Pending High Court Rulings Seen Dramatically Curtailing EPA Enforcement

For all the congressional Republican efforts to stymie EPA regulation, two pending Supreme Court decisions in 2012 could have a far more dramatic effect curtailing agency enforcement of environmental laws than any GOP efforts, especially given increasing limits on federal and state budgets.

Budget Cuts May Pose 'Nightmare' For EPA, State Regulators In 2012

Steep budget cuts for EPA and state environmental agencies could create major problems for environmental programs, a broad range of sources say, with a declining quality in permits and rules leading to weaker pollution controls and lesser oversight and enforcement to protect against serious violations of environmental laws and rules.

Spotlight On EPA, Election 2012 Poses Huge Stakes For Regulatory Efforts

EPA regulations -- and their economic effects – are expected to remain a central focus in the 2012 presidential campaign -- raising the stakes for the agency, its supporters and opponents long after the winner is known.

Background Pollution Seen As Growing Problem For EPA NAAQS Program

EPA's national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) program will face growing pressure for reform in 2012 and beyond, sources say, given the growing problem of ever-stricter standards for criteria pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter (PM) approaching naturally occurring, unpreventable background pollution levels.

EPA Rule Fights Could Help Build Case For Post-Election Air Law Reform

Fights among lawmakers, states, environmentalists and industry over major EPA air programs are unlikely to lead to any long-sought revisions to the Clean Air Act in the politically divided 112th Congress, sources say, but the disputes are expected to intensify next year and could help build the case for a post-election push to reform the air law.

Appeals Court Expected To Uphold EPA Authority To Limit GHGs In 2012

A federal appeals court is likely to back EPA's authority to regulate greenhouse gases (GHGs) under the Clean Air Act by upholding the agency's finding that GHGs endanger health and welfare, observers say, but the court could still strike down climate regulations EPA issued using the risk finding as justification, meaning EPA could have to redo all of its GHG regulations.

Despite Patchwork Of State Fracking Rules, Industry Resists EPA Measures

A growing patchwork of varying rules from states struggling to keep pace with the natural gas boom and gain public confidence in the safety of hydraulic fracturing is prompting activists to call for EPA intervention with national rules, but industry is pushing back against any federal rules -- despite typically opposing a patchwork state regulations.

EPA's UIC Permit Program Faces Major New Duties With Limited Funds

EPA's underground injection control (UIC) program is seeing a major expansion of its responsibilities as regulators prepare to permit previously unregulated activities, including hydraulic fracturing, carbon storage and stormwater control, to protect groundwater but state officials say funding still languishes far below permit needs.

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• Nuclear Industry Faces Litany Of Regulatory Uncertainties Post-Fukushima