EPA's New Soot Rule Will Save Lives, Health Care Costs, and the Environment
Jan 29, 2013
In December 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a new national clean air standard for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5), commonly referred to as soot. These microscopic particles are often emitted from diesel engines and power plants. When inhaled, the particles lodge deep inside the lungs and can cause asthma, acute bronchitis, heart attack, stroke, and even premature death, especially in vulnerable populations such as children and the elderly. EPA moved forward to strengthen the standard after new data confirmed that the standard set in 1997 did not adequately protect the public.
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Regulatory Delay in 2012
Dec 18, 2012
Congressional opponents of public protections spent much of 2012 attempting to increase the procedural hurdles to establishing new rules that would implement federal laws and standards. Efforts to attack the scientific evidence employed by agencies continued. Both efforts are likely to re-emerge next year.
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The Future of Long-Awaited Public Protections in Obama's Second Term
Nov 27, 2012
Many speculate that the Obama administration avoided publishing controversial rules during the election season. However, corporate interests that have been fighting against stronger standards continue to do so, and advocates for stronger protections are waiting to see if the administration will act more aggressively to protect public health and the environment in its second term.
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Another Need in the Aftermath of Sandy: Toxic Soup Testing
Nov 6, 2012
In Hurricane Sandy's aftermath, government agencies have acted quickly to save lives and restore power and other basic essentials for those impacted by the storm. As recovery continues, federal and state agencies will be addressing another growing problem: the noxious materials such as oil, toxic chemicals, and raw sewage that the storm has released into waterways. The health of residents and first responders will depend on knowing what's around them so they can take proper precautions and mitigate risks.
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Government Accountability Office Report Debunks Industry Criticism of New Federal Fracking Rules
Oct 23, 2012
As of Oct. 15, oil and gas operators must notify the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) via e-mail two days in advance of extracting natural gas from a hydraulically fractured or refractured well. This notification requirement is part of EPA's new Clean Air Act (CAA) standards, which will reduce emissions from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during natural gas production by requiring "green completions" after January 2015. Industry opposes the standards, but a new report shows they are crucial to protecting the public.
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No Movement on Coal Ash Protections Despite Mounting Evidence of Danger
Oct 23, 2012
This December will mark the four-year anniversary of a massive spill in Tennessee that sparked new calls for the regulation of coal ash, a toxic waste produced when coal is burned. Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed options for regulating coal ash in 2010, little progress has been made toward issuing comprehensive national standards. Environmental groups have asked the courts to force the agency to act while bills attempting to thwart new standards have been moving through Congress. This impasse may continue until after the upcoming elections. The failure to provide adequate standards for coal ash is increasingly alarming as new studies continue to highlight its dangers.
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Celebrating a Public Protections Milestone: The 40th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act
Oct 10, 2012
Oct. 18 marks the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, a crucial law that protects the nation's water from pollution. Congress passed the landmark legislation at a time when much of our water was so contaminated by industrial waste and other pollutants that it was unfit for public use. By setting ambitious goals for the cleanup of contaminated waters, the Clean Water Act led to dramatic improvements in water quality and serious reductions in industrial pollution. As we celebrate the significant successes of the Clean Water Act, however, we must remain focused on responding to current and future threats to water quality.
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Agency Proposal Would Reduce the Public's Right to Know about the Fish Population
Oct 10, 2012
Our nation's ocean wildlife and fish are a public resource, and citizens should be able to track the impact of fishing on fish populations. But a new proposal from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will greatly reduce the public's access to essential fisheries data, including taxpayer-funded programs. Restricting public access to fisheries data could erode scientific integrity, transparency, and public participation in government decisions and eventually lead to poorer management of fisheries.
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Underestimating the Benefits of Public Protections
Oct 10, 2012
In a September article, OMB Watch highlighted how difficult it is for everyday Americans to find information on the benefits of the standards and safeguards that protect and improve our quality of life. In this piece, we describe how agencies identify benefits and assign a monetary value to them. If agencies either underestimate or undervalue the benefits of a proposed safeguard, it could be rejected by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), and important protections could be delayed for years, leaving the health and safety of American workers and families at risk.
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House Passes Anti-Environmental Package before Recess
Sep 25, 2012
On Sept. 21, the House passed a package of anti-environmental bills in a last-ditch effort to further the majority’s regulatory reform agenda before adjourning until after the November elections. The legislation includes many measures already approved by the House that would limit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ability to curb pollution and protect our natural resources.
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