EPA Proposes to Strengthen 2020 Air Toxics Regulation to Prevent Emissions Increases and Protect Public Health
EPA Proposes to Strengthen 2020 Air Toxics Regulation to Prevent
Emissions Increases and Protect Public Health
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to strengthen a 2020 Clean Air Act rule by ensuring industrial facilities that emit large amounts of hazardous air pollution cannot increase emissions when reclassifying from a “major source” of emissions to an “area source.” The proposed amendments to the “Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act” rule would require those sources that choose to reclassify from major source status to area source status to establish federally enforceable permit conditions that will better protect public health from hazardous air pollution.
These permit conditions must contain safeguards to prevent emission increases above what would be allowed under a major source emission standard under the Clean Air Act. Facilities would still have the flexibility to pursue innovations in pollution-reduction technologies. The proposed requirements would apply to all sources that choose to reclassify, including any sources which have reclassified since January 25, 2018.
"Today, EPA is proposing additional safeguards to address emissions of hazardous air pollutants from major industrial sources,” said Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. “Ensuring facilities do not increase emissions of air toxics after being reclassified will help protect communities from air toxics. This proposal will continue to allow facilities to innovate and adopt new ways of reducing emissions of air toxics while maintaining emission reductions after reclassification.”
EPA’s proposal would strengthen the 2020 rule by preventing the potential for increased emissions from reclassifying sources. The proposal would also require limits taken to reclassify from major source to area source to be federally enforceable. This would provide a level playing field for continued enforcement of limits taken to reclassify, and an additional layer of compliance assurance.
In 1995, EPA issued the “Once In, Always In” Policy and determined that any facility subject to major source hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions standards would always remain subject to those standards. The policy was designed to achieve lasting emissions reductions from major sources and ensure continued compliance assurance once air pollution standards for major sources were in place. Under the previous administration, EPA issued a rule that allowed a major source of hazardous air pollutants to reclassify as an area source at any time after agreeing to limit their emissions below the major source thresholds. In response to President Biden’s Executive Order 13990, “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis,” EPA reviewed the 2020 rule and determined that there were actions we could take to protect against HAP emissions increases. This proposal would address those concerns and prevent increases of emissions of air toxics after reclassification.Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act | US EPA
Emissions Increases and Protect Public Health
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to strengthen a 2020 Clean Air Act rule by ensuring industrial facilities that emit large amounts of hazardous air pollution cannot increase emissions when reclassifying from a “major source” of emissions to an “area source.” The proposed amendments to the “Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act” rule would require those sources that choose to reclassify from major source status to area source status to establish federally enforceable permit conditions that will better protect public health from hazardous air pollution.
These permit conditions must contain safeguards to prevent emission increases above what would be allowed under a major source emission standard under the Clean Air Act. Facilities would still have the flexibility to pursue innovations in pollution-reduction technologies. The proposed requirements would apply to all sources that choose to reclassify, including any sources which have reclassified since January 25, 2018.
"Today, EPA is proposing additional safeguards to address emissions of hazardous air pollutants from major industrial sources,” said Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. “Ensuring facilities do not increase emissions of air toxics after being reclassified will help protect communities from air toxics. This proposal will continue to allow facilities to innovate and adopt new ways of reducing emissions of air toxics while maintaining emission reductions after reclassification.”
EPA’s proposal would strengthen the 2020 rule by preventing the potential for increased emissions from reclassifying sources. The proposal would also require limits taken to reclassify from major source to area source to be federally enforceable. This would provide a level playing field for continued enforcement of limits taken to reclassify, and an additional layer of compliance assurance.
In 1995, EPA issued the “Once In, Always In” Policy and determined that any facility subject to major source hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions standards would always remain subject to those standards. The policy was designed to achieve lasting emissions reductions from major sources and ensure continued compliance assurance once air pollution standards for major sources were in place. Under the previous administration, EPA issued a rule that allowed a major source of hazardous air pollutants to reclassify as an area source at any time after agreeing to limit their emissions below the major source thresholds. In response to President Biden’s Executive Order 13990, “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis,” EPA reviewed the 2020 rule and determined that there were actions we could take to protect against HAP emissions increases. This proposal would address those concerns and prevent increases of emissions of air toxics after reclassification.Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act | US EPA
EPA Further Extends Comment Period on Proposed Plan to Clean Up New Cassel/Hicksville Groundwater Contamination Superfund Site
NEW YORK (Sept. 22, 2023) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the public comment period for its proposed cleanup plan to address contaminated groundwater at a portion of the New Cassel/Hicksville Groundwater Contamination Superfund site in Nassau County, New York to October 23, 2023. The original public comment period was scheduled to end on August 23, and was first extended to September 22. EPA held a public meeting at the East Meadow Public Library on August 10, 2023, to explain the cleanup proposal to the public.
EPA’s proposed plan will prevent people from potentially being exposed to the contaminated groundwater in the future, help minimize the potential for the contaminated groundwater to migrate further and treat the groundwater to meet strict federal and state standards for drinking water.
The cleanup plan proposes installing a network of wells and underground pipes in a residential neighborhood and parkland to move contaminated groundwater to a new water treatment facility. Options for how the treated water will be released will be evaluated during the design of the cleanup plan. The potential options outlined in the proposed plan include that treated water can be returned back to the ground, released to surface water or a recharge basin, or released into the sewer.
Once the cleanup plan is finalized, EPA will decide where the wells and water treatment facility will be built and where the treated water will go. The plan also requires long-term monitoring of the groundwater treatment program and relies on existing county and state restrictions on groundwater use to ensure that public drinking water wells are not installed on site without a permit.
Written comments on the proposed plan may be mailed or emailed by October 23, 2023, to Aidan Conway, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway – 19th Floor, New York, NY 10007, Email: conway.aidan@epa.gov.
For additional background and to see the proposed cleanup plan, visit the New Cassel/Hicksville Groundwater Contamination Superfund site profile page.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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EPA’s proposed plan will prevent people from potentially being exposed to the contaminated groundwater in the future, help minimize the potential for the contaminated groundwater to migrate further and treat the groundwater to meet strict federal and state standards for drinking water.
The cleanup plan proposes installing a network of wells and underground pipes in a residential neighborhood and parkland to move contaminated groundwater to a new water treatment facility. Options for how the treated water will be released will be evaluated during the design of the cleanup plan. The potential options outlined in the proposed plan include that treated water can be returned back to the ground, released to surface water or a recharge basin, or released into the sewer.
Once the cleanup plan is finalized, EPA will decide where the wells and water treatment facility will be built and where the treated water will go. The plan also requires long-term monitoring of the groundwater treatment program and relies on existing county and state restrictions on groundwater use to ensure that public drinking water wells are not installed on site without a permit.
Written comments on the proposed plan may be mailed or emailed by October 23, 2023, to Aidan Conway, Remedial Project Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 290 Broadway – 19th Floor, New York, NY 10007, Email: conway.aidan@epa.gov.
For additional background and to see the proposed cleanup plan, visit the New Cassel/Hicksville Groundwater Contamination Superfund site profile page.
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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EPA and Lincoln University Expand Partnership to include PA Department of Environmental Protection
EPA and Lincoln University Expand Partnership to include PA Department of Environmental Protection
PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 21, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Lincoln University (Lincoln) today re-signed their 2018 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance research, teaching, outreach, career development and stewardship in environmental sciences. The 2023 agreement was expanded to include the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
“This new agreement is not just a commitment to the now, it’s a promise to the future,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “We’ve already done great things together and adding DEP to the partnership can only take us to new heights.”
Intended to be reviewed and re-signed every five years, the MOU has seven core objectives:
Support and promote student learning, internships, career development, and employment in environmental sciences and related fields;
Enhance Lincoln faculty as well as EPA and PADEP employee professional development in environmental sciences and related fields;
Provide Lincoln with technical assistance in their environmental and sustainability efforts;
Support the enhancement of Lincoln’s environmental science and proposed sustainability curricula;
Identify and promote opportunities in designing and implementing public-private partnerships to support environmental stewardship;
Support community development, engagement opportunities for Lincoln students, partnerships with regional communities and potential career opportunities with the surrounding communities on environmental, health, and economic issues; and
Support capacity building efforts to increase Lincoln’s participation in federal and state programs at EPA and PADEP.
“We are excited to partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and with Lincoln University, an esteemed Historically Black University, to educate young Pennsylvanians on environmental sustainability and promote environmental justice,” said Rich Negrin, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. "There has never been a more crucial time to educate and inspire students to become the next generation of environmental leaders. We hope this crucial partnership with our vital federal partners and this great university will empower students and future employees to make an impact on the environment in their communities.”
“Lincoln University is excited to continue and expand its relationship with EPA and look forward to the additional learning experiences and opportunities that PADEP will provide for our students and faculty,” said Lincoln University President Dr. Brenda Allen. “We appreciate the provided support and look forward to building upon this mutually beneficial partnership.”
Since its founding in 1854, the nation’s first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU) has been internationally recognized for its commitment to excellence in scholarship and service. LU graduates have distinguished themselves in many fields including medicine, science, technology, education, law, and the arts. Like other HBCUs, LU is committed to the preparation of a diverse population of men and women through the advancement of academic programs and services that integrate instruction, research, extension, and outreach.
Under the previous MOUs, EPA and Lincoln have worked together to create and implement the University’s first recycling program, collaborated on a student capstone research project in the Little Elk Creek watershed, and provided students with paid internship opportunities with the federal government, such as the Environmental Science Research Internship Program.
PHILADELPHIA, PA (September 21, 2023) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Lincoln University (Lincoln) today re-signed their 2018 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance research, teaching, outreach, career development and stewardship in environmental sciences. The 2023 agreement was expanded to include the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
“This new agreement is not just a commitment to the now, it’s a promise to the future,” said EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Adam Ortiz. “We’ve already done great things together and adding DEP to the partnership can only take us to new heights.”
Intended to be reviewed and re-signed every five years, the MOU has seven core objectives:
Support and promote student learning, internships, career development, and employment in environmental sciences and related fields;
Enhance Lincoln faculty as well as EPA and PADEP employee professional development in environmental sciences and related fields;
Provide Lincoln with technical assistance in their environmental and sustainability efforts;
Support the enhancement of Lincoln’s environmental science and proposed sustainability curricula;
Identify and promote opportunities in designing and implementing public-private partnerships to support environmental stewardship;
Support community development, engagement opportunities for Lincoln students, partnerships with regional communities and potential career opportunities with the surrounding communities on environmental, health, and economic issues; and
Support capacity building efforts to increase Lincoln’s participation in federal and state programs at EPA and PADEP.
“We are excited to partner with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and with Lincoln University, an esteemed Historically Black University, to educate young Pennsylvanians on environmental sustainability and promote environmental justice,” said Rich Negrin, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. "There has never been a more crucial time to educate and inspire students to become the next generation of environmental leaders. We hope this crucial partnership with our vital federal partners and this great university will empower students and future employees to make an impact on the environment in their communities.”
“Lincoln University is excited to continue and expand its relationship with EPA and look forward to the additional learning experiences and opportunities that PADEP will provide for our students and faculty,” said Lincoln University President Dr. Brenda Allen. “We appreciate the provided support and look forward to building upon this mutually beneficial partnership.”
Since its founding in 1854, the nation’s first degree-granting Historically Black College and University (HBCU) has been internationally recognized for its commitment to excellence in scholarship and service. LU graduates have distinguished themselves in many fields including medicine, science, technology, education, law, and the arts. Like other HBCUs, LU is committed to the preparation of a diverse population of men and women through the advancement of academic programs and services that integrate instruction, research, extension, and outreach.
Under the previous MOUs, EPA and Lincoln have worked together to create and implement the University’s first recycling program, collaborated on a student capstone research project in the Little Elk Creek watershed, and provided students with paid internship opportunities with the federal government, such as the Environmental Science Research Internship Program.
Pandemic, shipping reform boost caseload for harried FMC
Shippers more than tripled their formal complaints in fiscal year 2022, emboldened by the maritime regulator’s sharpened focus on how ocean carriers interact with their customers.
QB 23-604 2023 Fourth Quarter Absolute Quota for Steel Mill Articles of Argentina, Brazil, and South Korea
Commodity:
Steel Mill Articles as specified in Presidential Proclamations
Quota Period:
October 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023
Opening:
October 2, 2023 12:01 AM Local Port time.
Entries submitted prior to opening day local port time…
Steel Mill Articles as specified in Presidential Proclamations
Quota Period:
October 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023
Opening:
October 2, 2023 12:01 AM Local Port time.
Entries submitted prior to opening day local port time…
LA-LB must do more to reduce port emissions despite 2022 declines: regulator
Emissions spiked at the ports during the pandemic due to record container volumes and unprecedented supply chain bottlenecks that caused ships to idle at anchorage and trucks to back up at terminal gates.
USDA Invests Nearly a Half Billion Dollars in the Food for Progress and McGovern Dole Programs to Strengthen Global Food Security Using US Commodities
WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2023 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the United States is investing $455 million to strengthen global food security and international capacity-building efforts. The investment will utilize more than 375,000 metric tons of U.S. commodities.
EPA Awards Nearly $8M for Research Grants to Advance Groundwater Availability and Quality
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $7,837,196 in funding to four institutions to research the use and risks of enhanced aquifer recharge (EAR) to improve groundwater availability and quality.
EAR is the practice of using water sources to replenish and supplement existing groundwater supplies for storage, potential reuse, and to restore streamflow. While EAR implementation and management has been an active topic of research for many years, significant knowledge gaps remain concerning best practices in the design, siting, performance (hydrologic and water quality), longevity, maintenance, and monitoring of EAR in different land use and hydrogeologic settings. Other terms that are used interchangeably with EAR include managed aquifer recharge, artificial recharge, and aquifer storage and recovery.
“As climate change and increasing demand diminishes the availability of groundwater, identifying innovative solutions for EAR is an important step in protecting our water resources,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This research will provide the knowledge needed to help improve water supplies for communities experiencing increased intensity, frequency, and duration of drought and extreme heat.”
With the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) research funding announced today, investigators will assist communities throughout the United States in evaluating whether and how to invest in safe and sustainable EAR strategies for many goals including enhancing water supplies, protecting water quality, maintaining aquatic ecosystems, reducing sinking land and avoiding sea water intrusion. This research will enable state, Tribal, and local water quality managers to adopt safe EAR practices while understanding the risks, benefits, and consequences from using different source waters and given differing subsurface geology and groundwater end use.
The following institutions are receiving awards:
County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works, Alhambra, Calif., to explore the long-term, regional potential for groundwater recharge through urban best management practices and develop a free and open-source user-friendly tool for evaluation of performance of EAR practices.
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla., to test the effectiveness and impacts of rural EAR structures and determine if they can be deployed for rural land management strategies to safely increase groundwater supplies.
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa., to increase EAR adoption by better understanding the potential mobilization of contaminants and their risks to water quality in key aquifer systems across the U.S.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, Va., to develop a web-based decision support tool to guide communities, agencies, and practitioners to design safe and sustainable implementation of EAR in the U.S. Coastal Plain and in regions with similar hydrogeology.
Learn more about these grant awards.
Learn more about EPA research grants.
EAR is the practice of using water sources to replenish and supplement existing groundwater supplies for storage, potential reuse, and to restore streamflow. While EAR implementation and management has been an active topic of research for many years, significant knowledge gaps remain concerning best practices in the design, siting, performance (hydrologic and water quality), longevity, maintenance, and monitoring of EAR in different land use and hydrogeologic settings. Other terms that are used interchangeably with EAR include managed aquifer recharge, artificial recharge, and aquifer storage and recovery.
“As climate change and increasing demand diminishes the availability of groundwater, identifying innovative solutions for EAR is an important step in protecting our water resources,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development. “This research will provide the knowledge needed to help improve water supplies for communities experiencing increased intensity, frequency, and duration of drought and extreme heat.”
With the Science to Achieve Results (STAR) research funding announced today, investigators will assist communities throughout the United States in evaluating whether and how to invest in safe and sustainable EAR strategies for many goals including enhancing water supplies, protecting water quality, maintaining aquatic ecosystems, reducing sinking land and avoiding sea water intrusion. This research will enable state, Tribal, and local water quality managers to adopt safe EAR practices while understanding the risks, benefits, and consequences from using different source waters and given differing subsurface geology and groundwater end use.
The following institutions are receiving awards:
County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works, Alhambra, Calif., to explore the long-term, regional potential for groundwater recharge through urban best management practices and develop a free and open-source user-friendly tool for evaluation of performance of EAR practices.
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Okla., to test the effectiveness and impacts of rural EAR structures and determine if they can be deployed for rural land management strategies to safely increase groundwater supplies.
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pa., to increase EAR adoption by better understanding the potential mobilization of contaminants and their risks to water quality in key aquifer systems across the U.S.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Blacksburg, Va., to develop a web-based decision support tool to guide communities, agencies, and practitioners to design safe and sustainable implementation of EAR in the U.S. Coastal Plain and in regions with similar hydrogeology.
Learn more about these grant awards.
Learn more about EPA research grants.