Tag Archives: epa

EPA Rejects Alabama Coal Ash Management Plan

Coal ash is a byproduct of burning coal in coal-fired power plants that, without proper management, can pollute waterways, groundwater, drinking water, and the air. Coal ash contains contaminants such as mercury, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic associated with cancer and other serious health effects. Continue reading

Posted in environment, global warming, public health | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Parts Maker Sinister Diesel to Pay $1 Million After Guilty Plea

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced in the criminal case by US District Court Judge John A. Mendez for the Eastern District of California on 14 November 2023. Although Sinister Diesel agreed to pay a $500,000 criminal fine under its plea agreement, the company faces – for each count – a maximum fine of $500,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gain derived from the offense. Its sentence will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of all applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which consider a number of variables. Continue reading

Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions, litigation, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Awards Grants to 21 Student Teams on Public Health

“EPA’s P3 program, now in its twentieth year, is an exciting and unique program that recognizes the power of students to translate imagination and science into new solutions that protect human health and the environment,” said Chris Frey, Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Research and Development. Continue reading

Posted in global warming, people, public health, shows and events | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA – Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Awards

“EPA is honored to highlight the work and tremendous partnerships needed to address contaminated federal facilities and implement a locally driven reuse strategy to safeguard and revitalize communities and the environment,” said Barry Breen, EPA’s Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management. Continue reading

Posted in environment, public health | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SEMA CEO Testifies Against Proposed EPA Standards

SEMA has a point, ~33% of consumer spending on performance and accessory products goes toward upgrading ICE engines and drivetrains, ~ $17 billion of the $51 billion specialty aftermarket industry. SEMA contends the $17 billion in sales of internal combustion products comes from small businesses. Continue reading

Posted in global warming, performance, public health | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA – New Carbon Pollution Standards for Power Plants

EPA claimed the plants would avoid up to 617 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide (CO2) through 2042, which is equivalent to reducing the annual emissions of 137 million passenger vehicles, ~half the cars in the US. Through 2042, EPA estimates the net climate and health benefits of the standards are up to as much as $85 billion. Continue reading

Posted in energy, environment, global warming, public health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA – Children Especially Vulnerable to Climate Change

The peer-reviewed EPA report quantifies projected health effects associated with extreme heat, air quality, changing seasons, flooding, and infectious diseases. Where possible, the analyses consider the extent to which health effects disproportionately fall on children who are Black, Indigenous and people of color [BIPOC], low income, without health insurance, and/or have limited English proficiency. Continue reading

Posted in customer satisfaction, environment, fuel economy or emissions, global warming, milestones, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

EPA Wants More Health Protection for Commercial Sterilization

“EPA’s number one priority is protecting people’s health and safety, and we are committed to taking decisive action that’s informed by the best available science,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “These proposals build on EPA’s extensive outreach to communities across the nation and reflect close coordination among key federal partners. Together they would significantly reduce worker and community exposure to harmful levels of ethylene oxide. EPA will continue to use every available tool to safeguard our nation’s communities, including workers, from exposure to toxic chemicals and to deliver important public health protections,” Regan said. Continue reading

Posted in environment, people | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Proposes to Reduce Toxic Chemical Plant Air Pollution

EPA’s proposal would modernize several regulations that apply to chemical plants, including plants that make synthetic organic chemicals, and regulations that apply to plants that make polymers such as neoprene. The proposed updates would reduce 6053 tons of air toxics emissions each year, which are known or suspected to cause cancer and other serious health effects. Those reductions include a 58 ton per year reduction in ethylene oxide (EtO) and a reduction of 14 tons per year in chloroprene. Continue reading

Posted in environment, manufacturing, people, safety | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Biden-Harris Want Stronger Power Plant Toxic Air Standards

“America is leading the way in innovation, and our work to protect public health is no different. By leveraging proven, emissions-reduction measures available at reasonable costs and encouraging new, advanced control technologies, we can reduce hazardous pollution from coal-fired power plants, protecting our planet and improving public health for all,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Today’s proposal will support and strengthen EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, which have delivered a 90% reduction in mercury emissions from power plants over pre-standard levels.” Continue reading

Posted in environment | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Proposes an Endangerment Finding for Aircraft Engines Still Running on Leaded Fuel

The US Environmental Protection Agency today announced a proposed determination that emissions of lead* from aircraft that operate on leaded fuel cause or contribute to air pollution that may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health and welfare.  Under the … Continue reading

Posted in aviation, environment, motorcycles | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

EPA Releases Final Smog Air Quality Standards. More Inspection Programs and Reformulated Fuel Areas Coming?

These final rules establish new time periods and next steps states must take to improve ozone air quality in remaining non-attainment areas. EPA said its final decisions are based on a scientific evaluation of certified, publicly-available air quality monitoring data for the years 2018-2020. From a vehicle owner’s viewpoint this means certain areas will have to implement inspection and maintenance programs and/or use reformulated fuels. Continue reading

Posted in fuel economy or emissions, news analysis | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Flo~Pro Performance Exhaust To Halt Sales of Defeat Devices

The complaint, filed simultaneously with the consent decree, alleges that the parts described below are “defeat devices” prohibited by the CAA. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that prior to its 2018 investigation, Flo~Pro manufactured or sold more than 100,000 aftermarket defeat devices in the United States per year. In early 2019, Flo~Pro suspended sales of the defeat devices in the United States in an effort to resolve this matter. The consent decree for this settlement was lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas and will be open for public comments for a period of 30 days. Continue reading

Posted in environment, litigation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA – More Funding for DERA Tribal and Insular Area Grants

The DERA program is prioritizing projects that help achieve the goals of President Biden’s Justice40 initiative, which aims to ensure that federal agencies deliver at least 40% of benefits from certain investments to underserved communities. Older diesel engines emit much more air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than newer diesel engines. EPA correctly notes that these pollutants are linked to a range of serious health problems including asthma, lung and heart disease, other respiratory ailments, and premature death. Continue reading

Posted in environment, fuel economy or emissions | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

EPA Grants $17M for EV School Buses to Cut Diesel Emissions  

The two rebate awards of ~$17 million in combined funding for schools and bus fleet owners to replace older, high-polluting diesel school buses. Replacing these buses will improve air quality in and around schools and communities, reduce greenhouse gas pollution, and help improve children’s health. Since 2012, EPA’s school bus rebates have awarded, or are in the process of awarding, more than $73 million to replace more than 3,000 old diesel school buses. Continue reading

Posted in electric vehicles, environment, global warming | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment