Search

Update: EPA Rescinds Clean Air Act Transparency Rule

Posted on 5/14/2021 by Roger Marks and Lauren Scott

[Update: 05/14/2021]

Calling changes made during the previous Administration “inadvisable, untethered to the Clean Air Act, and not necessary,” EPA today published an Interim Final Rule to rescind revisions to EPA’s procedures for identifying costs and benefits of new air regulations.

The Final Rule "Strengthening Transparency in Pivotal Science..." discussed below is also slated for review by EPA in line with an Executive Order issued earlier this year. 

[Original Text: Posted 1/14/2021] 

Two recent US EPA rulemakings will impact the way the agency creates future environmental regulations. Both rules deal with how EPA uses available environmental and public health data to make decisions about how stringently to regulate certain pollutants.

Consistency and Transparency for Clean Air Act Rules

On December 23, 2020, EPA finalized the rule titled Increasing Consistency and Transparency in Considering Benefits and Costs in the Clean Air Act Rulemaking Process.

The rule bolsters EPA procedures for considering costs and benefits of new Clean Air Act rulemakings.
The rule includes three major elements, it:
  • Requires EPA to prepare a Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) for all future significant proposed and final regulations under the Clean Air Act; and
  • Requires EPA to use the best available scientific information when creating a BCA, using now codified best practices from EPA and OMB guidance; and 
  • Adds procedural requirements to increase transparency in the presentation and consideration of BCA results.
environmental compliance training EPA regulations
 

Transparency in Pivotal Science for EPA Regulations

To cultivate more relevant underlying data for future rulemakings, EPA finalized Strengthening Transparency in Pivotal Science Underlying Significant Regulatory Actions and Influential Scientific Information on January 6, 2021.

This rule has two distinct facets:
  • When promulgating significant regulatory actions or developing influential scientific information using quantitative data relating to the dosage or exposure to a pollutant, contaminant, or substance and an effect, EPA will give greater consideration to dose-response data that is most easily accessible for independent study; and
  • EPA must identify and make publicly available the data used to inform a significant regulatory action at the proposed or draft stage to the extent practicable.
This rulemaking is expected to increase the quality and accessibility of the data driving many of EPA’s most pivotal regulatory actions.

Complete EPA Regulations Training - July 21–22, 2021

Managing site compliance with the many complex EPA programs that affect your business is a major challenge. If you’re new to the field or need an update on changing EPA rules, online training is a convenient way to quickly build in-depth expertise.

Join a Lion instructor for live Complete Environmental Regulations training to identify the EPA rules that impact you. This unique two-day webinar is updated for 2021 to cover new and changing environmental regulations you should know about, including: 

  • EPA's new Waters of the US (WOTUS) Rule

  • Major Lautenberg Law amendments to TSCA

  • CSB's new chemical release reporting rule 

  • The latest Clean Air Act requirements for facilities 

Or learn at your own pace with these two easy-to-use online courses: 
Complete Environmental Regulations Online Course
TSCA Regulations Online Course

Tags: Clean Air Act, environmental, EPA, rulemaking, transparency

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor was very patient and engaging - willing to answer and help explain subject matter.

Misty Filipp

Material Control Superintendent

Energetic/enthusiastic! Made training enjoyable, understandable and fun!

Amanda Walsh

Hazardous Waste Professional

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

Environmental Specialist

The instructor did an excellent job presenting a very dry subject; keeping everyone interested and making it enjoyable.

Marc Bugg

Hazardous Waste Professional

I really enjoyed this training. Even after years on both sides of the comprehension coin, I find myself still learning! The quality of the delivery exceeded much of the training I have received in the past.

Neil Ozonur

Safety Officer

The instructor was very dedicated to providing a quality experience. She did her best to make sure students were really comprehending the information.

Stephanie Venn

Inventory Control Specialist

The online course was well thought out and organized, with good interaction between the student and the course.

Larry Ybarra

Material Release Agent

I have been to other training companies, but Lion’s material is much better and easier to understand.

Mark Abell

Regional Manager

If I need thorough training or updating, I always use Lion. Lion is always the best in both instruction and materials.

Bryce Parker

EHS Manager

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

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide as a quick reference to the most common HAZWOPER questions, and get course recommendations for managers and personnel who are in need of OSHA-required HAZWOPER training.

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.