Regulations & Legislation


SO2 Health Standard Finalized, Set at 75 Parts Per Billion

One-hour standard and monitoring should provide greater protection to people living near sulfur dioxide dischargers.

Draft Permit Would Limit Pesticide Discharges to Waters

The Pesticides General Permit would require operators to use the lowest effective amount of pesticide, prevent leaks and spills, calibrate equipment and look for and report adverse incidents.

EPA Releases Draft Formaldehyde Assessment Report

The assessment will help determine the level of risk formaldehyde poses to Americans' health.

TCEQ: Air Monitors Show No Levels of Concern in Barnett Shale Area

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality says it will continue to monitor air quality in the area so that longer term data will be available to make even more informed conclusions.

Bipartisan Electric Vehicle Bill Would Aid Buyers, Infrastructure

Five lucky communities would share $800 million to deploy 700,000 electric vehicles within six years.

EPA Awards $477,000 for Northwest Arkansas Wastewater Treatment

The Northwest Arkansas Conservation Authority will use the funds for a portion of the engineering and final design phase of a conveyance system.

Catalyst Recycling Facility Resolves Wastewater Violations

Gulf Chemical & Metallurgical Corporation pleaded guilty to 11 felony violations of Texas Water Code and will pay a $2.75 million fine.

EPA to Initiate Rulemaking to Reduce SSOs

Agency schedules listening sessions in June and July to get feedback on possible modifications to NPDES permits.



TCEQ Hosts Meetings on New EPA Ozone Standards

Shortened schedule has state agency holding meetings before the federal standard is finalized.

Phoenix Dust Storms Not Only Cause of Poor Air Quality, EPA Says

EPA reviewed state data to find that a legally significant number of spikes did not come from regional dust storms; Arizona could lose transportation funding.

Promet Shipyard Faces Penalties for No Air, Water Permits

EPA ordered the company to comply in 2008, but Promet did not respond to the issues until late 2009, according to the agency.

Turkish Ship Operator Pleads Guilty, Did Not Log Oil Discharges

U.S. District Court judge orders company to serve three years of probation and implement an environmental compliance plan.

Draft Dioxin Report Available for Peer Review, Comment

Four years after the National Academy of Sciences completed its review of EPA's draft dioxin reassessment, the agency responds with answers and new information.

EPA Releases 2011 Program Guidance for Five Offices

Strategic Plan won't be finalized until September, so adjustments may be needed.

GHG Permitting Thresholds Set for Large Stationary Sources

EPA shields small businesses and farms from New Source Review requirements.

Houston Meets PM2.5 Air Quality Standards, Avoids Penalty

State, city, county, and others work together to reduce tiny particle levels.

U.S., Mexico, and Canada to Collaborate on Phasing Down HFCs

Hydrofluorocarbons, which replaced chlorofluorocarbons to protect the ozone layer, are now contributing to climate change.

Latest Cancer Risk Study Calls for Cohesive Environmental Policy

President's Cancer Panel notes that while the problem is not new, the awareness of a lack of government action has grown.

Puerto Rico Authority to Spend $195 M on 126 Drinking Water Plants

The Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority also will pay a $1 million civil penalty and spend an additional $2.5 million to improve lake water quality.

Lawmakers Tackle Endocrine Disruptors in New Bill

Reps. Markey and Moran charge EPA to test 100 chemicals over four years and determine their impact on humans.