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The EPA is proposing to amend its New Source Review (NSR) regulations (40 CFR 51.166 and 51.165) to allow the emissions decreases from a single project to be included in Step 1 of the NSR applicability test. The EPA has interpreted existing regulations to indicate that only emissions increases may be considered in Step 1, […]
The EPA has launched its voluntary Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and Production New Owner Audit Program (O&G Audit Program), a descendent of the Agency’s various self-audit policies designed specifically for the upstream O&G sector.
The EPA’s recent final rule based on its residual risk and technology review (RTR) of the Clean Air Act’s (CAA) National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Surface Coating of Wood Building Products (Subpart QQQQ, Part 63) (March 4, 2019, Federal Register (FR)) provides an opportunity to consider how the Agency determines if […]
In the latest of its periodic reports on what the legislative branch is doing about climate change, the Congressional Research Service (CRS) notes that lawmakers in eight Congresses over the last 15 years have introduced bills to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 60 times.
The EPA is proposing minor amendments to its National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the hydrochloric acid (HCl) production source category. Required under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act, the Agency’s residual risk and technology review (RTR) would find, first, that the 2003 NESHAP for the source category is protective of […]
In a rare demonstration of continuity between administrations, the EPA announced that in early 2020, it would propose regulations to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide (NOx) from on-road heavy-duty trucks and engines.
The 60-day public comment period for the federal government’s proposal to amend vehicle fuel economy and greenhouse gas (GHG) tailpipe standards concluded with opposing views submitted by several members of industry. The proposed amendments were jointly issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) (Corporate Average Fuel Economy [CAFE] standards) and the EPA (GHG […]
In response to separate petitions for reconsideration from the Sierra Club and two affected companies, the EPA has amended its National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Manufacture of Amino/Phenolic Resins (APR). The primary changes involve revised emissions limits for continuous process vents (CPVs) at existing sources and a revision to emissions […]
Volkswagen’s (VW) successful efforts to cheat the EPA’s emissions testing of light-duty vehicles with defeat devices became major public news in 2014 and continues to have repercussions today for those offices within the Agency that conduct vehicle testing and oversee compliance.
Environmental groups and, collectively, 16 state attorneys general (AGs) have filed two separate lawsuits against the EPA for its decision to suspend by 1 year enforcement of the Agency’s emissions requirements for glider vehicles regulated under the EPA’s Phase 2 rule for medium- and heavy-duty engines and vehicles (October 25, 2016, Federal Register (FR)). The […]