On December 18, 2008 (see 73 FR 80300–80301; December 31, 2008), EPA issued an interpretive memorandum intended to clarify the pollutants covered under the federal prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) program, which excludes carbon dioxide.

Clean Air Interstate Rule Reinstated

In a December 23, 2008 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit granted an EPA petition, and remanded without vacating the clean air interstate rule (CAIR) (North Carolina v. EPA, No. 05-1244 [D.C. Cir. Dec. 23, 2008]); therefore, the CAIR and the related federal implementation plan (FIP) remain in place while EPA works to remedy the flaws in the rules that were identified by the court.

RCRA Comparable Fuel Exclusion Expanded

On December 19, 2008 (73 FR 77954–78017), EPA finalized a rule that expands the so-called RCRA comparable fuel exclusion to include a new category of hazardous waste-derived fuel, which is called emission-comparable fuel (ECF).

SPCC Requirements Revised

On December 5, 2008 (73 FR 74236–74323), EPA revised its spill prevention, control, and countermeasures (SPCC) regulations to provide increased clarity, tailor requirements to particular industry sectors, and streamline certain requirements. [On February 3, 2009 (74 FR 5900–5903), the rule’s effective date was delayed to April 4, 2009.]

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Wind Energy’s Promise and Bottlenecks
Part 1

Wind is poised to become the centerpiece of the new US energy economy, eventually supplying perhaps one-third of the country’s electricity.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Investors Achieve Major Company Climate Change Commitments

Investors that manage more than US $300 billion in assets filed a record 57 climate-related shareholder resolutions with US companies during the 2008 proxy season, and resolutions received a record high average voting support of 23.5%.