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On June 13, 2025, the EPA announced it’s proposing the highest-volume requirements ever proposed under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program. If finalized, these volume requirements will set record-high levels of biofuels blended into fuels to meet U.S. transportation needs. The announcement resulted in a 25-cent increase in soybean prices, according to Michigan Farm News, […]
On May 29, 2025, the EPA proposed to register one technical and two end-use products containing the new active ingredient Vadescana, a double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), for control against varroa mites (Varroa destructor) in honeybee hives. These mites are parasites that feed on honeybees and are responsible for transmitting several honeybee viruses. Left untreated, varroa mites […]
On June 6, 2025, the EPA announced Stepan Co. of Northbrook, Illinois, agreed to a $1,126,404 penalty settlement for allegedly distributing or selling a misbranded pesticide in violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). “EPA alleged a distributor for Stepan sold Wipes.Com Disinfectant Wipes, a misbranded disinfectant, 303 times,” an EPA news […]
On June 11, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced two proposals to repeal all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions standards for the power sector under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and to repeal amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Coal- and Oil-Fired Electric Utility Steam Generating Units, […]
For years, industry groups have complained about the EPA’s failure to meet its deadlines for the reviews of new chemicals as required by the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Earlier this month, the Agency announced “it would disperse scientists from its independent research office to other divisions where they … will be tasked with approving […]
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin recently announced a proposal to approve the state of Arizona’s request to oversee Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) permitting for all underground injection wells in the state. Carbon sequestration wells, also known as Class VI injection wells, store carbon dioxide (CO2) deep underground that has been captured from an emissions source […]
On June 4, 2025, the EPA announced a penalty settlement in the amount of $270,437 with Ultramar Inc., doing business as Valero Wilmington Refinery, over chemical safety violations under both the Clean Air Act (CAA) and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). The facility uses hydrofluoric acid, a dangerous chemical that can cause […]
With the news that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has lost more than 700 employees since the start of the year, climate advocacy groups are growing concerned about the agency’s effectiveness going forward. The Song of the Week explores environmental themes with “Plastic Beach,” the title track of the 2010 album by British virtual band […]
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. […]