Green Options

In order to cut harmful emissions from maritime vessels, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the next steps of its coordinated effort on Wednesday. The steps include creating a rule under the Clean Air Act that would establish tough engine and fuel standards for U.S. flagged ships. The proposed rule would harmonize with international standards and lead to improved air quality throughout the country.

An internal White House memo questions the scientific rigor employed by the EPA in preparing its endangerment findings report that identies GHG as a hazard to human health and welfare. The memo also suggests that economic conditions could worsen under the proposed climate change legislation.

Under the Bush Administration, many critized the EPA for being too pro-business and for dragging its feet when it comes to greenhouse gas regulation. There was little question that would change under President Obama, but just how soon was anyone’s guess, until now. During the first 3 weeks of February, the EPA has undergone a revival of sorts and has demonstrated a commitment to the promises of President Obama.

The criminal trial of W.R. Grace & Co., an international chemical company under federal indictment since 2005, began yesterday in Libby, Montana.

W.R. Grace & Co. is charged with violating the Clean Air Act and obstruction of justice while operating vermiculite mines in the Northwestern Montana town. Charges focus on whether company officials knew that the mining endangered Libby’s community.

What sort of efforts does the US Army undertake to protect and manage it impacts on the environment? Perhaps surprisingly to some, the legislative muscle behind Army programs to protect the environment is actually quite robust.

Jacksonsays the California waiver on emission standards should be re-reviewed. She is currently New Jersey’s Chief of Staff. New Jersey is one of the 16 states that filed suit along with California.

EPA released an assessment with the news that 37 states aren’t doing their part to make sure that pollution doesn’t wind its way back to our nation’s preserved areas.

Though many of us may be enjoying a yuletide fire this time of year, fires of a different sort made news last week.

The Sierra Club and other environmental groups secured a big victory last week when the U.S. Court of Appeals decided to regulate pollution spikes from refineries, called “flares”. The decision will affect 21 refineries located in California.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that, as a result of its enforcement actions, U.S. companies will spend a record-breaking $11.8 billion on pollution control and projects to clean up the environment this year.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) ruled today that the EPA had no valid reason for refusing to limit from new coal-fired power plants the carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming.

If elected, Obama would be the first president to group emissions blamed for global warming into a category of pollutants that includes lead and carbon monoxide. Senator John McCain of Arizona, has not said how he would treat CO2 under the act.