Search Results for keywords:"environmental regulation"

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the rule designating the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary will become effective on November 30, 2024. The final rule was initially published on October 16, 2024, in the Federal Register. This designation is part of NOAA's efforts under the National Marine Sanctuaries Act to protect marine areas and resources.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given Illinois the final go-ahead to make changes to its hazardous waste program as per the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These changes relate to rules published in a proposed rule on July 30, 2020, which had received public support and no negative feedback. This decision confirms that Illinois' updated rules are just as strong and reliable as federal standards. The authorization is effective from February 9, 2021, and does not impose any new requirements beyond what the state law already has in place.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has received a water quality certification request from Northern States Power Company for a specific project. This request was submitted to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy on December 6, 2024. The Michigan authorities have one year, until December 6, 2025, to make a decision on this request. If no action is taken by that date, the certification will be considered waived under the Clean Water Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to Pennsylvania's state implementation plan (SIP) to ensure that ozone levels in the Clearfield and Indiana Counties meet the 1997 8-hour ground-level ozone standard through 2029. This plan, submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, includes steps to maintain air quality, such as regular monitoring, an emissions inventory, and a contingency plan to address potential violations. EPA is inviting public comments on this proposal, which aligns with the requirements of the Clean Air Act.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a revision to Pennsylvania's State Implementation Plan (SIP) for maintaining air quality standards for ozone in the Harrisburg-Lebanon-Carlisle area. This revision helps ensure the area continues to meet the 1997 8-hour ozone standards through 2027. The EPA found that Pennsylvania's submission satisfied legal requirements, even after discovering a minor computational error in emission data that did not affect the decision. This approval makes certain air quality maintenance commitments enforceable under federal law.

DoD, GSA, and NASA have decided to withdraw a proposed rule that aimed to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for disclosing greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks. The proposal stemmed from Executive Order 14030 and involved major Federal suppliers setting science-based reduction targets. The decision to withdraw is due to the lack of time in the Biden-Harris Administration to finalize the rule and evolving industry practices and standards. The agencies will continue to monitor and consider future actions concerning greenhouse gas disclosure.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made available a collection of applicability determinations, alternative monitoring decisions, and regulatory interpretations related to various air quality standards and programs, such as NSPS, NESHAP, and others. These determinations help clarify whether specific facilities or equipment must follow certain EPA regulations, and they often involve evaluating requests for alternative monitoring methods or exemptions. A summary of 59 documents added to the Applicability Determination Index on October 22, 2020, includes topics like monitoring plans for emissions from industrial processes and compliance with air quality standards for specific facilities. These documents are available online for public access, and complete details can be found through the EPA's Clean Air Act Compliance Monitoring website.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending the comment period for a proposed Settlement Agreement related to the Wyodak electric generating unit in Wyoming. Originally, the public was given until February 3, 2021, to provide feedback, but in response to a request, the deadline has been extended to March 5, 2021. This extension allows the public more time to submit their comments regarding the proposal. The agreement aims to resolve petitions for review filed by Wyoming and PacifiCorp, as mentioned in the Federal Register on January 4, 2021.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice about a decision regarding the Sundance Power Plant in Arizona. On November 6, 2024, the EPA's Administrator denied a petition from the Sierra Club that asked the EPA to oppose a Clean Air Act permit for the power plant issued by the local air quality authority in Pinal County. The Sierra Club's request was related to an operating permit for Arizona Public Service Company's Sundance Power Plant. If Sierra Club disagrees with the EPA's decision, they can seek judicial review with the U.S. Court of Appeals by February 4, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a regulation to address the health risks associated with a chemical called C.I. Pigment Violet 29 (PV29), as part of their assessment under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Initially, the comment period for this proposal was scheduled to end on February 28, 2025, but it has now been extended by 60 days, giving the public until April 29, 2025, to submit their feedback. The purpose of this extension is to allow stakeholders more time to review the materials and provide their comments. To participate, the public can submit comments online at regulations.gov and should refer to the ID number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2021-0277.