Regulations & Legislation


Analysis: Carbon Pricing in CLEAR Bill Will Generate U.S. Jobs

Incentives in this Senate bill will encourage businesses to invest in energy saving measures and bring jobs to construction and manufacturing, according to the Institute for Policy Integrity at New York University School of Law.

EPA Clarifies Rules for Mountain Top Mining

To further clarify environmental permitting requirements for Appalachian mountaintop coal removal projects, the agency has issued a comprehensive guidance to its regional offices.

EPA Confident Contractors Will be Lead-safe Certified

The Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule goes into effect on April 22.

Agency Restricts Phosphine Fumigant Use to Protect People

EPA says new label requirements also should lower the potential for accidental poisonings.

Spent Lead-acid Battery Exports Require Consent in July

Notifications should be submitted at least six weeks before the July 7 deadline.

Agency Seeks Input on Ocean Acidification Effect on TMDLs

Comments may be made through May 21.

EPA to Scrutinize Environmental Impact of Bisphenol A

Agency may add BPA to its list of chemicals of concern and require further testing.

Shell Chemical Refineries to Install $6 M Worth of Equipment

Following a Clean Air Act settlement with EPA, Shell Chemical L.P. and Shell Chemical Yabucoa will install pollution reduction equipment and pay a combined $3.3 million civil penalty to the United States, Alabama, and Louisiana.



EPA Knocks Out Facility Exemption from Texas SIP

EPA disapproved the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's air permitting exemption program, which allows companies to avoid certain requirements; TCEQ says it has tried to address federal concerns.

Agency Wants to Review New Source Review Aggregation Policy

EPA is concerned that changes made in January 2009 would make NSR permitting less effective.

New Fuel Economy Standard Adds GHG Component

In model years 2012-2016, automakers will be expected to improve fleet-wide fuel economy and reduce fleet-wide GHG emissions on passenger cars and light trucks by approximately 5 percent every year.

EPA: CAA Permitting for Greenhouse Gases Will Be Phased In

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reiterated that stationary sources will not have to comply with greenhouse gas requirements until 2011.

NSWMA: Tritium-containing Exit Signs Don't Belong in Landfills

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering a rulemaking for the disposal of tritium exit signs, which contain a radioactive form of hydrogen.

Agency Orders Fresh and Clean Restrooms to Correctly Apply Sludge

A December 2009 inspection of Desloge Mine Tailings Site revealed that the company had not reduced pathogens nor minimized vector attraction.

EPA Proposes Veto of Spruce No. 1 Surface Mine Permit

The agency says the project would bury more than 7 miles of headwater streams, impact 2,278 acres of forestland, and degrade stream water quality

IMO Officially Adopts Emission Control Area Proposal

EPA expects the move will help clean up air quality for U.S. ports as well as inland population centers.

CSPA Commends EPA Denial of Pesticide Fogger Petition

The New York City petition would have restricted use and increased cost, according to the Consumer Specialty Products Association trade group.

Agency Schedules More Hearings for Florida Water Comments

Florida residents will have three more chances to air their comments starting April 13 at Fort Myers.

EPA Gives Public Access to Risk Assessment Database

Health and Environmental Research Online provides access to scientific studies used in making key regulatory decisions.

ACSF Supports EPA's Stricter Ozone Standards

The American Clean Skies Foundation said natural gas is an important energy resource that will help control smog levels.