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The article reports that the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush and congressional Democrats are locked in a struggle over the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rejection of California's plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. Senator Barbara Boxer has asked the EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson to reverse his December 2007 decision against California's plan.

The article reports that FMC Corp. and some farm-state members of Congress are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reconsider its decision to cancel all uses of agricultural pesticide carbofuran. Legislators from agricultural states also called on the EPA to take into account the needs of farmers who say there are no cost-effective substitutes for carbofuran for some critical uses.

The article reports on the launch of the Nanoscale Materials Stewardship Program, the voluntary nanotechnology stewardship program, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). However, it is argued that the voluntary nature of the program is not willing to address nanomaterials differently from other chemicals. According to J. Clarence Davis, senior adviser at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the approach of the agency is inadequate to deal with nanotechnology.

The article reports that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has encouraged Congress to consider legislation that will reverse changes to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In recent changes, the EPA allows many facilities to provide less information about their toxic releases. The GAO has criticized the move of the agency because it provides only a modest savings to many companies while the public loses a substantial amount of data.

The article reports that 12 states have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) December 2006 rule which allows companies to provide less right-to-know information about toxic releases. The EPA rule allows about a third of the 24,000 facilities that file Toxics Release Inventory reports to submit less information about their releases on one or more chemicals.

The article reports on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership which is designed to help supermarkets prepare for the phaseout of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-22, a commercial refrigerant. According to an international agreement, countries are accelerating the phaseout of HCFCs which deplete the stratospheric ozone and are greenhouse gases.

The article reports that members of the U.S. House have asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review its hazardous waste deregulation proposal. EPA's plan would allow companies to burn hazardous waste as fuel in industrial boilers., which provide heat or power. House members asked EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson to assess the plan's environmental impact at each of 86 industrial facilities expected to benefit from the regulatory rollback.

The article reports that staff members of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have released a document which suggests that the EPA should tighten the national standard for lead in the air to protect children better. According to the article, EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson will review the recommendations when he proposes an air quality level for the neurotoxic metal in 2008. Staff members recommend that EPA lower the lead standard.

The article reports on director of natural resources and the environment at Government Accountability Office (GAO), John B. Stephenson's claim that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) rule on chemical releases causes environmental justice concerns. He points out that facilities that can provide less information about their chemical releases are located in minority and low-income communities.

The article reports on the announcement of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that there is no need for further control on emissions of hazardous air pollutants from refineries. The decision has been made after conducting a study on the risks of air toxic emissions from the refineries' pollution control equipment. EPA considered two regulatory options for such emissions, which include no requirement for additional emission cuts and reduction of waste hazardous air pollutants.

The article reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will assess more than 9,000 industrial chemicals by 2012. EPA will assess chemicals produced in amounts greater than 25,000 lb per year to minimize risk to health and the environment. The move is part of an agreement of the U.S. with Canada and Mexico to update their chemical inventories.

The article reports on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ToxCast program. It reveals that pesticides that have already undergone traditional toxicity studies will be among the first chemicals run through rapid computer tests under the program. The EPA's National Center for Computational Toxicology is spearheading the ToxCast program.

The article reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will propose ways to control emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from facilities that apply certain types of coatings. According to the article, states could adopt EPA's guidelines to control VOC emissions in areas that exceed the national standard for ozone pollution. The proposed guidelines address coatings applied to paper, film, foil, metal furniture and large appliances.

The article reports that the U.S. House of Congress blocked the Environmental Protection Agency's plan to change its regulatory scheme for carcinogens and other hazardous air pollutants. Under the proposal of EPA, tightly regulated facilities that are major emitters of hazardous air pollutants can be reclassified into a less stringent control regime.

The article reports on the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to tighten the clean air standard for ozone. It discusses the possibility that the EPA's proposal could leave the door open for the agency to bow to industry pressure for maintaining the status quo. The agency plans to accept comments from the public for maintaining the current standard or favoring a new ozone limit.

The article reports on the results of a study conducted by the National Research Council (NRC). According to the organization, dredging process is not effective since it may mix once-buried contaminants back into surrounding water in waterways. In connection, the NRC recommends that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consider alternatives to dredging such as capping the polluted area with clean materials.

The article reports that two House Energy & Commerce subcommittees have made investigation on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track program. The investigation is designed to reward industrial facilities for environmental excellence. Moreover, after finding that Performance Track members have included facilities that cause troubled complying with environmental regulations, EPA's inspector has called for reform of voluntary program.

The article reports on the release of a peer-reviewed white paper on nanotechnology by the Science Policy Council of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Laid out in the paper are scientific issues related to nanotech that must be addressed by the EPA. It was recommended that the agency continue performing research on risk assessment and environmental applications of nanomaterials.

The article reports on the denial of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the petition by the Forest Products Research Laboratory to use acid copper chromate (ACC) as a wood preservative in the manufacture of decks and playground equipment in the U.S. Based on the review made by the scientists of the EPA, their are bigger risks on the use of ACC than benefits. EPA adds that it can pose as a cancer risk as well as will create a problem on its disposal.

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow the companies to reduce the information they will report about the amount of their released toxic chemicals. EPA stated its intention of formulating a regulation involving Toxics Release Inventory emissions data to be reported every other year. Part of the new rule, about 24,000 installations are obliged to submit their reports on the hazardous wastes they release on air, land and water.

The article reports on the decision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to allow pesticides to be applied by farmers, ranchers and public health officials over and near bodies of water without obtaining a permit under the Clean Water Act. However, pesticide manufacturers want the EPA to widen the scope of its final rule beyond aquatic uses and forest canopy application. EPA clarifies that pesticides should comply with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

The article reports on Samsung's SilverCare washing machine which the company claims uses silver nanoparticles to kill 99.9 percent of odor-causing bacteria. The technology generates ions by applying current to two silver plates housed next to the machine's tub. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued a statement that the Samsung silver ion-generating washing machine is subject to registration requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.

The article reports that oral arguments in the case on global warming, Massachusetts v. EPA have been presented before the Supreme Court. The case involved the authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act to regulate greenhouse gases from new automobiles and trucks. The lawsuit was filed by 12 states and four jurisdictions and is led by Massachusetts.

The article reports on the possibility of phasing out the 10 remaining approved uses of insecticide azinphos-methyl (AZM) over the next six years as announced by the Environmental Protection Agency. According to EPA, the phaseout will facilitate the transition to safer alternatives and reduce risks to farm workers, pesticide applicators, and aquatic ecosystems.

The article reports on the $65,000 funding given to the National Association of College & University Business Officers (NACUBO) by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The grant is intended for the development of a Web-based center to help universities and colleges comply with environmental laws and to provide information on hazardous and solid waste management, drinking water and wastewater systems.

The article reports that three members of a panel that advises the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the management of commercial chemicals resigned as a bloc effective October 4, 2006. Leaving the 15-member panel are Richard A. Denison, senior scientist for Environmental Defense, Joseph H. Guth, executive director of the California League for Environmental Enforcement Now and Joel Ticker, assistant professor in the department of community health and sustainability.

The article reports that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear disputes on two key environmental cases and a lawsuit over punitive damages against a company. The Court will decide whether the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. On the other hand, a second Clean Air Act case is about the increasing annual emissions of Duke Energy Corp.

The article reports on the controversy from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new air quality standard for fine particulate matter. The EPA has retained the existing standard permitting a yearly average for fine particulate matter of 15 micrograms per cubic meter of air . It also lowered the daily maximum allowable amount of fine particulates to 35 micrograms per cubic meter of air. Health and environmental groups have called the limits insufficient for protecting the public.

The article reports that at least 100 members of the U.S. Congress have written to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urging it to allow states to adopt vehicle emission standards to reduce greenhouse gas levels. In California, standards requiring car and light truck carbon dioxide emissions to be lowered by nearly 30% have been adopted. To implement its standard, the state must receive a waiver from the EPA under section 209(b) of the Clean Air Act, which Congress has sought.

The article reports on the failure of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency check whether minority or poor neighborhoods are adversely affected by its policies and activities. The environmental justice reviews are required to see if policies have adverse health or environmental impacts on low-income communities. There is a need to identify which policies need environmental justice reviews according to the Office of the Inspector General.

The article highlights the benefits gained by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp. (CSC) in participating in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track program. CSC values the recognition from EPA for the Newport, Delaware-based pigment manufacturing facility's involvement in the program. For instance, within its three years of membership, CSC is committed to reduce energy use, emissions of nitrogen oxides and generation of solid waste.

The article reports that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ruled that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has failed to regulate hazardous air pollutants from smaller facilities and commercial and consumer products as required by Clean Air Act. The court has set a schedule that EPA must follow to catch up on regulation of hazardous air pollutants, also known as air toxics. The Congress has required EPA to regulate emissions of air toxics under the Clean Air Act.

The article reports that the U.S. Senate Environment & Public Works Committee on August 2, 2006 has examined the regulation of commercials chemicals of the Environmental Protection Agency under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Prior to this investigation, the Government Accountability Office issued a report critical to the agency's ability to manage chemicals and recommended changes to TSCA.

The article reports that the U.S. Supreme Court will review the Court of Appeal decision on the lawsuit filed by 12 states against the Environmental Protection Agency on regulating carbon dioxide emissions from motor vehicles. The court will be resolving whether the Clean Air Act compels the agency to regulate it as a pollutant to public health and welfare. This case is important to the states that have enacted laws that limit the emissions from vehicles in 2009.

The article reports that Senator Barbara Boxer has accused the Environmental Protection Agency of keeping information of hazardous waste cleanups from the public during the Senate Subcommitte on Superfund & Waste Management hearing in June 15 in the U.S. Boxer insisted that she received classified data about the operation, preventing her from sharing the documents to the members of Congress and the community.

The article reports that the Environmental Protection Agency has reaffirmed its March 2005 rule to control mercury releases from coal–fired plants through an emission–trading scheme in the U.S.

The article reports that representatives of the American Council on Education, universities, and a research institution have suggested that the Environmental Protection Agency should set a performance-based standard for the management of academic chemical waste.

The article reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has changed its emissions plan requirement on March 31, 2006. The changes means that the deviations has no longer constitutes a violation of the Clean Air Act. Furthermore, EPA expects a number of facilities to depart from their plan.

The article reports on the ruling of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that toxicity and degradation tests be conducted by manufacturers, importers and processors of 17 high-production-volume (HPV) chemicals. Basic toxicity information is being sought by the EPA. Data for the compounds are volunteered to be produced by chemical firms through the HPV Challenge Program, launched in 1998 by the EPA.

The article reports on the insufficiency of the current regulatory framework to deal with the issues raised by nanotechnology. J. Clarence Davies, former assistant administrator at Environmental Protection Agency, argues for improved oversight of the emerging field. Davies claims that revising existing laws such as Toxic Substances Control Act will likely require new laws. He cites that the use of nanotechnology in consumer products should be needing new laws. The reports also finds that regulatory egencies that would be monitoring nanotechnology issues are severely understaffed and unable to properly do their jobs.

The article reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has adopted a standard for renewable fuel that requires 2.78 percent of the gasoline sold or dispensed to motorists in 2006. This standard is the first step in EPA renewable-fuel program. It aims to reduce vehicle emissions and strengthen energy security by doubling the use of fuels produced from crops. Some refineries, blenders and importers are collectively responsible for meeting the program requirements for 2006.

The article reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has required chemical manufacturers to report key production information to the agency every five years instead of every four years. Several chemical companies and trade associations have supported this change. This change would allow companies to save money while still meeting the agency's basic requirements.

The article reports on the disappointment of industry and public advocates with the proposal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to tighten national standards for fine particles that pollute air. Industry groups, including the American Chemistry Council say more research is needed before EPA strengthens its 1997 standards for fine particulate matter in air. Health groups such as the American Lung Association, as well as environmental activists and some state regulators, say the proposal does not go far enough to protect the public from the heart and lung ailments linked to breathing in particulate matter.

The article urges the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)to propose legislation that would address issues relating to the recycling of used electronic equipment. The Government Accounting Office also advises that EPA take actions to ensure that discarded electronic devices exported overseas are actually reused and disposed properly.

The article offers updates on policies relating to the U.S. chemical and engineering industries. Environmental Protection Agency rules were responsible for a majority of both the costs and benefits of major government regulations issued between 1995 and 2004, according to the Office of Management and Budget. The number of doctor of philosophy degree in science and engineering fields rose in 2004, according to a report by the National Science Foundation. A human rights complaint was filed against the U.S. for contributing to global warming by people of the Arctic.

The article reports the assertion by the U.S. Congressional Research Service that the Environmental Protection Agency's recent analysis of legislation to cut air pollution is faulty. Some of the reasons cited are: the analysis is inclined toward the Clear Skies initiative by President George W. Bush; and the agency assumed that only congressional passage of legislation would cut utility emissions.

Reports that the Environmental Protection Agency has finally proposed regulations to govern use of humans to test the toxicity of pesticides in the U.S. Prohibition of the intentional dosing of pregnant women and children to set pesticides standards; Need for researchers to comply with current ethical standards for research conducted by the federal government; Contact information.

Reports on developments related to government policy on chemicals in the U.S. Implementation of the rules of the Environmental Protection Agency that require production of lower volatility summer gasoline.

Reports on the need for the Environmental Protection Agency to tighten its initiative aimed at eliminating toxic pollutants in Great Lakes according to the Government Accountability Office. Uncertainty of the agency whether the states bordering the lakes are consistent in implementing the 1995 Great Lakes Initiative.

Reports that the Environmental Protection Agency has updated its methods for calculating penalties for certain environmental violations in the U.S. Efforts of the agency to recoup both the economic benefit a company gets from violating environmental standards.