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The article offers updates related to environmental protection initiatives in the U.S. President Barack Obama and his administration has expressed their intention to strengthen air pollution and mercury policies for the optimization of environmental enforcement. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed implementation of the 1997 8-Hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality standards. The McIlvaine Co. reveals that the $6 billion stimulus package for water industry is expected to improve and expand water infrastructure projects which includes clean and purified water.

The article offers news briefs related to the environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released an interim policy that offers reduced penalties to business owners who report environmental violations early. The website www.imvotingfor.org is launched to solicit comments and videos from students at campuses in the U.S. The European Union (EU) has proposed to require new cars to achieve average emissions of less than 120 kg per kilometer of carbon dioxide (CO2).

The article discusses issues related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) use of cost figures when calculating the benefit versus the cost of a proposed rule or to establishing standards. A study conducted by the Associated Press revealed that the EPA has lowered the cost of a proposed rule by almost $1 million over the last five years in their calculations. According to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the EPA overstepped its authority by implementing the cap-and-trade rule for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide.

The article discusses the significance of the Pollution Prevention Act establish by the Environmental Protection Agency in 1990. According to the article, the act is the national policy created to prevent or reduce pollution at the source whatever feasible. The Congress states that the U.S. emits millions of tons of pollution annually and spends tens of billions of dollars per year controlling it. When the law is enacted, it further admitted that there had been a lack of attention to source reduction historically, but that it was fundamentally more desirable than waste management and pollution control.

The article offers information on how to help ensure accuracy and stability of protocol gases in the U.S. Ten tips are suggested in preventing problems with calibration gases. The first tip suggests reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency list of approved Protocol Gas Verification Program vendors. Furthermore, it implies to make sure that gases are within the expiration dates, as well as to ask the vendors to make gases directly traceable to National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or the national measurement institute (NMi) gases. It was believed that proper planning and handling of protocol gases could potentially save costs. INSET: Seven Tips for Understanding and Implementing the EPA's….

The article reports on the ongoing regulatory procedure to implement the best available retrofit technology (BART) under the regional haze provisions of the Clean Air Act. It cites the legal basis of the regional haze rule. It defines BART and its covered entities. It clarifies how the various states will apply BART under the revised state implementation plans set by the Environmental Protection Agency. It shows BART alternatives and steps to take into account by facilities which fall under BART coverage.

Focuses on the United States Environmental Protection Agency's proposed framework for its Voluntary Children's Chemical Evaluation Program (VCCEP). Availability of the straw proposal on the Internet; Selection of candidate chemicals; Proposed VCCEP test battery. INSET: VCCEP: The Impact On You.

Suggests another plausible approach to manage and control the environment. Progress attained by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the traditional command-and-control approach; Need to reorient policies through a market-based approach; Types of market-based alternatives; Costs and benefits; Barriers to implementation.

The article highlights the impact of the changes to Environmental Protection Agency's (EPAs) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead in the U.S. It states that proximity of the sampler to source emissions and populations, meteorological conditions and background conditions must be considered to assess the potential risks of airborne lead. It notes that the changes in federal regulations will require majority of facilities to reassess their monitoring programs to ensure compliance.

The article reports on the claim of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that scientists are wrong about perchlorate causing health risks and that it is not necessary to treat it. The agency ruled out that perchlorate will not result in health risk reduction for persons served by public-water systems. Opponents of the decision argue that EPA's decision was driven by pressures from the Pentagon. Meanwhile, two companies have been fined by EPA for failure to comply with a provision of the Clean Air Act.

The article focuses on the establishment of a new maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standard set by the Environmental Protection Agency for chemical manufacturers in the U.S. The author discuss the importance of making new system for chemical companies to meet the new MACT standards and installation of several equipment to upgrade the current system used by chemical companies. Moreover, he talks about the options in complying with the standards as well as the proposals for installing a venturi or hydrop scubber in wet electrostatic precipitator.

The article reports on developments regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA has reported that 71 facilities in 29 U.S. states and Puerto Rico have promised to enhance their environmental performance based on the National Environmental Performance Track program. A report from EPA has revealed that air quality in 21 eastern states and the District of Columbia has improved because of its NOx SIP Call rule. Meanwhile, because of air emission violations of ethylene oxide, Cosmed Group Inc. will be paying a $500,000 civil penalty and will be spending an additional $1 million for supplemental environmental projects.

Profiles some of the most useful United States Environmental Protection Agency Web sites available to air quality professionals. National Ambient Air Quality Standards program; Web address of state implementation program sites; Permits and compliances sites.

States that the United States Environmental Protection Agency will not be accepting the Year 2000 date conversion problem as an excuse for permit violations beginning January 1, 2000. Efforts to disseminate information about the Y2K to municipal and private facilities; Need for operators to test their systems; Effect of the Y2K problem to wastewater treatment plants. INSET: Suggested Web sites providing Y2K information..

The article reports on the proposal of the government agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to change the Obama-era-federal regulation for power plant coal-ash disposal enacted in 2015 after several major spills in the U.S. It states that the agency has published the first of two rule amendment aimed at saving more than 400 coal-fired plants nationwide. However, environmentalists expressed concern that the changes will allow states to set less stringent standards.

The article reports on the U.S. state's participation in the implementation of plans from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) statewide and federal programs from greenhouse (GHGs) to New Source Review (NSR). It highlights the EPA's official proposal for regulating greenhouse gases on August 12, 2010 in support to the Clean Air Act framework. It elaborates the 2011 GHG Tailoring Rule and the industrial requisition for air permit.

The article reports on the postponement in implementation of the Spill Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule which is expected to take effect on November 10, 2011 for the completion of SPCC requirements for offshore oil industries. It discusses the threats to environment caused by oil drilling industry's oil spills and other pollution issues which opted the implementation of SPCC requirements for owners or operators of offshore facilities. It cites the purpose of the SPCC rule.

The article discusses the new protocol for gas verification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It explores on the necessity of the regulation to be mandated in every gas vendor to supply products that is at least ±2 percent accurate from the tag value of the cylinder contents, however, the user needs of the EPA protocol gas has to make a contract with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Moreover, it notes on how the program works including a payment for the participation of gas manufacturers and vendors in the Protocol Gas Verification Program (PGVP).

The article offers information on the issuance of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final rule that adds the category of lead and lead compounds to the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976 (TSCA) Section 8(d)-model HsSDR rule in the U.S. Such a move was requested by the TSCA Interagency Testing Committee (ITC) in its 60th report. The new rule obliged manufacturers including importers of consumer products intended for use by children to report certain unpublished health and safety data to the EPA.

The article offers information about Environmental Protection Agency's clean fuels programs in the U.S. It revealed that the scheme exceeded expectation in their ability to reduce ozone pollutants and other air toxics. Data collected between 1995 and 2005 show that emission reductions were significantly greater than the regulatory requirements which was attributed to reformulated gasoline (RFG) and anti-dumping programs EPA instituted. Topics tackled on the report include gasoline sulfur decreases, RFG nitrogen oxide reductions exceed requirements, RFG toxics reductions exceed requirements and conventional gasoline NOx.

The article reports on the five-four decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to reject a position of the President George W. Bush Administration. It states that greenhouse gas emissions did not constitute pollutants as defined in the Clean Air Act. The Supreme Court decided motor-vehicle emissions make a "meaningful contribution to greenhouse gas concentrations" and to global warming. Moreover, the court ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reevaluate its contention that has the discretion not to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

The article reports on the lawsuit filed by several U.S. states against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Over a dozen states have joined in a case against the agency, which seeks to demand the agency to lower the allowed soot levels from smokestacks and exhaust pipes. According to Eliot Spitzer, New York attorney-general, the states were responding to studies that showed the fine material from soot contributes to premature death, asthma attacks and chronic respiratory disease, leading to higher health costs. Furthermore, the states want to reduce the limit by 1 microgram or 2 micrograms of soot allowed per cubic foot of air.

The article reports on the proposal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding toxic air reduction in the country. EPA has proposed an amendment to the air toxics standards general provisions section to invite industrial facilities to reduce air toxic emissions and change their designation as a primary source. In addition, the proposed amendment would allow a major source to become an area source at any time by limiting its potential to emit hazardous air pollutants to below the major source thresholds.

The article reports on the plan of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to gather data on air emissions on 6,000 animal feeding operations (AFO's) in the U.S. According to Granta Y. Nakayama, EPA assistant administrator, the AFO's agreements would ensure air compliance faster than its enforcement action. The AFO's would pay penalty based on the number of animals maintained at the operation and must comply with regulations such as Clean Air Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

The article reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is moving into two so-called green buildings. Living up to its core mission to protect human health and the environment, the agency is moving its operations and more than 1,600 employees in two state-of-the-science, environment-friendly buildings in Arlington, Virginia. The agency insisted on making large and small innovations during the design and planning stages. EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson said the agency is heeding President George W. Bush's call to green the nation's building practices. The buildings have received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification.

The article reports on the initiative of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in requiring all companies to have a hazardous material plan in case of spill emergencies. The government stated that liability is an important incentive mechanism, one that is seeing increasing use in environmental policy. The agency has developed Section 3008 of the Resource and Recovery Act which allows for civil penalties up to $35,500 per day and could also include criminal penalties and additional fines for each violation.

The article reports on the proposal of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lower standards for particulate matter (PM). The proposed modifications will substantially tighten short-term exposure to high levels of fine PM by almost 50%. Inhalable PM 24-hour standard is also being proposed for reduction to 70 micrograms per cubic meter. Research has demonstrated a link between PM and various cardiovascular and respiratory problems. The Clean Air Act mandates the EPA to undertake a periodic review of air quality standards. Particle standards were last updated in 1997.

The article reports on the proposed cleanup of the Great Lakes. An accord among local, state and federal officials proposed a $20 billion budget over a 15-year period for the project cleanup. The project proposes to restore wetlands and critical natural habitats, upgrade municipal sewerage systems, control invasive species, and remediate environmental toxic hot spots, tainted wetlands and tributaries. The proposal stemmed from a decision of the Environmental Protection Agency in 2005 to form a venture to coordinate the cleanup.

The article offers practical steps for manufacturing facilities to avoid having to obtain a stormwater permit in the United States. It discusses the main purpose of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) stormwater management program. Manufacturing facilities should demonstrate to EPA or the state agencies that their activities do not actually impact the stormwater quality. The EPA's no-exposure exclusion is applicable to industrial facilities located in states or territories where EPA is the permitting authority. The article discusses how to determine if a manufacturing facility is truly qualified for no-exposure with respect to stormwater.

The article describes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed rule that would prohibit new third-party intentional dosing studies for pesticides involving pregnant women or children as subjects, as well as first- and second-party intentional dosing studies of any substance involving pregnant women or children as subjects. EPA lists four actions applicable to human research conducted by third parties. During a stakeholder briefing on September 7, 2005, EPA stated that it believes its proposed rule consistent with the 2004 National Academy of Sciences report on intentional human dosing studies.

The article elucidates on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) policy entitled "Policy Regarding Acceptance of New Commitments to the High Production Volume (HPV) Challenge Program," which focuses on how companies can commit to sponsor one of the remaining orphan chemicals which currently have no sponsors under the HPV Chemical Challenge Program. For producers of orphan chemicals, the failure to sponsor such chemicals will cause the issuance of final and effective Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a) and 8(d) rules. Failure to submit the information required could trigger EPA to initiate enforcement action. After the review of submitted data, EPA may take steps to regulate a particular chemical if needed.

The staff of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) made recommendations for the agency management to revise the current particulate matter standards for fine particles and the inhalable portion of coarse particles, based on evidence that suggests to EPA scientists that more protection is needed than is provided under current air standards. The air quality standards for PM under the Clean Air Act were first established in 1971. The agency significantly changed the standards in 1987, when they changed the indicator of the standards to regulate inhalable particles smaller than, or equal to, 10 micrometers in diameter. In 1997, EPA again revised the PM standards and established a separate standard for fine particles. EPA released its second draft staff paper on the assessment of PM standards in January 2005 which recommends changing EPA's health-based standards for coarse particles to avoid double-regulating fine particles.

Reports that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to provide $1.6 million in grants for diesel engine retrofit projects. EPA Clean Diesel Campaign grants; Wide variety of projects, including construction, agriculture and port equipment, waste haulers, locomotives, fire trucks and ambulances; Grant recipients located in large and small communities across the country.

The article focuses on the new Web site of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that offers environmental policies and best practices from countries around the world. The online global library provides links to journals, databases, guidelines, programs and case studies involving innovations in air, toxics, waste and water issues. The site provides links to multi-media approaches, including environmental management systems, sustainable transport smart growth and industrial ecology.

Focuses on the policy statement purposely for environmental management systems (EMS) issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Definition of EMS according to EPA; Initiatives aimed at testing EMS to achieve superior environmental performance; Potential benefits associated with EMS.

Offers ways to use U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) web site, www.epa.gov. Interpretation of EPA regulations; Obtaining of copies of EPA's compliance audit protocols; EPA's Enforcement and Compliance History Online; EPA's Self Audit Policy; Official policy on the Environmental Management System; Links on EPA's web site.

Summarizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's request for comments and recommendations on national enforcement compliance assurance priorities. Background information on the Strategic Plan released by the agency in October 2003; Program priorities identified in a "Federal Register" notice; Opportunity that the request for comment provides for companies dissatisfied with the agency's priorities.

Reports on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's release of compliance assurance and enforcement results for fiscal year 2003 showing that environmental benefits increased an estimated 131 percent over fiscal year 2002. Total volume of estimated pollutants reduced, treated, or managed; U.S. Department of Justice's release of results on the recovery of civil penalties in environmental cases during 2003.

Focuses on various environmental activities of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Information on the RCRA Brownfields Prevention Program of the EPA; Action of the EPA on the case of subsurface hydrocarbon contamination caused by the operation of the Texas Refinery; Action of EPA on the case of the University of Virginia as a suspected lead contaminated facility; Information on EPA's Brownfields Technology Support Center program; On-line database of EPA.

Reports on the performance of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for 2000 and the first quarter of 2001. Enforcement of environmental laws; Amounts of injunctive relief for cleanups, monitoring improvements and additional environmental improvements in fiscal 2000 and the first quarter of 2001.

Previews how United States President George W. Bush and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christine Whitman plan to handle water arsenic levels and other water pollution issues during their terms. Wastewater regulation; Water infrastructure; Total maximum daily loads; Sanitary sewer overflows. INSET: Funding Water Infrastructure.

Reports that the United States Environmental Protection Agency is planning to expand its list of acceptable substitutes for ozone-depleting substances under its Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. Information about different acceptable substitutes for ozone-depleting substances listed under the federal agency's SNAP program.

Discusses the efforts of the United States Environmental Protection Agency to safeguard electronic data of the industry. Creation of the Office of Environmental Information; Tasks and services of the office; Statistical analysis efforts of the EPA; Principles espoused by the office.

Focuses on the proposed expansion of hazardous waste listings by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Wastes generated from inorganic chemical manufacturing processes; Implementation of a court-ordered requirement under the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) case; List of wastes evaluated by EPA as required by the EDF case.

Discusses criticisms against the voluntary compliance program of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Calls for a more incentive-based approach; Regulatory and policy initiatives that emphasize voluntary cooperation of regulated industries; Coercive nature of programs; Court ruling suggesting that the enforcement of a voluntary regulatory program may violate statutory and constitutional protection.

Discusses the changes effected by the United States Environmental Protection Agency to its policy on `Incentives For Self-Policing: Discovery, Disclosure, Correction and Prevention of Violations.' Basic structure and terms of the original policy; Key revisions made; Evaluation and extensive public outreach programs undertaken; Impact on industries covered by the guidelines. INSET: The Toxic Top 10.

Reports that the United States Environmental Protection Agency has begun formal program reviews of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's air, water and waste programs. Organizations that filed a petition asking the federal agency to withdraw the state's authorization to enforce the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Amendments to the petition.

Examines the United States Environmental Protection Agency's proposal of its Hazardous Waste Identification Rule 99 in response to a court order to revise the `mixture and derived-from rules' promulgated in 1980 and vacated in 1991. Policies governing the disposal of waste mixtures and derived-from wastes; Exemption options; Risk assessment; Analysis of chemicals reasonably expected to be present in waste.

Informs on the aftermath of a United States court decision restricting the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) overfiling authority. Department of Justice's filing for a rehearing in behalf of the EPA; States that filed a friend-of-the-court brief supporting EPA's petition; Case of `Harmon Industries v. Browner'; Concern that decision could harm environmental enforcement.

Focuses on the New Source Review (NSR) and Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) regulations of the 1990 Clean Air Act in the United States (US). US Environmental Protection Agency's plan to reform the NSR and PSD programs; Agency's campaign to identify violators; Need for facility owners and operators to review past physical and operational changes.