Category: Sustainability

EPA Proposes Stronger RMP Regulations

The EPA recently proposed revisions to strengthen the Risk Management Program (RMP) rule, including enhanced employee participation and transparency for communities on safety decisions. The RMP rule requires industrial facilities with high accident rates to prevent accidental air releases of dangerous chemicals that could cause deaths, injuries, or property and environmental damage or require evacuations […]

What Does the IRA Mean for Climate Change Regulations?

Although the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) contains many incentives for companies to decarbonize, it also contains a hidden gem for the EPA by quietly bolstering the Clean Air Act (CAA). “The IRA repeatedly defines greenhouse gas (GHG) as a form of air pollution,” reports The Atlantic. “It amends several sections of the [CAA] to define […]

EPA Considers Revising Flare Pollution Regulations

As a result of lawsuits filed by 10 environmental groups, the EPA has signed two consent decrees requiring the Agency to consider updates to toxic air standards for industrial flaring, which is used as a pollution control measure to combust waste gas compounds at petrochemical plants and storage tanks. These air standards have not been […]

EPA Utilizing Flyover Emissions Monitoring

The EPA recently announced flyover emissions monitoring of the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico to identify super-emitters. “The Permian Basin accounts for 40 percent of our nation’s oil supply and has produced large quantities of dangerous [volatile organic compounds (VOCs)] and methane over the years, contributing to climate change and poor air quality,” […]

Biden Administration Says Clean Energy is the Most Cost-Effective Solution

Expect new limits on coal ash and ozone pollution from the EPA to continue the push toward the transition from fossil fuel-powered energy generation to clean energy. The Agency continues to explore other options for decarbonization as the Biden administration pushes to achieve the president’s stated campaign goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2035. “We […]

Ask the Expert: Recycling Oil Drums

In our latest installment of Ask the Expert, brought to you by the team of industry experts at EHS Hero®, we look at a recent question from a subscriber asking about the requirements for recycling oil drums. See what the experts had to say. Q: Are empty totes and drums that had oil but are now […]

California Pushing for Waivers on Heavy-Duty Truck Emissions

On August 2, 2022, California Attorney General (AG) Rob Bonta led a coalition of 17 AGs in urging the EPA to grant, in full, California’s preemption waiver applications for its heavy-duty truck standards. Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), California may request a waiver of preemption that allows California to enforce different emissions standards for […]

Time to Strengthen NAAQS

According to a proposed consent decree filed by the EPA in the Federal Register, the Agency plans to finalize tougher ozone pollution standards for several large metropolitan areas by September 15, 2022. These areas include Chicago-Naperville, Illinois-Indiana-Wisconsin; Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, Texas; New York-North New Jersey-Long Island, New York-New Jersey-Connecticut; and Denver-Boulder-Greeley-Ft. Collins-Loveland, Colorado. On […]

Is It Recycling? ‘Advanced’ Recycling Dispute Continues

In September 2021, the EPA published advance notice of proposed rulemaking, soliciting information and requesting comments to assist in the potential development of regulations for pyrolysis and gasification units that are used to convert solid or semi-solid feedstocks to useful products such as energy, fuels, and chemical commodities. The units are currently classified as waste […]

National Safety Week: A Review

As EHSDA’s National Safety Week wraps up, let’s recap the various content offerings that became available throughout the week. The content highlighted how to promote round-the-clock safety and health at your organization by staying up to date on all the latest safety trends. Special thanks to Avetta, KPA, and Industrial Scientific for sponsoring the week. Monday Back to Basics | […]