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The State of the Air in 2024? Not Great

Union of Concerned Scientists

Since its inception, the report has effectively heightened the awareness of some hazardous air pollutants, and engaged the public, media, advocates, and policymakers in the ongoing fight against air pollution. The air quality for this report was calculated using data reviewed by EPA from 2020, 2021, and 2022.

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State Air Regulations Can Go Above and Beyond National Standards 

Legal Planet

States and local air quality regulators have the legal authority to set particulate matter (PM), ozone, and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions standards and adopt regulations for these pollutants when they are already in attainment of the national ambient air quality standards ( NAAQS ) set by the U.S.

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Congress Considers First-Ever Purchase Incentive for Commercial EVs

Union of Concerned Scientists

Last week, Senators Schumer and Manchin announced a compromise on a reconciliation bill, called the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 , that includes significant climate and air quality progress and a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions nationwide by 40 percent by 2030. A key step towards addressing climate change and air quality.

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Improving EPA’s Latest Ozone Transport Rule

Acoel

Posted on June 29, 2022 by Eugene M. The downwind air quality benefits are minimal. The proposed rule would provide de minimus air quality benefits in downwind areas with extremely high costs – estimated by EPA at $22 billion discounted 2016 dollars for the 2023-2042 period. enjoyed ozone reductions of 3 to 5 ppb or more.

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Why the Bay Area’s Zero-Emission Appliance Rule is a Big Deal

Legal Planet

A policy brief published by the Emmett Institute in March 2022 outlines California air districts’ legal authority to adopt these kinds of regulations and suggests policy mechanisms to help ensure the transition to electric appliances is equitable and affordable. It should thus be replicated throughout the state and nation.

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DEP Issues $1.1 Million Civil Penalty To Equitrans For Violations Related To The Uncontrolled Venting Of 1.1 Billion Cubic Feet Of Gas From The Rager Mountain Gas Storage Area In Cambria County

PA Environment Daily

for air quality, waste, and oil and gas violations related to the uncontrolled gas release from Equitrans’ Rager Mountain natural gas storage field and George L Reade 1 storage well in November 2022. The well was brought under control on November 19, and a cement plug was installed on November 20, 2022. Read more here.

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Clean Fleets Rule Slated to Deliver Healthier Air for Californians

Union of Concerned Scientists

Trucks and buses on California’s roads and highways are responsible for the majority of lung-damaging fine particulate and ozone-forming nitrogen oxide emissions, and a sizable amount of climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions as well. Last November, the California Energy Commission approved $1.7