News
Environmental groups sue to close 'loopholes' under Clean Air Act
Reuters – September 9
A coalition of environmental groups on Wednesday sued the U.S. EPA in Oakland federal court to close alleged "loopholes" in several plans detailing how states and air districts implement the Clean Air Act. The plaintiffs allege that exemptions in the implementation plans can automatically spare industrial plants, such as coal plants and oil refineries, from otherwise applicable air emission limits during startup, shutdown, or malfunction events. The complaint also charges that exemptions to the limits may block enforcement measures by the EPA and others against excess emissions.
San Francisco, agriculture suppliers sue state over drought restrictions
San Francisco Chronicle – September 7
San Francisco, along with a handful of Central Valley irrigation districts, is suing the state for enacting drought restrictions that are keeping thousands of landowners and suppliers from drawing water from rivers and creeks. The lawsuit, filed late last week in Fresno County Superior Court, alleges that the State Water Resources Control Board, which began regulating water draws in 1914, does not have authority over water rights that predate its powers. The “senior” water rights holders, having secured rights before 1914, claim that only the courts have such jurisdiction.
California seeks comments on scrap metal definition revision
Recycling Today – September 3
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control is evaluating emergency regulations to amend the current regulatory definition of scrap metal in order to align it with the federal definition, and to define the conditions under which scrap metal could be exempted, as a “recyclable material,” from regulatory requirements governing hazardous waste. According to the DTSC website, if the proposals are approved by the Office of Administrative Law, California metal shredding facilities would be required to avoid “releases of toxic metals like copper, lead, and zinc; monitor environmental conditions; and set aside financial assurances in the event the facility must be closed to address safety concerns.”
Industry group backs global carbon price for large ships
Associated Press – September 6
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), a major maritime industry association, on Monday said it is proposing to the United Nations that all vessels above a certain size that engage in global trade should pay a set amount per metric ton of carbon dioxide they emit. Environmental groups welcomed the proposal but cautioned that the proposal does not specify what carbon price ICS would support. ICS represents commercial shipowners and operators comprising more than 80% of the world merchant fleet.
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