Nancy Crickman

National Ambient Air Quality Standards Change for Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)

On February 7, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule which makes changes to the national air quality health standard for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). By setting a stricter standard for the amount of PM2.5 allowed in the air at 9.0 micrograms per cubic meter, the EPA aims to improve public health based on the latest scientific evidence.  However, some standards, like those for PM2.5 over a 24-hour period and PM10, remain the same. The EPA also plans to update the Air …

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EPA to Host Webinar on the Five Chemicals Being Prioritized for Risk Evaluation Under TSCA – February 20, 2024 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm EST

There will be an opportunity for participants to share comments. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is holding a webinar on February 20, 2024 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST on the five chemicals currently undergoing prioritization under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The webinar is open to all, but EPA is particularly interested in learning more about how these chemicals are used and how people could potentially be exposed at different points in a chemical’s lifecycle. EPA is …

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Minor Source Permitting in Washoe County Workshop

January 22, 2024 at UNR Redfield Campus UNR’s Business Environmental Program (BEP) is hosting a Workshop on Minor Source Permitting in Washoe County on January 22, 2024 at 10am at the Redfield Campus. Who Should Attend: Minor source permittees Potential minor source permittees Businesses looking to expand or open a new facility in Washoe County Consultants Topics Covered: Who needs a permit Different permit categories and what permit is needed for each category Forms you will need for your application …

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New Rule in the Works: End-of-Life Solar Panels and Lithium Batteries as Universal Wastes

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on October 23rd that they are planning to propose new rules to improve the management and recycling of end-of-life solar panels and lithium batteries. Some solar panels, though not all, contain enough metals to meet the definition of hazardous waste and lithium batteries can cause fires when improperly discarded or mismanaged. If solar panels are added to the universal waste regulations and tailored universal waste standards are added for lithium batteries then generators could benefit from streamlined regulatory …

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BEP Participates in First Reno Startup Week

The first Reno Startup Week was a big success! BEP Director Chris Lynch was joined by speakers from Patagonia, Sol-Up Solar, Full Circle Compost, and nZero for the Sustainable ROI: Maximizing Business Success with Climate Responsibility panel. We were pleased to have about 30 attendees come to learn strategies and innovative practices that allow businesses to grow while minimizing their environmental impact.

EPA Proposes Reforms to New Chemical Review Process Under TSCA

Public Comment Due by July 25th The EPA proposed amendments to regulations that govern the review of new chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).  Read the Federal Register notice and submit a public comment by July 25.  These amendments would update the regulations to:  Include the five statutory determinations EPA must make for each new chemical submission; Eliminate eligibility exemptions from the full safety review process for PFAS and other persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals; and Make the …

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Call for Submissions: 

2023 Partner of the Year Awards The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is calling for submissions for the 2023 Partner of the Year Awards. The Awards recognize the leadership contributions of Safer Choice partners and stakeholders who have shown achievement in the design, manufacture, selection, and use of products with safer choice chemicals that furthers outstanding or innovative source reduction. For more information on how to apply, CLICK HERE.

New Requirements for Miscellaneous Coating Manufacturing Operations

The final rule for miscellaneous coating manufacturing, effective February 22, 2023, establishes emission limits and work practice requirements for new and existing operations, including process vessels, storage tanks, wastewater, transfer operations, equipment leaks, and heat exchange systems.  The rule also implements section 112(d) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) by requiring all major sources to meet hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emission standards reflecting application of the maximum achievable control technology (MACT). The HAPs emitted from miscellaneous coating manufacturing facilities include toluene, xylene, …

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New Hazardous Air Pollutant Standards for Existing Lead Acid Battery Manufacturing Plants

This final national emission standard for hazardous air pollutants (NESHAP) applies to new and existing lead acid battery manufacturing plants that are area sources. The final rule adopts the numerical emissions limits for grid casting, paste mixing, three process operations, lead oxide manufacturing, lead reclamation, and other lead emitting processes in 40 CFR 60.372 of the new source performance standards (NSPS) for lead acid batteries.  To learn more, download the US EPA Fact Sheet and visit the rule webpage.

BEP Wins 2023 National SBEAP Excellence Award!

At the 2023 National Small Business Environmental Assistance Providers (SBEAP) Annual Training awards program, Nevada BEP was awarded the 2023 SBEAP Excellence Award, acknowledging the efforts of the program to provide support for Nevada small businesses. “It’s great to be back in person again, and it’s a great feeling to be recognized by our peers for the role that we’ve played in providing leadership for the national network and the assistance we provide businesses and government organizations across Nevada,” Lynch said.