Recent Developments from the Environmental Protection Agency 1/29/2004
From: John Millett of the EPA, 202-564-7842 or millett.john@epa.gov WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 -- The following are recent developments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: -- NAS Report Outlines Air Quality Progress, Future Challenges -- Recommending steps to steadily strengthen the nation's clean air program in the face of anticipated challenges, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has issued a report that provides an in-depth study of EPA's air quality management under the Clean Air Act. The report acknowledges the progress EPA has made in the implementation of the Act and the substantial air quality improvement since the early 1970s. In particular the report highlights the reductions that have resulted from the control of industrial facilities and cars and trucks, and the effectiveness of "cap and trade programs" in achieving emission reductions. The report makes a broad range of recommendations for improving the nations air quality system. Many of these recommendations reinforce the direction that EPA has been taking in recent years. For example, developing integrated multi-pollutant approaches to control pollutant emissions, and applying "cap and trade" programs to control air pollution. While the report provides a number of specific proposals for improving the air quality management system, the report points out that much of the system is good and warrants retaining. The NAS supports the gradual evolution of EPA's program and encourages ongoing air quality management activities. The Academy acknowledges that decisions to protect public health and welfare should continue despite scientific uncertainties. EPA intends to carefully evaluate the NAS recommendations as part of continuing efforts to improve the effectiveness of the nations air pollution program. The report is available online at: http://www.nationalacademies.org/environment/. -- Public Comment Period Begins for Proposed Power Plant Regulations -- John Millett 202-564-7842 / millett.john@epa.gov On Jan. 30, EPA's proposed rules for reducing emissions from power plants will be published in the Federal Register. These rules would significantly reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and mercury from power plants. Publication in the Federal Register marks the beginning of a 60 day comment period. EPA will accept public comments on both the proposed Interstate Air Quality Rule and proposed Utility Mercury Reductions Rule. The public hearings will be held on Feb. 25-26, in Philadelphia, Pa.; Chicago, Ill. and Research Triangle Park, N.C. Details about each hearing location will be published shortly in the Federal Register. For further information about these proposed rules and the public hearings, go to: http://www.epa.gov/interstateairquality/ and http://www.epa.gov/mercury/. -- More than Half of U.S. Commercial Building Space Now Eligible for ENERGY STAR -- John Millett 202-564-7842 / millett.john@epa.gov EPA's ENERGY STAR program is adding financial centers, bank branches, courthouses and dormitories to the list that already includes energy performance ratings for office buildings, hospitals, hotels, K-12 schools and supermarkets. With these additions, EPA offers the ability to rate the energy use and earn the ENERGY STAR for 50 percent of U.S. commercial floor space. Expanding the program to cover more building types was one of the recommendations in the President's National Energy Policy. Buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR label use about 40 percent less energy than average buildings, without compromising comfort. EPA recently expanded its ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, which houses the national energy performance rating system. The rating system, first available for office buildings beginning in 1999, now allows 10 types of buildings to measure and compare their energy performance to others nationwide. The rating system provides an energy performance rating on a scale of 1-100. Those earning 75 or greater are eligible for the ENERGY STAR. Eligible buildings include the following types: general administrative office buildings; courthouses; bank branches; financial centers; hotels and motels; supermarkets and grocery stores; acute care hospitals; K-12 schools; residence halls; and warehouses. Currently, more than 19,000 buildings have been rated nationwide, and more than 1,400 have earned the ENERGY STAR. By earning and displaying the ENERGY STAR plaque, organizations demonstrate their commitment to energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. For more information on the national energy performance rating system for buildings, go to: http://www.energystar.gov/benchmark. -- Workshop to Seek Input on Plant-Incorporated Protectant Experimental Use Permits -- David Deegan 617-918-1017 / deegan.dave@epa.gov EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs will host a public workshop to discuss and evaluate regulatory oversight of controlled experimental use plots of certain genetically-modified plants that generate their own pest control. The workshop, entitled "Plant-Incorporated Protectant (PIP) Experimental Use Permits (EUPs): Process and Compliance," will be held on Feb. 10-11 at the Crystal City Hilton in Arlington, Va. Recognizing that some regulatory issues relating to these particular circumstances need review and clarification, EPA is seeking public participation to identify best approaches to improve the PIP EUP process. Participants from industry, public interest and environmental groups, academic researchers and the agricultural/agronomic communities are encouraged to attend. Registration for the workshop is available up to and including the day of the meeting. There is no registration fee. For more information, go to: http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/ |