Search Results for keywords:"environmental regulations"

The Department of Justice announced a proposed legal agreement, or consent decree, in a lawsuit against The Dow Chemical Company, Union Carbide Corp, and Performance Materials, NA, Inc. The lawsuit, filed under the Clean Air Act, accuses these companies of violating environmental regulations at their plants in Louisiana and Texas. The proposed consent decree outlines a requirement for the companies to carry out corrective actions, pay a $3 million fine, and complete environmental projects in Louisiana. The public is invited to comment on this proposal until 30 days after the announcement.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a Tribal Implementation Plan (TIP) submitted by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. The TIP aims to regulate air pollution on the Tribe's Indian Reservation and tribal trust parcels by maintaining national air quality standards through an open burning program. The plan includes standards for pollutants like sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and ozone, along with enforcement protocols. The EPA's approval would make these regulations federally enforceable, aligning with the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing new rules under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for certain chemical substances previously submitted for premanufacture notices. These rules, known as Significant New Use Rules (SNURs), will require any person planning to manufacture or process these chemicals in a way that has been identified as a significant new use to notify the EPA at least 90 days before starting. This allows the EPA to assess the potential risks and decide on any necessary actions before the activity begins. Additionally, the chemicals must not be manufactured or processed for these new uses until they receive EPA approval.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is proposing new procedures to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including the addition of new categorical exclusions (CEs). These CEs are actions usually not expected to impact the environment significantly. NIST seeks public input on these draft procedures and the justification for the new CEs by January 10, 2025. The proposal is part of a larger effort to streamline and ensure consistency with environmental regulations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule for managing commercial and industrial solid waste incineration units (CISWI) that were built on or before June 4, 2010, and not updated since August 7, 2013. This rule applies to states without approved plans for reducing emissions from these units and entails adopting federal guidelines to decrease pollutants like lead, mercury, and sulfur dioxide. In addition, the rule introduces changes to testing, monitoring, and recording requirements, emphasizing reductions in emissions and the implementation of stricter operational practices to curb pollution. Units in Alaska that qualify as "small, remote incinerators" are exempt from certain standards until further regulations address this category.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for public comments on draft lists of companies responsible for fees related to evaluating the risks of five chemical substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These substances are labeled as High-Priority due to potential health or environmental risks. Companies that make or import these chemicals must self-identify to ensure they're correctly listed for fee payments, but they can also claim exemptions or correct errors. The final list, setting out those liable for fees, will be released alongside the risk evaluation's scope documents.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to extend the information collection request related to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for inorganic arsenic emissions from glass manufacturing plants. This extension, already approved until February 2025, allows for additional public comments until March 31, 2025. The EPA will continue collecting information to ensure these plants comply with environmental regulations, impacting around 16 glass manufacturing facilities. The estimated annual cost for compliance is $470,000, including maintenance expenses updated for inflation.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a request to extend an existing information collection, called the Consolidated Air Rule, which applies to facilities in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry. This rule helps ensure compliance with various environmental regulations by offering a single, consolidated set of requirements. Public comments on the proposal are being requested until January 27, 2025. The EPA reports an increase in the estimated reporting burden due to a rise in facilities choosing this compliance method and industry growth.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plans to prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) for cleanup efforts at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in California, focusing on Area IV and the Northern Buffer Zone. This SEIS will explore new alternatives for soil remediation, as prior efforts have faced challenges like unattainable cleanup standards and false positive results in testing. The DOE seeks public comments on these plans during a 60-day scoping period and will hold two public meetings to gather input and discuss the proposed actions and their potential environmental impacts. The SEIS aims to ensure that the cleanup is thorough and complies with environmental regulations to protect public health and safety.