Available Now: 2023 Schedule of Hazmat & RCRA Training
Search

Environmental Regulations Year in Review

Posted on 12/13/2011 by James Griffin

As the year comes to a close, we take a moment to look back and reflect on what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has done, and not done, over the past twelve months.
 
New and Amended Air Programs
The EPA had proposed to tighten the 2008 air quality standards for ground-level ozone ahead of schedule, but significant opposition from the regulated community and the White House led the Agency to withdraw the initiative.
 
The EPA also wrote new national emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAPS) for over a dozen industries, including: shipbuilding & wood furniture manufacture; primary lead processing; petroleum refineries; pharmaceuticals and printing; boilers; chemical manufacturing; gold mining; gasoline distribution; and amended the NESHAP for plating & polishing operations.
 
Although this was also the first year for large emitters to report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the EPA did delay the reporting deadline until September 30, 2011. As a complex and far-ranging new program, the reporting system for GHGs continues to develop.
 
New Water Rules
The Clean Water Act gives the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers authority over all “waters of the United States.” Over the past few years, a controversy has arisen over what waters and waterways are actually subject to regulation and NPDES permitting, and which are not. Several cases on this issue have reached the Supreme Court, and the last significant case (Rapanos v United States) resulted in a decision that didn’t quite explain which waters are or are not subject to regulation by the EPA. In an attempt to clear these muddied waters, the Agency and Corps published a draft in April explaining which waters they would and would not seek to regulate. There was a public comment period, but Lion Technology has heard little about this issue since, so it seems to lie dormant for now.
 
The EPA also completed another court-mandated rulemaking this fall. Over the past decade, several court cases have concluded that many pesticide applications would require NPDES permits under the Clean Water Act as well as pesticide permits under FIFRA. Because double-permitting what are generally routine activities is considered by some to be excessive, the EPA published a General Permit to manage the situation until Congress can amend the appropriate laws.
 
Another major water program the Agency worked on this year was yet another extension (until May 2013) for farms to complete their new oil spill prevention and countermeasure programs. After several years of extensions, all other facilities were finally subject to the new rules as of November 10 of this year.
 

Tags: Act, Air, Clean, Clean Water Act, EPA, new rules

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

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

The instructor took a rather drab set of topics and brought them to life with realistic real-life examples.

Tom Berndt

HSE Coordinator

Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.

Kimberly Arnao

Senior Director of EH&S

The instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.

Linda Arlen

Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer

I chose Lion's online webinar because it is simple, effective, and easily accessible.

Jeremy Bost

Environmental Health & Safety Technician

Well designed and thorough program. Excellent summary of requirements with references. Inclusion of regulations in hard copy form, as well as full electronic with state pertinent regulations included is a great bonus!

Oscar Fisher

EHS Manager

Best instructor ever! I was going to take my DOT training w/a different provider, but based on this presentation, I will also be doing my DOT training w/Lion!

Donna Moot

Hazardous Waste Professional

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

Best course instructor I've ever had. Funny, relatable, engaging; made it interesting and challenged us as the professionals we are.

Amanda Schwartz

Environmental Coordinator

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Hazardous materials shipment rejections bear a big cost. Use this guide to end operational and logistical disruptions that severely impact your bottom line.

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.