EPA Rescinds MACT “Once In Always In” Policy

In late January, EPA issued a guidance memorandum rescinding the agency’s prior policy that once a source becomes a major source subject to a maximum achievable control technology (MACT) standard under section 112 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), it cannot be reclassified later as an area source not subject to MACT. The prior policy, known as the “once in always in” policy, dates from guidance issued in 1995. Under the new policy, a major source can become an area source if it takes an enforceable limit on its potential to emit (PTE) hazardous air pollutants (HAP) below the major source thresholds (i.e., 10 tons per year (tpy) of any single HAP or 25 tpy of any combination of HAP). A source that was previously classified as major, but which so limits its PTE, will no longer be subject either to the major source MACT or other major source requirements that were applicable to it as a major source under CAA section 112.

The legal basis for this action is that the “once in always in” policy contradicts the plain language of the definitions of “major source” in CAA section 112(a)(l) and “area source” in CAA section 112(a)(2). EPA has twice proposed to rescind the policy since it was adopted in 1995, but neither proposal was finalized. The new guidance rescinding the prior policy is effective immediately. EPA also will take comment on a rulemaking proposal to codify the new policy, to be published at a later date. Several opposition groups have announced their intention to file lawsuits seeking to overturn the new policy.

UK to Publish a new Chemicals Strategy

The UK recently issued A Green Future: Our 25 Year Plan to Improve the Environment.  The document sets out a UK plan “to help the natural world regain and retain good health.”  The plan states that the government will publish a new Chemicals Strategy to tackle chemicals of national concern that will build on existing approaches. This new strategy will set priorities for action and detail how goals will be achieved.  According to A Green Future, the plan will also support collaborative work on human biomonitoring, address combination effects of different chemicals and improve the way the government tracks chemicals across supply chains.

 

A Green Future commits the UK to the following actions:

  • Publish an overarching Chemicals Strategy to set out its approach as the UK leaves the EU.
  • Explore options to consolidate monitoring and horizon-scanning work to develop an early warning system for identifying emerging chemical issues.
  • Consider how to address tracking chemicals in products to reduce barriers to recycling and reuse whilst preventing a risk from harmful chemicals.
  • Work internationally to strengthen the standardization of methods that assess chemical safety to identify and share information on emerging concerns and new approaches to risk assessments.

NRDC Petitions 2nd Circuit to Review EPA’s New Chemicals Decision-Making Framework

On January 5, 2018, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed a petition for review with the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, asking that the court review “a final rule of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) entitled New Chemicals Decision-Making Framework:  Working Approach to Making Determinations under Section 5 of TSCA.”  A stay was not filed with the petition.

On its website, NRDC asserts that it filed the petition to overturn the Agency’s “Framework” “because it is both unlawful under TSCA and was adopted without the minimum legal requirements for ‘rules.’”

The case is Natural Resources Defense Council v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2d Cir., No. 18-25