Thursday, December 19, 2013

Environmental Auditing and Compliance Newsletter 2013 Q3

Air Quality – Air Permitting

 
In compliance with settlement agreements, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized revisions to emission standards for stationary engines that generate electricity and power equipment at industrial, agricultural, oil and gas production, power…
 
The EPA is proposing to take action on a petition for rulemaking filed by the Sierra Club in 2011 concerning the treatment of excess emissions in state rules by sources during periods of startup, shutdown, or malfunction (SSM). EPA is proposing to grant in part and to deny…
 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a final rule revises the definition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). This revision adds four chemical compounds to the list of compounds excluded from the definition of VOC…
 
EPA has published its final decision on the reconsideration of certain aspects of the March 21, 2011, final rule "Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources and Emissions Guidelines for Existing Sources: Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incineration Units…
 
In response to four petitions received for reconsideration, US EPA has provided notice that it will review the PVC NESHAP that was finalized in April 2012. The petitions identified notice and comment issues as well as several technical consistency issues with the rule.…
 
EPA Proposes FIP For Taconite Operations In Minnesota and Michigan
EPA is finalizing a Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) to implement emission limits that represent Best Available Retrofit Technology (BART) for certain taconite ore processing facilities in Minnesota and Michigan. The Clean Air Act (CAA or the "Act") and the regional…
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the State of Arkansas’ program for permitting new and modified facilities that emit significant amounts of greenhouse gas pollution (GHG) into the air. The Arkansas Department of Environmental…
 
EPA has finalized proposed amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for the Portland Cement Manufacturing Industry and the Standards of Performance for Portland Cement Plants. These amendments were proposed on July 18…
 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has initiated a new voluntary clean air program, 'PM Advance' to help communities continue to meet new PM2.5 air quality standards, improve air quality and protect public health. On December 14, 2012, EPA…
 

Wastewater – Water Quality

 
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has released its draft guidance document “TMDL Development and Implementation Guidance: Integrating the WPDES and Impaired Waters Programs” for a 21-day public comment period. In addition to providing…
 
The Kentucky Division of Water has been conducting the triennial review of the state’s water quality standards since early 2012. Recently, the agency had proposed regulations address a number of changes to the water quality standards and included proposed…
 
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is proposing to make some revisions to Minnesota Rules Chapters 7050, 7052 and 7053. The amendments proposed for this rulemaking are the result of the 2008 public review of Minnesota’s water quality standards. The scope…
 

Hazardous Material Management & Transport

 
US EPA has approved the delegation for its hazardous waste programs to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC or DEC) relating to used oil management. New York had applied to EPA for final authorization of changes to its…
 
In 2010, EPA issued an advance notice of proposed rulemaking concerning renovation, repair, and painting activities on and in public and commercial buildings. EPA is in the process of determining whether these activities create lead-based paint hazards. For…
 
EPA is proposing to add ortho-nitrotoluene (o-nitrotoluene) to the list of chemicals subject to reporting under section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and section 6607 of the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA). o-Nitrotoluene has…
 
EPA released the 2012 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) information on more than 7,600 chemicals in commerce. The CDR database contains use and exposure information on the most widely used chemicals in the United States. This report is for calendar year 2011…
 
EPA has announced that it is denying a petition to remove acetonitrile from the list of chemicals subject to reporting requirements under section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) and section 6607 of the Pollution…
 

Stormwater Permitting & Compliance

 
The California Water Board has released an update regarding the status of the State Water Board’s reissuance of the NPDES General Permit for the Discharge of Storm Water associated with Industrial Activities (Industrial General Permit, or IGP). State Water Board…
 
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) has issued an industrial stormwater discharge permit specifically to cover marinas which would otherwise need to apply for coverage under the Ohio multisector general permit (MSGP). Marinas nationwide are…
 
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has announced it will add new rules, amend rules and repeal rules in 329 IAC 5 and 327 IAC 15 concerning National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permits governed by 40 CFR…
 

Product Stewardship– Product Responsibility

 
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a final rule correcting its regulations that were amended by the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) final rule, published in the Federal Register on March 26, 2012. The corrections to…
 

Environmental Due Diligence

 
EPA is extending liability relief for tenants leasing property on brownfields or other contaminated properties, in response to liability concerns raised by developers who wish to participate in an EPA effort to place renewable energy projects on potentially…
 
EPA withdrawn a direct final rule National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; Revision to Increase Public Availability of the Administrative Record File because the agency received an adverse comment on the rule. The rule, which was …
 

Environmental Review – Impact Assessment

 
Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have published a final rule revising some of their Environmental review and Related Procedures. This final rule makes revisions to the joint FTA and FHWA regulations that implement the…
 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it will begin assessments on 23 commonly used chemicals, with a specific focus on flame retardant chemicals. These assessments are part of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Work Plan which…

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