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| September 8, 2008 |
The latest EHS news for you ...
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Rule on Lawn Mowers, Chain Saws, Boats Expected to Achieve Deep Emissions Cuts
EPA announces a final rule to cut nitrogen oxide and hydrocarbon emissions from engines used in lawn mowers, chain saws, and other small equipment by 35 percent. For marine engines, the rule will result in a 70 percent reduction in emissions of both hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides and a 20 percent reduction in carbon monoxide emissions, according to EPA. The reductions take effect in 2011 for lawn and garden equipment engines of 25 horsepower or less. For gasoline-powered personal watercraft and inboard and outboard engines, the reductions take effect in 2010. From Environment Reporter, Publication date September 5, 2008
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Labor Department Proposes New Approach To Measure Exposure to Toxic Substances
Despite earlier objections to a draft proposal from Democratic leaders in Congress and others, the Department of Labor publishes a proposed rule that would change the methods used to measure workplace exposures to toxic substances and hazardous chemicals. The revised version features significant amendments to the section that drew the most ire from critics because it proposed changing the definition of a working life from 45 years when assessing exposure levels to harmful substances. That section now suggests formulating risk assessments on an industry-by-industry basis and includes charts showing that few workers remain in their jobs for 45 years. From Occupational Safety & Health Reporter, Publication date September 4, 2008
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U.S. Attorney Urges Non-European Companies To Track Candidate Chemicals Under REACH
A panel of attorneys says non-European companies should monitor the candidate list of chemicals that could be banned under the European Union's registration, evaluation, and authorization of chemicals (REACH) regulation. The panel discussed the list of chemicals that the European Chemicals Agency is preparing that EU member states say are of such high concern that the European Commission should include them in Annex XIV of REACH, effectively banning them from the European Union unless specificaly authorized by the European Commission. From International Environment Reporter, Publication date September 3, 2008
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DOJ Urges Supreme Court to Deny Review In Lucas as Ill-Suited to Jurisdiction Question
The Department of Justice files a brief opposing U.S. Supreme Court review of criminal convictions for knowing discharge of sewage from septic tanks into wetlands near the Gulf of Mexico. The brief opposes granting certiorari in the case as requested by Mississippi land developer Robert Lucas and others. At issue is alleged confusion over application of the Clean Water Act's jurisdictional phrase, "waters of the United States," under the seemingly contradictory opinions in Rapanos v. United States. According to the brief filed by Acting Solicitor General Gregory G. Garre, the Lucas case "does not provide a suitable vehicle" for resolving confusion over conflicting tests for defining waters of the United States, but only raises factual issues that are not "of continuing importance." The government directs the court's attention to its own petition in another case. From Daily Environment Report, Publication date September 2, 2008
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Business Groups Sue Interior Over Portion Of Interim Rule to Protect Polar Bears
Five business organizations sue the Department of the Interior to overturn one paragraph of an interim final rule meant to protect polar bears as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The lawsuit--filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by the American Petroleum Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Mining Association, National Association of Manufacturers, and American Iron and Steel Institute--claims that the interim final rule subjects operations in Alaska to stricter permitting and regulations than in the other 49 states. The interim final rule exposes Alaska operations to increased regulation and threats of lawsuits, risks not found in other states, according to the lawsuit. From Daily Environment Report, Publication date August 29, 2008
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