Search Results for keywords:"Environmental Protection Agency"

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting public input on the development of ENERGY STAR product specifications. Since its inception in 1992, the ENERGY STAR program has been used to identify products that are highly energy-efficient. The EPA emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement in maintaining and expanding these product specifications. The public can participate by visiting the ENERGY STAR website or contacting the agency to join its mailing list for updates on product specification activities.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by South Carolina to update its Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) emissions trading programs. This revision incorporates recent changes made by the EPA to federal regulations concerning the trading programs for nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide emissions from large electric generating units. The approval ensures that South Carolina's program remains consistent with federal requirements and the Clean Air Act's provisions. The rule will take effect on April 7, 2025, and will not impose additional requirements beyond those established by state law.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing a rule concerning air quality in Maricopa County, Arizona. The rule partially approves, partially disapproves, and partially conditionally approves revisions to the air quality plan for the area, focusing on controlling emissions to meet 2008 ozone standards. The EPA is conditionally approving certain rules for controlling emissions from surface coating operations, while requiring updates for others within a year, or they will face disapproval. No comments were received during the public comment period, and failure to meet these conditions might result in federal sanctions.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reopening the comment period for a proposed general permit related to stormwater discharges from industrial activities. This permit, called the 2026 Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP), will replace the existing permit that expires in early 2026. The EPA has extended the comment period to May 19, 2025, after receiving requests for more time. Stakeholders are encouraged to review and comment on this proposal through the official website by the deadline.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a final guidance document to assist air agencies in preparing State Implementation Plans for areas that do not meet air quality standards for ozone and particulate matter. This guidance focuses on ensuring that plans include contingency measures, which are required actions that will be implemented if a state fails to meet air quality goals. The document includes updated methods for calculating these measures, provides guidance on creating justifications if feasible measures cannot be found, and suggests changes to the timing of implementing these measures after a triggering event. Public comments were considered in finalizing this guidance.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to regulate hexachlorobutadiene (HCBD), a chemical deemed persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic. This rule prohibits almost all manufacturing, processing, and distribution of HCBD and products containing it, except when HCBD is unintentionally produced as a byproduct in the creation of chlorinated solvents and when distributed for incineration as waste fuel. The rule aims to significantly reduce exposure to HCBD to protect human health and the environment, and it becomes effective on March 8, 2021.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is extending an information collection request for the hazardous waste manifest system, allowing an additional 30 days for public comments. This request involves recordkeeping and reporting related to the tracking of hazardous waste, either through paper or electronic manifests, under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act. The proposed extension also outlines the mandatory obligations for businesses involved, along with estimated burdens and costs related to compliance. Changes in the estimates indicate a decrease in the hours required but an increase in costs compared to previous assessments.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is transferring certain pesticide-related information to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and other parties involved in specific legal cases. This includes details that might be considered Confidential Business Information (CBI) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA). The transfer complies with regulations about disclosing such information in litigation. The documents may include sensitive data on the pesticide tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP), and extra precautions, like a Protective Order, will ensure confidentiality is maintained throughout the court process.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received a petition to reconsider revisions to the Accidental Release Prevention Requirements under the Clean Air Act. These revisions were initially published in March 2024. The EPA has denied this petition for reconsideration, and the details of this decision can be found in a letter addressed to the petitioner. Any legal challenges to this decision must be filed in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia by February 28, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing full approval of North Dakota's revised operating permit program for facilities that fall under title V of the Clean Air Act. The proposed approval follows North Dakota's amendments to its program to meet federal compliance requirements, which were previously not fully approvable due to issues with state judicial review laws. Comments on this proposal are due by March 26, 2021. If there are no negative comments, the EPA will proceed with a final ruling; otherwise, further action will address any concerns raised.