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November 7, 2009

The latest EHS news for you ...

Senate Environment Committee Passes Bill To Cap Emissions; Republicans Boycott Vote

Bypassing a Republican boycott, Democrats on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approve climate change legislation by a vote of 11-1, with Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) casting the lone vote against the measure. All seven Republican members of the committee are absent from the vote. Environment Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) says she had little choice but to report the bill on an up-or down vote without debating amendments to bypass the Republican boycott. The version of the legislation reported out of the environment committee is a revised chairman's mark, released by Boxer. It would codify an EPA proposal to control greenhouse gas emissions at stationary sources that emit more than 25,000 tons per year. From Environment Reporter, Publication date November 6, 2009

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OSHA Proposes to Fine BP $87.4 Million For Continuing Violations at Texas Refinery

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration proposes the largest penalty in its history against BP Products North America for 709 alleged violations at the company's Texas City, Texas, oil refinery. The refinery is accused of 270 violations of a settlement agreement between OSHA and BP after 15 workers died and another 170 were injured in an explosion in March 2005, resulting in $56.7 million in proposed fines. The remaining 439 citations, totaling $30.7 million in fines, are assessed for new willful violations of OSHA's process safety management standard related to deficiencies in BP's pressure release systems, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis says. From Occupational Safety & Health Reporter, Publication date November 5, 2009

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OECD to Release Preliminary Guidance For Testing of Manufactured Nanomaterials

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development plans to publish "in the next four to five weeks" new draft guidance on the preparation of samples used for safety testing of manufactured nanomaterials. The new document, "Preliminary Guidance Notes on Sample Preparation and Dose Symmetry for the Safety Testing of Manufactured Nanomaterials," addresses "one of the most problematic areas that people have had to think about not just in safety testing but in testing of nanomaterials in general," said Peter Kearns, principal administrator at OECD's environment directorate. From International Environment Daily, Publication date November 4, 2009

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EPA Says It Will Reconsider Final Rule Excluding Water Transfers From Permitting

EPA says it intends to reconsider a final rule that excluded water transfers from regulation under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permitting program. In a written statement, EPA says it plans to reconsider the water transfer rule published in June 2008 because it “has concerns about the water quality impacts of some water transfers.” EPA recently formed an interagency workgroup to explore options for addressing the water transfer rule. From Daily Environment Report, Publication date November 3, 2009

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EPA Proposes Revisions to Rule On Renovation, Repair, Painting

EPA is proposing revisions to the 2008 Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule to increase the number of pre-1978 homes where lead renovations would be subject to safety precautions, including minimizing dust, containing work areas, and conducting a thorough cleanup to reduce exposure associated with disturbing lead-based paint. EPA also would require renovation firms to provide the owner and occupant—if the occupant is a different party—with records documenting compliance with the rule. From Chemical Regulation Reporter®, Publication date November 2, 2009

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