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As previously reported, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its final rule tightening the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to 70 parts per billion (ppb). This is at the top end of the range that EPA proposed last year (the agency solicited comment on a level as low as 60 ppb), suggesting that �������ϲʿ���Ԥ�� and other industry groups were influential in making the rule less stringent. However, with the annual cost of compliance still reaching $1.4 billion each year (not even including California), according to agency estimates, the final rule remains one of the most expensive in history. Areas where the air quality is in “nonattainment” with the new level will face significant consequences that range from regulatory constraints on siting and development of new industry, to the threat of losing highway and transit funding; not to mention potential restrictions on the use and operation of construction equipment.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has issued a nationwide stay of the new federal regulation redefining “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) for the purposes of the Clean Water Act. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed and then finalized the new regulation in an effort to clarify the scope of the statute’s requirements.

EPA released its new stricter National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone pollution, dropping the permissible levels from 75 parts per billion (ppb) to 70 ppb. The new rule is drawing criticism from industry. As �������ϲʿ���Ԥ��’s comments on the proposed version of the rule point out, the 75 ppb standard was only recently set, back in 2008, and the implementing guidance was not finalized until February 2015. Under the new 70 ppb standard, 241 counties will be in violation, using 2012-2014 monitoring data. However, EPA notes that they will likely use 2014-2016 data when they designate areas of nonattainment.

A federal judge has blocked the Obama administration's controversial rule defining the scope of Clean Water Act protections from going into effect August 28, 2015.

It is time to start thinking about renewing your U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (LRRP) program certifications, as previously reported by �������ϲʿ���Ԥ��. All construction firms and their employees are subject to the LRRP rule, if they perform regulated renovation activities, such as work that disturbs lead-based paint in homes, child-care facilities or schools, with kids six years or younger, built before 1978.

Earlier this summer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a draft assessment on hydraulic fracturing’s potential impacts to drinking water resources, along with nine final peer-reviewed EPA reports conducted as part of the study. The draft assessment is based upon extensive review of literature, results from EPA research projects, and technical input from state, industry, non-governmental organizations, the public, and other stakeholders. The assessment follows the water used for hydraulic fracturing from water acquisition, to chemical mixing at the well pad site, to well injection of fracking fluids, to the collection of hydraulic fracturing wastewater (including flowback and produced water), to wastewater treatment and disposal. To comment on the report, visit the docket established by the Science Advisory Board.

With the clock ticking on the implementation of the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just announced a webinar, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27 from 1:00 to 2:00 pm EST to provide last-minute details. Unless there is a court order that provides otherwise, the new Clean Water Act (CWA) definition of WOTUS will take full effect on Aug. 28. The webinar will provide a review of the final rule, answer some commonly asked questions, and discuss what to expect as the rule is implemented.

For the first time in over 30 years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated the core requirements of the federal Water Quality Standards (WQS) rule that set forth the minimum conditions that must be met in each state’s water quality standards before EPA can approve them under the Clean Water Act (CWA).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a new rule on the disposal of coal combustion residuals in Dec. 2014 and also identified necessary criteria for appropriate beneficial use of those materials. An important criteria for “unencapsulated” uses, such as fill, is to evaluate potential contamination to ground water. (See Observer Issue No. 1-15.) EPA developed the Industrial Waste Management Evaluation Model (IWEM) to help with these evaluations and will hold a webinar on Sept. 16, 2015, to demonstrate how to use the tool.

We’ve got them Covered at the 2015 Contractors Environmental Conference! Join us for �������ϲʿ���Ԥ��’s 2015 Contractors Environmental Conference on Sept. 2-3 right outside of the nation’s capital to discuss significant and ongoing developments concerning Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permits and jurisdictional waters/wetlands, stormwater management permits, electronic reporting requirements, online compliance and enforcement history data, water quality trading and so much more! Click here to register now.