SMG POV
National Climate Assessment
May 9, 2014
On Tuesday, the White House released the latest National Climate Assessment addressing everything from natural disasters to changes in infrastructure development driven by climate change. The 829 page report is broken up into sections highlighting impacts of climate change on various sectors of the economy, while also focusing on impacts to different regions of the […]
Improvements made in the EPA’s IRIS Program
May 8, 2014
The National Academy of Sciences Report concludes that EPA has made significant improvements to the IRIS system, but still has more to do. Recommendations include peer reviewed handbook, involvement of outside experts when required and clear identification of team members. The report also recommends a clear protocol for assessments to be developed. Science Daily News […]
Kentucky Responds to EPA’s Proposed 111(b) Rule for Power Plants
May 7, 2014
On March 27, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published proposed carbon pollution standards for new electric generating units at power plants. The goal of these standards is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new, modified, and reconstructed power plants under Section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act. Needless to say, there were many interested […]
Supreme Court’s Decision could affect Cross-State Air Pollution Rule
May 6, 2014
On April 29, 2013, the Supreme Court revived an Environmental Protection Agency regulation that reinstates limits on power-plant pollution that blows across state lines. The decision was a defeat to electric utilities that opposed the effort as costly regulatory overreach. The 6-2 ruling breathes new life into a 2011 EPA measure known as the Cross-State […]
TSCA Reform
April 30, 2014
Reform of the nation’s chemical law known as, the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) has been talked about for some time. A new piece of legislation known as “Next Generation Compliance” could facilitate the EPA’s enforcement strategy. A combination of the need for TSCA reform and the Agency’s enforcement strategy could result in more opportunities […]