EPA rule expands state role in regulating air toxins

Journal Article · Tue Jun 15 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States)

OSTI ID:6262149

Simpson, J

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed rules that would give state agencies a greater role in regulating toxic air pollutants. The rules are the first of several required of the agency under the Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA) to regulate as many as 189 toxic air pollutants, primarily carcinogens, mutagens, and reproductive toxins. In the future, EPA is expected to promulgate additional rules identifying major emission sources of the toxins and setting [open quotes]control technology[close quotes] standards to reduce toxic emissions. [open quotes]Future[close quotes] may be the operative word around the agency, at least when it comes to meeting deadlines, according to the Washington, DC-based Center for Resource Economics. The Center's annual review of the EPA claims that inadequate funding and staffing of CAAA activities, and of the air toxics program in particular, will likely cause the agency to miss a number of deadlines for publishing standards. The agency is directed by the CAAA to come up with standards for 25 percent of all categories by November 1994, 50 percent of all categories by November 1997, and all categories by November 2000. Because of the expected delays, however, states may be forced to set permit limits without the benefit of federal guidance. [open quotes]In that case, standards setting will require a great deal of state funding that would otherwise be used for other Clean Air Act activities,[close quotes] the study says. Under the EPA's recently proposed air toxics rule, states would be permitted to apply for EPA approval of state-developed regulations. Once approved, the state replacement rules will be enforceable by the federal government.

• OSTI ID: 6262149
• Journal Information: Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States), Journal Name: Public Utilities Fortnightly; (United States) Vol. 131:12; ISSN PUFNAV; ISSN 0033-3808
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
AIR POLLUTION
ANTIGENS
CLEAN AIR ACTS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LAWS
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION LAWS
POLLUTION REGULATIONS
REGULATIONS
STATE GOVERNMENT
STEAM GENERATION PLANTS
TOXIC MATERIALS
TOXINS
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS