Search

EPA Faces Pushback on Delayed Clean Air Regulations

Posted on 8/3/2017 by Roger Marks

When the new Executive branch rolled into Washington, D.C. earlier this year, it seemed certain that at least some of the signature environmental regulations promulgated by US EPA between 2008 and 2017 would be re-considered, scaled back, or undone.

During his tenure as the Attorney General of Oklahoma, new EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt played a prominent role in challenging many EPA requirements, which led many to believe he would work to take what some consider overly burdensome rules “off the books.”

For a while, things proceeded as expected. EPA announced delays of major Obama-era environmental rules, including:
  Now, it seems, the tables have turned—today Pruitt and his EPA face their own set of legal challenges from Attorneys General and environmental groups across the US.


EPA Reverses Course on New Ozone NAAQS

On August 2, EPA announced it would reverse its decision to delay making area designations for the lowered ozone NAAQS finalized in 2015. This Final Rule lowered the permissible NAAQS from 75 parts per billion to 70 ppb.

Once the new ozone NAAQS was finalized, EPA had two years—until October 1, 2017—to make what are called “area designations.” These designations determine which areas of the US are in compliance with the new standard, and which are not. Those that do not meet the new standard are deemed “non-attainment areas” under the new NAAQS. Stricter Clean Air Act reporting and pollution control requirements apply to construction and modification of facilities in these areas.

Administrator Pruitt announced he would use his authority to delay these NAAQS designations for one year, until October 1, 2018. This week, 15 State Attorneys General filed suit against EPA, claiming this delay was not covered under legal authority granted to the Administrator under 42 U.S.C. 7407(d)(1)(B)(i)—which states clearly that the deadline for area designations “may be extended for up to one year in the event that the Administrator has insufficient information to promulgate the decisions.”

On August 2, EPA announced it has more sufficient information than previously thought and now plans to complete the NAAQS designations by the October 1, 2017 deadline.


Regulating Methane Emissions from the Oil and Gas Sector

Oil_and_Gas_EP_oilfield.jpgIn June 2017, EPA announced it would stay for two years and ultimately re-consider New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) that aim to cut emissions of methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from oil and gas well and compression station sites.

A D.C. circuit court heard a suit against EPA’s stay of the NSPS and in July 2017 ruled that EPA must vacate its stay. EPA did not appeal this decision.


EPA Sued Over Clean Air Act Risk Management Plan Delay

EPA also faces a lawsuit from a workers’ union and other groups over its June 14, 2017 Final Rule to delay implementation of new Clean Air Act Risk Management Plan requirements intended to prevent large-scale chemical disasters.

Proposed in March 2016 and estimated to impact 12,500 facilities, the rule bolstered emergency preparedness requirements for facilities that store large volumes of hazardous chemicals.


Master the Clean Air Act—Anytime, Anywhere

The Clean Air Act Regulations online course guides professionals through compliance with Title V permit requirements, emissions and pollution controls, annual greenhouse gas (GHG) reporting, Risk Management Planning (RMP) responsibilities, and more. 

Build the expertise needed to make informed on-the-job decisions that help your site control pollution and maintain compliance. Interactive, easy to use, and available 24/7, the new online course will help you get up to speed with new and changing EPA Clean Air Act rules and protect your facility from costly EPA enforcement. 
 
 

Tags: Act, Air, Clean, Clean Water Act, EPA, new rules, Risk Management Plan

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

The instructor's energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the subject make the class a great learning experience!

Brian Martinez

Warehouse Operator

Excellent class, super instructor, very easy to follow. No rushing through material. Would like to take his class again.

Lawrence Patterson

EH&S Facility Maintenance & Security Manager

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

Lion courses are the standard to which all other workshops should strive for!

Brody Saleen

Registered Environmental Health Specialist

These are the best classes I attend each year. I always take something away and implement improvements at my sites.

Kim Racine

EH&S Manager

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

Attending Lion Technology classes should be mandatory for every facility that ships or stores hazmat.

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

The instructor kept the class engaged and made learning fun. There was a lot of information to cover but time flew by. I will definitely use Lion in the future!

Chelsea Minguela

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Just starting out with shipping lithium batteries? Not before you can answer the four fundamental questions form this guide.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.