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The House of Representatives recently voted 216 to 212 to repeal the power plant rule that “prevents facilities previously subject to strict standards for seven hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act (CAA) from being reclassified into a less-strict category of regulation,” according to a Washington Examiner article on MSN News. No replacement rule […]
The EPA officially reports it lost 733 staffers from January 1 to May 30, 2025, according to an article by The Hill. However, that number is certainly higher, as staffers who opted out when the “fork in the road” buyout offer e-mail was sent are still counted as employees because they still draw a salary. […]
On May 14, 2025, the EPA announced it will keep the current National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), which set nationwide limits for these “forever chemicals” in drinking water. “The Agency is committed to addressing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water while following the […]
As the EPA continues to cancel and freeze funding for grants awarded under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), environmental justice programs appear to be targeted, with more than $2.4 billion in grant funding for disadvantaged communities eliminated. “The administration argues these programs constitute ‘favoritism’ and has tied them to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives it […]
The EPA recently provided notice of a proposed administrative penalty settlement with BP Products North America for violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA) at its facility located in Seattle, Washington. The EPA alleges that the respondent failed to comply with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Construction General Permit. Alleged violations include: The […]
Offshore wind projects are in jeopardy in the wake of President Donald Trump’s initial Executive Order (EO) to halt wind energy leasing projects. With massive monetary investments on the line, lawsuits are certainly forthcoming. “The Trump administration took a more aggressive step against wind in April when it ordered the Norwegian company Equinor to halt […]
Research by the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) has found high levels of bisphenol S (BPS) in receipt paper used by many major retailers, including Ace Hardware, Burger King, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Dollar General, Lowe’s, McDonald’s, and Williams Sonoma. “BPS … is a hormone-disrupting chemical that mimics estrogen and can disrupt the normal functioning of […]
Preparedness is crucial when it comes to conducting an organized and thorough response to an emergency situation. In the case of a hazardous substance release, employers subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) standard must prepare and train their workers for such situations and emergency response […]
In a letter dated April 9, 2025, 180 Democratic legislators call on EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to halt his “egregious attacks on the public health and well-being of the American people” in response to his announcement regarding the launch of the “biggest deregulatory action in U.S. history.” Zeldin’s announcement stated three goals for the planned […]
The use of the “best-available science” underpins the EPA’s authority and mission to protect human health and the environment. It’s the basis for most regulatory authority EPA exercises, including Clean Air Act (CAA) regulations like vehicle emissions standards and National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), as well as Clean Water Act (CWA) regulations like the […]