Air

INDUSTRY PUSHES EPA TO EXEMPT CATTLE FEEDLOTS FROM AIR PERMIT RULES

Industry groups are urging EPA to issue guidance that would designate air pollution from cattle feedlots as "fugitive" emissions, a move that could exempt the industry from federal permit requirements and offer a shield from citizen lawsuits, sources say.

While the agency's response to the suggestion remains unclear, EPA has already explored the prospect of temporary enforcement waivers for other types of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), mainly egg farms, dairies and swine facilities.

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LAND MANAGERS, ACTIVISTS WORRY LONGVIEW OFFSETS ARE BAD PRECEDENT

Federal land managers at the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, along with environmentalists, say a clean air permit for the West Virginia-based Longview power plant may set a terrible precedent by giving plants "paper" offsets that do not guarantee any reduced sulfur dioxide (SO2) pollution.

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INDUSTRY RAISES DATA QUALITY CONCERNS OVER 'RESIDUAL RISK' STANDARD

Industry groups are questioning the scientific analyses EPA used in setting its first "residual risk" air toxics standard, saying the agency may have violated data guidelines under the Information Quality Act. The pending rule addresses air emissions from coke oven batteries, and could set a precedent for the way EPA develops similar requirements for a host of major industries.

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Industry Raises Data Quality Concerns Over 'Residual Risk' Air Rule

Industry groups are questioning the scientific analyses EPA used in proposing its first "residual risk" air toxics standard, saying the agency may have violated data guidelines under the Information Quality Act. The proposed rule addresses air emissions from coke oven batteries, and could set a precedent for the way EPA develops similar requirements for a host of major industries.

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EPA Cites High-Court Tobacco Ruling In Argument Against CO2 Controls

In a recent court filing arguing against carbon dioxide (CO2) emission controls, the Bush administration is citing a Supreme Court decision that found the Food and Drug Administration lacked the authority to regulate tobacco, arguing that EPA's broad statutory mandate does not allow the agency to regulate CO2. An Oct. 12 legal brief, filed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in International Center for Technology Assessment et al. v. Whitman, asks the U.S.

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Pennsylvania To Be First To Include Coal Waste In Renewable Energy Plan

The Pennsylvania legislature is poised to pass the nation's first renewable portfolio standard (RPS) that would include electricity generated by fossil fuels including coal waste. Gov. Edward Rendell (D) strongly supports using coal waste as a renewable fuel and is unlikely to sign such a measure unless it is included, sources tracking the issue say.

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Delayed EPA Action Sparks Industry Fears Over Use Of Ozone-Safe Chemical

Industry says EPA's approval of a safe alternative to chemicals that pose a risk to the stratospheric ozone could be of limited benefit because the agency has failed to move quickly on delisting the substitute substance from regulation as a volatile organic compound (VOC).

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California Eyes Gas Tax To Fund Hydrogen Vehicle Initiative

A California panel of experts formed by the governor to advise the state on accelerating the commercialization of hydrogen-power vehicles is expected to recommend a new gasoline tax to pay for the project. The proposal is likely to be controversial but could end up in legislation being developed for introduction next year by the California Environmental Protection Agency.

In addition to funding, another key issue being considered to promote widespread use of hydrogen vehicles is standardizing the environmental permitting process for the cutting-edge technology.

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INDUSTRY STUDY SAYS EPA INTERSTATE AIR RULE TO RAISE ELECTRICITY PRICES

A new analysis by industry consultants of EPA's proposal to reduce interstate air pollution caused by power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides shows the rule would make electricity prices rise 25 percent by 2010 and an additional 10 percent by 2015.

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WISCONSIN ACTIVISTS SEEK TOUGHEST-EVER BACT LIMITS FOR NEW COAL PLANT

Wisconsin environmentalists are pressing the state's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to require a proposed 500-megawatt, coal-fired power plant to meet clean air standards for nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) far lower than mandated in permits before.

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