Preview Newsletter
ACC PM 3/10/2017
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(ACC Mentioned) US Plastics Film Recycling Remains on Growth Curve
Mar 10, 2017 | Recycling International
By Ian Martin
Recycling of plastic wraps, bags and other film packaging climbed a further 3% in 2015 to a minimum of nearly 1.2 billion pounds (540 000 tonnes) - the eleventh consecutive year of increase and the highest annual collection total for plastic film since the American Chemistry Council began its surveys. -
(ACC Mentioned) Closed Loop Fund Issues RFP for Polypropylene Recycling Projects
Mar 10, 2017 | Waste Dive
By Cole Rosengren
Closed Loop Fund has issued a request for proposals (RFPs) on projects at material recovery facilities (MRFs) or plastic recovery facilities that can collect, sort or process post-consumer polypropylene plastic. -
(ACC Mentioned) Talkin' Trash: Quotes on Workers' Rights, Textile Recycling and 'Owning' Odor Issues
Mar 10, 2017 | Waste Dive
By Kristin Musulin
In case you missed it: Thoughtful, newsworthy comments from industry professionals, consumers, and legislators. -
ACI Calls for Excluding Residual 1,4-dioxane from TSCA Risk Evaluation
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemical Watch
By Kelly Franklin
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) wants the US EPA to exclude consideration of trace levels found in consumer products from its 1,4-dioxane TSCA risk evaluation. -
US EPA Received 65 PMNs in December
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemical Watch
The US EPA received 65 pre-manufacture notices (PMNs) in December. Of these, 49 had the manufacturer or importer withheld as confidential business information (CBI). -
US Architect Firm Steps Away from Antimicrobial Products
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemical Watch
By Vanessa Zainzinger
Global architectural firm Perkins+Will has placed building products marketed as antimicrobial on its precautionary list, urging its clients to avoid them whenever possible. -
High Levels of Fluorinated Substances Found in EU Fast Food Packaging
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemical Watch
A Danish survey has found that a third of fast food packaging tested contained high levels of fluorinated substances. -
UK MPs Quiz Minister on Post-Brexit REACH Plans
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemical Watch
By Geraint Roberts
MPs used the last session of their inquiry into the future shape of UK chemicals regulation after Brexit to press the government on the extent to which it plans to replicate REACH – but got few clear answers. -
Microbeads Ban in UK Cosmetics Products Expected by July 2018
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemical Watch
By Tammy Lovell
The UK's proposed ban on the manufacture of microbeads for cosmetics and personal care products is expected to come into force early next year, a government minister has said. -
(ACC Mentioned) ExxonMobil to Invest $20bn in Gulf Coast Manufacturing
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemistry World
By Rebecca Trager
ExxonMobil has announced plans to invest a total of $20 billion (£16.5 billion) to expand manufacturing in the US Gulf Coast over a ten-year period, in order to expand its manufacturing and export capacity. -
Pruitt Skeptical on EPA Methane Rules
Mar 9, 2017 | Politico Pro - Whiteboard
By Ben Lefebvre
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said more discussion would be needed before the agency could consider establishing methane emissions rules for oil and gas fields. -
Graham Opposes CRA Attack on BLM Methane Rule
Mar 10, 2017 | Inside EPA
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has announced that he opposes the pending Congressional Review Act (CRA) measure to rescind the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) rule curbing venting and flaring of the potent greenhouse gas methane, raising doubts the measure will advance. -
California Undaunted in Addressing Methane Emissions Despite Federal Pullback
Mar 10, 2017 | Natural Gas Intelligence
By Richard Nemec
California energy officials said Wednesday they intend to resist the rollback of climate-directed regulations by the Trump administration as they approved continued research and development projects aimed at curbing methane emissions. -
E&E News' Lehmann Talks Executive Action on Power Plan, Next Steps for Litigation
Mar 10, 2017 | E&E TV
By The Cutting Edge
Following E&E News' report this week citing a source saying the White House plans to undo the Clean Power Plan without providing a replacement, what are the next steps for litigation and what is the fate of the endangerment finding? On today's The Cutting Edge, E&E News reporter Evan Lehmann discusses the latest on the executive order that is expected to be rolled out next week. -
Oil and Gas Tanks Exempt in Chemical Safety Bill
Mar 10, 2017 | E&E Greenwire
A bill in the West Virginia House would exempt two-thirds of chemical storage tanks previously regulated by a safety law enacted after the Freedom Industries spill in the Elk River contaminated drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people. -
MBTA Gears Up to Install PTC-Related Wayside and Communication Equipment
Mar 10, 2017 | Progressive Railroading
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) this month will begin installing vehicle, wayside and communication equipment for its positive train control (PTC) system, agency officials announced earlier this week. -
N.D. Rail Shippers Unfazed by Dakota Access
Mar 10, 2017 | E&E Energywire
Rail shippers remain unconcerned that the Dakota Access pipeline may soon come online. -
Fuel Tank Cars Burn After Ethanol Train Derails
Mar 10, 2017 | E&E Greenwire
Several fuel tank cars are burning in northwestern Iowa after a freight train possibly carrying ethanol derailed. -
Statoil Pledges to Cut 3M Tons of CO2 by 2020
Mar 10, 2017 | E&E Climatewire
Norway-based Statoil ASA has committed to slashing its carbon dioxide emissions by one-fifth by 2020.
Industry and Association News
LCSA News
Chemical Management News
Energy News
Chemical Security News
Transportation News
Environment News
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(ACC Mentioned) US Plastics Film Recycling Remains on Growth Curve
Mar 10, 2017 | Recycling International
By Ian Martin
Recycling of plastic wraps, bags and other film packaging climbed a further 3% in 2015 to a minimum of nearly 1.2 billion pounds (540 000 tonnes) - the eleventh consecutive year of increase and the highest annual collection total for plastic film since the American Chemistry Council began its surveys.
Plastic film recycling - a category that includes flexible product wraps, bags and commercial stretch film made primarily from polyethylene - has increased nearly 84% since the first report was issued in 2005, it is noted.
In 2015 alone, film processing in the USA and Canada increased by 11%. Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that post-consumer recycling of non-bottle rigid plastics has soared 280% since tracking began in 2007 despite a dip of 4% in 2015 to a minimum of 1.24 billion pounds (560 000 tonnes).
The rigid plastics category includes: food containers, caps, lids, tubs and cups; bulky items such as buckets, carts and lawn furniture; and used commercial scrap such as crates, battery casings and drums.
http://www.recyclinginternational.com/recycling-news/10397/plastic-and-rubber/north-america/us-plastics-film-recycling-remains-growth-curve
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(ACC Mentioned) Closed Loop Fund Issues RFP for Polypropylene Recycling Projects
Mar 10, 2017 | Waste Dive
By Cole Rosengren
Dive Brief:
Closed Loop Fund has issued a request for proposals (RFPs) on projects at material recovery facilities (MRFs) or plastic recovery facilities that can collect, sort or process post-consumer polypropylene plastic.
Potential candidates include MRFs working in large municipalities that could upgrade their conveyors and optical sorters, advanced image recognition and robotics concepts to increase capture efficiency and facilities that could add or update star screens to reduce contamination in other streams.
Projects can receive up to $5 million each, with loan terms ranging from three to eight years. Preference will be given to projects that currently accept all sizes and formats of polypropylene packaging, could sort small format items and could attract co-investors, among other factors.
Dive Insight:
According to the latest national data, the municipal solid waste stream contained more than 7.1 million tons of polypropylene in 2014. Much of that was packaging, and recovery rates were low. Closed Loop Fund says this is costing municipalities millions, and there is demand among processors, but better sortation technology is needed to expand recycling access and improve the quality of material being captured.
The American Chemistry Council's most recent recycling availability study found that while polypropylene bottles, jugs and jars are widely accepted in municipal recycling programs, that isn't the case for other types of containers and lids. The ongoing shift toward single-stream has meant more municipalities accept yogurt containers and other common items, plus store drop-off programs are now available, but there is still room for growth.
Since it started in 2014, the Closed Loop Fund has delivered millions of dollars and notable results for a range of material categories. Applying that focus to polypropylene — at the same time that new scientific discoveries may be expanding opportunities for the material — could provide a helpful boost to the market.
http://www.wastedive.com/news/closed-loop-fund-issues-rfp-for-polypropylene-recycling-projects/437787/
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(ACC Mentioned) Talkin' Trash: Quotes on Workers' Rights, Textile Recycling and 'Owning' Odor Issues
Mar 10, 2017 | Waste Dive
By Kristin Musulin
In case you missed it: Thoughtful, newsworthy comments from industry professionals, consumers, and legislators.
“Access, demand and awareness. Those are the three critical pieces and they all happen to exist for film."
—Steve Russell, vice president of plastics at American Chemistry Council, in an interview with Plastics News regarding the 2015 film recovery rate. Plastic film recycling grew by 3% to at least 1.2 billion pounds in 2015, marking recovery growth for the 11th consecutive year.
"Donors love to do the right thing, but they also do a lot of stuff out of ease ... The for-profit world has found [a] niche in the nonprofit lifeline."
— Robert Stutts, director at The Salvation Army USA southern territory, in an interview with Cincinnati.com regarding Cincinnati's decision to partner with Simple Recycling for curbside textile recycling. While the effort could divert approximately 1,000 tons of textiles from the landfill, there is pushback from nonprofits in the region that depend on the supply.
“Go take it head on. Engage it. Own it. Accept the fact that you’ve become a problem on these other folks and come up with a plan to fix it."
— Bernie Sheff, vice president of biogas engineering at ES Engineering Services, in an interview with Waste Dive regarding odor mitigation at organics processing facilities. Sheff pointed out that a key to dealing with odor issues is to educate the community directly about the importance of having such facilities.
"Workers’ rights, community health and zero waste are three pillars of a sustainable and equitable solid waste management system."
— Rachel Spector, director of environmental justice at New York Lawyers for the Public Interest, in a Teamsters Joint Council 16 press release regarding Sims Recycling joining the union. The vote to unionize followed weeks of contentious debates and workers' threats to strike.
"Why should the city be prohibited from servicing its citizens? ... (Recycling) is going to become not just an ask. It will eventually be a demand."
— Sustainability consultant Colin Tetreault in an interview with AZ Central regarding expanding recycling in Phoenix. AZ Central investigated why certain Phoenix residents don't have access to curbside recycling and spoke with various environmental advocates looking for this to change.
"Having spent the last year getting under the skin of household food waste, we have reali[z]ed that this kind of behavioral change won’t happen overnight."
— Paul Crewe, head of sustainability, energy, engineering and environment for Sainsbury’s, in an interview with The Guardian regarding the chain's food reduction efforts. Sainsbury's decided to drop its goal of halving food waste by 2030 after realizing the goal was more difficult to attain than expected.
http://www.wastedive.com/news/talkin-trash-quotes-on-workers-rights-textile-recycling-and-owning-od/437690/
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ACI Calls for Excluding Residual 1,4-dioxane from TSCA Risk Evaluation
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemical Watch
By Kelly Franklin
The American Cleaning Institute (ACI) wants the US EPA to exclude consideration of trace levels found in consumer products from its 1,4-dioxane TSCA risk evaluation.
The trade group's request is included in its response to the EPA's consultation on determining the scope of the risk evaluations for thefirst ten chemicals being assessed under the recently reformed TSCA. Comments are due by 15 March.
1,4-dioxane is an industrial solvent, used in the production of a variety of products and as a laboratory reagent and chemical intermediate.
According to the EPA's preliminary use dossier, many commercial and consumer products contain small amounts of the substance. The ACI agreed that it is a widely known phenomenon that "unintentional and unavoidable" residues of 1,4-dioxane may be present in formulated products as a result of the starting materials and manufacturing methods for certain surfactants.
But given the "extraordinarily low levels" that may be present in products, it questions "whether any further in-depth assessment of the unintentional presence of the substance must be undertaken and whether doing so represents a good use of the agency's scarce resources."
Instead, it says, the EPA should "exercise its discretion to determine that the presence of unintentionally present trace levels of 1,4-dioxane in consumer and similar commercial products is beyond the scope of the risk evaluation."
The group also says impurities or process residues should not represent a "condition of use". The latter is defined as the circumstances under which a substance is intended, known, or reasonably foreseen to be manufactured, processed, distributed in commerce, used, or disposed of.
Because low levels of trace impurities are recognised by regulators around the world as safe for direct exposure from personal care products, it is reasonable for the EPA to conclude that indirect exposure to similar levels will result in even less risk, it says.
It also says some surfactants likely to contain 1,4-dioxane as residues are on the EPA's Safer Chemical Ingredient List (Scil), under the Safer Choice programme.
By virtue of the evaluations which led to their inclusion on the list, the agency should conclude that surfactants containing 1,4-dioxane as unintended residues are unlikely to present an unreasonable risk and should not be considered to be within the scope, it says.
Exclusion could face scrutiny
The ACI's request, however, runs counter to the stance that a coalition of more than 30 NGOs has taken. In comments last autumn, it said that substance uses cannot be found not to present an 'unreasonable risk' unless the EPA has conducted a full risk evaluation.
And it said if the agency uses the scoping process to set aside certain uses for future consideration, it still must consider the incremental exposure from those pathways in order to conduct aggregate exposure assessments. Failure to do so, the coalition said, could lead to "a potentially significant understatement of risk."
Speaking in a recent webinar by law firm Keller and Heckman, partner Herb Estreicher said that it remains unclear whether some conditions of use – for example low exposure uses, uses in contained facilities or intermediate uses of chemicals – will receive a 'lighter treatment' in a risk evaluation.
"But in any event all uses must be evaluated to some degree by EPA in the risk evaluation process", he said.
https://chemicalwatch.com/54130/aci-calls-for-excluding-residual-14-dioxane-from-tsca-risk-evaluation
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US EPA Received 65 PMNs in December
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemical Watch
The US EPA received 65 pre-manufacture notices (PMNs) in December. Of these, 49 had the manufacturer or importer withheld as confidential business information (CBI).
The agency also received ten notices of commencement (NOCs).
The number of new substance notifications compares to 46 during the same timeframe in 2015.
The new PMNs join a sizeable backlog at the agency. Of the hundreds under review at the time of the Lautenberg Act's passage or submitted since then, the agency has issued determinations on only a few dozen.
Industry groups have called on the EPA to reassess the changes it has made to the new chemicals programme amid the slowdown.
https://chemicalwatch.com/54361/us-epa-received-65-pmns-in-december
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US Architect Firm Steps Away from Antimicrobial Products
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemical Watch
By Vanessa Zainzinger
Global architectural firm Perkins+Will has placed building products marketed as antimicrobial on its precautionary list, urging its clients to avoid them whenever possible.
The firm announced this move in a white paper it published jointly with US NGO Healthy Building Network (HBN). The paper, Healthy environments: understanding antimicrobial ingredients in building materials, says there is not enough evidence to support claims that the products carry significant benefits.
Products such as antibacterial kitchen countertops, doorknobs and paints may pose adverse environmental and human health risks, the report says. It warns that antimicrobial additives leach out of their host products and contaminate ecosystems; triclosan, for example, is a frequently found water contaminant.
And their widespread use could increase the risk of resistant organisms. The white paper cites reports of organisms resistant to silver-based additives, triclosan and quaternary ammonium compounds (Quats).
"When this lack of benefit is measured against the many costs, it is clear that the best policy is to avoid products marketed as being antimicrobial whenever possible."
Federal agency action
The white paper's findings echo a 2003 report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which concluded that there is no evidence the use of antimicrobial additives in hospitals shows any benefit to human health.
The US FDA reached a similar conclusion in a 2016 review on their efficacy in hand soaps and washes. This resulted in a national ban on several biocides in consumer hand soaps.
Antimicrobial additives used in building products are outside the jurisdictions of the CDC and the FDA because they are regulated by the EPA. But Perkins+Will says this is "merely a bureaucratic distinction".
"Available evidence supports the same conclusion drawn by the EPA's sister agencies: antimicrobials do not provide health benefits," the firm says.
Moving the market
The paper blames misleading marketing for fuelling consumer demand. The number of products on the market grew from just a few dozen in 1994 to more than 2,000 in 2014.
HBN says the name and purpose of antimicrobials used in building products is often poorly labelled or falsely advertised. And they might not show up on the product's safety data sheet (SDS) either as they fall below reporting thresholds, or are missed when added further up the supply chain.
While there is no evidence to suggest that the EPA will take regulatory action to address this lack of transparency, HBN expects a market shift away from their use.
Co-author of the white paper, HBN's Melissa Coffin, says: "The market will start to shift, once consumers and building owners become a little bit savvier with regard to marketing and documentation around these products."
For now, she says Perkins+Will's approach to avoid categorically products marketed as having antimicrobial attributes is "a good strategy for navigating a complicated issue".
Perkins+Will's pledge has followed on the heels of healthcare giant Kaiser Permanente's decision to prohibit the use of 15 antimicrobials in fabric, furniture and finishes in any of its future building projects.
Ms Coffin thinks more large companies will take on the issue in the future. "The trend is growing. We're eager to see how the white paper is received and will keep an eye on what comes next in this arena."
https://chemicalwatch.com/54356/us-architect-firm-steps-away-from-antimicrobial-products
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High Levels of Fluorinated Substances Found in EU Fast Food Packaging
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemical Watch
A Danish survey has found that a third of fast food packaging tested contained high levels of fluorinated substances.
The survey on 65 types of fast food packaging items was conducted by the Danish Consumer Council's Think Chemicals programme. It was carried out in cooperation with consumer organisations in Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Spain.
Wrappings from four Danish products sold in Sunset Boulevard, Select (Shell), Meyers and McDonald's contained levels of fluorinated substances that were 600 to 1,700 times higher than the recommended limit value set by the Danish authorities.
Following the survey, Meyers and Sunset Boulevard said the substances have now been phased out, and Select (Shell) and McDonald's will examine the possibility of following the recommendations from Danish authorities, Think Chemicals says.
Fluorinated substances are used to make paper and cardboard wrappings resistant to water and grease. They are suspected of having carcinogenic, immunotoxic and endocrine disrupting properties.
Despite Denmark's recommended limit on fluorinated substances used in food packaging, the results were similar to those from the four other European countries.
"This calls for more than just a recommended limit value if we want to phase out fluorinated substances in food packaging," said project manager Stine Müller, adding it is important for Denmark to "keep pushing the agenda" in the EU.
Last year Denmark called on the European Commission to set maximum levels for fluorinated substances in paper and cardboard food contact materials (FCM).
In the same year, MEPs called for a ban on BPA in FCMs. They backed an environment committee (Envi) report, which wants more priority given to paper and board due to its high market penetration.
https://chemicalwatch.com/54131/high-levels-of-fluorinated-substances-found-in-eu-fast-food-packaging
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UK MPs Quiz Minister on Post-Brexit REACH Plans
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemical Watch
By Geraint Roberts
MPs used the last session of their inquiry into the future shape of UK chemicals regulation after Brexit to press the government on the extent to which it plans to replicate REACH – but got few clear answers.
Junior environment minister Thérèse Coffey, the lead minister on chemicals policy, told the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee on Tuesday that the government "will certainly have ready a regime that can be put into effect from day one" after leaving the EU.
But there appeared to be confusion between the minister and one of her senior officials, Gabrielle Edwards, who appeared alongside her, about how this will happen. While Ms Edwards said the 'Great Repeal Bill', which will aim to transfer EU law into UK law, Ms Coffey said there may need to be a separate bill addressing REACH.
Operational issues
The minister and her official agreed, however, that there are operational issues under REACH, such as the role of Echa and European Commission committees, that need addressing. "It is not just a cut and paste [into UK law]," said Ms Coffey. "We will not be part of the single market and we will not have European Court jurisdiction. If we end up doing BREACH – British REACH – there are certain things we will need to replicate."
Ms Edwards said how this happens will depend on the arrangements that are created for the UK's future relationship with the EU, and what future relationship the UK has with Echa.
Asked by committee chair Mary Creagh if there will be provisions, either this year or next, to set up a UK chemicals agency, and whether these provisions would be in the repeal bill or a separate bill, Ms Coffey declined to say. She also said she was not clear whether the environment ministry or another, such as the Brexit ministry, will take the lead on negotiating the UK's future role in REACH.
Asked by another committee member if the "overwhelmingly expressed" desire of inquiry witnesses to remain aligned with REACH had been passed on to other ministries, Ms Coffey said she did not know and that her ministry was still working on multiple scenarios.
Divergence
The minister said there "may be some things on which we might want to diverge slightly". For example, while UK companies will have to continue to comply with the provisions of the authorisation list and of restrictions, it may decide to set different rules for its domestic market. Although she expects the UK to have "a very similar regime ... there will be the opportunity, potentially, in a future chemicals policy, to decide to be able to make certain choices ourselves."
Ms Edwards stressed that "fundamental elements" of REACH, such as the requirement to register substances, and the processes of authorisation and restriction, will be rolled over into UK law, but a solution will need to be found to the problem that registration data is held within Echa.
Earlier in the session, the committee heard Echa's cooperation director, Andreas Herdina, explain that the UK will need to choose between the 'dynamic' model for REACH transposition – whereby updates to REACH such as new restrictions automatically would automatically take effect in the UK – and the 'non-dynamic' model, where the UK first assesses such updates and then decides whether to adopt them.
Although the inquiry is supposedly concerned with the future of all chemical regulation, its focus has been almost exclusively on REACH, with little attempt to discover Brexit's impact on classification and labelling, for example, or on biocides.
https://chemicalwatch.com/54364/uk-mps-quiz-minister-on-post-brexit-reach-plans
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Microbeads Ban in UK Cosmetics Products Expected by July 2018
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemical Watch
By Tammy Lovell
The UK's proposed ban on the manufacture of microbeads for cosmetics and personal care products is expected to come into force early next year, a government minister has said.
Meanwhile, the proposed ban on the sale of cosmetics and personal care products containing microbeads is expected from July 2018. It will also cover the sale of imported products.
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) minister Thérèse Coffey confirmed the timeline during a House of Commons debate on 8 March.
A consultation into the proposed ban closed on 28 February and responses are currently being assessed. It outlined proposals to ban the manufacture and sale of 'rinse-off' cosmetics and personal care products containing the tiny plastic beads. The consultation also explored further steps to prevent other sources of plastic from entering the marine environment.
Rosie Rogers, senior political adviser at Greenpeace UK, said the debate demonstrated "the clear call from politicians for the government to ensure all products containing microbeads are banned to ensure our oceans and the creatures in them are protected".
Next steps
The UK would need to notify other EU member states of the proposals under the technical standards directive and all non-EU countries under the technical barriers to trade agreement, as required by the WTO.
The period of notification is three months for each process and they are planned to run concurrently. Following this, there will be a short consultation on the actual statutory instrument.
The legislation will be laid before both Houses of Parliament by summer, with the aim of introducing it in the autumn, Dr Coffey said.
She added the proposed ban is intended to be UK-wide and Defra would try to coordinate its approach with the devolved administrations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
https://chemicalwatch.com/54129/microbeads-ban-in-uk-cosmetics-products-expected-by-july-2018
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(ACC Mentioned) ExxonMobil to Invest $20bn in Gulf Coast Manufacturing
Mar 10, 2017 | Chemistry World
By Rebecca Trager
ExxonMobil has announced plans to invest a total of $20 billion (£16.5 billion) to expand manufacturing in the US Gulf Coast over a ten-year period, in order to expand its manufacturing and export capacity. These investments, which began in 2013 and will continue until 2022 at least, are expected create more than 45,000 construction and manufacturing jobs across the region.
The initiative, dubbed ‘Growing the Gulf’, consists of 11 major chemical, refining, lubricant and liquefied natural gas projects at proposed new and existing facilities along the Texas and Louisiana coasts.
‘These projects are export machines, generating products that high-growth nations need to support larger populations with higher standards of living,’ said the company’s chairman and CEO, Darren Woods, announcing the programme earlier this month. ‘Those overseas markets are the motivation behind our investments,’ he added.
President Trump praised the ExxonMobil programme, calling it ‘exactly the kind of investment, economic development and job creation that will help put Americans back to work’. The American Chemistry Council (ACC) also applauded the ExxonMobil plan. The ACC’s president and CEO, Cal Dooley, said this investment by ExxonMobil ‘shows the decisive role of American energy in spurring a US manufacturing renaissance, with the chemistry industry helping to lead the way’.
https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/exxonmobil-to-invest-20bn-in-gulf-coast-manufacturing/2500539.article
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Pruitt Skeptical on EPA Methane Rules
Mar 9, 2017 | Politico Pro - Whiteboard
By Ben Lefebvre
EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said more discussion would be needed before the agency could consider establishing methane emissions rules for oil and gas fields.
“There needs to be a discussion how we can better capture” methane, Pruitt said in an address to the IHS Markit CERAWeek conference in Houston. “There needs to be a discussion first with how we should approach that issue without trying to burden the industry with the cost of compliance before that discussion occurs.”
The statement came after Democrats on the House Committee on Natural Resources sent a letter to Pruitt complaining about his move earlier this week to withdraw an information collection request it sent to the industry. EPA had been laying the groundwork for its own methane regulations before Pruitt stepped in last month.
The letter said that the estimated $5,800 each company would spend putting the information together was a “minuscule price to pay ... which you would hope the oil and gas industry would happily provide in the service of more accurate and less onerous final regulations.”
https://www.politicopro.com/energy/whiteboard
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Graham Opposes CRA Attack on BLM Methane Rule
Mar 10, 2017 | Inside EPA
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has announced that he opposes the pending Congressional Review Act (CRA) measure to rescind the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) rule curbing venting and flaring of the potent greenhouse gas methane, raising doubts the measure will advance.
If the rule is left to stand, it still faces significant challenges, including pending lawsuits and a Trump administration eager to roll it back. But it would leave in place, at least temporarily, some federal rule governing the gas after EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt ended a data collection that was intended to determine whether the agency should craft methane rules for existing oil and gas sources.
Graham's stance, reported March 9 by Politico, comes after a number of Republican and moderate Democratic senators have hedged on whether they would support CRA measure, amid observations from both supporters and opponents of the issue that any vote on the measure is likely to be “tight.”
His position adds to questions over whether the Senate will ultimately follow through with a vote to block the measure more than a month after the House backed repeal of the regulation.
Graham's position it is drawing praise from environmentalists, who are amplifying one of the primary arguments against the CRA vote -- that it would preclude any similar action to curb methane waste in the future, due the CRA's prohibition on enacting future rules “substantially similar” to measures that have been repealed.
“Kudos to Graham for understanding spillover recklessness of a law barring agencies from issuing substantially similar future protections,” Natural Resources Defense Council's John Walke said in a March 9 tweet.
The House Feb. 3 voted to rescind the BLM regulation, a rule which backers note would help prevent natural gas “waste.” Proponents of the repeal effort have characterized it as burdensome and intruding on EPA's authority to regulate air emissions.
The rule generally prohibits venting from oil and gas facilities on federal land, a practice which directly releases the potent GHG methane. It also limits flaring, which burns excess gas and releases carbon dioxide. Supporters note it would also boost taxpayer royalties.
The CRA allows the Senate to take up a disapproval resolution using expedited procedures and allow it to move forward with only a simple majority vote.
But the Senate has repeatedly taken up other issues -- including other CRA measures -- without moving forward with the BLM methane vote, amid statements from Senate Republicans that a critical mass of support for the measure is not locked in.
Several observers, however, have said it is too early to assume the Senate will not act, noting there still many weeks left on the legislative calendar to take up the BLM measure.
https://insideepa.com/the-daily-feed
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California Undaunted in Addressing Methane Emissions Despite Federal Pullback
Mar 10, 2017 | Natural Gas Intelligence
By Richard Nemec
California energy officials said Wednesday they intend to resist the rollback of climate-directed regulations by the Trump administration as they approved continued research and development projects aimed at curbing methane emissions.
As the new president moves to undo Obama administration rules aimed at curbing methane, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved four new projects representing another $5 million in research and development to identify and counteract greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
It was part of the five-member CEC's approval of $17 million in research grants aimed at the natural gas, energy efficiency, agricultural and industrial sectors in a state where current legislative proposals include one to mandate a 100% use of renewable resource-based power by 2045.
The more than $5 million in natural gas-related research grants are aimed as what a CEC spokesperson called reducing "environmental impacts from natural gas systems." They include:
$1.1 million to consultants Energy and Environmental Economics Inc. to prepare a strategic assessment of long-term technology pathways for gas systems to achieve energy and GHG emission reduction goals;
$2.6 million to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory for separate projects aimed at indoor air pollutants tied to natural gas and drought-related damage to gas infrastructure;
$597,433 to the University of California, Davis campus, to survey methane leakage from abandoned and plugged gas wells, including the contribution of the drought to leakage patterns; and
$1.4 million to the Electric Power Research Institute Inc. to address fugitive GHG leaks by measuring methane and nitrous oxide at industrial facilities.
Lawrence Berkeley's two projects include $1 million for the study of indoor air pollutants from natural gas appliances in the state's zero-net energy homes, and another $1.6 million for research on new 3-D technology to accurately characterize areas with high risk of potential gas infrastructure damage due to drought-induced subsidence and to identify remedial actions.
After five years of drought there is a concern that subsidence's impact on the state's extensive gas pipeline system could be contributing to worsening methane emissions.
Among the $17 million in new CEC grants, $9 million were distributed to multiple projects aimed an emerging energy efficiency technologies, and another $3 million address energy-saving projects in the agriculture and industrial sectors.
http://www.naturalgasintel.com/articles/109706-california-undaunted-in-addressing-methane-emissions-despite-federal-pullback
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E&E News' Lehmann Talks Executive Action on Power Plan, Next Steps for Litigation
Mar 10, 2017 | E&E TV
By The Cutting Edge
Following E&E News' report this week citing a source saying the White House plans to undo the Clean Power Plan without providing a replacement, what are the next steps for litigation and what is the fate of the endangerment finding? On today's The Cutting Edge, E&E News reporter Evan Lehmann discusses the latest on the executive order that is expected to be rolled out next week.
Transcript: http://www.eenews.net/tv/videos/2208/transcript
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Oil and Gas Tanks Exempt in Chemical Safety Bill
Mar 10, 2017 | E&E Greenwire
A bill in the West Virginia House would exempt two-thirds of chemical storage tanks previously regulated by a safety law enacted after the Freedom Industries spill in the Elk River contaminated drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people.
More than 29,000 tanks operated by oil and gas industries would be excluded, according to an analysis by the state's environmental agency. That's 69 percent of the tanks registered with the agency.
The bill passed the state House Energy Committee yesterday and moves to the Judiciary Committee.
Gov. Jim Justice (D) has signaled support for easing chemical tank regulations.
Environmentalists slammed the bill, calling it the latest in a string of legislative assaults on water protections and industry regulations.
Supporters say tanks near water sources would remain regulated.
Since the tank regulation after the Freedom Industries spill, the Legislature has chipped away at it but has never attempted a full tank exemption.
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/03/10/stories/1060051284
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MBTA Gears Up to Install PTC-Related Wayside and Communication Equipment
Mar 10, 2017 | Progressive Railroading
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) this month will begin installing vehicle, wayside and communication equipment for its positive train control (PTC) system, agency officials announced earlier this week.
The agency is 43 percent complete with the detail design for the wayside and communications equipment system, according to the agency's March 6 PTC update.
The MBTA also is 66 percent finished with the design for PTC-related equipment on its vehicles.
The agency must install 180 antennas and 4,500 PTC-related transponders, along with 230 miles of fiber optical cable.
The MBTA's PTC program includes a contract with Ansaldo Signalling and Transportation Systems and Keolis Commuter Services, which operates the agency's commuter-rail system.
The total cost of the agency's PTC program is estimated at $459 million, according to the update.
The MBTA anticipates full implementation of positive train control by 2020's end.
The federal deadline for implementing the technology is 2018's end, but the Federal Railroad Administration can provide a two-year extension to railroads that meet certain criteria, including the installation of all PTC hardware by the end of 2018.
The MBTA has submitted to the FRA an implementation plan that calls for installation of hardware on all commuter-rail lines by 2018's end.
Several other railroads — including CN, CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway and Metra — expect to request a deadline extension to 2020, according to the FRA's August 2016 PTC status report.
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/ptc/news/MBTA-gears-up-to-install-PTC-related-wayside-and-communication-equipment--51056
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N.D. Rail Shippers Unfazed by Dakota Access
Mar 10, 2017 | E&E Energywire
Rail shippers remain unconcerned that the Dakota Access pipeline may soon come online.
Dakota Access is in its final stages of construction and could begin moving oil as soon as next week (Energywire, March 7).
But the two biggest railroads that ship oil from North Dakota, BNSF Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway, aren't worrying about the project.
That's because oil makes up a small percentage of their business in the state. A much larger share of their business comes from coal and commodities such as grain.
"Overall, crude oil never made up more than 5 percent of the total volume on our railroad," said BNSF spokeswoman Amy McBet. "As this pipeline or any other is completed, we believe rail will always provide a valuable transportation option".
http://www.eenews.net/energywire/2017/03/10/stories/1060051228
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Fuel Tank Cars Burn After Ethanol Train Derails
Mar 10, 2017 | E&E Greenwire
Several fuel tank cars are burning in northwestern Iowa after a freight train possibly carrying ethanol derailed.
The derailment occurred around 1 a.m. Friday near Graettinger, and there were no injuries, said the Palo Alto County Sheriff's Office.
The Union Pacific train was carrying alcohol from an ethanol plant, officials said. At least 27 of the cars derailed, including the burning tanks that were likely loaded with ethanol.
Residents are evacuating the area, and a National Transportation Safety Board spokesman said the agency will investigate the derailment.
http://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2017/03/10/stories/1060051290
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Statoil Pledges to Cut 3M Tons of CO2 by 2020
Mar 10, 2017 | E&E Climatewire
Norway-based Statoil ASA has committed to slashing its carbon dioxide emissions by one-fifth by 2020.
Based on its current emissions, this amounts to around 3 million tons, which the company defined as "reductions achieved by implementing a specific measure compared to the expected emissions at an installation."
In addition to this, Statoil said it planned to cut down on emissions from each barrel of oil from the current rate of 10 kilograms to 8 kg on the same time period and reiterated its commitment to boosting renewable energy investments to between 15 and 20 percent of all its investments.
"Statoil is committed to developing its business in support of the ambitions of the Paris agreement," Eldar Sætre, Statoil CEO, said in a statement.
Environmental advocates praised the move but emphasized that it might not be enough, since the commitments still don't match Norway's national climate targets.
"Statoil deserves a bit of applause. Three million tons is substantial ... but I think their ambitions should be much higher," said World Wildlife Fund Norway's head, Nina Jensen.
In 2016, Statoil emitted three times more than all of Norway's cars: 15 million tons. However, the company says its production process is relatively clean and incorporates emission-reduction measures.
http://www.eenews.net/climatewire/2017/03/10/stories/1060051239
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