Clean Air Act

Once a Superfund site. TheoFoss Waterway in Tacoma, Washington. Image by Cynthia Shahan | CleanTechnica.

EPA’s Carbon Standards Are a Powerful Tool

The EPA’s standards to curb carbon emissions from power plants are crucial to addressing climate change. Strong and comprehensive rules are needed to address this major source of carbon pollution. Power plants are the nation’s second-largest source of carbon emissions after transportation, and, after years of delay, the U.S. Environmental … [continued]

U.S. EPA to Evaluate Whether Lead Emissions from Piston-Engine Aircraft Endanger Human Health & Welfare

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced yesterday that it will evaluate whether emissions from piston-engine aircraft operating on leaded fuel contribute to air pollution that endangers public health and welfare. The agency plans to issue a proposal for public review and comment in 2022 and take final … [continued]

EPA to Reexamine Health Standards for Harmful Soot that Trump Administration Left Unchanged

Originally published on EPA. This week, EPA announced that it will reconsider the previous administration’s decision to retain the particulate matter (PM) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), which were last strengthened in 2012. EPA is reconsidering the December 2020 decision because available scientific evidence and technical information indicate that … [continued]

The US CLEAN Future Act — What’s In It?

Originally published on WRI’s Resource Institute Blog. By  Dan Lashof, Devashree Saha, Karl Hausker, Greg Carlock, Kevin Kennedy, and Tyler Clevenger  U.S. Representative Frank Pallone, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, together with subcommittee chairs Bobby Rush and Paul Tonko, introduced the CLEAN Future Act on March 2, 2021. While numerous climate bills are introduced … [continued]

What’s Next for State Climate Action in the US? 7 Areas to Watch

Originally published on WRI’s Blog. By Devashree Saha, Tom Cyrs and Alex Rudee  The Biden administration has committed to a historically ambitious climate agenda. We can expect a profound shift in U.S. federal climate policy — from one of continued domestic rollbacks and international disengagement, to one of forward progress and cooperation. This is critical, … [continued]

Clearing The Air With New Truck Regulations

Originally published on the NRDC Expert Blog. By Shelby Parks & Patricio Portillo  The trucking industry has an outsized impact on toxic air pollution and carbon emissions. Luckily, states can now adopt two new regulations to address the issue: the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule, which ensures more zero-emission, electric trucks are sold … [continued]