Agriculture

Wrap-Up of Federal and State Chemical Regulatory Developments, 11/14

By Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.

Dow Chemicals Plans To Layoff 5,000 Employees

EPA Proposes To Remove 72 Chemicals From Approved Pesticide Inert Ingredients List: On October 22, 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requested public comment on a proposal to remove 72 chemicals from its list of substances approved for use as inert ingredients in pesticide products. 79 Fed. Reg. 63120. EPA reportedly is responding to petitions submitted by the Center for Environmental Health, Beyond Pesticides, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and others that have asked EPA to issue a rule requiring disclosure of 371 inert ingredients found in pesticide products. EPA developed an alternative strategy designed to reduce the risks posed by hazardous inert ingredients in pesticide products more effectively than by disclosure rulemaking. EPA outlined its strategy in a May 22, 2014, letter to the petitioners, which is available online. Many of the 72 inert ingredients targeted for removal are on the list of 371 inert ingredients identified by the petitioners as hazardous. The 72 chemicals are not currently being used as inert ingredients in any pesticide product and include:

 /  Published November 17, 2014 at 4:00 PM

Massachusetts DPU Seeks Input to Enable Net Metering for Small Hydro Facilities

By Enerknol Research

Aerials of U.S.-Canada Border Along The Niagara River

Massachusetts has advanced measures to establish net metering requirements for small hydroelectric facilities. On October 16, 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) issued a notice and order opening a proceeding (DPU 14-118) to enable net metering for small hydroelectric generation, consistent with requirements under “An Act Relative to Credit for Thermal Energy Generated with… Keep reading →

 /  Published October 27, 2014 at 10:30 AM

EPA Draft Ruling Could Mean Significant Changes to How Stormwater Systems are Categorized

By Shawn Hagerty, Andre Monette | Best Best & Krieger LLP

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The last thing that public agency leaders want to hear is that looming changes may make operating and building new public infrastructure more challenging and expensive. Unfortunately, proposed changes by the Environmental Protection Agency to the Clean Water Act could ultimately stop, delay or increase the cost of public projects.

The federal Clean Water Act establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States and regulating the quality of those waters. The pending changes, if adopted, could greatly expand the jurisdictional reach of the CWA and change how municipal stormwater systems are categorized.

 /  Published October 21, 2014 at 4:00 PM

New Biogas Opportunities Roadmap is Part of Climate Change Solution

By U.S. Department of Energy

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Farmers have long understood the need to care for our air, land and water. They know that farms are more productive and efficient when they’re properly cared for. Protecting natural resources protects their bottom lines and may be able to improve them as well. Farmers are always looking for ways to make a living and… Keep reading →

 /  Published August 5, 2014 at 5:00 PM

Climate Week NYC: Bringing Climate Solutions to Scale

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Business And Political Leaders Attend Climate Week NYC Discussion

There is no shortage of small ways in which individuals can take action against climate change. What is lacking, at least thus far, is a solution equal to the scale of the challenge, according to World Bank President Jim Yong Kim. The World Bank is seeking to incorporate efforts to tackle climate change into its… Keep reading →

 /  Published September 25, 2013 at 2:00 PM