EMISSIONS SOLUTIONS GUIDE
December 2008
EPA is Sued For Failure to Update Landfill Emission Standards
The Environmental Defense Fund (ED) filed a notice of intent to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on 23 October, 2008 for its failure to update emission standards for hundreds of landfills nationwide. Landfills are the nation’s second largest source of manmade methane pollution according to ED.
ED says EPA has failed to update the emission standards for landfills for a dozen years, violating its duty under the nation’s clean air laws to modernize the emission standards at least every eight years.
Landfill gas is created as solid waste decomposes in a landfill. This gas consists of about 50 percent methane, about 50 percent CO2, and a small amount of non-methane organic compounds. Because methane is a principal component of natural gas, methane emissions from landfills present a key opportunity to capture and use a significant home-grown energy source, according to ED.
California Increses Fine Particulate Premature Death Risk by 10%
The California Air Resources Board (ARB) has reviewed the methodology it uses to calculate premature deaths associated with exposure to fine particulate matter (PM 2.5). On October 24, 2008 the ARB released its final staff report titled "Methodology for Estimating Premature Deaths Associated with Long-term Exposure to Fine Airborne Particulate Matter in California." Using the new factor, ARB staff estimates that in the year 2005, diesel PM contributed to 3500 premature deaths statewide. Staff also estimates that exposure to ambient PM 2.5 concentration above 5µg/m3 can be associated with about 18,000 premature deaths statewide annually. Click here for an executive summary of the final CARB report.
Based on its study and review ARB has reevaluated its assessment and a new relative risk factor was developed. This new factor is a 10% increase in risk of premature death per 10 micrograms per cubic meter (10µg/m3).
Sen. Boxer and Carper Urge EPA to Withdraw “New Source Review” Proposals
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and Senator Tom Carper (D-DE), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Clean Air and Nuclear Safety, sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator, Stephen Johnson on 24 October, 2008 requesting that the agency withdraw its "New Source Review" proposals regarding pollution from power plants. The letter expressed concern that EPA could be putting national air quality at risk if the agency promulgates its currently pending New Source Review proposals incorporating the Electrical Generating Unit (EGU) hourly test.
The senators’ letter states EPA’s proposal would permit EGUs to increase their operating capacity and annual emissions without prior review, without installation of air pollution controls, and without modeling of impacts on ambient air.
In addition the senators state, “The July 2008 vacatur of the CAIR rule throws into serious doubt the legality of the promulgation of the EGU Hourly Test proposal. At a minimum, the agency must re-propose the EGU Hourly Test rule, offering explicit analysis and justification of the proposal in the absence of CAIR.”
Waxman Unseats Dingell in Shift of Power and Focus at House Energy Committee
Rep. Henry A. Waxman won control of the House Energy and Commerce Committee from Rep. John D. Dingell on 20 November 2008. Waxman of Los Angeles ousted Dingell, the longest-serving member of Congress, to head one of the most important House committees – one with sweeping jurisdiction over energy and the environment. House Democrats voted 137-122 to replace Dingell with Waxman in a secret ballot.
Dingell, 82, is a Michigan Democrat and has been a staunch defender and supporter of the auto and electric utility industries. He is noted for blocking higher automotive fuel-efficiency standards for years. Waxman, 69, has a lengthy congressional resume of aggressive investigations and legislative action and has been described as an avid environmentalist. Waxman and Dingell have battled over clean air issues that date back to the Reagan administration.
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