Air News Briefs: (1) Additional Aspect of the Clean Air Interstate Rule to be Reconsidered; (2) EPA To Improve Reporting of Air Emissions Data
*News Briefs *If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the listed Press Officer. For Release: (Washington, D.C. -- Friday, December 23, 2005)* (1) Additional Aspect of the Clean Air Interstate Rule to be Reconsidered (2) EPA To Improve Reporting of Air Emissions Data (1) Additional Aspect of the Clean Air Interstate Rule to be Reconsidered *Contact: John Millett, 202-564-4355 / millett.john@epa.gov In light of a recent court opinion, EPA is reconsidering an additional aspect of its Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR). CAIR requires 28 States and the District of Columbia to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) from power plants. Today's action will not delay implementation of the rule, which will achieve the largest reduction in air pollution in more than a decade. EPA issued the final CAIR on March 10, 2005. EPA has decided to grant an industry petition asking EPA to reconsider and provide an opportunity for public comment on an additional issue related to the CAIR. The petition asks EPA to examine the impact of a recent D.C. Circuit Court decision, New York v. EPA, 413 F.3d 3 (D.C. Cir. 2005), on analyses used in developing CAIR to identify highly cost-effective emissions reductions. This decision vacated the pollution control project (PCP) exclusion in the New Source Review (NSR) regulations. The exclusion allowed for certain environmentally beneficial PCPs to be excluded from certain NSR requirements. EPA's analysis shows that the court decision does not impact the CAIR analyses. EPA is providing an opportunity for public comment on the issue and is not proposing any changes to CAIR at this time. If requested, EPA will hold a public hearing on this issue for reconsideration on Jan. 17, 2005 in Washington, D.C. EPA will continue to accept public comments on this issue until Feb. 16, 2006. EPA has received 11 requests from states, environmental groups and power companies to reconsider certain aspects of the final CAIR rule. Through Federal Register notices dated Aug. 24, 2005 and Dec. 2, 2005, EPA began the reconsideration processes on five specific issues in CAIR and requested comment on those issues. EPA expects to take final action on reconsideration of these issues by March 15, 2006. Information related to the Clean Air Interstate Rule, this notice of reconsideration, and the issues for which EPA previously initiated processes of reconsideration, is available at: http://www.epa.gov/cair/rule.html [ http://www.epa.gov/cair/rule.html ] *(2) EPA To Improve Reporting of Air Emissions Data *Contact: John Millett, 202-564-4355 / millett.john@epa.gov In an effort to improve EPA's ability to compile a national inventory of air pollutant emissions, EPA is proposing a rule that would provide states with additional flexibility in the way they collect and report emissions data. Providing states with additional flexibility in how they submit air emission data would increase the efficiency with which state and local programs are able to operate. The proposed rule would accelerate the reporting of air emissions data by state and local agencies which would allow EPA to make the data available to the public and policymakers sooner. Additionally, the proposed rule would unify reporting dates for various categories of inventories and consolidate the emission inventory reporting requirements found in various parts of the Code of Federal Regulations. The proposed rule is available online at: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/aerr/index.html [ http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/aerr/index.html ] R294 View all news releases related to air issues [ http://service.govdelivery.com/service/edition.html?code=USAEPA_16&format=Web&email_type=bulletin ] You can update or cancel your subscription at any time [ https://www.govdocs.com/service/user.html?code=USAEPA ]. You need only your e-mail address (and your password if you have selected one). This service is provided free of charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. If you have any questions or problems about this service, please contact help@govdelivery.com [ mailto:help@govdelivery.com ] for assistance. Sent by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20460 202-564-4355