Focus

EPA expands analysis of new chemicals under TSCA

Chemical & Engineering News – March 30

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on March 29 that, when conducting risk assessments of new chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), it will henceforth analyze the risks of potential future uses, in addition to the risks of known uses, and will mandate necessary protections for workers accordingly. This procedure represents a change from the previous system, under which the EPA commonly justified approving new chemicals without addressing the risks of potential future uses of the chemical by issuing what is known as a significant new use rule, which postpones risk assessment of a potential use until a company tells the EPA it will use a chemical in that way. EPA stated that the change is required to better comply with TSCA.

News

Federal judge orders pause of California lawsuits over Proposition 65 labels

Courthouse News Service – March 30

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller preliminarily enjoined enforcement of a requirement by the State of California for placement of Proposition 65 cancer warning labels on products containing acrylamide, a chemical commonly found in coffee and junk food. In the order, issued in response to a motion by the California Chamber of Commerce, the judge questioned the strength of the scientific evidence relied on by the state regarding the danger of eating foods containing acrylamide. The injunction only applies to new acrylamide lawsuits and has no impact on Proposition 65 as a whole or preexisting acrylamide agreements.

EPA chief to replace Trump appointees on science advisory panels

The Hill – March 31

EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced this Wednesday that the agency will reconstitute the Science Advisory Board and Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, two advisory panels from which 40 prior appointees had been dismissed during the Trump administration. Regan cited a number of Trump administration moves that he said the agency will undo, including an October 2017 internal directive that barred the recipients of EPA research grants from concurrently serving on advisory panels.

California legislators eye corporate emissions and climate risks

Bloomberg Law – March 30

A handful of bills making their way through the California legislature signify an intensifying interest in how corporations contribute to emissions that exacerbate climate change. The Climate Corporation Accountability Act, SB 260, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener, would require public emissions disclosures from companies that do business in California and have more than $1 billion in annual revenue. Another bill, SB 449 sponsored by Sen. Henry Stern, would require banks, corporations, credit unions, real estate investment trusts, mortgage lenders, and other related businesses to prepare and post online climate-related financial risk reports. Both bills have committee hearings scheduled for April.

Proposed natural gas well at edge of Bay Area riles up opposition

San Francisco Chronicle – March 28

Sunset Exploration’s proposal to drill a natural gas well in Suisun Marsh has become the latest flash point in California’s quest to fight climate change and transition away from fossil fuels. If the company finds enough fuel, the Solano County project could be operational for 20 years, connecting to a pipeline that would help power homes around the region. County officials have already permitted drilling at the location where Sunset Exploration has set its sights. However, a dozen environmental groups want the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to deny a permit for Sunset Exploration to fill in part of the wetlands, a necessary step for the well. In a February 26 letter to the Corps, the opponents called the drilling project dangerous and “fundamentally incompatible with a safe and healthy future.”