EPA Sets Directives for Advancing Environmental Justice
On April 7, 2021, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced specific directives for all Agency offices to better serve historically marginalized environmental justice communities (EJC).
Tag: EPA
Air Pollution Lawsuit Filed After Delayed EPA SIP Reviews
On April 7, 2021, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Center for Environmental Health filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California seeking declaratory and injunctive relief against the EPA due to missed deadlines in reviewing nonattainment state implementation plans (SIPs) in California and Chicago. The suit names Michael […]
Ask the Expert: When Working on Different Sections of a Pipeline, Do You Need Separate EPA ID Numbers?
EHS Hero® experts are tackling another question today! When working on a linear pipeline, there is the potential to generate hazardous waste at different locations along the line—does this affect considerations for EPA ID numbers? Read on for the full question and what the experts had to say in reply.
A Look at EPA Violations and Enforcement in First Quarter 2021
In the first quarter (Q1), the EPA finalized 290 settlement agreements with companies small and large across the United States. This represents a significant increase in enforcement actions—up from 150 penalties issued in Q4 for 2020. The actions taken resulted in $6,126,092 in fines. Here are some of the highlights of violations and penalties.
Closed Waste Units Inconsistently Monitored by EPA, OIG Reports
On March 29, 2021, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a report on its findings of an audit of the EPA’s oversight of hazardous waste units closed with waste in place.
Water, Water Everywhere—But Is It Safe to Drink?
On a planet that is 71% water, concerns about the safety of our water supply and the measures necessary to preserve and protect our water resources should still be top of mind.
EPA Revises CSAPR, Expects Reduction in NOx Emissions
On March 15, 2021, the EPA finalized revisions to the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) Update to reduce downwind pollution from power plants. This action, in response to the Wisconsin v. EPA ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in September 2019, is expected to help downwind states meet the 2008 […]
EPA Website Restores Climate Change Information
Newly appointed EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan announced the publication of climate change information on the Agency’s newly restored climate change webpage for the first time in 4 years.
Report: EPA’s SLN Pesticide Program Needs Changes
The EPA’s Special Local Needs (SLN) program is at risk of not achieving its program goals, according to a report issued by the EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) in February 2021.
EPA Seeks More Public Comment on PBT Chemical Rules
In a move telegraphing a sharp departure from the previous administration, the Biden administration’s EPA opened a 60-day public comment period seeking additional input on five final rules for persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals issued on January 6, 2021, under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).