The possession of marijuana in California is not always a criminal offense. First time possession can be an infraction; California also has drug diversion programs. And, of course, California has legalized "medical marijuana", which has been... Read More
Prior posts have noted that the San Joaquin Valley AQMD has developed an indirect source rule that takes into account secondary emissions from project development and operational activities. The Los Angeles AQMB has started work on such a rule. In addition... Read More
The Dec. 13, 2008, post noted that EPA had notified 211 counties nationwide that they were in violation of the PM2.5 24-hour standard (24-Hour Fine Particle [PM 2.5] National Ambient Air Quality Standards). It was noted that EPA was in the process of... Read More
A prior post noted that EPA was proposing a new rule pertaining to emissions from large storage tanks at refineries. EPA has now issued a final rule that applies to both large storage tanks and heat exchangers at refineries. See http://www.epa.gov/ttn... Read More
In a Dec. 31, 2008, Federal Register notice (73 Fed. Reg. 80,300), EPA took the position that it is not required to consider CO2 emissions when issuing permits under the CAA's prevention of significant deterioration program. The rationale for the... Read More
As noted in prior posts, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have instituted a program to reduce the emission of diesel exhaust from trucks in and about the harbors. The American Trucking Association has sought unsuccessfully to block the program... Read More
As noted in prior posts, California has an ozone problem is several areas of the State. Tropospheric ozone formation occurs when nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) react in the atmosphere in the presence... Read More
Prior posts have noted the variety of adverse health effects from traffic generated air pollutants, particularly from PM10 and PM2.5 particulate matter. As noted in these prior posts, one of the effects seen is an increase in systemic inflammation. ... Read More
As noted in a 3/24/08 post, the D.C. Court of Appeals overturned an attempt by the Bush Administration to deregulate mercury emissions from coal- and oil-fired power plants, and to establish a cap-and-trade system in lieu of emissions standards. The dispute... Read More
Four international organizations (U.N. Environment Program, U.N. International Energy Agency, International Transport Forum of the OECD, and the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile Foundation (FIA), an association under the governing body of... Read More
EPA has proposed a comprehensive system for reporting emissions of greenhouse gases (e.g., CO2, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and nitrous oxide) produced by major sources in the United States. Approximately 13,000 facilities, accounting for about 85 percent... Read More
Prior posts have noted studies of the adverse health impacts of exposure to the airborne waste products of the collapse of the World Trade Center twin towers. A new study has found that as a result of exposure to 9-11 events and airborne wastes, as many... Read More
A recent report by the Environmental Defense Fund alleges that oceangoing ships are responsible for (1) more than 54,000 tons of fine particulate matter (which EDF alleges is equivalent to the emissions from 117 coal-fired power plants; or, stated another... Read More
Prior posts have reviewed a number of cases at the District Court and Court of Appeals level in which a petitioner has claimed that EPA should have objected to the issuance of a permit because of one or more failings by the power company, frequently involving... Read More
EPA will require States to provide a broader inventory of emission sources to support claims of "reasonable further progress" that rely on emission reductions achieved outside of a designated nonattainment area. See 74 Fed. Reg. 40,074 . The... Read More