With prospects dead for federal cap and trade climate change legislation, the focus for market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions shifts to the states.  Meanwhile, as discussed in my last post,  EPA is left moving forward with its command and control regulations to reduce GHGs under the Clean Air Act.

After the defeat of Proposition 23, California’s climate change programs are moving forward including cap and trade which is planned to start in 2012. California is in talks to link their carbon trading market with New Mexico, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.  There is even a possibility of linking the market to the 10 Northeast states already operating a trading program for power plants- RGGI. 

Now an interesting concept is being proposed that would allow states using market mechanisms to reduce GHGs to be exempt from EPA’s command and control regulations. The following appeared in article in Reuters,

U.S. states with cap-and-trade laws want the Obama administration to add their carbon markets into new federal greenhouse-gas regulations, a California environmental official said.

State-run carbon-trading programs should be "treated as equivalents or substitutes" for Environmental Protection Agency regulations for emissions tied to global warming from power plants, oil refineries and factories, Mary Nichols, Chairman of the California Air Resources Board, said yesterday in a telephone interview.

This is an interesting proposition.  Would EPA allow state cap and trade programs to replace regulations under the Clean Air Act such as New Source Review (NSR) or New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)?

It may set up an interesting dynamic where states that have adopted market mechanisms for reducing GHG emissions are put at an advantage to states subject to the myriad of EPA command and control regulations.  While cap and trade has recently received a very bad name, putting these two regulatory approaches side-by-side may breathe new life into cap and trade as a more business friendly means of reducing GHG emissions.

As Congress failed to pass climate change legislation, U.S. EPA will begin regulating greenhouse gases (GHGs) using its existing authority under the Clean Air Act.  Beginning 2011, major sources of GHGs will be required to analyze methods for reducing emissions when seeking federal permits for expansion or construction of new sources. 

When is a federal review of GHGs triggered?

Under the Tailoring Rule, U.S. EPA established thresholds for triggering federal permit review of GHGs from new and modified sources.  Initially, only the largest sources will be covered.  The newly released guidance document contains these useful tables:

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you trigger a review of GHGs under the federal air permit program (PSD permit), then the permitting agency must determine what the Best Available Control Technology (BACT) is to reduce emission of GHGs for that source. 

Complex Case-By-Case Process Will Prove Very Difficult

Selecting BACT is no easy process. BACT reviews can become the black box of permitting.  It includes a highly complex review of all existing technologies to reduce emissions and their potential application to the source.  A business may propose what they think BACT should be, however, they have no assurance the permitting agency will concur with their choice. 

US EPA’s PSD GHG guidance states all available emission reduction options for GHGs should be reviewed.  Once the options are identified, they should be evaluated based upon the following elements:

  • technical feasibility;
  • cost and other economic considerations;
  • environmental and energy considerations.  

The permitting agency performing the review should narrow the options and select the most appropriate technology or combination of technologies from the list.  This case-by-case determination provides no certainty to industry.  This is especially true for the first permits that will trigger the review. 

No Benchmarks for First Permits

With other pollutants (SO2, NOx, CO, etc.) that have long been subject to BACT review, U.S. EPA has assembled a database of permitting actions that identify technology as well as emission limits.  This database is referred to at the BACT/RACT/LAER Clearinghouse.  U.S. EPA directs permit reviewers to consult the Clearinghouse as a first step. 

With GHGs, the Clearinghouse will provide little assistance.  There will simply be no other permits issued for similar sources that will allow permit reviewers to compare determinations.  With no benchmarks, permit reviewers will be guessing at BACT. 

U.S. EPA has released white papers on available and emerging technologies for specific industry sectors.  However, these are simply laundry lists of technologies.  Until the Clearinghouse is populated, permit reviewers will have no ability to benchmark their determinations. 

 

 

 

Ohio is facing a $8 billion dollar budget gap.  Governor-elect Kasich has stressed the need to streamline state government as part of solving the budget crisis as well as making government more efficient. 

During his campaign he already announced one very creative proposal to eliminate the Ohio Dept. of Development.  Could an idea being tested in other states- combining State environmental programs-be a proposal worth considering in Ohio? 

Good in Theory?

A brief overview of the current state structure suggests combining responsibilities would gain efficiencies.  Similar functions and staff with similar capabilities are spread across five different state agencies. 

Combining functions and potentially agencies could benefit those organizations.  Greater efficiency is not only good for business, its good for agencies that are constantly fighting for funding to support their programs.

The counter argument is that combining large government agencies you run the danger of creating even a larger bureaucracy.  Not only could there be even more layers of management the organization could become too large to effectively manage. 

An Overview of the Current Ohio Structure

Most environmental regulatory functions are split between the Ohio EPA and the Dept. of Natural Resources.  However,  there are clean up, regulatory and grant programs related to the environment spread across a total of five different state agencies. 

Here is just a quick look at various functions that have commonalities and are divided up between multiple agencies.

Brownfield Redevelopment and Clean Up

  • Clean Ohio Program- divided between Ohio Dept. of Development and Ohio EPA

Federal Water Pollution Permitting Programs

  • Combined Animal Feeding Operations NPDES (Clean Water Act) permit program-  Department of Agriculture
  • NPDES (Clean Water Act) permit program- Ohio EPA

Litter and Recycling

  • Division of Soil & Water Resources (Previously Divisions of Soil & Water Conservation and Division of Recycling & Litter Prevention)- ODNR
  • Division of Solid Waste Management (manages Solid Waste Management District recycling efforts)- Ohio EPA

Wetlands

  • Environmental Review Program (Wetlands)- ODNR
  • Division of Surface Water (401 and Isolated Wetlands Permitting)- Ohio EPA

Ground Water Management

  • Ground water well information (within Division of Soil & Water Resources)- ODNR
  • Division of Drinking and Ground Waters- Ohio EPA

Surface Water and Lake Erie

  • Soil and Water Conservation programs – ODNR
  • Coastal Zone Management Program – ODNR
  • Great Lake Compact Program (Under development)- ODNR
  • Lake Erie grants program- Lake Erie Commission
  • Surface water Lake Erie Unit- Ohio EPA
  • Surface water regulatory and permitting programs- Ohio EPA

Underground Storage Tanks

  • Bureau of Underground Storage Tanks (BUSTR)- regulation and clean up of releases of hazardous substances from USTs- Dept. of Commerce
  • Clean up of hazardous substances un-related to USTs- Ohio EPA
    Diesel Engine Grant Programs

Diesel Emission Reduction Programs

  • Diesel Emission Reduction Grant Program- Ohio Dept. of Development
  • School bus diesel emission grant program- Ohio EPA

The list of similar functions spread across multiple agencies is probably longer.   In addition to similar regulatory functions, each of these agencies maintain their own Information Technology Offices, HR, Motor Pools, Facilities Management, Press Offices and Director’s Offices.  Combining support offices could also gain efficiencies.

Not a Budget Fix

After modifications to its funding strategy, Ohio EPA utilizes no general revenue funds to support its programs.  ODNR has substantially reduced its reliance on GRF.  So combining agencies is not going to do much to fix the $8 billion dollar budget hole.

However, both agencies (as well as the other three agencies) assess multiple fees to business to support their programs.  These fees have regularly been increased to support rising human resource expenses within the Agencies.  Fees, while imposing costs on businesses, have traditionally not received the same political attention as GRF.

While streamlining and combining functions may not solve the $8 billion budget hole, it could avoid or reduce the need to raise fees on businesses. 

For a discussion of what has occurred in other states…continue reading.

Continue Reading Ohio EPA + ODNR?

Many of the Midwest states, including Ohio, face significant state budget shortfalls- Ohio faces a projected $8 billion dollar hole in its next budget.  With the shortfalls, is very unlikely additional revenue will be available to support existing programs.

The state budget crisis occurs at the same time U.S. EPA has been very active in revising federal air quality standards (National Ambient Air Quality Standards- NAAQS).  As a result of changes to federal standards, states face a massive workload in the next few years on air quality issues. 

Below is a chart showing all of the revised federal air quality standards.  In response to each new standards, the states must develop plans for reducing emissions to show compliance with the revised standards (State Implementation Plans- SIPs).  In the next four years, States will be required to develop at least five new SIPs.

Preparation of SIPs is important work that can have wide ranging impacts on the economy.   If additional regulations to reduce air pollution are necessary, these new regulations increase compliance costs for businesses. 

In determining whether additional regulatory programs are needed, states and U.S. EPA rely upon air quality modeling.  Using air qualify modeling to evaluate alternatives is complex work and sometimes modeling can be inaccurate.

When Ohio EPA evaluated options for Cleveland to attain the 1997 ozone standard (85 ppt), modeling predicted no combination of controls could bring the area into compliance. After an intensive effort by multiple parties (locals, Ohio EPA and U.S. EPA) it was determined Cleveland did not need to adopt aggressive controls to comply because the modeling was either:

  1. Underestimating the benefits of some existing pollution reduction programs; or
  2. Data regarding emissions from existing sources in the modeling was outdated.

With states facing budget shortfalls and unprecedented amounts of air quality work, one has to question whether a similar effort could be undertaken in the next couple of years.  If that is not the case, decisions on costly new controls could be based on inaccurate or incomplete data. 

With about ten days until election day races around the country are getting more heated.  Ohio’s race for Governor is a study in contrasts on many issues.  Energy policy is certainly one of them.

Governor Strickland has pushed the development of advanced energy projects aggressively during his tenure.  Through passage of Senate Bill 221, he created the states renewable portfolio standard (RPS) mandating 12.5% of the State’s energy come from renewable sources. 

He also created grant programs that sought to foster renewable energy projects in the State, such as the Advanced Energy Fund. According to the Ohio Department of Development’s webpage the Advanced Energy Fund has made more than $41.9 million in investment in nearly 400 advanced energy projects.  The Fund is set to expire at the end of this year.

Congressman Kasich has built a solid lead in the polls.  One of his more creative proposals is to do away with the Ohio Department of Development as it is currently constructed.  He wants to transform the Agency into a non-profit organization with corporate board members. 

How will his proposal impact the development of advanced energy in the State?  It may depend upon the membership of the board.  The business community has some deep divisions when it comes to advanced energy.  Those same divisions appear between the candidates.

Kasich has expressed concern with renewable mandates and subsidies.  In a September Plain Dealer article this is how his spokesperson described his stance:

Strickland said the Republican would consider repealing an Ohio policy requiring that 12.5 percent of the power sold in Ohio come from renewable technologies by 2025.

The Kasich campaign said the governor’s portrayal of Kasich’s stance is inaccurate.

"John does not oppose the renewable energy standard and would not seek to repeal it," Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said in an e-mail.

Kasich recently questioned the cost of the energy standard in an interview with the Dayton Daily News. He said he disagreed with the mandate if it increases consumers’ utility bills.

Manufacturers who are deeply concerned about rising electricity prices in Ohio like Kasich’s stance- go for the lowest cost alternative. Renewable energy manufacturers and companies that supply parts to those project may have a different perspective.

While the political and policy focus is clearly on the Country’s struggling economy, caught within that debate is U.S. policy on climate change.  As the economy continued to languish this summer, any hope of a cap and trade bill emerging from Congress died. 

The bill was a victim of a Congress that created a Christmas tree of regulation out of a basic market-based concept.    In the end the bill was labeled  "cap and tax."  And who raises taxes during the middle of a recession?

In fact, who passes any major piece of environmental legislation during a bad economy?  While I don’t subscribe to all the viewpoints of the organization, a fascinating chart featured in an article by Daniel Weiss appearing on the Center for American Progress website paints a vivid historical picture that ties the state of the economy to the prospects for passage of major environmental legislation. 

This from the article:

"The first Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (hazardous waste disposal) were all enacted when unemployment was 6 percent or lower. Unemployment is 50 percent higher now. Only four major environmental laws were enacted with annual unemployment over 7 percent, and none with unemployment greater than 7.5 percent. Unemployment averaged 9.3 percent in 2009 and 9.7 through September 2010."

The Congressional Budget Office provided testimony in August 2010 that the economy faces a slow recovery.  Some have coined the phrase a "jobless recovery."  The CBO says the unemployment rate, currently at 9.5 percent, will not fall to around 5 percent until 2014.

Coupling the CBO forecast with the historical track record on passing environmental legislation, climate change legislation may not have a serious hope of passing until 2014 or later. 

With no legislative alternative, EPA will continue move its climate regulatory agenda forward.  Environmentalists will continue to push nuisance claims in the courts.  Unfortunately, the inefficiencies of "command and control" regulation and litigation will be the U.S. policy on climate change for the foreseeable future.

[Note:  The New Yorker’s, Ryan Lizza, has an very interesting article on the inside the beltway politics regarding cap and trade legislation.  A grand bargain between environmental groups and industry was scuttled by poor timing, unfortunate events and political infighting] 

On October 6th, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) published the final revisions to the 1988 "Green Guides" which provide guidance to companies when making environmental claims regarding their products.  The FTC is seeking public comments on the proposed changes until December 10, 2010, after which it will decide which changes to make final.

The FTC can take legal action against unfair or deceptive marketing practices under Section 5 of the FTC Act.  The 1988 "Green Guides" provide standards for asserting environmental benefits or advantages of products.  However, the 1988 guides were outdated.  Since their release in 1988, the number of companies asserting environmental benefits relative to their products has grown exponentially as well as the type of claims being asserted.

The proposed revisions to the "green guides" (copy here) provide much more detail than the 1988 version.  For the first time issues such as- renewable energy claims, carbon offsets, and use of renewable materials are addressed in the proposed revisions.

Past court decisions highlight the importance of the guides.  Judges have been willing to abide by the guidance set forth in the guides in determining whether a claim constitutes an unfair or deceptive marketing practice. 

Here are some of the key proposed revisions:

  • Stay away from general environmental benefit claims.  These general claims such as "green" or "eco-friendly" are almost impossible to substantiate.  The requirement to justify any green claims is a central requirement of the guides.
  • Third Party Certifications– Seals or endorsement of environmental benefits will receive heightened scrutiny.  Any material connection to the certifier must be disclosed.  Also, a 3rd party certification doesn’t eliminate the requirement to substantiate all claims.
  • Renewable Energy-  If a company wants to say they utilize renewable energy in the manufacturing of their product, they better be prepared to provide more detail.  For example, if the company does not have its own wind or solar generation sources and is only purchasing RECs, it must disclose this as part of its claim.  If you generate your own renewable energy, but sell the RECs you cannot claim you use renewable energy.
  • Climate Change-  The concept of "additionality" has entered into marketing claims regarding carbon offsets.  A company cannot claim it is offsetting its carbon emissions if those reductions were required by law.
  • Recycling– Proposed revisions will create various tiers for claiming your product is recyclable.  If the product is only partially recyclable due to lack of access to recycling, then any recycling claim must carry with it certain qualifications.

This is just a brief highlight of the many topics covered in the revised guidelines.  Once the revisions are finalized, the guides will likely cause wholesale revisions to marketing campaigns for products.  While companies will still have a strong incentive to market the green attributes of their products, those campaigns will have lawyers reviewing the labeling, support for claims and mandatory qualifications required under the guides.

 

In a prior post I discussed the outcry from industry over U.S. EPA’s proposed boiler MACT rules.  The rules would establish standards for emissions of hazardous pollutants for commercial and industrial boilers.

As discussed in the post, many have criticized EPA’s methodology for establishing standards.  Even some State regulators (including Ohio EPA) provided comments criticizing U.S. EPA. 

Perhaps no greater business group has been more critical than the biomass industry who indicated the entire industry would be placed at a significant disadvantage under the proposal.

Apparently, U.S. EPA is going to listen to these criticisms and completely revise the boiler MACT rule.  In a letter from Administrator Jackson responding to members of the U.S. Senate, Jackson says industry failed to provide adequate data regarding emissions prior to the rule development.   The Administrator goes on to say that EPA now has received abundant data and will completely revise the proposed rule. 

U.S. EPA  is under a Court order to develop the boiler MACT rule.  The Agency received an extension to January 16, 2011 to issue its revised rule.

Northeast Ohio has led the state in the adoption of ordinances that establish setback requirements from streams and wetlands.  Buried within municipal codes is the requirement to stay out of buffer areas surrounding streams and wetlands. 

Homeowners, businesses and developers often learn of these requirements after they go to the City with their designs for additions, expansions or subdivisions. 

There is a lot of misinformation as to whether cities are required to adopt these ordinances.  Some municipalities are telling citizens and developers they were mandated by Ohio EPA to adopt them. While there was a very big effort to try and push adoption of these ordinances, let’s be clear, there is no legal mandate in Ohio at this time to adopt them. 

The two most common model ordinance that many municipalities have adopted are either the Northeast Ohio Storm Water Task Force and Chagrin River Watershed Partners model ordinances.  (The Chagrin River Watershed Partners website provide very good information regarding riparian setbacks and their purpose.)

What are municipalities required to do to control stormwater?

The legal requirement for local governments to adopt various stormwater control ordinances stems from Ohio EPA’s implementation of the MS4 program (Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems).  Each local government that has ownership and control over an MS4 is required to develop a Stormwater Management Program (SWMP).  There are certain required elements of the SWMP, including the adoption of certain storm water ordinances, including:

  • Pre-construction stormwater controls
  • Post-construction stormwater controls
  • Illicit discharge, detection and elimination
  • Erosion and sediment controls

As part of the post-construction stormwater program, the municipality must include information on any non-structural stormwater requirements it has imposed.  One possible non-structural stormwater control technique can be wetland and stream setbacks (buffers). 

Where are Ohio EPA’s legal requirements specified?

Ohio EPA’s NPDES General Permit for the MS4 program permit (Permit #OHQ000002) only requires a rational statement that discusses what non-structural BMPs were selected, including BMPs designed to protect riparian areas and buffers protecting sensitive water bodies. See, Section III.B.5.e.iii of Permit #OHQ00002. Ohio EPA’s permit  does not require the MS4 community to adopt riparian setbacks.

OAC Chapter 3745-39, which establishes the minimum regulatory requirements for MS4 program, does not mandate adoption of setbacks. It only discusses setbacks as one option for implementing non-structural stormwater controls. Ohio EPA’s comment below the regulation establishing minimum requirements for MS4 communities:

Non-structural best management practices are preventative actions that involve management and source controls such as: policies and ordinances that provide requirements and standards to direct growth to identified areas, protect sensitive areas such as wetlands and riparian areas, maintain or increase open space (including a dedicated funding source for open space acquisition), provide buffers along sensitive water bodies, minimize impervious surfaces, and minimize disturbance of soils and vegetation; policies or ordinances that encourage infill development in higher density urban areas, and areas with existing infrastructure; education programs for developers and the public about project designs that minimize water quality impacts; and measures such as minimization of per cent impervious area after development and minimization of directly connected impervious areas.

In other words, communities are free to consider a mix of non-structural controls which could include riparian setbacks.

What about distances of setbacks?

Model ordinances have between 25 – 300 feet as required buffers.  Does Ohio EPA mandate a specific distance?  No.

Ohio EPA has only included setbacks in a couple NPDES General Permits for specific sensitive water bodies (the Big Darby and the Olentangy). Here is the requirement from the Big Darby general construction stormwater permit:

The stream setback corridor (calculated using one of the methods in Part III.G.2.b of this permit) consists of up to 3 zones.  Zone 1 extends from 0 to 25 feet from the stream edge. Zone 2 extends from 25 to 100 feet from the stream edge, and Zone 3 extends from 100 feet to the outer edge of the setback corridor.

There is a formula for determining the stream setback corridor.  Then the Agency divides up the setback area into three zones.  Each zone has its own mitigation requirements.

While Ohio EPA has selected two sensitive rivers to mandate riparian setbacks, it is still not determined a minimum setback distance.  The NPDES General Permit for the MS4 program does not establish a minimum setback distance if a community elects to utilize this non-structural BMP.

OAC Chapter 3745-39 does not contain a rule specifying minimum distances for riparian or wetland setbacks. 

(For more information on the purpose of Riparian Setbacks, click here)

Clean Ohio Council has expanded the types of eligible projects that can receive funding under the Clean Ohio Revitilization Fund (CORF).  Parks, urban waterfronts, solar and wind projects are now eligible for funding so long as these projects take place on a brownfield. 

This change will create greater competition begining in Round 10 of the program.  

Three Grant Tracks Under CORF

For round 10 of the CORF, applicants can now seek funding under three different development scenarios:

  1. Known End Use Track- $3 million for projects with a use of the property identified as part of the application.
  2. Redevelopment Read Track- $2 million for projects on land believed to be primed for redevelopment, but with no specific end use identified. 
  3. Sustainable Reinvestment Pilot Track- $1.5 million for sustainable Infrastructure, which includes certain park projects and green infrastructure, urban waterfronts, and cleanfields and brightfields (Wind and Solar projects).

The CORF program has funded very good projects which have always been classic brownfield redevelopment projects, such as the following:

  • Construction of new commercial or industrial facilities on a brownfield property
  • Expansion of existing industrial and manufacturing facilities onto contaminated land
  • Refurbishment and/or renovation of existing structures for reuse

The classic redevelopment projects with known end users have become less frequent in recent rounds.   In order to increase the number of applicants, the Clean Ohio Council decided to create the Known End User Track.  This allowed clean up of brownfields in key locations in hopes of attracting development on these parcels.

Perhaps because the State fears future reductions in applications submitted for CORF, the Clean Ohio has decided to expand eligible projects far beyond the classic brownfield redevelopment project.

Sustainable Reinvestment Pilot Track

In Round 10 of the program, there will be up to $8 million available for these projects.  Here are some of the key aspects of the Sustainable Reinvestment Pilot Track:

  • Can only get a maximum of $1.5 million in funding
  • Must be on a brownfield
  • Can spend the grant funds on demolition, clean up and infrastructure activities
  • Infrastructure expenditures are capped at $400,000
  • For this track, the definition of "infrastructure" is expanded to include:
    • pathways
    • structures used to manage stormwater
    • wetlands
    • stream restoration
  • 25% Match is required, and the following can be used as match:
    • park amenities
    • plants, trees, landscaping, urban gardens
    • solar panels and components
    • wind turbine components
    • green roofs
  • Projects must meet the following for infrastructure or new construction:
    • Follow sustainable best practices
    • LEED
    • Green Infrastructure Guidelines
    • Local ordinance mandating all future construction on the project property meet LEED guidelines for a period of 10 years

Parks and Waterfront Restoration Projects Now Eligible

Under the new track, parks and urban waterfronts redevelopments can also be projects.  This subcategory is called the Signature Parks, Sustainable Infrastructure and Urban Waterfronts category.  All park and waterfront projects must meet the following:

  •  80% of area must be greenspace or public space
  • max 20% of area can be used for parking
  • deed restrictions good for 10 years
  • commitment for maintenance and stewardship
  • Signature Parks or Sustainable Infrastructure must be a minimum of 1.5 acres
  • Urban Waterfront projects must be a minimum of 1.0 acre

Cleanfields/Brightfields (Wind and Solar)

Nothing is provided in the Round 10 CORF policies regarding restrictions on this subcategory of the Sustainable Reinvestment Track.  However, if you review the scoring methodology the Council will use to evaluate these projects, the following a key considerations:

  • project site has grid access with a participating electric company; or
  • project will result in net-metering for an existing entity
  • the electric generation site will be a minimum of 25 acres

Impact of New Track

Clean Ohio has not increased funding by $8 million.  Rather, the Council decided to make up to $8 million of the total $23 million available in CORF Round 10 available for the new Sustainable Reinvestment projects. For future applicants, this change likely means increased competition. 

While grant funding for wind, solar, parks and urban stream restoration is understandable, the Clean Ohio program is moving away from classic brownfield redevelopment projects.  The core of the program has always been to remove the barriers to commercial and/or industrial reuse of contaminated land.  In essence, with more competition less money will be available for these classic clean up projects.

Deadlines

Applications are due to your local library by January 14, 2011 as a part of the scheduled Round 10 of the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund. Approved applications will be announced in May 2011.