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In light of a steep decline in EPA enforcement, a coalition of 55 environmental groups and 144 EPA alumni sent a letter dated May 4, 2022, to U.S. Senate leaders urging the confirmation of the Biden nominee to lead the EPA enforcement division. Annual enforcement reports published by the EPA reveal approximately a 50% decline […]
The EPA has been underfunded for years, and this year is no different. Although the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress provided money for the EPA to fund wastewater and clean water programs and conduct hazardous waste cleanups, Congress missed the mark in its 2022 omnibus appropriations bill to fund the EPA’s infrastructure. The “EPA […]
On April 28, the EPA announced three actions to increase public protection against per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in our nation’s waters. The actions “advance progress under the Biden-Harris Administration’s Plan to Combat PFAS Pollution by improving methods to detect PFAS in water, reducing PFAS discharges into our nation’s waters, and protecting fish and aquatic […]
On April 14, 2022, the EPA released its 29th annual report, “Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks.” The report presents an overview of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from 1990 to 2020. The GHG inventory covers seven key GHGs: Carbon dioxide (CO2) Methane Nitrous oxide Hydrofluorocarbons Perfluorocarbons Sulfur hexafluoride Nitrogen trifluoride It also […]
On April 21, 2022, EPA Administrator Michael Regan signed a final action denying four petitions filed between 2017 and 2019, which challenged the Agency’s 2009 finding that “elevated concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere may reasonably be anticipated to endanger the public health and welfare of current and future U.S. generations.” The petitions […]
The EPA is serious about compliance, especially when it comes to home renovations containing lead-based paint. “Reducing childhood lead exposure and the associated health impacts is a top priority for EPA,” states an EPA news release. “That’s why EPA inspectors will be working actively in overburdened communities … to encourage greater compliance with the federal […]
On April 1, 2022, the EPA published proposed changes to the electronic manifest (e-Manifest) regulations for exported shipments of hazardous waste for treatment, storage, and disposal. When the Agency promulgated the e-Manifest User Fee final rule in January 2018, it stated it would not extend these requirements to exported shipments of hazardous waste until it […]
The EPA is investigating two administrative complaints alleging the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) discriminates based on race in violation of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The first complaint (No. 01R-22-R6) was filed by Earthjustice and Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law on behalf of Concerned Citizens of St. John […]
In a close 5–4 decision, on April 6, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) reinstated a Trump-era Clean Water Act (CWA) regulation that limited state and tribal authority in the permitting process for projects in their territory. History The CWA made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters unless […]
A recently proposed rule would require facilities located near navigable waters and storing hazardous substances above certain levels to submit Facility Response Plans (FRPs) for worst-case discharges and substantial threats of worst-case discharges of those hazardous substances. “As climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, planning and preparedness for these incidents […]