Search Results for agency_names:"Environmental Protection Agency"

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule to update the list of chemicals required for toxic chemical release reporting under two acts: the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA). This update adds nine specific chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), based on a Congressional mandate from the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. These PFAS must be reported in the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) starting with the 2025 reporting year. The rule is effective from February 5, 2025, and aims to improve public and governmental understanding of PFAS releases for better environmental management.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to disapprove West Virginia's plan to address regional haze in national parks and wilderness areas. The EPA argues that West Virginia didn't properly analyze which pollution control measures are necessary to make reasonable progress toward improving visibility, as required by the Clean Air Act. The EPA's proposed disapproval doesn’t immediately impose any penalties on West Virginia, but it does start a two-year period during which the EPA must create its own plan if West Virginia doesn't correct the identified issues. Public comments on this proposal are being accepted until February 20, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving parts of a submission from Arkansas related to the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), ensuring the state meets clean air requirements. The EPA reviewed Arkansas's plans for maintaining air quality and found them adequate in personnel, funding, and legal authority, despite some public concerns about financial resources. The approval includes updates to state regulations and confirms Arkansas's plans are consistent with federal law. Although the COVID-19 pandemic was mentioned as a possible concern, the EPA decided it does not warrant disapproval of Arkansas's submission at this time.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing updates to the fees charged under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for fiscal years 2022 to 2024. This proposal aims to adjust existing fees and introduce new fee categories to ensure the fees offset a portion of the costs of the EPA's responsibilities under TSCA. New exemptions are also proposed for certain manufacturers to reduce the burden on smaller entities and those engaged in specific activities, like research and development. EPA seeks to redistribute the fees more equitably among manufacturers based on production volume, aiming to refine the fee process from previous implementations and ensure industries that contribute to chemical manufacturing support EPA's oversight and evaluation efforts.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comments on the renewal of the information collection request (ICR) related to the Clean Water Act Section 404 State-Assumed Programs. This ICR is under review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and is set to expire on February 28, 2025. The document outlines the responsibilities of states and tribes in managing the Section 404 permit program, which regulates discharges into US waters. The EPA estimates that three states will administer the program during the next three years, affecting about 15,237 permit applicants, with total annual costs of approximately $6.6 million.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has requested approval from the Office of Management and Budget for a new information collection related to its Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving (EJCPS) and Government to Government (EJG2G) programs. These programs aim to support projects that address environmental and public health challenges by collaborating with community-based organizations and local governments, especially in underserved communities. The EPA plans to collect progress and final reports from grant recipients to evaluate project effectiveness and equity. Public comments on this information collection are open until February 18, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has submitted a request to renew the 2022 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit (CGP) for stormwater discharges from construction activities. This renewal request, which is part of the Paperwork Reduction Act process, is necessary as the current permit is set to expire on February 28, 2025. The public can comment on this proposal until March 31, 2025. The renewal will affect approximately 3,631 operators per year and involves changes like new questions and requirements for notices and inspections, contributing to an increased estimated cost of over $15 million per year.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing a rule to update standards for Primary Magnesium Refining, aimed at improving air quality and protecting public health and the environment. The proposed regulation will ensure that emissions of hazardous air pollutants, such as chlorine, are better controlled. The EPA is planning to eliminate exemptions previously allowed during startup, shutdown, and malfunction periods and include new work practice standards for malfunction events. Additionally, the proposal requires electronic reporting to streamline data handling and improve compliance.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed modifications to existing rules concerning performance standards and emission guidelines for the oil and natural gas sector. They are making these changes in response to petitions asking for a reconsideration of the previous standards. Part of this proposal includes correcting the information collection estimates from an earlier rulemaking notice. The public has been invited to submit their comments on this proposal by March 3, 2025, through various methods, including an online portal or email.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final decision to partially approve and partially disapprove Utah's plan to address regional haze, which affects air quality in national parks and wilderness areas. The EPA found Utah's plan partially insufficient as it failed to meet certain requirements, such as implementing stronger controls on emissions from specific power plants. Additionally, the EPA disapproved parts of Utah's plan addressing visibility pollution related to ozone levels from a 2020 submission. This ruling emphasizes the need for stronger measures to protect visibility and air quality in protected areas.