A new report regarding fine particulate pollution in the Midwest shows that achieving compliance with federal air quality standards is linked to U.S. EPA’s fix for the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). The Lake Michigan Air Director’s Consortium (LADCO) released its white paper discussing recommendation on addressing fine particulate (p.m. 2.5) pollution in the Midwest. The white paper
Ohio BAT- Changes to State Air Pollution Control Strategy Prove Daunting
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Back in 2006, while I was still at Ohio EPA, a major piece of state legislation worked its way through the General Assembly. Senate Bill 265 was developed by business groups in Ohio to address concerns with the structure and implementation of Ohio air pollution permitting programs. The main target to be fixed was the
Court Rejects EPA’s Fine Particle Standard
In National Farm Bureau Federation v. EPA, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has granted environmental group petition for review of the NAAQS for fine particle pollution known as PM 2.5. Environmental groups and industry groups both challenged portions of EPA’s standard. The EPA had decided to maintain the annual standard at 15 μg/m3. The Court
Improving Air Quality Good News to Cleveland Area Businesses
There is good news for area businesses. Additional compliance costs and restrictions on economic growth will be avoided that were deemed all but certain a few years ago. The compliance costs were associated with new air pollution controls needed to achieve U.S. EPA’s 1997 8-hour ozone standard (0.85 ppm). The deadline to meet this
U.S. EPA Ozone Rule Shows Potential For More Flexibility in the Future
In yesterday’s post, I discussed the possibility of E-check expanding in Ohio as a result of U.S. EPA’s proposed revisions to implementation of the 1997 8-hour ozone standard (.08 ppm). Today I want to discuss the larger
E-Check May Come Back to Cincinnati Under EPA Proposed Rule
[NOTE: THIS POST WAS REVISED BASED UPON ADDITIONAL REVIEW AND INFORMATION] The unpopular automobile tail pipe test known as E-check may resurface in Cincinnati under a U.S. EPA proposed rule. Right now, Cleveland is the only area in Ohio with E-check because the area is under a federal mandate to operate the test. That federal mandate could expand under a recent U.S.
Court Saves CAIR, Remands to EPA
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued its much anticipated decision in response to U.S. EPA’s request for reconsideration of the decision vacating the CAIR program. The decision marks an important victory for U.S. EPA, the State and provides some level of certainty for utilities.
The Court decided to remand the rule to U.S.
Impact on Air Quality Without CAIR
I mentioned in my post discussing LADCO air quality meeting that I would put up the most relevant slides or graphics from all the presentation over the two days in Chicago. I think I can pretty much boil it down to two slides.
This slide was put together by U.S. EPA when meeting to discuss their
CAIR: EPA’s Path Forward Slow and Unclear
I participated today in a Midwest Air Quality Workshop in Chicago. At the workshop, Bill Harnett from U.S. EPA’s Office of Air Quality Planning and Strategy (OAQPS) gave an interesting presentation regarding U.S. EPA’s reaction to the vacatur of CAIR by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals. Here are a couple of the key issues
Lawsuit Challenges State’s Right to Modify its Air Pollution Control Plan
A lawsuit filed this week raises an important question about the relationship between the federal government and states pertaining to environmental regulations. At issue is how much flexibility state’s have to modify their air pollution control plans used to comply with federal air quality standards. As reported in the Columbus Dispatch, the Sierra Club has challenged