U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Announces Environmental Justice and Climate Action Initiatives
On April 23, the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Michael Regan, announced three new agency initiatives to support “community-driven solutions” for environmental justice and climate change in North America and across the world. The announcement came in conjunction with President Joe Biden’s Leaders Summit on Climate where the President pledged to cut nationwide net greenhouse gas emissions at least 50% to 52% by 2030 in comparison to 2005 levels. (more…)
U.S. House Advances Environmental, Social, Governance Disclosure Bill
Last week the U.S. House of Representatives advanced the first piece of legislation of the year regarding environmental, social, and governance (ESG). On Wednesday, April 21, the House Financial Services Committee passed H.R. 1187, the ESG Disclosure Simplification Act of 2021, by a party-line vote of 28-22.
U.S. Transportation Department Moves to Revive States’ Authority to Regulate Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions
On April 22, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a proposed rule that revokes the agency’s portion of the September 2019 rule, known as SAFE-1 Rule, which sought to preempt states, including California, from issuing their own tailpipe greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations and zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandates. (more…)
House Introduces PFAS Action Act of 2021
On Tuesday, April 13, Reps. Debbie Dingell and Fred Upton, both D-Mich., introduced the PFAS Action Act of 2021, seeking further regulation of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS). Most notably, the bill would require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take action to address two PFAS chemicals — PFOA and PFOS — through a number of regulatory provisions: designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, designating PFOA and PFOS as hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act, and requiring EPA to establish national drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS. (more…)
Council on Environmental Quality Rescinds Trump-Era Rule on Guidance Documents
On Tuesday, April 13, the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) rescinded a January 8, 2021, Trump administration rule that established guidance document procedures, procedures for the public to request withdrawal or modification of a guidance document, and procedures for significant guidance documents. (more…)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control Update Surface Cleaning Guidance Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
In a recent science brief regarding surface transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concluded that while it is possible for people to be infected through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, “the risk is generally considered to be low.” The principal mode by which people are infected by SARS-CoV-2 is through exposure to respiratory droplets in the air that contain the virus.
President Biden’s Budget Proposal Includes Unprecedented Funding for All-of-Government Approach to Climate
On Friday, April 9, President Joe Biden released a $1.52 trillion fiscal year (FY) 2022 budget proposal. Referred to as the “skinny budget,” the document includes top-line figures and high-level summaries the White House will supplant with the full budget proposal later this spring. The release of the skinny budget starts the often-challenging process for Congress to pass an appropriations bill by the end of September, when the FY21 appropriations expire. (more…)
Administrator Regan Reaffirms Environmental Justice as a Top Priority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
In an April 7 Agencywide memorandum, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) Administrator Michael Regan recommitted EPA to advancing environmental justice initiatives. Administrator Regan stated that it would be one of his “top priorities” to address environmental effects on communities whose residents are predominately of color, Indigenous, or low-income.
White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council Holds First Meeting
During the past week, President Biden’s focus on environmental justice continued to take shape with the announcement by the White House of the Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC) membership and the WHEJAC’s first meeting.
White House Unveils Expansive Infrastructure Proposal
President Joe Biden unveiled the first of his two-part infrastructure proposal on Wednesday, March 31. Referred to as the American Jobs Plan, the package would provide $2.3 trillion in spending to support traditional infrastructure upgrades and activities within a new, more expansive definition of infrastructure. The plan provides $621 billion for transportation infrastructure and resiliency activities, $115 billion of which would fund repairs to roads and bridges. This also includes $174 billion in electric vehicle (EV) investments to create a national network of 500,000 EV chargers by 2030, electrify at least 20% of school buses, and electrify the federal fleet, including the U.S. Postal Service. In addition, the proposal provides $111 billion in water infrastructure funding, which includes $45 billion to replace 100% of the nation’s lead service lines and $10 billion to monitor and remediate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.