Environment Reporter: Current Developments Index-Summary

VAPOR INTRUSION

– ASTM standard flawed by inappropriate assumptions, Analysis and Perspective, 1330
– Cal. releases guidance to prevent VOCs from entering buildings, 1019
– N.Y. inspection results, In Brief, 725

VEHICLE EMISSIONS

– California

See CALIFORNIA

– Carbon dioxide endangerment finding

See PUBLIC HEALTH, subheading: GHG endangerment finding

– Diesel vehicles better than gasoline vehicles, but hybrids best, EIA reports, 325
– GHG regulation

– – Automakers may have to restrict sales of certain vehicles in states adopting more stringent standards, restructuring plans say, 421
– – Canada seeks to mirror U.S. standards, 820
– – Deadline for review of Cal. waiver decision

See LEGISLATION, FEDERAL, HR 1105

– – Endangerment finding

See PUBLIC HEALTH, subheading: GHG endangerment finding

– – Energy and climate czar, Republican senators seek information on Browner's role in developing proposal, 2405
– – President Obama should move quickly through executive actions, environmental group says, 165; Obama directs EPA to review Cal. waiver decision, 217; Obama announces national limits on emissions from automobiles, 1159; automakers may achieve emissions limits through improvements other than CAFE standards, rulemaking notice says, 1245; EPA, DOT send proposed rules for light-duty vehicles to OMB for review, 2050; automakers brace for tighter restrictions, 2112; administration proposes federal limits on emissions from cars and light trucks, 2176; witnesses praise plan, some urge stronger proposal at Detroir hearing, 2452; states support, auto dealers object to administration proposal at regional hearing, 2513; Cal. officials want loopholes in proposal closed, 2514

– Green vehicle research programs, witnesses fault funding at hearing, 684
– I/m programs

See MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

– Idling vehicles

– – Chicago endorses limits, 2423
– – Grocer agrees to pay fine, implement truck idling reduction program in New York City, 1023
– – New York City laws restrict idling near schools, broadens enforcement, 401
– – School buses, national operator settles violations with driver training, pollution controls, 2442

– Litigation, Outlook 2009, SplRpt (1/16/09) S–32
– New Mexico

– – Effective date delay, legislature approves bill, 721; governor vetoes legislation, 850
– – Out-of-state vehicles, House approves bill closing compliance loophole, 458; bill dies in Senate, 721

– Outlook 2009, SplRpt (1/16/09) S–11
– Simulation software, EPA releases draft version, 905

VERMONT

– Carbon dioxide trading agreement

See REGIONAL GREENHOUSE GAS INITIATIVE (RGGI)

– Nuclear power plant seeks exemption to divert decommissioning funds to construct additional on-site storage for spent fuel, 331
– Stormwater, EPA plans to reissue NPDES general permits for small MS4s, 69
– Superfund

– – Golf club's expert testimony on PCB contamination unreliable, suit dismissed (D. Conn.), 1645
– – Vermont Asbestos Group Mine site, bankrupt former owner to pay $25.6M for remediation work (Bankr. D.N.J.), 1640

VINYL CHLORIDE (75-01-4)

– Groundwater contamination, class suing Dow survives challenge by competing class (La. Ct. App.), 1185

VIRGIN ISLANDS, U.S.

– Island Chem./Virgin Island Chem. Superfund site, NPL deletion proposed, In Brief, 2066
– Natural resource damages claims stemming from contamination at superfund site do not invoke federal jurisdiction (D.V.I.), 2125

VIRGINIA

– Biofuel production, governor signs bill providing incentives, 851
– Biosolids

– – Citizen panel prompts upgrade of regulation, 257
– – Permit process, reform bill sent to governor, 403

– Carbon sequestration, research center, power company seek ARRA funds for demonstration project, 2056
– Chesapeake Bay watershed issues

See CHESAPEAKE BAY

– Coal ash

– – Disposal permits, governor signs mandate, 851
– – Residents sue utility over golf course built on landfill (Va. Cir. Ct.), 793

– Discharge permits, 5 companies to pay $1.375M for damages to stream, wetlands during housing construction (W.D. Va.), 118
– Electric power

– – Dominion Power proposed plant in southwestern Va., state approval upheld (Va.), 958; MACT permit invalid (Va. Cir. Ct.), 1977
– – Grandfathered facilities, governor orders emissions surveys, 1586
– – Mirant Potomac River plant, Va. law bars plant from trading allowances (4th Cir.), 2028

– Electric power transmission line linking W. Va. to Eastern markets, environmental group opposes proposal, 1830
– Green policy adoption by state agencies, In Brief, 1401
– Offshore oil and gas leases, governor seeks delay of sale, 459
– Peck Iron and Metal, EPA proposes NPL listing, 823; final listing, 2570
– Radioactive materials, regulatory responsibility, In Brief, 769
– Rechargeable batteries, governor signs bill restricting disposal if recycling programs exist, 851
– Renewable energy, governor announces proposed tax credits, exemptions, 137; governor signs bills, 851
– Stormwater

– – Governor signs bills, 851
– – Management, agency proposes statewide control regulation, 1587; water conservation board adopts regulation, 2376
– – Plasticulture method of tomato growing, regulation, In Brief, 1866
– – Programs transfer to localities, legislature sends bill delaying effective date to governor, 403; governor signs bill, 851

– Wastewater and wastewater treatment, sanitary district agrees to fine, overflow control (E.D. Va.), 2312
– Wetlands

– – Quarles Pond drained without permit despite prior notice, landowner agrees to pay fine, 1146
– – Reservoir construction permit remanded for reconsideration of impacts (D.D.C.), 837; parties move to dismiss all appeals, 1571

VISIBILITY STANDARDS

– Haze

See REGIONAL HAZE

VOCs

See VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCs)

VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCs)

– Aerosol spray paints

– – List of substances for control, EPA proposes expanding list, 742; EPA publishes final rule, 1485
– – Reactivity-based emission standards, EPA withdraws, 9

– Consumer products, Canada sets concentration limits, 1699
– Digital imaging materials maker to pay fine for violations at R.I. plant, In Brief, 744
– Dimethyl carbonate, final rule excludes from definition, 97; EPA publishes final rule, 160
– Equipment leaks, optical scanner use, In Brief, 11
– Frederick Natural Gas Compressor Station, EPA sets deadline for response to petition challenging Colo.-issued operating permit (D.D.C.), 1487; aggregation of emissions key in case, 2437; state official says additional analysis of permit needed, 2478
– Organic chemicals maker agrees to pay fine for Tex. air violations, 1146
– Ozone

– – Baton Rouge, environmental group claims EPA, La., failed to protect residents, seeks federal implementation plan (D.D.C.), 1750
– – Nonattainment areas may be forced to fine contributing sources that have already taken control measures, advisory subcommittee says, 53
– – Precursors, environmentalists sue EPA to force final action on San Joaquin Valley rules, 54

– Paint thinners and solvents, SCAQMD adopts rule to reduce emissions, 580
– Paints and coatings, SCAQMD erred in setting technology-forcing standards (Cal. Ct. App.), 2421
– Plastics maker faces fine for state violations at Tenn. plant, 2079
– Propylene carbonate, final rule excludes from definition, 97; EPA publishes final rule, 160
– Refineries, BP settles alleged CAA violations with $180M, pollution controls (N.D. Ind.), 373
– Solvent Savers Superfund site, 4 parties to pay $14.8M for remediation (N.D.N.Y.), 430
– Tank farm in Cal. settles false operating permit compliance report allegations with $2.5M (N.D. Cal.), 1697
– Vapor intrusion, Cal. releases guidance, 1019
– Windshield wiper fluid, CSK Auto fine, In Brief, 138