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Discharges to Groundwater: Are They Subject to CWA?

In an action that parallels EPA’s rulemaking to write a new definition of the Clean Water Act (CWA) term waters of the United States (WOTUS), the Agency is soliciting comments on whether pollutant discharges into groundwater that has a hydrologic connection to WOTUS are subject to CWA regulation.

DOL Obtains Injunction Protecting Postal Workers

Department of Labor (DOL) attorneys obtained a consent judgment in federal court that includes an injunction permanently preventing the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from retaliating against employees at up to 59 locations in the state of Washington, the DOL announced July 16. The consent judgment also requires the USPS to pay $183,732 in lost wages, […]

Fourth Authorization Nearing for Pesticide Registration Bill

PRIA said to benefit all stakeholders There may be no precedent for the current level of divisiveness over federal environmental laws and regulations. But within this storm there are several islands of bipartisanship that suggest it is possible to design programs that achieve that elusive balance between environmental protection and economic growth. One such exception […]

President Orders Crackdown on Non-English-Speaking Drivers

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) on April 28 directing the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to strengthen its enforcement of truck driver English proficiency regulations. “Proficiency in English, which I designated as our official national language … should be a non-negotiable safety requirement for professional drivers,” the president said in his […]

EPA, Environmental Protection Agency

Old Executive Orders and EPA Rulemaking on Gliders

The EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) recently reported that the Agency failed to comply with two Clinton-era Executive Orders (EOs) when former Administrator Scott Pruitt decided to rush into publication the proposed repeal of an Obama-era rule intended to reduce air pollution generated by glider vehicles.

Oil pump, O&G

Customized Audit Program Now Available for New O&G Facility Owners

The EPA has launched its voluntary Oil and Natural Gas Exploration and Production New Owner Audit Program (O&G Audit Program), a descendent of the Agency’s various self-audit policies designed specifically for the upstream O&G sector.

Elements of a Successful Safety Program

At many companies, you will find that management just does not take safety seriously enough. They fail to understand the immediate costs and long-term effects of on-the-job accidents. These costs can include medical expenses, higher workers comp premiums, equipment repair, and personnel expenses. Then there are the undefined costs of low employee morale, retraining, loss […]

Truck on the road

States Move on Developing Low-Carbon Transportation Policies

Nine of the 12 states plus the District of Columbia comprising the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) announced that over the next year they will collaborate on forming a regional low-carbon transportation policy. According to the TCI, the intent of the policy is to cap and reduce carbon emissions from the combustion of transportation fuels […]

EPA Releases 2020 Greenhouse Gas Data

The 2020 greenhouse gas (GHG) data collected under the EPA’s GHG Reporting Program (GHGRP) revealed that reported emissions from large industrial sources were 9% lower than in 2019. The EPA released the information on October 6, 2021, and attributes the decrease to “both the economic slowdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ongoing, long-term industry […]