Designation as a hazardous substance under the Superfund law doesn’t ban the chemicals, known as PFOA and PFOS. But it requires that releases of the chemicals into soil or water be reported to federal, state or tribal officials if they meet or exceed certain levels.
In a turnaround from previous plans, the agency said it will review standards for existing gas plants and expand the rules to include more pollutants.
The maker of sweeteners and other food components will pay a civil penalty of $1.1 million and implement measures to reduce and offset emissions at a cost of nearly $7 million.
The decision over air quality standards for ground-level ozone—better known as smog—was made despite a recommendation by a scientific advisory panel to lower air pollution limits to protect public health.
The U.S. government’s most ambitious plan ever to slash planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from passenger vehicles faces uncertainty over both about how realistic it is and whether it goes far enough.
The proposed regulation, announced Wednesday by the EPA, would set tailpipe emissions limits for the 2027 through 2032 model years that are the strictest ever imposed—and call for far more new EV sales than the auto industry agreed to less than two years ago.
On Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed the most stringent update on limits to mercury from smokestacks since the Obama administration first issued Mercury and Air Toxics Standards in 2012.
The new standards, announced by the Environmental Protection Agency, are intended to place tighter constraints on air pollution from 23 states, including Indiana.
The plan marks the first time the EPA has proposed regulating the toxic group of compounds, which are widespread, dangerous and expensive to remove from water.
But experts say removing them will cost billions, a burden that will fall hardest on small communities with few resources.
Administration officials said the EPA has begun analyzing the “emergency” step of allowing more E15 gasoline sales for the summer and determined it is not likely to have significant on-the-ground air quality impacts.
The American Chemistry Council, a lobbying group for the chemical industry, slammed the EPA proposal, saying it could cause substantial harm to America’s drinking water supply by reducing the domestic supply of chlorine.
The justices, in arguments Monday, are taking up an appeal from 19 mostly Republican-led states and coal companies over the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to limit carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.
With so many regulatory developments on the horizon, including Superfund liability for select PFAS substances, businesses should act now to see where regulated PFAS affect their supply chains and waste streams.
The federal government announced Monday that it will support the ethanol industry in a lawsuit over biofuel waivers granted to oil refineries under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Scott Pruitt, the scandal-ridden former head of the Environmental Protection Agency, registered Thursday as fossil-fuels interests in the state fight to block the proposed closure of several coal-fired power plants.
Under pressure from Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it would move toward setting safety limits for a class of highly toxic chemicals contaminating drinking water around the country.
The EPA’s acting administrator signed a proposal that would loosen rule that would have required cutting-edge carbon capture techniques for new coal plants. Andrew Wheeler said the requirements were “excessive burdens” on the industry.
The Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association, which represents Indiana-based Cummins Inc. and other engine manufacturers, said the proposal represents a chance to modernize how the agency oversees big-rig emissions.
Maryland contends the power plants in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia are violating the “good neighbor” provision of the Clean Air Act.
