A broad coalition of nearly 250 U.S. building industry companies and organizations representing thousands of workers is urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to rescind its recent proposal that could allow increased use of asbestos.
In a
letter sent to Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler
, the group said that, “[t]he Agency’s rule places many of our fellow workers in the construction trades at risk of greater exposure to asbestos. . . The last thing we need to do is create additional danger for these workers by allowing for increased use of asbestos.”
More . .
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National Law Review
Sept 5, 2018
On August 29, 2018, the Democrats on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce issued a
press release
announcing that they have renewed their request for a hearing on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) implementation of the amendments made by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
The Democrats note this is the fourth request they have made for hearings to be held on EPA’s management of toxic chemicals. According to the press release, the Democrats “remain concerned that EPA’s implementation of the reformed TSCA program contradicts the new law’s language and intent and undermines public confidence in the program.” The press release states that the Democrats “are concerned that EPA is ignoring its own scientific evidence and the recommendations of its experienced career staff regarding TSCA implementation at the expense of public health.
More…
E&E News
Aug 31, 2018
The White House said today the president had picked David Vela, the superintendent of Grand Teton National Park, to become the new director of the National Park Service and Alexandra Dapolito Dunn to lead EPA's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.
More...
Center for Biological Diversity
Sept 6, 2018
Five climate and energy-conservation groups today sued the Tennessee Valley Authority for imposing discriminatory electricity rates that discourage homeowners and businesses from investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Today’s lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of Alabama, notes that the utility’s new fixed “grid-access charge” will, for the first time, require its customers to pay a mandatory electricity fee regardless of their energy usage. Such fixed fees make rooftop solar less cost-effective.
M
ore...
NEW IN CONGRESS
Latest Action: Approved by
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
AGENCY ACTIONS
EPA
Aug 31, 2018
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing three distinct actions, including Emission Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Existing Electric Utility Generating Units (EGUs). First, EPA is proposing to replace the Clean Power Plan (CPP) with revised emissions guidelines (the Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) rule) that inform the development, submittal, and implementation of state plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission from certain EGUs. In the proposed emissions.
Dept of Energy
Sept 5, 2018
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) announces public meetings for the variable refrigerant flow multi-split air conditioners and heat pumps (VRF multi-split systems) working group.
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Sept 5, 2018
IMLS is soliciting comments concerning a plan to conduct a research study entitled “The Social Well-being Impact (SWI) of Libraries and Museums Study”. The study will be designed to demonstrate the impact of libraries and museums on community well-being.
