EPA today released updated interim drinking water health advisories for PFOA and PFOS. The health advisory level was previously 70 ppt (parts per trillion) for the total of PFOA and PFOS. The updated interim health advisory levels are now 0.004 ppt for PFOA and 0.020 ppt for PFOS, three orders of magnitude lower. EPA’s health
EPA Issues An Enforcement Alert to Metal Recycling Facilities to Address VOC Emissions
EPA recently issued an Enforcement Alert to owners and operators of metal recycling facilities about high levels of VOC emissions that have been identified at a number of large shredders. The issue of VOC emissions from metal shredders has not previously been well known or understood. EPA is now publicly acknowledging the issue and, finally,
U.S. House Passes Bill Requiring EPA to Regulate PFAS Compounds
On July 21, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the PFAS Action Act of 2011, requiring EPA to establish nationwide drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS, two of the thousands of PFAS compounds. EPA has previously established non-enforceable drinking water health advisories for PFOA and PFOS of 70 ppt.
The bill also
EPA Information Collection Request
EPA is accepting comments on an information collection request (ICR), NSPS for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills, submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Comments will be accepted until March 1, 2021 and should be submitted online using www.regulations.gov or by email to docket.oeaca@epa.gov referencing Docket ID Number EPA=HQ-OECA-2020-0203.
EPA Publishes Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of PFAS
On December 18, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Materials Containing Perfluoroalkyl and
Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The Interim Guidance is not a rule or statement of policy, but presents currently available information on PFAS destruction and disposal, as
DOJ Ends the Longstanding use of SEPs in Civil Penalty Settlements
The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a memorandum, dated March 12, 2020, ending a long-standing practice of allowing companies to reduce civil penalties by performing Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs). DOJ states in the memo that SEPs violate the Miscellaneous Receipts Act (MRA), 31 U.S.C. § 3302, which requires funds received on behalf of the
The Chicago Ozone Nonattainment Area Status Has Become a Moving Target
The ink is barely dry on the reclassification of the Chicago ozone nonattainment area from moderate to serious, under the 2008 ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) intends to seek redesignation to attainment. According to IEPA staff, the agency has data supporting a request for redesignation to
U.S. Supreme Court to Review Whether CERCLA Pre-empts Common Law Claims for Restoration
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday stated that it would review a case filed by property owners in Montana state court seeking restoration damages that were beyond the clean-up activities required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). In the case, Atlantic Richfield Co. v.
EPA Determines That Additional Federal Regulation of Fracking Waste Not Necessary – Leaving it to the States
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a decision last week stating that revisions to the federal regulations for the management of wastes from the exploration, development, and production of crude oil, natural gas, and geothermal energy (i.e. oil and gas wastes from hydraulic fracturing and directional drilling) are not necessary at this time. EPA
Time to Start Planning: Chicago Ozone Nonattainment Area Bump-Up is Coming in Early 2019
The Chicago-Naperville, IL-IN-WI ozone nonattainment area failed to attain the 2008 ozone NAAQS by the attainment date of July 20, 2018. The area, which is currently classified as “Moderate” for the 2008 ozone NAAQS, will automatically be bumped-up to a “Serious” classification upon the effective date of the final reclassification notice. The Chicago area joins
Countdown to the June 30, 2018 E-Manifest Launch: What You Need To Know About Registering for E-Manifest
With EPA’s e-Manifest set to officially launch on June 30, 2018, companies need to begin preparing to register for the system. Here is the latest information from EPA about how the registration will work.
All receiving facilities must have an EPA ID number by June 30, 2018, regardless of whether they will be using paper