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The EPA on October 31 hosted a two-hour webinar entitled “EPA Clean Ports Program—First Look!” The Clean Ports Program invests $3 billion in technologies to reduce harmful air and climate pollutants at U.S. ports and to create a zero-emission (ZE) shipping future. “This new funding program will build on EPA’s Ports Initiative that helps our […]
On November 9, 2023, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) filed a brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia against the EPA challenging federal regulations that will make it more difficult for the public to obtain information about chemicals the EPA reviews under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The court […]
On October 23, 2023, the EPA announced a proposed rule to ban all uses of trichloroethylene (TCE), an extremely toxic chemical known to cause serious health risks, including cancer, neurotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. TCE is used in cleaning and furniture care products, degreasers, brake cleaners, and tire repair sealants. According to the EPA, a variety […]
On November 9, 2023, the EPA announced SA Recycling LLC of St. Louis, Missouri, will pay $68,000 in civil penalties to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). According to the Agency, the company failed to adequately control stormwater runoff from its scrap metal recycling and processing facility. The EPA says these […]
In October 2023, the EPA released 2022 greenhouse gas (GHG) data collected under the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). For 2022, the report reveals emissions from large industrial sources were approximately 1% lower than in 2021. Cumulative data collected also shows an overall long-term decreasing trend in industry GHG emissions since 2011, which is […]
President Joseph Biden Jr.’s Executive Order (EO) 14008 calls on all federal agencies to use a whole-of-government approach to tackle the climate crisis. In keeping with this directive, the EPA recently announced its Climate Enforcement and Compliance Strategy, which directs all enforcement and compliance programs to address climate change, wherever appropriate, in every matter within […]
An Axios analysis of records obtained by the Data Liberation Project reveals the top three chemicals involved in most chemical accidents reported to the EPA over the past 20 years. Those chemicals are: Industry sources that regularly use these chemicals are advised to take note and ensure all precautions are in place to safely deal […]
On October 6, 2023, the EPA announced two regulations in the continued crusade to phase down the use of super-polluting hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The first new action is a final rule to accelerate the ongoing transition to more efficient and climate-safe technologies in new refrigeration, heating, and cooling systems and other products by restricting the use […]
On September 28, 2023, the EPA approved Ohio’s plan to reduce the amount of phosphorus flowing from the Maumee River into Lake Erie’s western basin. The plan establishes a total maximum daily load (TMDL) for phosphorus for the Maumee River Watershed. “The TMDL is a ‘pollution diet’ dictating the maximum amount of pollution the water […]
The EPA announced that Jens Schkade of Grand View, Idaho, has agreed to pay an $88,749 penalty over violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) related to the safe handling and disposal of asbestos. According to the consent decree, on October 5, 2021, Schkade wrecked a commercial building called the Square Deal Store, located at […]