Chemical data analysis and research

EPA Amends TSCA Chemical Data Reporting Requirements

According to the EPA, the Agency’s final rule amending the Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) requirements under Section 8(a) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has three primary objectives.

EPA Supplements Its Science Transparency Proposal

As federal health agencies pour all available resources into halting the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the EPA has stepped forward with a second proposal governing the Agency’s use of science at the Agency. The action supplements the EPA’s April 2018 proposal, Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science. That proposal would ensure that when developing […]

Semi Trucks

COVID-19: FMCSA Further Expands Hours of Service Relief

On March 19, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) expanded its Hours of Service exemptions for commercial motor vehicle drivers transporting personnel and supplies necessary to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Refrigerants, fridge

HFC Refrigerant Requirements Relaxed by EPA

Following a second look at its authority under the Clean Air Act (CAA), the EPA has issued a final rule rescinding the leak-repair requirements of a 2016 rule the Obama EPA issued for refrigerants used to replace Class I or II ozone-depleting substances (ODSs).

Hazardous chemicals

What You Need to Know About the CSB Accident Reporting Rule

In one of its rare regulatory actions directly affecting the regulated community, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB or the Board) has issued a final rule requiring owners and operators of stationary sources to report information about accidental releases of hazardous substances to the CSB.

Drinking water

EPA Announces Three Actions Regarding PFAS

On February 20 and 24, 2020, the EPA announced three developments under its action plan for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS Action Plan).