Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 9, 2024

To explore a small piece of what is at stake, let’s take a quick look at some of the rules currently under review at the EPA: Air emission reporting requirements If finalized and implemented, this rule will improve the way air pollution emissions are estimated and collected by the EPA.

Toxic Substances Control Act 266

Toxic Substances Control Act Air Pollution Regulations Clean Air Act 266

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 10, 2023

The power sector is the second highest source of climate pollution in the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published a proposed rule which would limit carbon pollution from fossil fuel burning power plants, a move which is critically important, statutorily required, and long overdue.

Air Pollution 188

Air Pollution Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Climate Change 188

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 14, 2023

Late last month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asked the public to provide oral comments on a major rule that will determine how much soot pollution you are exposed to. But the oral comments also included several speakers representing the industries producing a substantial amount of this deadly air pollution.

Clean Air Act 197

Clean Air Act Fossil Fuels Air Pollution 2001 197

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 30, 2022

In the absence of a federal heat standard, hundreds of thousands of farmworkers remain without protection. Personal protection equipment mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency—including long sleeves and multiple layers—are often uncomfortable to wear in warmer weather and can cause overheating.

Law 271

Law Air Pollution Climate Scientist 2017 271

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

In a major win for community members in South Memphis, Tennessee, a facility emitting a toxic air pollutant— ethylene oxide (EtO)—announced late last month that it will close its doors. Community members quickly came together and a local grassroots group, Memphis Community Against Pollution (MCAP), began to sound the alarm.

Air Pollution 240

Air Pollution Clean Air Act Regulations 2024 240

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 7, 2024

That is A LOT of EVs and A LOT less oil use, air pollution and climate emissions. The bipartisan infrastructure law provided up to $7.5 Luckily, Congress didn’t think so when it passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). By making historic investments in the U.S.

Electricity 348

Electricity Climate Change 2023 2025 348

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 1, 2022

Here’s a breakdown of DTE’s proposal to add solar, wind and batteries in the first five years, second five years, and last 10 years of its 20-year plan: The federal Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in August, contains game-changing new incentives for energy storage batteries and renewables such as solar and wind.

Clean Energy 255

Clean Energy 2028 2025 Electricity 255

Environment, Law, and History

APRIL 29, 2022

The recently published open-access book, Greening Europe: Environmental Protection in the Long Twentieth Century – A Handbook , edited by Anna-Katharina Wöbse and Patrick Kupper (De Gruyter Oldenbourg, 2021), has a number of law-related chapters.

Air Pollution 96

Air Pollution Environmental Protection Politics Law 96

Greenbuilding Law

JULY 4, 2021

With that wide public sentiment for fireworks, there is actually almost no environmental regulation for the setting off of millions of little explosions of the more than 99% of fireworks imported from China. Congress has legislated the treatment of air quality data influenced by exceptional events, which includes fireworks.

Air Pollution 52

Air Pollution Particle Pollution Regulations Clean Water Act 52

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 6, 2022

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Toxicology Program, and the International Association of Research on Cancer classify EtO as a substance that can cause certain cancers. What are the health impacts associated with breathing it?

Clean Air Act 223

Clean Air Act 2019 Environmental Protection 2020 223

Legal Planet

AUGUST 22, 2023

States and local air quality regulators have the legal authority to set particulate matter (PM), ozone, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions standards and adopt regulations for these pollutants when they are already in attainment of the national ambient air quality standards ( NAAQS ) set by the U.S.

Regulations 130

Regulations Ozone Air Pollution Clean Air Act 130

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 18, 2024

On December 18, the Department of Environmental Protection said the agency will review the Shell Petrochemical Plant Title V Air Quality Permit application under the enhanced public participation process established in its Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy holding local stakeholder meetings, one or more public meetings and a hearing.

Air Pollution 112

Air Pollution 2023 Environmental Protection 2024 112

PA Environment Daily

JUNE 14, 2024

Waste Permits -- The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the June 15 PA Bulletin inviting comments on the waste permit renewal for the Kelly Run Landfill in Forward Township, Allegheny County. Wyoming County. ( Greene County. ( Bucks County. ( Butler County. ( Washington Count y. ( Tioga County. ( Read more here.

Air Pollution 112

Air Pollution Waste Recycling Natural Gas 112

PA Environment Daily

AUGUST 30, 2022

On August 29, the Environmental Hearing Board ruled in favor of three environmental groups in their appeal of the air pollution permit for the proposed Renovo Energy Center natural gas-fired power plant in Clinton County, finding the Department of Environmental Protection set limits for sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds too high.

Natural Gas 95

Natural Gas Air Pollution Law Environmental Protection 95

PA Environment Daily

NOVEMBER 21, 2024

On November 21, the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Department of Justice and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection announced two settlements with oil and gas operators in Pennsylvania involving operations in Butler, Lawrence and Mercer Counties. In separate agreements, XTO Energy Inc.

Clean Air Act 112

Clean Air Act Ground-Level Ozone Carbon Dioxide Natural Gas 112

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 22, 2024

On February 22, the Department of Environmental Protection reported the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Beaver County paid an additional $2,671,044.75 in civil penalties for air quality violations occurring after the May 24, 2023 consent order. However, in Paragraph 14.b Paragraph 14.b on June 20, 2023 -- $1,046,766.94

2023 119

2023 Nitrogen Oxides Carbon Monoxide Carbon Dioxide 119

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 21, 2022

The original air quality permit for a proposed LNG plant in Wyalusing Township, Bradford County was issued by DEP on July 24, 2019. This settlement is a great victory for Bradford County and for Pennsylvania,” said Joseph Otis Minott, Executive Director and Chief Counsel of Clean Air Council. O’Neill, PennFuture Senior Attorney.

Natural Gas 91

Natural Gas Air Pollution Pollution Control Environmental Protection 91

Environmental News Bits

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

A citizens’ group in West Virginia is suing the Environmental Protection Agency, alleging that federal regulators have failed to protect a majority-Black community in the state and residents of parts of Louisiana and Texas from cancer-causing chemicals. Read the full story from ProPublica.

Air Pollution 45

Air Pollution Environmental Protection Regulations 2021 45

PA Environment Daily

MAY 18, 2022

On May 17, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Allegheny County Health Department announced the U.S. million penalty and make extensive improvements at its steel production facility in Braddock, Pennsylvania, as part of a settlement covering longstanding air pollution violations. Steel Corporation will pay a $1.5

Air Pollution 52

Air Pollution Pollution Control Clean Air Act 2016 52

PA Environment Daily

MAY 24, 2023

Pennsylvanians have a constitutional right to clean air and pure water, and my Administration will hold all companies – no matter how big or small – accountable when they violate the laws and regulations protecting our air and water,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Air Pollution 90

Air Pollution Nitrogen Oxides Carbon Monoxide 2023 90

MGKF Law

AUGUST 2, 2023

On July 25, 2023, a Third Circuit panel rejected an environmental group’s challenge of federally approved changes to Pennsylvania’s State Implementation Plan (“SIP”), holding that the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) emissions-based analysis did not violate the Clean Air Act (“CAA”).

Air Pollution 40

Air Pollution Clean Air Act Environmental Protection 2023 40

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 12, 2024

On February 12, environmental groups announced the US Environmental Protection Agency formally objected to an air quality permit for the US Steel Edgar Thomson Plant issued by the Allegheny County Health Department in August 2023 saying it was not in compliance with the Clean Air Act.

Nitrogen Oxides 77

Nitrogen Oxides Carbon Monoxide Air Pollution Clean Air Act 77

PA Environment Daily

SEPTEMBER 13, 2024

Air Quality Permit -- Sandy Run Landfill, LLC - Renewable Landfill Gas Refinery: DEP invites comments on an Air Quality Plan Approval for the facility located in Broad Top Twp., Bedford County. ( Chester County. ( Butler County. ( Tioga County. ( Tioga County. ( Susquehanna County. ( Greene County. ( Greene County. ( Clinton County. (

Air Pollution 116

Air Pollution Natural Gas 2024 Clean Energy 116

PA Environment Daily

JULY 22, 2024

On July 22, the US Environmental Protection Agency announced the award of over $4.3 billion in Climate Pollution Reduction Grants to implement community-driven solutions that tackle the climate crisis, reduce air pollution, advance environmental justice, and accelerate America’s clean energy transition.

Carbon Emissions 78

Carbon Emissions Air Pollution Clean Energy Environmental Protection 78

PA Environment Daily

JUNE 21, 2024

Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments. -- The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a July 2 virtual public hearing starting at 6:00 p.m. The following DEP notices were published in the June 22 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities. Susquehanna County. ( Beaver County. (

Natural Gas 109

Natural Gas Air Pollution Fossil Fuels Waste 109

PA Environment Daily

JULY 5, 2024

PA Bulletin, page 3830 ) Read more here. -- The Department of Environmental Protection posted a note on its Shell Petrochemical Plant webpage that on July 2 DEP determined the Title V Air Quality Permit Application submitted by Shell for its Beaver County plant is administratively complete and the application was posted on DEP's website. . -

Air Pollution 96

Air Pollution Recycling Natural Gas Environmental Protection 96

The Energy Law Blog

JULY 1, 2013

Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and the American Lung Association in the litigation involving EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (“CSAPR”). By Lesley Foxhall Pietras On June 24, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the petitions for writs of certiorari filed by the U.S.

Air Pollution 40

Air Pollution Nitrogen Oxides Clean Air Act 2013 40

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 25, 2024

Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments. -- The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the October 26, 2024 PA Bulletin extending the three Air Quality Permits needed for the temporary operation of the Shell Petrochemical Plant in Beaver County until a full Title V Air Quality Permit can be put in place. (

2024 106

2024 Air Pollution Natural Gas Environmental Protection 106

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 17, 2022

Along with rising temperatures, drought makes vegetation and forests drier and increases the risk of fires that generate air pollution. The price of water should reflect not only the costs of administration, purification, and transportation but also the costs of the environmental impacts generated by the extraction of the resource.

Climate Change 263

Climate Change Technology Technology Fossil Fuels 263

PA Environment Daily

NOVEMBER 22, 2022

On November 22, the Clean Air Council , PennFuture , and the Center for Biological Diversity announced they appealed an extension of Renovo Energy Center’s air pollution permit for a large gas-fired power plant — a significant source of new pollution within an environmental justice area.

Natural Gas 104

Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Renewable Energy 104

PA Environment Daily

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023

The Environmental Health Project based in Southwest PA published a fact sheet on how the Department of Environmental Protection is issuing permits for shale gas infrastructure facilities without considering the impact of how those new sources of pollution will impact local communities when added to the existing pollution in the area.

Natural Gas 108

Natural Gas Air Pollution Government Environmental Protection 108

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 20, 2022

That’s why, since the price spike, the industry has doubled down on lobbying for weaker environmental protections to clear the way for more oil and gas production and the further lock-in of gas pipelines and other fossil fuel infrastructure.

Fossil Fuels 270

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Electricity Natural Gas 270

The Energy Law Blog

OCTOBER 3, 2011

Moreno: On August 23, 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register a proposed rule that significantly expands the applicable air emissions standards for the Oil and Natural Gas Sector. By Carlos J. See 76 Fed. 52738 (Aug. 52738 (Aug.

Air Pollution 40

Air Pollution 2011 Clean Air Act Natural Gas 40

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 12, 2024

Environmental Protection Agency announced a record 45 states , plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and dozens of Metropolitan Statistical Areas have now developed priority climate action plans through investments made possible by the federal Inflation Reduction Act’s Investing in America program. On March 11, the U.S.

Natural Gas 95

Natural Gas Clean Energy Electricity Renewable Energy 95

The Energy Law Blog

SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

By: Lesley Foxhall Pietras On August 8, 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a far-reaching Clean Air Act rule intended to address the interstate transport of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) from upwind to downwind states. See 76 Fed. 48208 (Aug. See David E.

Air Pollution 40

Air Pollution 2011 Nitrogen Oxides Clean Air Act 40

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 21, 2023

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is charged with the Herculean and crucial task of assessing which chemicals are innocuous and which ones need to be banned or restricted because they pose a threat to our health or the environment.

Toxic Substances Control Act 192

Toxic Substances Control Act Regulations Air Pollution Atmosphere 192

Enviromental Defense

MARCH 23, 2023

The right to a healthy environment will be recognized for the first time under federal law. The legislation establishes a new duty for the government to uphold the principles of environmental justice, intergenerational equity, and non-regression.

Air Pollution 75

Air Pollution Environmental Protection Sustainable Development Law 75