Category: Regulatory Developments

California Announces Oil Refinery Safety Proposal

California’s occupational safety and environmental agencies have proposed a set of landmark regulations to strengthen workplace and environmental safety at oil refineries across the Golden State. Find out what’s involved and what regulations would be strengthened.

TSCA Chemical Data Reporting Window is Open

The recent signing of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act has brought about a long overdue reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). But despite the buzz surrounding TSCA reform and how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will implement the new legislation going forward, chemical manufacturers and importers must […]

EPA on Flight Path to Limit Aircraft GHGs

The EPA has issued a final rule that finds that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from aircraft contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and the welfare of future generations. Having made that determination, the EPA is now obligated by the Clean Air Act (CAA) to propose and issue final […]

MATS Having Deep Impact on Power Generation

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has been closely monitoring and reporting on how EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxic Standards (MATS) are impacting electricity generation in the United States. As the latest EIA preliminary data show, the scrutiny is well deserved. Based on information received from operators, between January 2015 and April 2016, about 87 […]

Revised Rules for Gas Emissions from MSW Landfills

The EPA has simultaneously issued new rules governing gas emissions from both existing and new, modified, or reconstructed municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. Gas emitted by MSW landfills comprises methane, carbon dioxide (CO2), and nonmethane organic compounds (NMOCs). Both final rules define affected MSW landfills as those with design capacities of 2.5 million metric tons […]

Opinion: OSHA Discourages Blanket Postaccident Drug Testing

By Al Vreeland OSHA’s new electronic recordkeeping rule, finalized in May, requires certain employers to submit injury and illness data to OSHA. But it also includes provisions intended to prevent employers from retaliating against employees who report injuries, among them a caution against postaccident drug testing. Here’s what guest columnist Al Vreeland thinks about the […]

EHS on Tap Episode 4: TSCA: The New Age of Chemical Reform

On this episode of EHS on Tap, we parse through the significant and recent legislative reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act, better known as TSCA, and what Congress’s action will mean for the future of chemical regulation. Don’t miss out on new podcasts. Follow EHS on Tap on SoundCloud and iTunes!

Emergency Exemption Issued for Stationary Engines

Under a new federal rule effective September 6, 2016, owners and operators of stationary diesel engines—formally compression ignition internal combustion engines (CI ICEs)—may, in an emergency, temporarily override systems in those engines intended to force the use of emissions control devices.

EPA Decides Not to Develop Stormwater Rules from Forest Roads

Complying with a court order, the EPA has published in the Federal Register a decision to not develop federal regulations to control the runoff of stormwater from forest roads. According to the Agency, there are a wide range of state regulatory programs, federal assistance programs, and best management practice (BMP) certification organizations that collectively have […]