EPA Revisions to the Clean Air Act

Feb 15, 2012

2011

            The Cross State Air Pollution Rule was finalized in July.  The rule is currently stayed by the D.C. Circuit, with oral hearings anticipated in April 2012.  For access to the new rule and to follow the news, visit EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/airtransport/actions.html.

            In November, EPA and the Department of Transportation announced plans to double auto fuel efficiency by 2025.  For access to the proposed rule and to follow its progress, visit EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/climate/regulations.htm.

The year ended with EPA finalizing mercury and air toxics standards intended to cut harmful pollutants at power plants.  Check out the new rule at http://www.epa.gov/airquality/powerplanttoxics/actions.html.

2012

            EPA announced in December 2010 that it would establish GHG pollution standards for power plants in July 2011 (final by May 2012) and for refineries in December 2011 (final by November 2012).  Read the news release at http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/6424ac1caa800aab85257359003f5337/d2f038e9daed78de8525780200568bec!OpenDocument.  None of the 2011 deadlines were met.  For more information, visit EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/airquality/ghgsettlement.html.

            The public comment period for a proposed rule intended to limit emissions from hydraulic fracturing operations closed in November 2011.  Certain aspects of the rule are still being litigated, but the final rule is due for publication in April 2012.  More information is available at http://www.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/actions.html.

            EPA proposed revisions to its regional haze rules in December 2011, with the public comment period closing on February 13, 2012.  You can follow this initiative on the EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov/visibility/actions.html.

This blog update is based on a Reuters article published January 11, 2012, and viewable at the following link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/11/us-usa-epa-air-idUSTRE80A2FK20120111.  To find out how you might be affected by EPA’s updates to the Clean Air Act, please contact JBH for more information.