EPA - Coast Guard Coordination On Vessel Permit Enforcement

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) today signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together to enforce EPA’s vessel general permit program. The MOU outlines steps the agencies will take to better coordinate efforts to prevent and enforce against illegal discharges of pollutants from vessels, such as cruise ships and oil tankers.

Under the MOU, USCG has agreed to incorporate components of EPA’s vessel general permit program into its existing inspection protocols and procedures to help the United States address vessel pollution in U.S. waters. The MOU creates a framework for improving EPA and USCG cooperation on data tracking, training, monitoring, enforcement and industry outreach. The agencies have also agreed to improve existing data requirements so that information on potential violations observed during inspections can be sent to EPA for evaluation and follow-up.

The vessel permit program applies to more than 61,000 commercial ships based in the U.S. and more than 8,000 foreign ships operating in U.S. waters. The vessel permit covers 26 types of discharges such as deck run-off from rain, ballast water used to stabilize ships, and wastewater from showers, sinks and laundry machines. These discharges may result in negative impacts on the environment, including the spread of invasive species from ballast water that can harm sensitive ecosystems. The vessel permit program also specifies corrective actions, self inspections and self monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

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MDNRE Suspends General Permit For Diesel Generators

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (MDNRE) General Permit to Install for Diesel Fuel-Fired Engine Generators has been suspended from use due to the new federal National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for nitrogen dioxide (N02). Any general permits previously issued for diesel-fired generators will remain in effect.

On January 22, 2010, the US EPA promulgated a final rule containing a new NAAQS for N02 based on a 1-hour averaging time. On April 12, 2010, 188 µg/m3 became effective as the 1-hour NAAQS for N02 . The applicability criteria and special conditions in the general permit for generators have been reevaluated by MDNRE to determine the impact of this new standard. Dispersion modeling was done for a hypothetical generator to determine the maximum ambient 1-hour N02 concentration. A representative building and various stack parameters were used and the modeling assumed the generator stack to be an isolated facility with no other sources considered in the analysis. All alternative stacks showed a total impact to be above the 1-hour N02 NAAQS.

Because the current general permit for diesel generators does not limit N02 emissions to adequately ensure compliance with the new 1-hour N02 limit the permit is being suspended from use at this time. Until the general permit for diesel-fired generators is revised, a case-by-case permit to install pursuant to Rule 201 is being used for diesel-fired generators.





Regulatory Briefings Archive

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Good Neighbor Provision Of Clean Air Act - Transport Rule

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing regulations targeting power plant emissions that drift across the borders of 31 eastern states and the District of Columbia, commonly referred to as the Transport Rule.

The Transport Rule would reduce power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) to meet state-by-state emission reductions. By 2014, the rule and other state and EPA actions would reduce SO2 emissions by 71 percent over 2005 levels. NOx emissions would drop by 52 percent.

EPA is using the “good neighbor” provision of the Clean Air Act to reduce interstate transport, which is the upwind state emissions that contribute to air quality problems in downwind states. The proposed rule sets in place a new approach that can be applied again as further pollution reductions are needed to help areas meet air quality health standards. EPA expects that the emission reductions will be accomplished by proven and readily available pollution control technologies already in place at many power plants across the country.

The proposal would replace the 2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR), which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ordered EPA to revise in 2008. The court allowed CAIR to remain in place temporarily while EPA worked to finalize the replacement rule.

EPA will take public comment on the proposal for 60 days after the rule is published in the Federal Register. The agency also will hold public hearings.

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

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Michigan Environmental Consulting Services - Environmental Consultant

Caltha LLP provides expert technical consulting services to private and public sector clients across Michigan. For further information, click on links below:

Michigan (MDEQ) Auditing – Compliance Audit – System Audit Services
Michigan (MDEQ) Stormwater Permit Compliance – Storm Water Permitting Services
Michigan Integrated Contingency Plan - SPCC Plan Services
Michigan (MDEQ) EPCRA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Compliance
Michigan (MDEQ) RCRA Compliance Services
Michigan Haz Com – Product Stewardship Compliance Services
Michigan EHS Staffing - Contract Employee Services
Michigan (MDEQ) Wastewater Compliance - NPDES Permitting Services

Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Michigan to obtain environmental permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.

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info@calthacompany.com
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