Tag: Clean Air Act

Avoid Fines for CAA Chemical Accident Prevention Violations

The EPA announced food producer Hiland Dairy Foods Company LLC of Norfolk, Nebraska, has agreed to pay a $93,107 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act’s (CAA) chemical accident prevention provisions. According to the EPA, the company stores more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, a regulated toxic substance, and […]

The Colorado Fight for Oil and Gas Emissions Info

After calling for more accessible public emissions records from Colorado, the EPA abruptly changed course and “proposed to rescind its previous directive that required the State of Colorado to collect and maintain critical air pollution data from the oil and gas industry,” states a Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) press release. “A coalition of […]

EPA Adds Electronic Reporting Requirement for Stationary Combustion Engines

On August 30, 2024, the EPA published a final rule for “National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP): Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS): Internal Combustion Engines; Electronic Reporting.” This amendment added electronic reporting provisions and made a small number of clarifications and corrections to these rules, as well as […]

EPA Finalizes Rule Strengthening CAA Major Source Reclassification Rule

On September 4, 2024, the EPA finalized its Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) rule. “This rule implements the [CAA] language that allows a ‘major source’ of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) to reclassify as an ‘area source’ after acting to limit emissions,” according to the […]

EPA and Marathon Oil Reach Landmark $241.5 Million Settlement

The EPA and the Department of Justice recently announced a settlement with Houston-based Marathon Oil Company, resolving Clean Air Act (CAA) violations at the company’s oil and gas production operations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. “The settlement requires that Marathon pay a civil penalty of $64.5 million, the largest ever for […]

SCOTUS Places EPA ‘Good Neighbor’ Rule on Hold

In a 5-to-4 ruling delivered June 27, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) delivered yet another blow to EPA authority when it placed the Agency’s “Good Neighbor” rule on hold. The “Good Neighbor” rule, also known as the “Cross State Air Pollution Rule” (CSAPR), was designed to cut pollution from power plants and other industrial […]

EPA Proposed Changes to Preconstruction Permitting Regulations Under NSR Program

The EPA is reviewing comments on proposed revisions to the preconstruction permitting regulations that apply to modifications at existing major stationary sources in the New Source Review (NSR) program under the Clean Air Act (CAA).  The proposed revisions include: The NSR program requires certain stationary sources of air pollution to obtain permits before construction. The […]

The Demise of the Chevron Deference and the Future of Administrative Law

On June 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) made history in issuing a landmark 6-to-3 ruling overturning a 40-year-old administrative law standard known as Chevron deference. The ruling opens the door for a tsunami of legal challenges to federal rulemaking. Federal regulations affect nearly every facet of daily life, from the cars we drive […]

EPA Enforcement Roundup Q2 2024

In the second quarter (Q2), the EPA finalized 388 settlement agreements with companies small and large across the United States. This represents a large increase in enforcement actions—up from 235 penalties—issued in Q1 for 2024. The actions taken resulted in $11,061,445 in fines. Here are some of the highlights. CAA violations yield biggest fine from […]

Company Agrees to $195K Penalty for Alleged CAA Refrigerant Violations

On June 11, 2024, the EPA announced a settlement with Andersen’s Sales and Salvage Inc., based in Greeley, Colorado, resolving alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) associated with releases of refrigerants. The consent agreement and final order require the company to pay a $195,000 penalty for these violations. “Andersen’s Sales and Salvage failed […]