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ACC PM 1/15
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National Academy to Run Workshop on Changes to IRIS
Jan 15, 2018 | Chemical Watch
A committee of the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is running a public workshop, to review advances made by the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) process. -
Government Promise of UK Chemicals Strategy 'Helpful', CIA Says
Jan 15, 2018 | Chemical Watch
By Luke Buxton
The UK government’s proposal to publish a chemicals strategy, while it continues its process of leaving the EU is "helpful", says Chemical Industries Association head Steve Elliott. -
Do Oil Companies Really Want to Drill in ANWR?
Jan 15, 2018 | The Houston Chronicle
By James Osborne
When the U.S. Senate voted to open up oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as part of its tax cut legislation last month, it was a bet oil companies were willing to brave the harsh conditions and short drilling season of northern Alaska. -
Trump Taps Former EPW Staffer for State Department Energy Role
Jan 15, 2018 | E&E Greenwire
By Nick Sobczyk
President Trump has tapped an energy consultant and longtime Senate staffer to lead a key office at the State Department. -
CSX Train Tips, Spills 2,100 Gallons of Diesel Fuel in Selkirk
Jan 14, 2018 | Times Union
By Wendy Liberatore
A tanker car that partially derailed spilled 2,100 gallons of diesel fuel at the CSX rail yard on Sunday, Selkirk Fire Chief Joe Michaniw said. -
DeFazio Bill Would Speed up PTC Implementation
Jan 15, 2018 | Progressive Rail Roading
Following a deadly Amtrak Cascades derailment in Washington state last month, a bill has been introduced in Congress to accelerate positive train control (PTC) implementation. -
Amtrak's Anderson Outlines Safety Efforts for Oregon, Washington
Jan 15, 2018 | Progressive Rail Roading
Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson last week presented a status report to Oregon and Washington state officials on the railroad's plan for responding to last month's deadly derailment of an Amtrak Cascades train near DuPont, Washington. -
EPA Admits Goof, Will Soon Detail Ozone Plans — Filing
Jan 15, 2018 | E&E Greenwire
By Sean Reilly
U.S. EPA officials, acknowledging a recent mistake, sought to clear up confusion Friday about their immediate intentions for enforcement of the 2015 ground-level ozone standard, but said in a legal filing they need another week to flesh out a schedule. -
EPA Reaches Settlements with Carbon Black Producers
Jan 15, 2018 | E&E Greenwire
By Sean Reilly
U.S. EPA and the Justice Department recently reached settlements with three carbon black producers that are designed to eventually cut releases of two common pollutants by tens of thousands of tons annually.
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National Academy to Run Workshop on Changes to IRIS
Jan 15, 2018 | Chemical Watch
A committee of the US National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is running a public workshop, to review advances made by the Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) process.
The EPA has asked this committee to assess changes – implemented or planned – by the agency in response to recommendations made in various NAS reports, including the:Review of EPA's Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) process; andReview of the Environmental Protection Agency's draft IRIS assessment of formaldehyde.
The workshop, on 1-2 February in Washington DC, will serve as a venue for the EPA to present its changes to IRIS, and for stakeholders to make contributions.
The committee will base its assessment on information received at the workshop.
The IRIS programme has come under scrutiny in recent months. In November the Senate Appropriations Committee released a proposal that would eliminate the programme. However, the meeting notice states: "Public comments should be relevant ... this workshop is not a forum to debate the value of the IRIS programme."
https://chemicalwatch.com/63099/national-academy-to-run-workshop-on-changes-to-iris
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Government Promise of UK Chemicals Strategy 'Helpful', CIA Says
Jan 15, 2018 | Chemical Watch
By Luke Buxton
The UK government’s proposal to publish a chemicals strategy, while it continues its process of leaving the EU is "helpful", says Chemical Industries Association head Steve Elliott.
The promise was included in the 25-year environment plan, published last week by the environment ministry (Defra).
The reference to the strategy is helpful, said Mr Elliott, "because we don't want to start off on something new that can potentially duplicate or conflict with all of our current existing commitments under REACH". Clarification of what Brexit will deliver in the area of chemicals, he said, is the "first priority".
The chemicals strategy will "tackle chemicals of national concern that will build on existing approaches", the brief outline in the plan says. Mr Elliott questioned the meaning of "tackle chemicals of national concern", saying "I don't know what that phrase means now." But said the CIA was keen to play its part and work with Defra and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
Susanne Baker from trade body techUK said that after years of building expertise on, and investing in, REACH, "we hope that whatever emerges goes with the grain of existing domestic and international business practices and avoids unnecessary duplication of effort."‘Vague’ and ‘evasive’
Michael Warhurst from NGO CHEM Trust criticised the government’s proposed actions as "vague and unambitious". It is essential, he said, that the UK remains in the REACH regulatory system, "yet this is not mentioned in the strategy."
"It was reported in the Financial Times [last week] that the UK government does want to stay in the REACH system," he said. "It’s time for the government to stop being vague and evasive on this issue, and instead come out clearly for staying in REACH."
The UK environment ministry told Chemical Watch the timetable for the chemicals strategy will be developed "in light of the progress of negotiations with the EU", so that it "can incorporate priorities for our domestic regulation and reflect our future relationship with the EU".
https://chemicalwatch.com/63108/government-promise-of-uk-chemicals-strategy-helpful-cia-says
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Do Oil Companies Really Want to Drill in ANWR?
Jan 15, 2018 | The Houston Chronicle
By James Osborne
When the U.S. Senate voted to open up oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as part of its tax cut legislation last month, it was a bet oil companies were willing to brave the harsh conditions and short drilling season of northern Alaska.
But if the recent history of another patch of oil rich federal land not far from ANWR - the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska - is any indication, they could be in for a long wait.
When the Department of Interior held a lease sale for the petroleum reserve last month, only 1 percent of the 10.3 million acres offered received bids- in total they came to $1.2 million.
For ANWR, the Senate is hoping to reap $1.1 billion over the next decade.
How comparable the two fields are is something of a question mark.
After the poor lease sale, Kara Moriarty, director of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, told the Associated Press drawing comparisons to ANWR was unsound and said the refuge held tenfold the oil and gas deposits of the petroleum reserve.
"They may both be in Alaska, but the reserve estimates are night and day," she said.
But then late last month, on the same day President Donald Trump signed the tax bill, the Department of Interior released findings that the petroleum reserve and surrounding lands contained 8.7 billions barrels of crude - more than five times what they estimated in 2010.
That brings it close to the levels scientists believe are contained within ANWR. The most recent U.S. Geological Survey in 1998 put ANWR's reserves at between 5.7 billion and 16 billion barrels of crude.
"That's a boatload of oil," said Niel Lawrence, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. "The industry likes to open up land and lock it up. But that doesn't mean they'll produce on it."
http://www.chron.com/business/energy/article/Do-oil-companies-really-want-to-drill-in-ANWR-12494364.php
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Trump Taps Former EPW Staffer for State Department Energy Role
Jan 15, 2018 | E&E Greenwire
By Nick Sobczyk
President Trump has tapped an energy consultant and longtime Senate staffer to lead a key office at the State Department.
The White House on Friday announced the nomination of Frank Fannon to be assistant secretary of State for energy resources.
If confirmed, Fannon will take over an office that handles everything from sanctions and clean energy technology to permitting cross-border pipelines.
Fannon would likely play a role in promoting the Trump administration's "all of the above" energy strategy, which has included easing the path for liquefied natural gas exports abroad.
He would also enter a department that has been in flux for nearly the entire Trump presidency, with many top-level positions still unfilled and rumors cropping up every few months that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is on the way out.
Fannon shares with Tillerson a background in the energy industry. But unlike the former Exxon Mobil Corp. CEO, Fannon has deep ties to Washington, making him an interesting choice for a secretary who is attempting to overhaul and streamline the agency's organizational structure.
Fannon worked for two Republican senators before serving as counsel to the Environment and Public Works Committee between 2003 and 2007 under then-Chairman Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.).
In 2005, he co-wrote a paper with Inhofe titled "Energy and the Environment: The Future of Natural Gas in America."
The paper, published in the Energy Law Journal, argued that conflicting federal policies were causing natural gas supply shortages.
Fannon later took top-level positions at Murphy Oil Corp. between 2007 and 2012 and BHP Billiton Ltd. from 2012 to 2017, according to his LinkedIn page.
Most recently, he helped launch the Coefficient Group, an energy consulting firm made up of former Capitol Hill staffers and industry veterans (Greenwire, Nov. 8, 2017).
Fannon graduated from Radford University in 1995 and has a master's degree and a law degree from the University of Denver.
https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/01/15/stories/1060070963
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CSX Train Tips, Spills 2,100 Gallons of Diesel Fuel in Selkirk
Jan 14, 2018 | Times Union
By Wendy Liberatore
A tanker car that partially derailed spilled 2,100 gallons of diesel fuel at the CSX rail yard on Sunday, Selkirk Fire Chief Joe Michaniw said.
"It happened on the eastern terminal of CSX main property," Michaniw said. "We contained it with absorbent booms and pads. That's about all that can be done right now. There is no threat to the public. It's too cold."
A call came into the Selkirk fire department at about 5:22 p.m. with the report of the spill. Michaniw said that it appeared that a car coupling broke. This forced the tanker to jolt, shift off the rails and puncture.
"There was no fire," Michaniw said. "The tanker remains upright, just tilted."
The chief did say that most of the fuel spilled onto the rocky track bed in the area called "the hump." He said that the state Department of Environmental Conservation was onsite, looking to clean up the spill.
"I'm sure they are going to have to dig it up to clean it up," he said. "They can't leave it there. But for now, it's contained."
http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/CSX-train-tips-spills-2-100-gallons-of-fuel-12497874.php
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DeFazio Bill Would Speed up PTC Implementation
Jan 15, 2018 | Progressive Rail Roading
Following a deadly Amtrak Cascades derailment in Washington state last month, a bill has been introduced in Congress to accelerate positive train control (PTC) implementation.
Introduced by U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), the proposed Positive Train Control Implementation and Financing Act would give railroads until Dec. 31, 2018, to implement PTC and would prevent the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) from granting extensions to railroads that want more time to implement the crash-prevention technology.
DeFazio, who is ranking member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, announced last month that he would introduce the bill, after an Amtrak Cascades train derailed off an overpass, killing three passengers and injuring dozens more. The accident occurred on a stretch of track where PTC was not yet installed.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is investigating the accident, noted that train was traveling at 79 mph in a 30 mph stretch of track when the derailment occurred. Had PTC been implemented, it likely would have prevented the train from exceeding the speed limit.
In a Dec. 28 letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, DeFazio and U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) requested a detailed status update on railroads PTC implementation.
"It has been nearly a decade since passage of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which required freight, commuter and intercity passenger railroads to implement PTC by Dec. 31, 2015. That deadline was later extended to Dec. 31, 2018," the lawmakers wrote. "We understand that PTC is complex but there is no excuse for it taking this long and for some railroads to be lagging so far behind, as indicated in the progress reports submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration."
Although Congress extended the PTC deadline to Dec. 31, 2018, it also allowed railroads to request a two-year extension under certain circumstances.
The proposed legislation would provide $2.5 billion in grants so that commuter railroads and intercity railways are able to implement PTC, according to TheHill.
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/federal_legislation_regulation/news/DeFazio-bill-would-speed-up-PTC-implementation--53676
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Amtrak's Anderson Outlines Safety Efforts for Oregon, Washington
Jan 15, 2018 | Progressive Rail Roading
Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson last week presented a status report to Oregon and Washington state officials on the railroad's plan for responding to last month's deadly derailment of an Amtrak Cascades train near DuPont, Washington.
Among its actions and plans, Amtrak is taking the lead in organizing a meeting of key decision-makers involved in implementing positive train control (PTC) in the area where the derailment occurred, Anderson said in a letter to the states officials. Those decision-makers include Amtrak, Sound Transit, host railroads and the Washington and Oregon departments of transportation.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigators have said PTC likely would have prevented the train from exceeding the speed limit on the track prior to the derailment.
In his letter, Anderson outlined immediate, mid- and long-term actions in response to the accident. Amtrak's immediate actions have included instituting more safety sessions for its employees and the hiring of a new chief safety officer who will report directly to Anderson.
Mid-term actions include implementing a PTC system across the entire Amtrak Cascades route "as soon as possible."
Long-term actions include implementing a new safety management system at Amtrak based on best practices within the U.S. commercial aviation industry and in compliance with the Federal Railroad Administration's 49 CFR Part 270 System Safety Program regulations.
http://www.progressiverailroading.com/amtrak/news/Amtraks-Anderson-outlines-safety-efforts-for-Oregon-Washington--53681
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EPA Admits Goof, Will Soon Detail Ozone Plans — Filing
Jan 15, 2018 | E&E Greenwire
By Sean Reilly
U.S. EPA officials, acknowledging a recent mistake, sought to clear up confusion Friday about their immediate intentions for enforcement of the 2015 ground-level ozone standard, but said in a legal filing they need another week to flesh out a schedule.
While the agency recently announced an April 30 "goal" for finishing up the area attainment designations for the 70 parts per billion standard, it "is still determining the specific details" of its plan, according to the status report, submitted late Friday to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. More information will be forthcoming in a follow-up report this week, Justice Department attorney Norman Rave wrote in the filing.
In response to motions from both Democratic-led states and public health advocacy groups that have brought legal challenges, the appeals court had ordered EPA to report by the Jan. 12 deadline. The court asked for "precision and specificity" on its timetable for making the designations, which were supposed to have been completed by last October.
But in a separate suit, launched last month in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, many of the same advocacy groups are asking a judge to make the April 30 goal legally binding. EPA will reply to that request this week, Rave wrote in explaining the need for a short grace period.
Rave also disavowed an official "statement of priorities" released last month that seemed to indicate EPA was still pursuing a blanket one-year extension of all attainment designations, even though Administrator Scott Pruitt had formally dropped that idea in August. The statement was "erroneous," Rave wrote, and "does not change the fact that the extension has been withdrawn and has no legal effect."
In the days after the statement was released, however, Pruitt's office made no attempt to publicly correct the mistake. In court filings, lawyers for the states and advocacy groups highlighted it as evidence that the extension bid — which would have pushed back all attainment designations until October 2018 — was still in play. Their arguments resonated with a three-judge panel on the D.C. Circuit Court, which cited them in ordering last Friday's status report E&E News PM, Dec. 19, 2017).
Ozone, the prime ingredient in smog, is tied to asthma attacks in children and wider-ranging problems in people with chronic lung diseases. Under the Obama administration, EPA had set the 70 ppb standard in October 2015 on the grounds that a stricter threshold was needed to adequately protect public health in light of fresh research on ozone's dangers.
The attainment designations are a significant first step in enforcement because they start the clock for states to come up with cleanup plans for areas that are out of compliance.
In November, EPA deemed the bulk of the country in attainment for the 70 ppb standard, but delayed decisions for areas in Texas, California and other states that are unlikely to meet the threshold. Late last month, in a sign that the agency is moving forward, EPA officials gave the required four-month notice of instances in which they plan to change states' recommendations, turned in more than a year ago.
The erroneous statement of priorities that kicked off the latest round of legal wrangling has been corrected "to remove any reference to the withdrawn extension," Rave wrote in the Friday filing.
The litigation before the D.C. Circuit was initially brought to challenge that extension; since it has now been withdrawn, Rave reiterated the suits should be dismissed as moot. The American Lung Association and other plaintiffs say the litigation should be kept alive until EPA makes all attainment designations.
Click here to read the original statement of priorities, released last month as part of the Trump administration's latest regulatory agenda.
https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/01/15/stories/1060070955
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EPA Reaches Settlements with Carbon Black Producers
Jan 15, 2018 | E&E Greenwire
By Sean Reilly
U.S. EPA and the Justice Department recently reached settlements with three carbon black producers that are designed to eventually cut releases of two common pollutants by tens of thousands of tons annually.
The consent decrees with Sid Richardson Carbon & Energy Co., Orion Engineered Carbons LLC and Columbian Chemicals Co. require the firms to install state-of-the-art controls to curb emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides at plants in Texas, Louisiana, Ohio and Kansas, according to EPA summaries of the agreements released late last month.
The combined price tag for the controls is estimated at around $300 million. They will ultimately reduce overall sulfur dioxide emissions by about 26,000 tons annually in comparison with 2015 levels. Releases of nitrogen oxides, which help form ozone, will be cut by about 3,100 tons for all the plants covered by the three consent decrees, the summaries indicated.
Carbon black is a fine powder used in making tires, inkjet toner and other products. The consent decrees, all lodged with U.S. district courts in Louisiana, will settle allegations that the companies violated provisions in the Clean Air Act's prevention of significant deterioration program or maximum achievable control technology standards by failing to obtain needed permits and maintain required pollution controls at their respective facilities.
The settlements are subject to a 30-day federal public comment period and a 45-day Louisiana public comment period before judges can make them final.
As part of the settlements, Texas-based Sid Richardson will pay about $1 million in fines and carry out environmental mitigation projects valued at almost $500,000, according to EPA's rundown. Orion, a global company headquartered in Luxembourg, will pay $800,000 in fines, accompanied by mitigation projects worth $550,000. Columbian, based in the Atlanta area, agreed to fines of $650,000 and mitigation projects valued at $375,000, the summaries said.
https://www.eenews.net/greenwire/2018/01/15/stories/1060070947
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