Tag Archives: Environmental Protection Agency

Largest Ever Clean Air Act Fine Imposed on Marathon Oil

Posted on 12 July 2024 by Ken Zino

The Justice Department and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have reached a settlement with Marathon Oil Company* over Clean Air Act violations at the company’s oil and gas production operations on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. The settlement requires that Marathon pay a civil penalty of $64.5 million, the largest ever for violations of the Clean Air Act at stationary sources, which include downstream facilities such as oil and gas tank systems. Under the settlement agreement, Marathon will implement extensive compliance measures to achieve major reductions in harmful emissions from more than 200 facilities across the state. Continue reading →

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Norfolk Southern Settles East Palestine Derailment with EPA

Posted on 23 May 2024 by Ken Zino

“No community should have to experience the trauma inflicted upon the residents of East Palestine,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “That’s why President Biden pledged from the beginning that his Administration would stand with the community every step of the way. Today’s enforcement action delivers on this commitment, ensures the cleanup is paid for by the company, and helps prevent another disaster like this from happening again. Because of this settlement, residents and first responders will have greater access to health services, trains will be safer, and waterways will be cleaner,” Regan said. Continue reading →

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USDOT Proposes 58 MPG Fuel Economy Standard

Posted on 28 July 2023 by Ken Zino

The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today issued a proposal to update fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks. The “preferred alternative” among several in NHTSA’s proposal includes a 2% per year improvement in fuel efficiency for passenger cars and a 4% per year improvement for light trucks beginning in model year 2027. This increases through model year 2032, potentially reaching an average fleet fuel economy of 58 miles per gallon by 2032. However, NHTSA notes that real word fuel economy is ~20-30% lower than estimated CAFE fuel economy.* Continue reading →

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EPA Propose Tougher Air Emissions Reporting Requirements

Posted on 25 July 2023 by Ken Zino

“Data and science are the very foundation of the work we do every day at EPA to protect public health and the environment,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “When we have the most recent, most accurate data on air toxics and other emissions, we can improve our identification of areas where people may be at risk from pollution, develop solutions and help ensure everyone has clean air to breathe.” Continue reading →

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EPA Approves New California Heavy-Duty Emissions Standards

Posted on 31 March 2023 by Ken Zino

In this latest victory for environmentalists, CARB requested two waivers for regulations relating to heavy duty vehicles and diesel engines. After reviewing the technical information provided by CARB, reviewing comments submitted by the public, and applying the limited authority for review under section 209 of the Clean Air Act, EPA said it was “appropriate” to grant the waiver and authorization requests. Continue reading →

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Whoops! Now Ford Motor Has Emissions Problems

Posted on 25 February 2019 by Ken Zino

Ford says it is now taking several actions, including hiring an unnamed outside firm to investigate the vehicle road load specifications used in Ford testing and applications to certify emissions and fuel economy. Road load can of course be manipulated since it is used in vehicle dynamometer testing, including for fuel economy ratings and emissions certifications. Continue reading →

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EPA Tells Pennsylvania to Improve Air Quality in New Jersey

Posted on 31 October 2011 by Ken Zino

The EPA ruling potentially has broad implications for the future of electric vehicles in the U.S. since half of the electricity produced comes from burning coal – a notorious source of SO2. The two Portland generating units covered under this rule are large sources of SO2 emissions in the region since they are about 50 years old.

This is a national problem. Currently 44% of coal-fired units in the country do not have advanced pollution controls, such as scrubbers or catalysts, installed to limit emissions. Utilities and coal companies are and have been vigorously fighting efforts to solve the problem. Continue reading →

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New EPA Grants Go to Universities for Black Carbon Research

Posted on 18 October 2011 by Ken Zino

Black carbon – including diesel powered vehicle emissions – can affect the climate in the near term, and as with other types of fine particles, can cause serious health effects such as cardiovascular and respiratory ailments. Fine particles have also been strongly linked to lung cancer. Continue reading →

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EPA Moves Ahead on Greenhouse Gas Standards

Posted on 23 December 2010 by Ken Zino

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today issued a plan for establishing greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution standards for refineries and power plants, in what appear to be victories for small businesses, farms and environmental moderates. It also signals the Obama Administration’s … Continue reading →

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