News – Page 24 – Business Environmental Program

Ground level Ozone Basics

February 8, 2021January 29, 2019

What is “good” vs. “bad” ozone? Ozone can be “good” or “bad” for health and the environment depending on where it’s found in the atmosphere. Stratospheric ozone is “good” because it protects living things from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Ground-level ozone, the topic of this website, is “bad” because it can trigger a variety of health problems, particularly for children, the elderly, and people of all ages who have lung diseases such as asthma. Learn more about ground-level ozone. Ozone is a gas …

E-Waste Manifest System Amendments

January 29, 2019January 11, 2019

Rule Summary Former EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt, signed the e-Manifest User Fee Final Rule on December 20, 2017 and it was published in the Federal Register (FR) on January 3, 2018. The final rule establishes the methodology that EPA will use in setting and revising user fees in order to recover the full costs of the electronic manifest system. This includes costs incurred in developing, operating, maintaining, and upgrading a national e-Manifest system, as well as any costs incurred in collecting and processing …

The Benefits of Reducing Idling

February 8, 2021January 11, 2019

Benefits and Methods for Reducing Idling Operator comfort is essential to maintaining focus and high performance in locomotive shipping. However, changing how you achieve it by reducing idling can help you achieve significant benefits. Benefits from reducing long-duration idling include: Decreasing fuel costs, Decreasing engine maintenance costs; Extending engine life; Improving operator well-being by decreasing noise levels; Decreasing emissions that are harmful to the environment; and Improving relationships with surrounding communities. There are two ways of reducing idling: Behavioral strategies …

BEP in the News

January 29, 2019January 11, 2019

UNR Business Environmental Program head: ‘Green’ can be profitable CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Northern Nevada Development Authority was told Oct. 24 being “green” doesn’t have to cost businesses on their bottom line. Chris Lynch, head of the UNR Business Environmental Program, told an audience of about 40 he was told by one businessman “environmental is nice, but I don’t have time for it.” “First, when it’s the environment, you don’t have a choice,” he said. “You have to comply.” The …

Interim Final Rule: Safe Management of Recalled Airbags

January 29, 2019January 11, 2019

Rule Summary EPA is issuing, with good cause, this interim final rule in response to the urgent public health issue posed by recalled Takata airbag inflators still installed in vehicles. With this rule, EPA is facilitating a more expedited removal of defective Takata airbag inflators from vehicles by dealerships, salvage yards and other locations for safe and environmentally sound disposal by exempting the collection of airbag waste from hazardous waste requirements as long as certain conditions are met. What does the …

EPA Moves to Ban Certain Aerosol Degreasers and Dry Cleaning Spot Removers as the First Major Regulatory Action Under Chemical Reform Law

December 7, 2016

December 7, 2016 WASHINGTON–The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to ban certain uses of the toxic chemical trichloroethylene (TCE) due to health risks when used as a degreaser and a spot removal agent in dry cleaning. “For the first time in a generation, we are able to restrict chemicals already in commerce that pose risks to public health and the environment,” said Jim Jones, assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. “Once finalized, today’s …

EPA Names First Chemicals for Review Under New TSCA Legislation

December 7, 2016November 29, 2016

November 29, 2016 EPA Names First Chemicals for Review Under New TSCA Legislation Agency answers call to move forward on chemical reform, naming asbestos among first to undergo risk evaluation WASHINGTON – Today, EPA is announcing the first ten chemicals it will evaluate for potential risks to human health and the environment under TSCA reform. “Under the new law, we now have the power to require safety reviews of all chemicals in the marketplace.” said Jim Jones, assistant administrator of …

2016 Green Fleet Awards

October 17, 2016October 9, 2015

The top 50 winners of the Green Fleet Awards contest were announced last month at the National Green Fleet Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Click here to learn more about the Green Fleet Awards contest. 1 The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey 2 City of New York, NY 3 City & County of Denver, CO 4 New York City Police Department (NY) 5 State of California 6 U.S. Air Force / 441st VSCOS (VA) 7 Sacramento County (CA) 8 Alameda County (CA) …

EPA Strengthens the Air Quality Standards for Ground-Level Ozone

October 9, 2015

On October 1, 2015, EPA strengthened the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ground-level ozone to 70 parts per billion (ppb), based on extensive scientific evidence about ozone’s effects on public health and welfare. The updated standards will improve public health protection, particularly for at-risk groups including children, older adults, people of all ages who have lung diseases such as asthma, and people who are active outdoors, especially outdoor workers. They also will improve the health of trees, plants …

Proposed Rulemaking: Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles

June 23, 2015June 23, 2015

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are jointly proposing a national program that would establish the next phase of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fuel efficiency standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. This “Phase 2 program” would significantly reduce carbon emissions and improve the fuel efficiency of heavy-duty vehicles, helping to address the challenges of global climate change and energy security. Learn more