Regulations & Legislation


Stalled Energy Projects Costly, Regulatory Barriers to Blame

A U.S. Chamber of Commerce study says that a number of energy projects, many of them for renewable power, have been stymied by NIMBY, a poor permitting process, and lawsuits.

Manufacturer Receives 'Logical Consequences' for Alleged RTK Violations

New Haven, Conn., chemical manufacturer H. Krevit and Co. will spend $36,000 on emergency response equipment for the fire department as part of the settlement in a right-to-know case.

Tox21 robot to speed up chemical screening.

Automation Meets Toxicity Testing with High-speed Robot

Federal agencies, having merged their resources under the umbrella of Tox21, expect the new robot to test 10,000 chemicals for toxicity in much less time than it would take humans to do the work.

EPA is proposing to add two abandoned mine sites to its Superfund list.

2 California Hazardous Waste Sites Proposed for NPL

EPA is proposing that the abandoned sites New Idria Mercury Mine in San Benito County and the Blue Ledge Mine in Siskiyou County be added to the National Priorities List.

N.J. Proposes Easing Some Strict Compliance in Favor of Economic Growth

Used under limited circumstances, the rule would allow the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection to waive strict compliance when such action would not compromise the environment or public health.

Florida Groups Want to Cut Funding for Numeric Nutrient Criteria Rule

The groups say they are concerned about the cost of the regulation, noting that state and independent studies have estimated that the rule will cost billions of dollars generally and more than 14,000 jobs in the agricultural community.

Water Office Accepting Comments on Rule Review Plan

President Obama has ordered each agency to develop a plan to periodically conduct a retrospective review of its regulations, and determine if they are ineffective, insufficient, or overly burdensome.

NOAA Website Tracks Investments, Successes by State

Carefully managing coastal resources has become increasingly important as impacts of climate change and human use threaten coastal communities and habitat.



EPA Wants Feedback on Boating Management Practices

The Clean Boating Act of 2008 directs EPA to take steps to limit the impact of pollution and the spread of invasive species associated with the discharge from boats.

Bill Would Protect Pennsylvania's Waters from Drilling Damage

In this bill, natural gas drillers would be responsible for more contaminant liability.

SOCMA Welcomes Extension of Chemical Security Rules

Newly introduced Continuing Chemical Facilities Antiterrorism Security Act does not include a requirement for inherently safer technologies.

Arch Coal Agrees to $4M Settlement, Compliance Measures

The federal government, Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky alleged that the coal company violated its discharge permit, sending excess amounts of iron, total suspended solids, and manganese into streams.

EPA Extends GHG Reporting Deadline; Online Platform Not Ready Yet

The agency said it expects to have the reporting tool available by this summer.

Joseph DeMatteo

DeMatteo Sentenced for Emissions Testing Scam

The former fugitive received five months of home detention, three years of probation, and was ordered to pay $100.

PowerTrain to Pay $2M for Selling Engines that Failed to Meet Air Standards

The company imported nearly 80,000 non-road engines or equipment that were not covered by a Clean Air Act-required certificate of conformity.

Case Study: Making Stormwater Controls Fit the Project Site

Green space and parking areas at a Wilmington, N.C., housing development left little room for a stormwater detention pond, so engineers used a proven underground infiltration system.

Final Boiler, Incinerator Rules Cut Compliance Costs in Initial Proposals

EPA says it is proposing "sensible standards" that will provide significant public health benefits while cutting costs by nearly 50 percent; the agency is offering these standards for additional public review and comment.

Federal Grand Jury Indicts Arkla's Wastewater Manager, Supervisor

Two Arkla Disposal Services, Inc. employees were charged in a five-count indictment for discharging untreated wastewater to the local Shreveport publicly owned treatment works and the Red River.

U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson speaks at an event unveiling expanded solar power for groundwater treatment at Frontier Fertilizer Superfund site in Davis, Calif.

Solar Power Cuts 120 Years off Superfund Site Cleanup

Partners used stimulus funding to expand solar panels that run electrical resistance heating system to clean up groundwater at the Frontier Fertilizer Superfund site.

Asian elephants are protected by the Endangered Species Act. Photo courtesy Smithsonian Institution.

Circus President, Former Employee Charged in Asian Elephant Purchase

Tina and Jewel, two Asian elephants owned by the circus, are protected by the Endangered Species Act.