Air Quality

EPA Proposes Trichloroethylene (TCE) Ban

Comments due by December 15th In October 2023, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed to ban the manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution in commerce of TCE for all uses. The proposed rule would rapidly phase down manufacturing, processing, distribution, and use of TCE for all uses, most of which would be fully phased out in one year.  EPA is prohibiting manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of TCE for all consumer uses, including in: • Cleaners and degreasers …

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NNPH to host public workshops regarding fees 

Northern Nevada Public Health (formerly Washoe County Health District) is proposing revisions to Environmental Health Services and Air Quality Management fees, due to higher costs from inflation. Members of the public are encouraged to weigh in on these proposed changes. Feedback collected at these workshops will be used to develop recommendations for the District Board of Health, which governs Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH). NNPH also encourages people to fill out our survey to provide information on the matter. Businesses and individuals …

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Small Business Environmental Roundtable

Trichloroethylene (TCE); Regulation under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Procedures for Chemical Risk Evaluation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Tuesday, November 17, 2023 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST Microsoft Teams Webinar The next Office of Advocacy Environmental Roundtable will be held virtually on November 17, 2023, at 1 PM ET on the Microsoft Teams platform. The discussion will focus on <SUBJECT> Please register here and provide the information requested to receive a Teams link. AGENDA                         I.        Welcome and Introductions …

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Introducing Griffin Hadlock, BEP Air Quality Specialist

Griffin Hadlock recently joined BEP as an Air Quality Specialist. He will be providing statewide assistance to Nevada’s businesses for air quality permitting and compliance issues and questions. Griffin was born and raised in Reno, Nevada, and has a passion for exploring Nevada’s wild lands. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecohydrology from the University of Nevada, Reno. Griffin has prior experience with local regulatory agencies and is excited to help Nevada’s start-ups and established businesses with all …

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NNPH Air Quality Division Seeks Public Input on Wildfire Impact Reports

The Northern Nevada Public Health Air Quality Management Division (AQMD) is seeking public input on reports that demonstrate how wildfires in 2021 and 2022 worsened air quality, especially PM10 particles. These reports request that the EPA does not consider this data when making regulations. PM10 refers to very fine particles in wildfire smoke. If the EPA agrees to this request, it means that future local air quality plans won’t be affected by PM10 from wildfires, but it won’t change AQMD’s …

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Proposed Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under the Clean Air Act

Comments due November 13, 2023 On September 27, 2023, the EPA introduced a proposed rule known as the Reclassification of Major Sources as Area Sources Under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act (MM2A), which sets new requirements for major sources of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) that opt to reclassify themselves as area sources under the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) program. Major sources are defined as those emitting 10 tons per year (tpy) or more of a single …

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National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives

FY 2024-2027 The EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) updates its national enforcement and compliance initiatives (NECIs) every three years to address difficult environmental and public health challenges. The EPA focuses its enforcement and compliance assurance resources on the most serious environmental violations by developing and implementing NECIs, in addition to the EPA’s core enforcement work. The six NECIs for FY 2024-2027 are: Mitigating climate change (new) Addressing exposure to PFAS (new) Protecting communities from coal ash contamination (new) Reducing …

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Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR) Comment Period Extended

New Comment Period Deadline: November 17, 2023 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the comment period for the Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR) proposed rule for an additional 30 days to November 17, 2023. Written comments are being accepted here. The EPA’s proposed AERR rule could impact small businesses significantly. With unique emission thresholds for Hazardous Air Pollutants, businesses might need to report even minimal emissions. This poses challenges for recordkeeping and compliance. The Overview Fact Sheet and Key Things to Know About the …

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NDEP seeking comments on proposed amendments to administrative code chapters 445B, 459 and 468A

Virtual Public Meeting: September 28th, 2pm – 5pm The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) will be holding a virtual meeting on Friday, September 28th to discuss proposed changes to the administrative code. NDEP is proposing: 445B: Adding language that relates to its responsibilities to notify the public when ambient air quality standards have been exceeded and the possible health effects of these events. This rule change will bring more awareness to the public about hazardous air quality events and how …

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