Air Quality

In December 2024, the US EPA issued a final rule regulating TCE. The rule bans the manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution in commerce of TCE for all uses, with longer compliance timeframes and stringent worker protections for some processing and industrial and commercial uses until the prohibitions come into effect. The EPA will prohibit most TCE uses, including manufacturing and commercial processing, within one year, protecting consumers and workers. Limited industrial uses will be phased out over longer timeframes …

Read MoreUS EPA issues final rule on banning Trichloroethylene (TCE)

Signed on December 20th, 2024, the final rule addresses the technology review of the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Perchloroethylene Dry Cleaning Facilities (referred to as the PCE Dry Cleaning NESHAP). The PCE Dry Cleaning NESHAP was finalized in 1993 and applies to major and area sources of dry cleaners that use the chemical perchloroethylene (PCE) in the U.S.   A recently finalized action issued by EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) prohibits the …

Read MoreUS EPA signs a final rule on banning perchloroethylene (PCE)

On November 13, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for rubber tire manufacturing. These updates address previously unregulated hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions from the rubber processing subcategory, ensuring compliance with Clean Air Act requirements for this industry. This action is expected to reduce emissions of total hydrocarbons (THC) and filterable particulate matter (fPM) by about 171 tons annually. Read more about the final rule here.

On October 16, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued final amendments to two air toxics regulations, the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Oil and Natural Gas Production and the NESHAP for Natural Gas Transmission and Storage. These rules aim to control hazardous air pollutants, which can cause cancer and other serious health problems.

Earlier this month, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized amendments to strengthen the new source performance standards (NSPS) for volatile organic liquid storage vessels, including those used for petroleum liquids. These amendments aim to further reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fulfill the EPA’s obligation under the Clean Air Act (CAA) to review emission standards regularly, reflecting advancements in pollution control technology. The updates include stricter standards for VOC emissions from storage vessels, particularly those with floating …

Read MoreUS EPA New Final Rule for Volatile Organic Liquid Storage Vessels – Including Petroleum Storage Vessels: New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)

Public comment period is open through November 22, 2024 The Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) – Air Quality Management Division (AQMD) is asking the public for written comment on asbestos regulations. Comments will be accepted until midnight on Nov. 22, 2024. All comments must includefirst and last name, mailing address, and contact information. Your comments can be submitted the following ways: The revisions are for “Prohibited Emissions” under District Board of Health (DBOH) Regulations Governing Air Quality Management, Chapter 040. AQMD …

Read MoreNNPH Air Quality Management Division Seeks Public Comment and Sets Public Workshop Date for Asbestos Regulation Revisions