ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Court Upholds Vermont's Regulations Limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Motor Vehicles

In a September 12, 2007 decision, the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont upheld the state's regulations establishing greenhouse gas emission standards for new automobiles (Green Mountain Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Jeep v. Crombie, No. 2:05-cv-302 [D. Vt. Sept. 12, 2007]). As allowed by CAA Section 177, Vermont and 10 other states have adopted California's regulations for new motor vehicles that apply to manufacturers beginning in model year 2009.

Flexible Air Permitting Rule Proposed

On September 12, 2007 (72 FR 52206-52261), EPA proposed to revise the new source review (NSR) and CAA Title V operating permit regulations to allow facilities to designate a collection of emission units as a "green group." Changes could be made within the green group without triggering major new source review, provided actual emissions stay within the established emission cap.

Residual Risk Standards for Petroleum Refineries Proposed

On September 4, 2007 (72 FR 50716-50742), EPA proposed residual risk standards for petroleum refineries that would establish new control requirements for storage tanks with external floating roofs, wastewater enhanced biodegradation units, and cooling towers.

First Privatized Superfund Cleanup Announced

On August 27, 2007, EPA announced the first privatized cleanup of a Superfund site in the United States. The U.S. Air Force will provide $11.2 million to Sacramento County, which will contract with developer McClellan Business Park to clean up a 62-acre parcel on the McClellan Air Force Base Superfund Site (Sacramento, California).

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Ethanol for Fuel, Good News and Bad

The United States now produces 6.5 billion gallons per year of fuel ethanol at 127 distilleries, and 7 expansions and 78 new plants under construction will double that. However, ethanol has some inherent problems.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Northwest Passage Opens

On 20 August 2007, the fabled Northwest Passage opened for the first time in written history. A seasonal or year-round, ice-free channel through Arctic waters would be shorter and cost less than shipping through the Panama Canal.

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