Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 9, 2024

If governments bypass or undermine science and public comments in policy making, our health could be in jeopardy from increased pollution, cases of foodborne illnesses, politically-driven medicine approvals or disapprovals, and more. When facilities emit less pollution, their regulations require less specific record-keeping and monitoring.

Toxic Substances Control Act 294

Toxic Substances Control Act Air Pollution Regulations Clean Air Act 294

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

The federal government is now supporting that role with federal funding for states. The Inflation Reduction Act provides another important source of state funding. A key provision (IRA § 60114) appropriates $250 million to support emission reduction planning by state governments. States have played a critical role in U.S.

Carbon Emissions 246

Carbon Emissions Clean Air Act Electricity 2030 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 1, 2022

California has a longstanding leadership role on transportation pollution, and the Clean Air Act grants the state the right to set strong vehicle emissions standards. Over 10,000 UCS supporters chimed in with EPA in support of granting California’s ability to enforce its truck regulations. We need you to do even better!

Nitrogen Oxides 231

Nitrogen Oxides Clean Air Act Ozone Fossil Fuels 231

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

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 22, 2023

The agency failed to take action, but South Memphis residents and these organizations continued undeterred, pushing government agencies and legislators, asking questions, and drawing media attention. Even more, not only was this facility emitting high levels of EtO, but it was also violating the federal Clean Air Act (CAA).

Air Pollution 267

Air Pollution Clean Air Act Regulations 2024 267

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 6, 2022

EPA’s AirToxScreen uses the National Air Toxics Assessment to offer a location-based screening tool that shows long-term cancer and health risks given air emissions of hazardous chemicals over a person’s lifetime. What is our government doing to keep us safe from harm?

Clean Air Act 251

Clean Air Act 2019 Environmental Protection 2020 251

Law and Environment

JULY 1, 2022

EPA on Thursday, June 30, 2022, curbing the power of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants across the country. The decision focuses on EPA’s authority under a specific section of the Clean Air Act. The Clean Power Plan’s emissions limits were never operative.

Clean Energy 130

Clean Energy Climate Change Clean Air Act Greenhouse 130

PA Environment Daily

JULY 27, 2021

A new NRDC report describes these risks and how weak regulations fail to appropriately protect workers and communities. Despite the clear health risks, there are no dedicated federal regulations to ensure comprehensive and safer management of radioactive oil and gas materials. What does this mean for workers and communities?

Waste 104

Waste Regulations 2011 Radiation 104

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.

Air Pollution 195

Air Pollution Regulations Ozone Government 195

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 20, 2022

One particularly notable adjustment reflects a direct request from truck manufacturers, who ( as noted previously ) have been intensely engaged in a battle to weaken the rule as part of an ongoing war against pollution regulations that undermines the lip service the companies give on climate. Image source: CARB ).

Clean Air Act 190

Clean Air Act Electricity Fossil Fuels 2030 190

Environment Next

FEBRUARY 1, 2022

In a case that could open the door to more citizen suits to enforce mobile source provisions of the Clean Air Act—a category of enforcement actions that has so far failed to gain much traction—the 10 th Circuit Court of Appeals recently issued an opinion broadly upholding a non-profit organization’s standing.

Clean Air Act 52

Clean Air Act Sea Level Greenhouse Carbon Emissions 52

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 1, 2023

While the agency has failed to update the rule as required under the Clean Air Act, last year, EPA identified 23 “elevated cancer risk” commercial sterilizers and is currently working to inform communities and work with state regulators and the facilities to decrease emissions. But much more is needed. What can be done?

2016 206

2016 Regulations Clean Air Act Ozone 206

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

This has been particularly true in your home state of California, which historically has set the clean car agenda for the rest of the country because of its waiver under the Clean Air Act to set its own air pollution standards.

Electricity 321

Electricity Air Pollution 2030 Clean Air Act 321

PA Environment Daily

NOVEMBER 17, 2022

On November 17, Erie Coke Corporation, along with a corporate officer, have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Erie on among other charges, Violation of the Clean Air Act, United States Attorney Cindy K. McDaniel and Martin Harrell are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government. Chung announced today.

Clean Air Act 52

Clean Air Act Environmental Protection Air Pollution 2015 52

Law and Environment

AUGUST 27, 2021

The 8 th Circuit Court of Appeals has largely affirmed a District Court order finding that Ameren Missouri violated the NSR provisions of the Clean Air Act in making major modifications to its Rush Island facility. 7413(b), expressly provides for injunctive relief to redress violations of the Act.”. I still believe that.

Clean Air Act 130

Clean Air Act Climate Change Government Law 130

Legal Planet

JANUARY 10, 2023

In other words, it was only then that we could in terms of “environmental law” rather than distinct bodies of rules governing a scattering of different situations. I began with a Westlaw search for the term “air pollution.” The earliest opinion I found was Huron Portland Cement Co. City of Detroit. In Snohomish County v.

Air Pollution 130

Air Pollution Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Law 130

Law and Environment

NOVEMBER 1, 2021

On the other hand, government regulation is about making hard choices – and the structure of the Clean Air Act leaves us without a mechanism to make those hard choices. I remain one of the few who believe in stringent regulation and the use of cost-benefit analysis in getting there.

Ozone 100

Ozone Clean Air Act 2020 2015 100

Legal Planet

JUNE 30, 2022

CT , the Supreme Court said this: We hold that the Clean Air Act and the EPA actions it authorizes displace any federal common law right to seek abatement of carbon-dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel fired power plants. And, most relevant here, §7411(d) then requires regulation of existing sources within the same category.

Carbon Dioxide 130

Carbon Dioxide 2011 Air Pollution Clean Air Act 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

It was a big step towards providing adequate health protections, but Environmental regulations need to look at people, not just pollutants—and the way to get there is by assessing cumulative impacts. However, since major US environmental laws are enacted to protect the air, water, and land separately (i.e.

Air Pollution 216

Air Pollution Toxic Substances Control Act Environmental Protection Ozone 216

The Energy Law

JULY 23, 2013

In the recent ruling, the Third Circuit held that it was reasonable for EPA to interpret Section 126(b) to be an “independent mechanism for enforcing interstate pollution control,” thereby giving EPA authority to directly regulate a specific source in an upwind state. See GenOn REMA, LLC v. 12-1022, slip op. at 29 (3d Cir. 7426(c)).

Clean Air Act 40

Clean Air Act Air Pollution Pollution Control Environmental Protection 40

Union of Concerned Scientists

MARCH 25, 2024

Department of the Treasury is hosting a public hearing on the December 2023 proposed regulations governing implementation of the Section 45V Credit for Production of Clean Hydrogen. The proposed regulations clearly adhere to that framework, fully comporting with a plain reading of the text.

Clean Energy 204

Clean Energy Waste Greenhouse Clean Air Act 204

PA Environment Daily

JANUARY 26, 2024

On January 26, PennEnvironment and Clean Air Council announced they will file in U.S. District Court on Monday a proposed consent decree in settlement of their federal Clean Air Act lawsuit against United States Steel Corporation. The agreement mandates that U.S. Most of the penalty money ($4.5

Air Pollution 112

Air Pollution Clean Air Act Pollution Control 2018 112

Law Columbia

APRIL 18, 2023

Electrification is a critical component of building decarbonization, and local governments are taking a leading role in this policy space. Berkeley decision does and does not say, local governments can better understand that many of them have options for electrifying new buildings. In exploring what the CRA v.

Conservation 122

Conservation Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Government 122

Legal Planet

JULY 12, 2023

That the state official who oversees the permitting and regulation of all major energy projects in Montana could be ignorant of the UN body that has been issuing increasingly urgent assessments about global warming and climate data for 30 years is unbelievable and distressing. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Fossil Fuels 246

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Greenhouse Clean Air Act 246

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 13, 2024

The Department of Environmental Protection posted a notice on its website announcing conventional oil and gas well operators will not be eligible for new methane reduction well plugging grants if they are not in compliance with state law and regulations. “To

Regulations 87

Regulations Law Natural Gas Clean Air Act 87

PA Environment Daily

OCTOBER 8, 2024

Environmental Protection Agency announced the federal government has settled its final federal Clean Air Act (CAA) claim against Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refining and Marketing, LLC pertaining to the June 21, 2019 fire and explosion at its former South Philadelphia refinery. On October 8, the U.S.

2019 80

2019 Air Pollution Clean Air Act Environmental Responsibility 80

Clean Energy Law

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

Proposed Rule 2305, recently released by the District in discussion draft form, would establish the Warehouse Actions and Investments to Reduce Emissions (WAIRE) Program — which would apply to owners and operators of warehouses located in the South Coast Air Basin (Basin) with greater than 100,000 square feet of indoor space in a single building.

Ozone 130

Ozone 2020 Regulations 2019 130

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 13, 2023

Circuit hears three cases challenging use of federal regulations to push adoption of electric vehicles and to allow California to forge path toward zero-emission cars. This would be a huge setback, though there are reasons to think that it would only delay rather than prevent the transition to clean cars. This week, the D.C.

Regulations 290

Regulations Clean Air Act Greenhouse Law 290

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 3, 2024

Because of this, regulators worked closely with impacted businesses, community advocates, and technical and policy experts (like UCS!) Other Frequently Asked Questions… What are the climate benefits from the ACF Regulation? Such meaningful and transformative efforts are not free from hiccups, however.

Electricity 130

Electricity Nitrogen Oxides Air Pollution Clean Air Act 130

PA Environment Daily

MAY 21, 2024

Camera Bartolotta (R-Washington) circulated a cosponsor memo announcing she plans to introduce legislation to eliminate the ability of citizens, local governments and anyone else to appeal permits issued by DEP for natural gas pipelines and related facilities to the Environmental Hearing Board. On May 16, Sen. of Bordentown v. “The

Natural Gas 87

Natural Gas Clean Air Act Clean Water Act Environmental Protection 87

Legal Planet

MARCH 6, 2023

But with the recent influx of government incentives for hydrogen production, new and improving production and storage technologies, and greater political will than ever before, H 2 ’s reputation is gaining favor. All this is not to say there is no place for hydrogen in a clean energy future.

Natural Gas 147

Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Carbon Dioxide 147

Law Columbia

MARCH 8, 2023

With so many agencies involved, it can be difficult for state and local governments, Native American tribes, community groups, non-profit organizations, and others to keep track of what is happening and to engage and participate in the development and implementation of the tax credits, grants, policies and other programs created by the IRA.

Renewable Energy 111

Renewable Energy Ocean Clean Air Act Climate Change 111

Law Columbia

MARCH 29, 2024

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is still awaiting funding to craft the regulations needed to implement the laws, though it has indicated it will begin the process soon. However, the existence of federal regulations on the same subject as a state law does not mean that state law is necessarily preempted.

Law 78

Law Regulations Pollution Control Clean Air Act 78

Law Columbia

FEBRUARY 23, 2022

Fossil fuel company defendants want the cases heard in federal court, where they can argue that the cases should be quickly dismissed on the grounds that federal common law climate claims are displaced by the Clean Air Act.

Fossil Fuels 85

Fossil Fuels Climate Change Clean Air Act Law 85

PA Environment Daily

NOVEMBER 3, 2024

9 Household Chemical Collection Event Sponsored By PPG & Pittsburgh Penguins; Last Of The Season [PaEN] -- Environmental Quality Board To Consider Proposed Spill Notification Regulation; Blasting; NOx & VOC Corrections Nov. 12 [PaEN] -- PA Assn. 12 [PaEN] -- PA Assn. Of Environmental Professionals Host Nov. 26 to Nov.

Air Pollution 48

Air Pollution Natural Gas Electricity Clean Air Act 48

Environment, Law, and History

OCTOBER 18, 2022

Nevertheless, and with the possible exception of the Clean Air Act, no law enacted as part of the outpouring of federal environmental legislation in the 1970’s has proven more successful and transformational than the CWA. More on the history of the Clean Water Act here and here.

Clean Water Act 52

Clean Water Act Pollution Control Clean Air Act Ocean 52

Law Columbia

JULY 2, 2024

laws governing methane removal via atmospheric oxidation enhancement (AOE). This blog post outlines the climate impact of atmospheric methane, discusses the promise of AOE as a technique for reducing atmospheric methane, and describes the Sabin Center’s new report assessing the legal landscape governing AOE projects in the United States.

Atmosphere 80

Atmosphere Carbon Dioxide Law Government 80