Overheated trees are contributing to urban air pollution
New Scientist
JUNE 20, 2024
An aerial survey of Los Angeles reveals that high temperatures cause plants to emit more compounds that can contribute to harmful ozone and PM2.5 air pollution
Summer Air Pollution Trends: Factors Affecting Air Quality
Breezometer
AUGUST 16, 2021
Levels of Ground-level Ozone Pollution Can Increase in Summer. As ground-level ozone requires the presence of sunlight to form, high heat and sunny weather can function to increase concentrations of this particular pollutant. billion, thanks in part to a reduced impact on children. for maize, 4.1% for soybean, and 7.3%
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Congress Considers First-Ever Purchase Incentive for Commercial EVs
Union of Concerned Scientists
AUGUST 2, 2022
A key step towards addressing climate change and air quality. Cleaning up heavy-duty vehicles is one of the most consequential tasks in reducing climate-warming greenhouse gases and toxic air pollution from the transportation sector. These policies will complement the important provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
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DEP Invites Comments On A Proposed Declaration Of An Exceptional Air Pollution Event Due To 2023 Wildfire Smoke Impacts
PA Environment Daily
APRIL 26, 2024
The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 27 PA Bulletin inviting public comments on a proposed declaration of an Exceptional Air Quality Event due to 2023 wildfires from Canada and New Jersey causing elevated levels of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds impacting ozone pollution in Pennsylvania.
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Air pollution can make insects mate with the wrong species
New Scientist
APRIL 11, 2024
Ground-level ozone, a product of pollution from cars, degrades insect pheromones, and this can result in mismatched mating and sterile offspring
Protecting Public Health Is Complicated. But Science Can Help, and the Time Is Now.
Union of Concerned Scientists
SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
For example, inclusion of a non-chemical stressor—higher daily temperatures—was considered in the scientific document used to support the ozone standard , since there is evidence that exposure to higher daily temperatures together with ozone exposure is associated with higher mortality.
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What Exactly is Ozone? The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
Breezometer
DECEMBER 7, 2021
Our ozone layer serves as a lifesaving UV barrier for planet earth, functioning to absorb most of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. At the same time, ground-level ozone pollution is extremely harmful to human health. Good Ozone’: Our Essential Sun Shield. How is Ozone Created?
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Ozone exposure may be linked to depression in adolescents, study finds
Environmental News Bits
APRIL 8, 2022
Exposure to ozone from air pollution may be connected to a rise in depression among adolescents, a new study has found. The study, published in the journal Developmental Psychology on Monday, is the first to link ozone levels to the development of depression in adolescents over time. Read the full story at The Hill.
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What If We Succeed?
Legal Planet
AUGUST 23, 2021
Urban air pollution kills millions of people around the world. We will also get rid of coal mines and oil wells, which produce other kinds of pollution today. If we work really hard, however, we can keep the impacts manageable. Accomplishing that will be no easy feat. What does it buy us?
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Air pollution makes it harder for pollinators to find plants
New Scientist
JANUARY 18, 2022
Levels of nitrogen oxides and ozone on a par with average concentrations next to major UK roads led to a reduction in the number of pollinators counted on the crops by up to 70 per cent
Air pollution significantly reduces pollination by confusing butterflies and bees
Environmental News Bits
FEBRUARY 9, 2022
A new study finds pollination reduced by almost a third when diesel fumes and ozone were present – the negative impact of these common air pollutants on pollination were observed in the natural environment. Read the full story from the University of Reading. Read more →
Wildfires Are Fueling a Toxic Combo of Air Pollutants
Scientific American
JANUARY 6, 2022
population to a stew of particulate matter and ozone. -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com. The 2020 fire season subjected half the western U.S.
Extreme air pollution from US wildfires now affects millions of people
New Scientist
JANUARY 5, 2022
The simultaneous occurence of extreme levels of ozone and particulate matter have increased significantly in the past decade due to wildfires in the western US
Supreme Court Sidelines Science, Threatens Public Health: These Rules-in-Progress Show What’s at Stake
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.
EPA Grant Program Helps to Accelerate Transition to Cleaner Ports
Union of Concerned Scientists
APRIL 2, 2024
Air pollution from ports comes from many sources: ships, trains, tugboats, cargo equipment, and – quite importantly – the trucks that move cargo containers to and from ports. Because drayage trucks tend to be among the oldest tractor trucks on the road, they tend to pollute at greater rates than other tractors.
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The Supreme Court & Interstate Pollution
Legal Planet
JUNE 27, 2024
Months ago, the Supreme Court agreed to hear an “emergency” request to stay EPA’s new rule regulating interstate air pollution. A Supreme Court case called EME Homer upheld EPA’s general approach to regulating interstate air pollution. Circuit even had a chance to consider the merits of the challenges.
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The definitive CO2/CH4 comparison post
Real Climate
SEPTEMBER 19, 2021
Methane emissions have a feedback on its own lifetime, serve as an ozone precursor, and reduce the production of sulphate and nitrate aerosols (and consequently indirect cloud-aerosol effects), all of which amplify its net warming effect to about 1.2 W/m<sup>2</sup> (to about 60% of the CO 2 effect since 1750).
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House Environmental Committee Reports Out Bill To Require DEP To Consider Cumulative Impacts Of Certain New Sources Of Pollution On Already Impacted Communities
PA Environment Daily
APRIL 7, 2025
The amendment would cover pollution from major oil and gas infrastructure and pipelines, power plants and many other facilities that emit these air pollutants. The amendment would cover pollution from major oil and gas infrastructure and pipelines, power plants and many other facilities that emit these air pollutants.
Environmental Health Project: Asthma And Air Pollution From Natural Gas Drilling/Facilities
PA Environment Daily
AUGUST 6, 2022
The following factsheet on asthma and air pollution from natural gas facilities was compiled by the Environmental Health Project -- Asthma is a chronic disease that affects breathing. Asthma attacks, also known as exacerbations, may be triggered by indoor and outdoor air pollution, stress, and other physical and environmental factors.
Clean Fleets Rule Slated to Deliver Healthier Air for Californians
Union of Concerned Scientists
MAY 4, 2023
Trucks and buses on California’s roads and highways are responsible for the majority of lung-damaging fine particulate and ozone-forming nitrogen oxide emissions, and a sizable amount of climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions as well.
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Delivery Vans are Going Electric: Where and Why
Union of Concerned Scientists
SEPTEMBER 17, 2024
Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), like the big rigs on our highways and the vans that deliver our packages, make up just over 1 in 10 of the vehicles on our roads, but are responsible for over half of ozone-forming nitrogen oxide pollution and lung-damaging fine particulate pollution from on-road vehicles.
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How Does The U.S EPA Report on Air Quality ?
Breezometer
OCTOBER 25, 2021
In both the US AQI and the Nowcast, the higher the value, the greater the level of air pollution, and the greater the health concern. What Pollutants Does it Cover? Ground-level ozone (03) Particle pollution (PM2.5 Ground-level ozone (03) Particle pollution (PM 2.5) Particle pollution (PM 10).
EPA Proposes Rejection of San Joaquin Valley Air District PM2.5 SIP Submittal
Legal Planet
OCTOBER 26, 2022
discussing the ways in which local air districts can take action to end harmful air pollution from building appliances. In California, CARB and the state’s 35 local air districts share authority to adopt and enforce control strategies to achieve these standards.
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Why UCS Supporters Are Pressing EPA to Let California Enforce Its Truck Pollution Rules
Union of Concerned Scientists
DECEMBER 1, 2022
Diesel pollution is a known carcinogen , and particulate emissions like those from trucks have clear negative health impacts including heart disease and increased emergency room visits for cardiovascular problems. We in Colorado have many days of problematic ozone. We need every tool we can apply to gain healthier air.
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DC Circuit dismisses utility-backed challenge to EPA cross-state ozone rule
Environmental News Bits
MARCH 6, 2023
A federal appeals court on Friday dismissed a lawsuit brought by a utility-supported organization that sought to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency’s revised 2021 Cross-State Air Pollution Update Rule for ozone.
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Watching the detections
Real Climate
SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
A second set of climate model simulations can be run with all of the factors we think of as important – the natural drivers of course, but also the anthropogenic changes (greenhouse gas changes, air pollution, ozone depletion, irrigation, land use change etc.).
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324 D.C. Circuit Vacates EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
The Energy Law
AUGUST 24, 2012
Wiegand On August 21, 2012, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit vacated EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). CSAPR would have required many states, including Louisiana and Texas, to reduce power plant emissions of SO 2 and NO x , particularly during the summer ozone season.
EPA’s Cross-State Air Pollution Rule Will Have A Dramatic Impact on Texas and Louisiana
The Energy Law
SEPTEMBER 15, 2011
Specifically, the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) requires 27 states, including Louisiana and Texas, to make dramatic cuts in power plant emissions. Emissions reductions will take effect quickly, starting January 1, 2012 for SO2 and annual NOx reductions, and May 1, 2012 for ozone season (May-September) NOx reductions.
Improving EPA’s Latest Ozone Transport Rule
Acoel
JUNE 29, 2022
The downwind air quality benefits are minimal. The proposed rule would provide de minimus air quality benefits in downwind areas with extremely high costs – estimated by EPA at $22 billion discounted 2016 dollars for the 2023-2042 period. enjoyed ozone reductions of 3 to 5 ppb or more. ppb by 2025. EPA estimated that: .
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Study: Industry Data Shows Hazardous Air Pollutants Are ‘Ubiquitous’ In The Natural Gas Transmission System; More Justification For Robust Leak Prevention Programs
PA Environment Daily
SEPTEMBER 22, 2022
The study-- Hazardous Air Pollutants In Transmission Pipeline Natural Gas: An Analytic Assessment -- was accepted for publication in Environmental Research Letters journal September 16. blowdowns and blowouts), which we now know not only contains methane, but also Hazardous Air Pollutants and other chemicals.
Ohio EPA Division of Air Pollution Control hosts Program Advisory Group Meeting
Vorys Law
JANUARY 26, 2021
On January 20, 2021, the Ohio EPA’s Division of Air Pollution Control (DAPC) hosted a “Program Advisory Group” (PAG) meeting via Microsoft Teams to inform interested stakeholders of recent and upcoming DAPC activities. This post focuses on Ohio EPA’s anticipated regulatory changes to address non-attainment of the 2015 Ozone NAAQS.
PUC Invites Comments On Petition To Issue A Policy Statement On Electric Utility Rate Design For Electric Vehicle Charging
PA Environment Daily
MARCH 11, 2022
The burning of transportation fuels, such as gasoline and diesel, is a substantial source of air pollution. ChargEVC-PA noted the Commission has already taken some steps to promote EV adoption.
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Why is BreezoMeter Different from my Local Air Quality Source?
Breezometer
JANUARY 5, 2022
Whereas one AQI may be designed simply to indicate the levels of current pollution present in the air (‘high’ or ‘low’), another might focus on the associated health risks for the general public and/or people with specific health issues like chronic diseases. 3)Your Local Provider Monitors Different Pollutants.
DEP Awards $2.9 Million For Clean Diesel Transportation To Improve Air Quality
PA Environment Daily
APRIL 24, 2024
million to seven applicants for the PA State Clean Diesel Grant Program , which provides financial incentives and support for fleet owners and operators to reduce air pollution from their vehicle fleets. Transportation is one of our biggest areas of impact for improving air quality,” said DEP Interim Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley.
DEP Issues Code Orange Air Quality Action Day Saturday, June 5 In Southwest PA Counties
PA Environment Daily
JUNE 4, 2021
On June 4, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ozone for Saturday, June 5 in the southwestern counties of Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington, and Westmoreland.
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57 EPA: Power Plant, Pipeline, Cement, Paper, Glass And Other Industries In PA, Other States Face Tighter NOx Standards Under EPA’s Final Good Neighbor Rule
PA Environment Daily
MARCH 15, 2023
The final rule will improve air quality for millions of people living in downwind communities, saving thousands of lives, keeping people out of the hospital, preventing asthma attacks, and reducing sick days.
DEP Issues $1.1 Million Civil Penalty To Equitrans For Violations Related To The Uncontrolled Venting Of 1.1 Billion Cubic Feet Of Gas From The Rager Mountain Gas Storage Area In Cambria County
PA Environment Daily
APRIL 9, 2024
The total civil penalty assessments include $350,000 for air quality violations, which is the maximum civil penalty assessment allowable under the Pennsylvania Air Pollution Control Act, and $764,000 pursuant to Pennsylvania’s oil and gas and solid waste laws.
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DEP Posted 56 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In February 3 PA Bulletin
PA Environment Daily
FEBRUARY 2, 2024
Comments due March 8. -- The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the February 3 PA Bulletin inviting comments on proposed 2024 Ozone Season Nitrogen Oxide Emission Limits for Nonelectric Generating Units.
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Bike to Work!
Academy of Natural Sciences
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021
There are many human-made sources of emissions, and on-road motor vehicles, such as cars, are a huge driving factor in air pollution. Motor vehicle exhaust is one big source of ground-level ozone or smog, fine particulate matter, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide.
EPA’s Power Plant Carbon Rules Are Critical—and Complex. Here’s What to Know, and What to Watch.
Union of Concerned Scientists
APRIL 20, 2023
However, EPA is also undertaking a range of parallel rulemakings focused on other major power plant pollutants of concern, especially as they relate to public health. Each rule is moving independently, but they all impact power plant operations.
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DEP Issues Air Quality Action Day Alert For Sunday, June 6 For Southwest PA, Susquehanna Valley, Lehigh Valley, Southeast PA
PA Environment Daily
JUNE 5, 2021
On June 5, the Department of Environmental Protection issued a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for ozone for Sunday, June 6 in the Lehigh Valley, Southwest and Southeast PA and the Susquehanna Valley. Conditions will be favorable for ozone concentrations on Sunday to climb into the code ORANGE range.
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It’s More Important for EPA to Ensure that States Are Good Neighbors Than That They are Perfect Neighbors
Law and Environment
MARCH 10, 2023
Circuit Court of Appeals rejected challenges to EPA’s “Revised Cross-State Air Pollution Update Rule”. Last week, D.C. The Court found that the Rule was “an appropriate exercise of EPA’s statutory authority” I find the decision noteworthy for two reasons.
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New DEP Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy, Definition Of Environmental Justice Areas Effective Sept. 16; Public Comments Accepted Thru Oct. 29
PA Environment Daily
AUGUST 17, 2023
PennEnviroScreen DEP’s Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy uses the online PennEnviroScreen tool to define environmental justice areas using 32 indicators. Read more here. House Bill 652 would give DEP the statutory authority to deny a permit application in any environmental justice area based on the “cumulative environmental impacts.”
EQB Meets June 14 On Revised Final Regulation Reducing Methane Emissions From Just Unconventional (Shale Gas) Wells, Facilities; Working On Conventional Reg.
PA Environment Daily
JUNE 3, 2022
Since this final-form rulemaking is being promulgated under the APCA [state Air Pollution Control Act] in Title 35, the requirements of Act 52 do not apply. In the executive summary of the revised regulation applying to only unconventional shale gas facilities DEP maintains “.Act
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