Search Results for keywords:"Environmental Regulation"

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule that partially approves and partially disapproves Arizona's State Implementation Plan (SIP) for addressing regional haze, a form of air pollution. Arizona's plan aimed to tackle haze by revising strategies to improve visibility in protected natural areas. The EPA found that while some parts of the plan meet federal requirements, others do not because they lack adequate analysis or justification. The EPA's decision starts a process that could lead to federal intervention unless Arizona submits an improved plan that meets all necessary criteria.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission received an application from the California Department of Water Resources and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power on January 29, 2021. This application seeks a water quality certification under the Clean Water Act from the California State Water Resources Control Board. The California Water Board has one year to act on this request; if they do not respond by January 29, 2022, their authority to certify is considered waived. This notification is a procedural matter ensuring the Commission and relevant bodies are informed about the certification timeline.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated Virginia's authority to enforce certain federal air pollution standards. This change allows Virginia to implement and enforce federal standards for hazardous air pollutants and new source performance standards, which are rules designed to control air pollution from specific sources. The update ensures Virginia can continue to enforce these standards as they are updated in federal regulations. The EPA also informed Virginia that the exemption for startup, shutdown, and malfunction (SSM) periods should no longer be allowed due to a court ruling.

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) is seeking approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the renewal of an information collection request related to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Primary Lead Smelting. This proposal allows for public comments until March 31, 2025. The regulations concern facilities that produce lead metal from ore and ensure compliance with specific standards. The estimated annual cost is $1,030,000, including $235,000 for capital or maintenance, with the burden remaining unchanged from previous estimates.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a notice on January 15, 2025, responding to two petitions for reconsideration regarding the "New Source Performance Standards for Greenhouse Gas Emissions" rules for fossil fuel-fired power plants. The EPA reviewed the requests but decided to deny or partially deny them, with detailed reasons provided in a decision document. This decision keeps the existing standards in place. Individuals or organizations wishing to challenge this decision must file in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit by March 17, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving part of Virginia's State Implementation Plan (SIP), which includes negative declarations for certain Control Techniques Guidelines (CTG) and Alternative Control Techniques (ACT) for ozone standards. These declarations show that there are no sources in Northern Virginia subject to these guidelines, including for the 2016 Oil and Gas industry CTG. The approval confirms that Virginia meets the requirements of the Clean Air Act for these guidelines, and it does not conflict with any state or federal laws or regulations. This action simply acknowledges Virginia's compliance and does not impose new regulations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule that both approves and disapproves parts of Wyoming's revised Regional Haze Plan from 2022. This plan was meant to tackle air pollution affecting visibility in national parks and other protected areas. The EPA approved parts of the plan related to visibility conditions and monitoring strategies, but disapproved other parts, including long-term strategies and progress goals, because Wyoming did not adequately justify their choices and failed to include necessary emissions control measures. This rule will take effect on January 2, 2025.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking comments on the proposed extension of an information collection request (ICR) related to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for benzene emissions from storage vessels and coke oven by-product recovery plants. This request has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for their review. The ICR is currently valid until February 2025, and this notice opens an additional 30-day period for public comments. The EPA estimates that seven respondents will be affected, with a total annual burden of 1,130 hours and costs amounting to $143,000.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a revision to New York's plan for municipal solid waste landfills. This plan aims to reduce emissions of harmful gases like non-methane organic compounds and methane by lowering the emission threshold that requires landfills to install gas collection and control systems. The EPA believes the revised plan meets federal guidelines and will improve air quality by making the New York regulations enforceable at the federal level. Comments on this proposal must be submitted by March 29, 2021.