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The proposal requires safe management of coal ash that was dumped in currently unregulated areas, including inactive power plants with surface impoundments that are no longer in use. Coal ash contains hazardous pollutants including arsenic, chromium, lead, and mercury, which have been linked to cancer, heart and thyroid disease and other illnesses. It tends to have a larger impact on low-income, minority communities living near power plants. The groups that filed the petition last year, represented by Earthjustice, found that the EPA exempted coal ash heaps at 566 landfills and dumps at 242 coal plants in 40 states. Now, plant owners in states including Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, New Mexico and Florida with some unregulated coal ash dumps would be required to monitor and clean up all coal ash at a given site, Earthjustice said.

Companies Norfolk Southern Corp FollowNEW YORK, May 16 (Reuters) - Norfolk Southern Corp (NSC.N) was sued on Tuesday by bondholders who said they lost hundreds of millions of dollars because the railroad concealed safety risks prior to the February derailment in Ohio of a train carrying hazardous chemicals. A Norfolk Southern spokesman declined to comment, saying the Atlanta-based company does not discuss pending litigation. Norfolk Southern faced many lawsuits over the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, including cases brought by Ohio's attorney general, local residents and shareholders. There are nearly 30 defendants, including Norfolk Southern executives and directors and 12 financial services companies that underwrote the bonds. The case is Ohio Carpenters Pension Fund et al v Norfolk Southern Corp et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No.

☆ US oil lobby blasts EPA emissions cuts plan, California likes it
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, May 10 (Reuters) - The largest U.S. oil and gas trade lobby group said on Wednesday it believes sharp emissions cuts proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would result in the elimination of new internal combustion vehicles. Just said the rules would "eliminate the opportunity to improve" internal combustion and hybrid technologies "and create an outsized reliance on battery materials from other countries to meet United States' transportation needs." They testified the second day of the EPA's virtual public hearings on its aggressive proposal for cutting U.S. vehicle emissions for 2027-2032 model years. The plan would require 13% annual average pollution cuts and a 56% reduction in projected fleet average emissions over 2026 requirements. The EPA estimates the plan would result in 60% of new vehicles by 2030 being electric and 67% by 2032.

[1/2] A Ford Ranger Raptor is seen at a Ford event in Michigan, U.S., May 5, 2023. REUTERS/Joe WhiteDETROIT, May 10 (Reuters) - Ford Motor Co (F.N) on Wednesday unveiled the latest addition to its muscle truck franchise - a Ranger Raptor midsize pickup with a 405-horsepower engine and a suspension designed for racing across the desert, made possible in part by Ford's electric vehicles. But a Ranger Raptor will start at $56,960, Ford said. Ford is also ramping up production of its Mustang Mach-E, Ford F-150 Lightning and Transit electric vehicles - generating credits that allow it to sell more high-performance, combustion vehicles such as the Ranger Raptor, the Bronco Raptor and the F-150 Raptor. "We're doing it through a portfolio of products" that includes electric vehicles and a hybrid Maverick pickup, Baumbick said.

☆ Automakers say proposed US emissions rules pose challenges
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, May 9 (Reuters) - An auto trade group warned on Tuesday that aggressive U.S. targets for reductions in vehicle emissions may rely on a too rapid transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and pose significant challenges with manufacturing and supply chains. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed sharp emissions cuts that it estimates would result in 60% of new vehicles by 2030 being electric and 67% by 2032. The EPA proposal, if finalized, represents the most aggressive U.S. vehicle emissions reduction plan to date, requiring 13% annual average pollution cuts and a 56% reduction in projected fleet average emissions over 2026 requirements. Some say EPA should have proposed tougher rules. "These proposed rules effectively require an additional 10-fold sales increase in a mere eight years," the automaker group wrote.

WASHINGTON, May 5 (Reuters) - The Biden administration on Friday launched a $4 billion effort to electrify U.S. ports and cut heavy duty truck emissions as the government looks to address disproportionate impacts on nearby communities. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it was seeking input in its $3 billion Clean Ports Program to reduce pollutants at U.S. ports and its $1 billion Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle Program to reduce vehicle emissions near ports and other truck routes. EPA wants details about the availability, market price, and performance of zero-emission trucks, zero-emission port equipment, electric charging and other infrastructure needs for zero-emission technologies. The Senate voted 50-49 last week to overturn those rules that aim to drastically cut smog- and soot-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks but President Joe Biden has promised to veto the measure. The EPA proposed in April new sweeping cuts to medium- and heavy-duty tailpipe emissions limits.

☆ Coinbase, crypto industry hope new Supreme Court doctrine is silver bullet
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Alison Frankel | Thomson Reuters | Alison Frankel Has Covered High-Stakes Commercial Litigation As A Columnist For Reuters Since A Dartmouth College Graduate | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

But the agency will have to provide a more detailed response if Ripple, Coinbase or crypto groups that have filed friend-of-the-court briefs pushing major questions doctrine arguments manage to pique a judge’s interest. Former Coinbase manager Ishan Wahi expanded on the major questions theory last February in his motion to dismiss the SEC’s insider trading case. Under the major questions doctrine, they said, the SEC does not have the requisite Congressional authority to regulate digital assets. Coinbase’s contention in that paper, released last Thursday, is all-encompassing: The major questions doctrine, according to Coinbase counsel at Sullivan & Cromwell, “forecloses” regulation of the trillion-dollar crypto industry. But if the SEC moves ahead with a case against Coinbase, the major questions doctrine could turn out to be, well, a major question.

[1/6] Tundra trucks and Sequoia SUV's exit the assembly line as finished products at Toyota's truck plant in San Antonio, Texas, U.S. April 17, 2023. TOYOTA'S PAST SUCCESSWashington's push to accelerate the shift to battery-electric vehicles amplifies the threat posed by Tesla to Toyota's position as the world's largest automaker. Toyota San Antonio has weathered a series of challenges since it built its first truck in 2006. The future for factories like Toyota San Antonio will play out across the next several years. Reporting by Norihiko Shirouzu in San Antonio, Texas, Joseph White in Detroit and David Shepardson in Washington Written by Joseph White Editing by Ben Klayman and Matthew LewisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Volkswagen reveals the ID.7, new flagship EV with more than 300 miles of range
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( John Rosevear | In Jrosevear | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Volkswagen's new ID.7 electric sedan will go on sale in the U.S. next year. Volkswagen on Monday unveiled a new large electric sedan that it says will have well over 300 miles of range in its top-level trim when it arrives in the U.S. market next year. (The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's EV range ratings are often 10% to 20% lower than WLTP ratings.) Base models will come with a 77 kWh battery that will provide an estimated 382 miles of range on the WLTP cycle, the company said. Both batteries will accept DC fast charging: The standard 77 kWh battery can recharge at up to 170 kilowatts; the optional 86 kWh battery at up to 200 kWs.

☆ I rented clothes instead of buying new, and saved $53 a month—here's the No. 1 reason I'll keep doing it
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Megan Sauer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

I started renting used clothes in January, saving me an average of $53 per month so far. Balancing my vanity with an awareness that I needed to budget more effectively, I started renting clothes from Nuuly — a sister company to Urban Outfitters — in January. It hasn't curbed my shopping habits as much as I predicted, but it has saved me money: I spend $53 less per month, on average. But I didn't start renting clothes for my self-esteem. Why I'll keep renting clothes — but not forever

☆ Indiana industrial fire nearly extinguished but smoke still poses danger
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 12 (Reuters) - A raging industrial fire in eastern Indiana is expected to be almost entirely extinguished by Thursday evening or Friday morning, officials said, after days of thick smoke shut down schools and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate. Firefighters have successfully prevented the flames from spreading beyond the property, and about 90% of the fire is out. But the smoke contains particulate matter, which can cause respiratory and other health problems. Officials again warned residents who smell or see smoke to shelter in place, keeping windows and doors shut and turning off their heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. "I'm exaggerating, of course, but don't discount the seriousness of the smoke."

☆ EPA proposes auto pollution limits to aggressively boost electric vehicle sales
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The proposed limits would surpass President Joe Biden's previous commitment to have EVs make up roughly 50% of cars sold by 2030 and accelerate the country's clean energy transition. The limits would also substantially reduce climate-changing emissions from the transportation sector, the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gases. Despite a rise in EV sales in the U.S. in recent years, EV sales accounted for only 5.8% of all the 13.8 million new vehicles sold in the country last year, an increase from 3.1% the year before, according to data from the Kelley Blue Book. EPA Administrator Michael Regan is set to announce the proposed limits later today at the agency headquarters in Washington. "This proposal solicits a number of ways to achieve these goals and we plan to strategically engage all our stakeholders."

☆ U.S. proposes 56% vehicle emissions cut by 2032, requiring big EV jump
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The proposal, if finalized, represents the most aggressive U.S. vehicle emissions reduction plan to date, requiring 13% annual average pollution cuts and a 56% reduction in projected fleet average emissions over 2026 requirements. The EPA is also proposing new stricter emissions standards for medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks through 2032. The proposal is more ambitious than President Joe Biden's 2021 goal, backed by automakers, seeking 50% of new vehicles by 2030 to be electric vehicles (EVs) or plug-in hybrids. Dan Becker, director of the Safe Climate Transport Campaign, said the EPA proposal should have been tougher. Medium-duty vehicle rules are projected to cut emissions by 44% over 2026.

☆ U.S. EPA to propose new vehicle pollution cuts, sees big EV jump
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Kamil KrzaczynskiWASHINGTON, April 6 (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is set as early as next week to propose new rules to spur sweeping cuts in vehicle emissions pollution that will push automakers towards a big increase in electric vehicle sales, sources told Reuters. The administration has not backed calls by California and others ban the sale of new gasoline-only light-duty vehicles by 2035. In December 2021, the EPA finalized new light-duty tailpipe emissions requirements through the 2026 model year that reversed then-President Donald Trump's rollback of car pollution cuts. One big question is whether the new EPA rules will be as aggressive as California's effort to ramp up zero-emission vehicles and phase out new gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. Environmentalists want EPA to mandate significant pollution cuts for gas-powered vehicles because they will remain on the road for decades.

WASHINGTON, April 3 (Reuters) - Environmental groups on Monday petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to require companies to disclose the chemicals discharged from waste incinerators and plants that claim to recycle plastic waste into fuel. The groups said the agency did not respond to a letter they sent last October, raising concerns about the health impacts of incineration. The petition also asks the agency to include discharges from advanced recycling plants, which are classified as incinerators, in the TRI. Advanced recycling is an umbrella term for processes that use heat or chemicals to turn plastic waste into fuel or reclaimed resin to make new plastic. These plants, backed by major oil and petrochemical companies, claim to turn plastic waste to a "clean" fuel.

☆ US approves California plan requiring half of heavy duty trucks be EV by 2035
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

California Governor Gavin Newsom said as a result of the plan, "half of all heavy duty trucks sold in CA will be electric by 2035." The California Air Resources Board (CARB) had sought waivers from the Clean Air Act to set heavy-duty vehicle and engine emission standards. CARB has noted heavy-duty vehicles greater than 14,000 pounds comprised 3% of vehicles on California roads, but account for more than 50% of nitrogen oxides and fine particle diesel pollution. In December, the EPA finalized new emissions standards to drastically cut smog- and soot-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks. Transportation is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making up 29% of emissions, and heavy-duty vehicles are the second-largest contributor, at 23%.

☆ U.S. approves California plan to require half of heavy duty trucks be EVs by 2035
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Twitter that, as a result of the plan, "half of all heavy duty trucks sold in CA will be electric by 2035." The California Air Resource Board had sought waivers from the Clean Air Act to set heavy-duty vehicle and engine emission standards. Separately, California in August moved to require all new light-duty cars and trucks sold in the state by 2035 to be either electric or plug-in electric hybrids. In December, the EPA finalized new emissions standards to drastically cut smog- and soot-forming emissions from heavy-duty trucks. Transportation is the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making up 29% of emissions, and heavy-duty vehicles are the second-largest contributor, at 23%.

☆ Justice Department, EPA File Civil Complaint Against Norfolk Southern
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Dean Seal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Federal prosecutors and environmental regulators have filed a complaint against Norfolk Southern Corp. over last month’s derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency jointly filed a civil complaint against the railroad operator, alleging that the discharge of pollutants, oil and hazardous substances from the derailment violated the Clean Water Act.

☆ Senate votes to roll back Biden administration clean water rule
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The Senate has approved a resolution to overturn a Biden administration rule that would expand federal protections for the country's waterways, a measure Republicans have criticized as overbearing and burdensome to business. The vote comes after the Biden administration last year issued a rule that more broadly defined which types of waterways in the U.S. are eligible for federal water quality protections under the 1972 Clean Water Act. The White House said the revised rule is based on definitions that were in place before 2015, when the Obama administration sought to expand federal protections. The Biden administration argued that rolling back the rule would make federal regulations unclear for businesses and farmers and that increased uncertainty would threaten economic growth for agriculture, and local economies. However, a federal judge this month paused the Biden administration's waterway protections in Texas and Idaho, marking a victory for Republican challengers.

☆ One-third of Americans would consider EV purchase -Reuters/Ipsos poll
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

WASHINGTON, March 21 (Reuters) - Just over one-third of Americans would consider buying an electric vehicle for their next model, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll found. The seven-day poll completed on Monday found 34% of all respondents would consider an EV, while 31% said no. Among Democrats 50% said they would consider an EV, while 26% of Republicans and 27% of independents said they would consider. There are now more than 80 EV models for sale in the United States. President Joe Biden wants 50% of all new vehicles sold in 2030 to be EV or plug-in hybrid models.

☆ EPA tells states not to block hazardous waste shipments from Ohio derailment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( David Shepardson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 17 (Reuters) - The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said on Friday he was notifying states they cannot block shipments of hazardous waste from a Feb. 3 Ohio train derailment to licensed disposal sites. A Norfolk Southern (NSC.N) operated train in East Palestine, Ohio derailed carrying hazardous materials. EPA Administrator Michael Regan said "any attempts to impede interstate shipments of hazardous waste threatens the integrity of the system." "EPA will take all actions to ensure the safe hazardous waste handing continues across this country," he told reporters. On Tuesday, the state of Ohio sued Norfolk Southern over the derailment that released over a million gallons of hazardous materials and pollutants.

☆ Norfolk Southern shareholders sue over Ohio derailment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Jonathan Stempel | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 17 (Reuters) - Norfolk Southern Corp (NSC.N) shareholders have accused the railroad of defrauding them by prioritizing profit over safety prior to last month's derailment of a train carrying hazardous chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio. A Norfolk Southern spokesman declined to comment, saying the Atlanta-based company does not discuss pending litigation. Norfolk Southern has faced many lawsuits over the Feb. 3 derailment, including cases brought by local residents and Ohio's attorney general. Six of the seven largest U.S. freight railroads use Precision Scheduled Railroading: Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, Canadian Pacific, CSX, Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific. The case is Bucks County Employees Retirement System v Norfolk Southern Corp et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, No.

March 14 (Reuters) - U.S. senators reintroduced a bipartisan bill on Tuesday that would allow nationwide sales of gasoline with a higher blend of ethanol year-round, as a second heavy-weight oil trade group appeared ready to back the idea. Year-round sales of E15 have been long sought by the biofuel industry and corn farmers, who would benefit from the increased market. The American Petroleum Institute (API), one of the largest U.S. oil trade groups, has supported the bill since it was introduced last autumn. On Tuesday, another top U.S. oil group, the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), signaled it could support a national standard. In response to their request, the EPA in early March proposed to allow year-round E15 sales in those states.

☆ U.S. proposes limits for cancer-causing chemicals in drinking water
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-14 | by ( Valerie Volcovici | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, March 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday proposed the first-ever national drinking water standard for six cancer-causing chemicals known as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Under the new standard, the agency will require public water systems to monitor for six PFAS chemicals, inform the public if PFAS levels exceed proposed standards in the drinking water supply, and take action to reduce PFAS levels. It is the first time since 1996 that drinking water standards have been proposed for a new chemical under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Environmental groups welcomed the new standards but said it was up to retailers and chemical companies to make a difference. "I’m looking forward to hearing from those who will be impacted by this announcement, including local water systems and ratepayers across the country, on how we can provide assistance for implementation," she said.

☆ Fact Check-NOAA graphic does not show public threat from ‘deadly plume’ after Ohio train derailment
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Weeks after the crash, a tweet sharing the NOAA graphic said: “This is how far the deadly plume from East Palestine, OH had traveled by Feb. 8. The image shows the “vertical distribution of air movement” away from the train derailment incident, Alison Gillespie, a NOAA spokesperson, told Reuters via email. “The concentration of pollution decreases dramatically as you go downwind,” which she said is not seen in the graphic shared online. The Feb. 24 NOAA post acknowledged that the graphic was removed from the original article, then restored unchanged, without explaining the removal. A NOAA graphic shared on social media shows a simulation of generic particle dispersion vertically into the atmosphere following an Ohio train derailment and fire but does not indicate air pollution levels or the risk they posed.

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