EPA to Surrender All Documents on CA Waiver Decision

Congress to Determine Whether Johnson Ignored His Legal and Technical Staff

Washington, DC — In response to congressional demands, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is assembling all documents relating to Administrator’s Stephen Johnson’s controversial December 19th announcement blocking California and 16 other states from controlling greenhouse gases, according to an all employee e-mail released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Johnson’s own immediate staff will provide “any records presenting options, recommendations, 'pros and cons,' legal issues or risks, political implications or considerations, or any other record” to investigators.

On December 20, 2007, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), chair of the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee, wrote Johnson asking him to “immediately initiate record collection, and to preserve all potentially relevant records.” The letter cites media reports that Johnson “overrode the recommendations of your technical and legal staff in making this decision.”

Although Johnson’s decision on the request by California and other states to regulate greenhouse gases from automobiles was supposed to have been the product of months of legal and scientific deliberation, Johnson hastily called a press conference at 6:30 pm to cite the energy bill signed just that morning as the principal basis for his veto of state action. Senator Boxer in her letter characterized Johnson’s “two-page letter denying the waiver [as] devoid of any legal or technical analysis.”

The surrender of the EPA staff recommendations to Congress sets up an unusual autopsy of the behind-the-scenes factors for an executive branch decision— presumably a decision that had been cleared by the White House. Since the tenure of the administration’s first EPA Administrator, Christie Todd Whitman, agency policy on global warming has been set directly by Vice President Cheney and the White House.

“What made Johnson’s decision so striking is that for months he said he was basing it on the scientific and legal merits and then did the precise opposite,” stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, whose organization has been contacted by outraged EPA employees. "One employee told me ‘I am ashamed to admit that I work at EPA’ and another asked ‘What am I supposed to tell my children when they ask me what I am doing to fight global warming?' ”

Johnson has refused to attend a field hearing of Sen. Boxer’s committee slated for January 10, 2008 in Los Angeles. When Johnson does finally appear before Congress it promises to be highly contentious.

“To his own staff, Johnson’s tenure has been nothing short of appalling, ranking him with Anne Gorsuch Burford, who ended her turbulent tenure under President Reagan by resigning in disgrace, as the worst leader in EPA’s history,” Ruch added. “EPA under Johnson has become a major impediment to moving the country forward on the challenge of global warming.”

See the Source:
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility

air pollution
emission standards

10 Facts on Air Pollution

1. Sixteen states have committed to voluntarily adopt California’s stricter regulations to control greenhouse gas emissions, comprising over 40% of American citizens.

2. 70,000 premature deaths in the U.S. each year are tied to air pollution.

3. An estimated 1,500 citizens of Quebec prematurely die each year due to air pollution.

4. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 1.5 billion people living in urban areas throughout the world breathe dangerous levels of air pollution. They also estimate that 1 billion premature deaths occur annually as a result of air pollution, half of which are people living in developing countries. WHO also says that air pollution ranks within the top 10 causes of worldwide death and disability.

5. The USA releases one quarter of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions. From 1990 to 2002, U.S. CO2 emissions increased 95 percent from 1960 levels.

6. The American Consumer Institute reports that in the next 10 years, the effects of using broadband and the Internet will save an estimated 1 billion tons of carbon from being released into the air.

7. There are an estimated 20,000 diesel “drayage” trucks operating at California ports and rail yards. The vehicles emit 3 tons of diesel particulate matter and 61 tons of smog-causing NOx per day.

8. 14,000 citizens of Sweden die each year due to environmental pollutants.

9. Commercial airlines contribute 3 percent of the U.S.’s greenhouse gas emissions, with a projected increase of 60% more by 2025 (according to CARB).

10. Particulate matter (soot) emitted from coal-fired power plants in Maryland, have been blamed for 560 premature deaths and 21,000 asthma attacks annually.

Find out:
How to decrease diesel particulate matter with diesel particulate filters; and how to decrease NOx emissions using selective catalytic reduction.

air pollution
diesel pollution

EPA Rejects CA Vehicle Emissions Request

On Wednesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency denied 17 states, including California, the right to set their own standards for greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks. The decision was handed down after almost 2 years of delay by the EPA.

The original law passed by California in 2003, required a Clean Air Act waiver from the EPA, which was filed in 2005. When no action was taken, CA was joined by 16 other states in a case that went to the Supreme Court, attempting to force the EPA to regulate GHG . Last spring the Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision stating that the EPA has the right and responsibility to regulate greenhouse gas. When the EPA made no public decision concerning the state law, California again took the agency to court in November for failure to act. With Wednesday's decision to deny states the right to control their own tailpipe emissions, CA will once again take the EPA to court.

Under the Clean Air Act, California is allowed to pass it's own emissions control regulations. During the past 30 years, California has been granted 40 waivers. Wednesday's decision was the first waiver to be denied.

See the Source:
The Daily Green
Enviro.BLR.com
The New York Times


green news
global-warming

Long Beach Clean Air Cargo Fee to Raise $1.6 Billion

Starting in June, the Port of Long Beach has decided to charge shipping containers going in and out of the port a $35 fee to cover the cost of emissions control for port drayage trucks. It is expected that the fee will raise $1.6 billion. Port trucks should meet Clean Air Action Plan requirements by 2012. In order to further cut air pollution, last month the Port of Long Beach approved a ban on pre-1989 "dirty trucks." The ban will be phased in by October 2008. After that date no trucks manufactured before 1989 will be allowed to operate at the port.

See the Source:
Purchase.com

Find out:
How to reduce diesel particulate matter with diesel particulate filters.

air pollution

EPA Awards Community Grants Across Country

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that around $3 million will be available in 2008 to support community-based partnerships to reduce pollution at the local level through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) program.

EPA anticipates awarding CARE cooperative agreements in two levels. Level I cooperative agreements range from $75,000 to $100,000 and will help establish community-based partnerships to develop local environmental priorities. Level II awards, ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 each, will support communities which have established broad-based partnerships, have identified the priority toxic risks in the community, and are prepared to measure results, implement risk reduction activities, and become self-sustaining. In 2007, $3.4 million in cooperative agreements were made available to more than 20 communities through the CARE program, a community-based, community-driven program that builds partnerships to help the public understand and reduce toxic risks from numerous sources. Examples of projects include addressing abandoned, contaminated industrial and residential properties in Gary, Ind., dealing with agriculture-related toxics in Yakima County, Wash., and reducing air emissions from diesel trucks and buses in Woonsocket, R.I. Since 2005, the grants to reduce toxics in the environment have reached almost 50 communities in over 20 states.

Applications for the CARE grants are due March 17, 2008. Eligible applicants include county and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations and universities. EPA will conduct three conference calls, Jan. 18, Feb. 11 and 27, for prospective applicants to ask questions about the application process.

See the Source:
EPA - info on CARE program, previous recipients, applying for 2008 grants

air pollution
environmental news

Rule Clarification for EPA's New Source Review Program for Industrial Facilities

EPA has issued a final rule to clarify when industrial facilities making changes to equipment or processes may need to retain records documenting their emissions even if the changes do not trigger Clean Air Act New Source Review (NSR) permitting requirements.

The rule clarifies when facilities must keep records and report emissions when a "reasonable possibility" test shows that projected emissions increases could equal or exceed 50 percent of the Clean Air Act's NSR significant levels for any pollutant. This rule does not change permitting requirements.

The "reasonable possibility" test examines the difference between a project's baseline emissions and the sum of emissions projected to result from the project and emissions attributable to independent factors such as growth in market demand.

NSR significant levels are pollutant-specific emission rates (in tons per year) that are used to determine when a project is subject to NSR permitting requirements. Today's rule will help EPA and state and tribal permitting authorities track projects, using information on emissions that could exceed significant levels.

See the Source:
EPA - New Source Review

Find out:

How to lower NOx emissions using selective catalytic reduction catalysts.

Biofuels at Bottom of List of Low-Carbon Technologies

BBC Reports on the World Conservation Union (IUCN) Low-Carbon Technology Survey

- “Of 18 technologies suggested by IUCN, the current generation of biofuels came bottom of the list, with only 21% believing in its potential to ‘lower overall carbon levels in the atmosphere without unacceptable side effects’ over the next 25 years.” (Richard Black, “Tackling climate change – Bali summit,” BBC News Web site, December 11, 2007)

- “Although the EU and the US are attempting to boost the expansion of biofuels, recent evidence is equivocal about their potential. Studies show they may produce only marginal carbon savings compared to conventional petrol and diesel.” (Richard Black, “Tackling climate change – Bali summit,” BBC News Web site, December 11, 2007)

- “In Indonesia and elsewhere, forests are being cleared for palm oil plantations, partly to produce biofuels. There is evidence that leaving forests intact results in greater climate benefits while protecting biodiversity.” (Richard Black, “Tackling climate change – Bali summit,” BBC News Web site, December 11, 2007)


Highlight from the Survey – Bicycles, Clean Coal, Co-Generation Rank Higher Than Biofuels
Survey respondents ranked “Human-powered vehicles,” “Co-generation (electricity and heat),” and “Clean coal technology – new build” higher than “First generation bio-fuels from agricultural crops.” (Climate Decision Maker Survey, World Conservation Union, November 22 – December 5, 2007, 1000 Respondents from 105 Countries)

N2O Emissions Negate Potential CO2 Savings
“…[D]epending on N content, the use of several agricultural crops for energy production can readily lead to N2O emissions large enough to cause climate warming instead of cooling by ‘saved fossil CO2’.” (P. J. Crutzen, A. R. Mosier, K. A. Smith, and W. Winiwarter, “N2O Release from Agro-Biofuel Production Negates Global Warming Reduction by Replacing Fossil Fuels,” Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, August 1, 2007)

See the Source:
Business Wire/NPRA

Find out:
How to reduce NOx emissions by up to 95% from lean burn engines, gas turbines and coal power plants.

environmental news
global-warming

Olympic Events May Be Reschduled Due to Pollution

Reuters reported on Tuesday that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decide to reschedule some events at the Beijing Games if it finds the level of air pollution to be a health threat to athletes. The decision to reschedule will be decided just before or even during the Games.

The IOC is currently analysing recent air quality reports sent by Beijing. Efforts to decrease air pollution in the Chinese city have included a trial test held last summer that took 1.3 million cars off of the road, plus the shut down of high-emission plants. Experts have called the plan unscientific.

See the Source:

Guardian Unlimited

air pollution
Beijing Olympics

Asian Dust Particles Over Western U.S.

It has been a decade since University of Washington scientists first pinpointed specific instances of air pollution, including Gobi Desert dust, traversing the Pacific Ocean and adding to the mix of atmospheric pollution already present along the West Coast of North America.

Now a UW researcher is finding that dust from the Gobi and Taklimakan deserts in China and Mongolia is routinely present in the air over the western United States during spring months.

"We are interested in Asian dust that comes across the Pacific because particles can have an impact on health, as well as on visibility," said Emily Fischer, a UW doctoral student in atmospheric sciences.

"Most previous work has been very event specific, but this research looks at how the average background aerosol concentrations vary on a year-to-year basis."

Aerosols are tiny particles – such as dust, grains of sea salt, soot from fossil fuel combustion and smoke from forest fires – suspended in the air. Many of the aerosols are comparatively large, as much as 10 microns, which still is less than the width of a human hair.

Fischer found that in years with large Asian dust storms there was an increase in particles of 2.5 microns or less in the air over the western United States. Particles that small can be inhaled more deeply into the lungs and so are a greater health concern.

"Local pollution makes the biggest contribution to poor air quality in cities, but my study is looking at aerosols in remote regions like national parks," she said. "In these places dust can be a larger contributor to the total aerosol concentrations because there is little local pollution. While some of the dust pulses from Asia are small, some of them can be very large."

Fischer used two sets of data, gathered during March, April and May from 1998 through 2006, to correlate the dust kicked up in storms over Asian deserts and the appearance of dust in air over the western United States. She looked at dust levels in the air columns directly over the deserts, recorded by NASA satellites, and then paired that information with air quality data from ground stations in rural areas of the western United States for the same period.

The research is being presented at this year's annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco.

For the dust detected at ground stations in the United States, Fischer also looked for – and found – evidence of calcium, which is a tracer for desert dust.

"The calcium lends more confidence to our conclusion," she said.

While the results of the research are not unexpected, they provide supporting evidence that particles of 2.5 microns or smaller appear in higher concentrations in the western United States in years when there are high dust concentrations over Asian deserts.

"The transport of dust across the Pacific is not a new phenomenon," Fischer said. "But we are just beginning to understand it and quantify it on a year-to-year basis instead of on a case-by-case basis.

"We know that just having dust over Asia doesn't mean that it's going to come here. There is the transportation part of the puzzle, which I'm working on now. But we already know that some years are more favorable than others for dust to be transported across the Pacific."

See the Source:

Newswise

Find out:

How to eliminate particulate matter from diesel emissions with diesel particulate filters.

air pollution
particulate matter

What's EPA Chief Stephen Johnson Doing in China?

Visit EPA's Trip Diary from China to view daily updates from Administrator Johnson and his staff on their trip to China for the U.S.-China Strategic Economic Dialogue. From Dec. 10 to 15, 2007, EPA's official delegation will give a first-hand account of their trip through photos and diary entries which will be posted 2-3 times per day on EPA's Web site at: http://www.epa.gov/chinadiary

This diary will be an account of the official EPA delegation's visit to China and the agency's efforts to foster global environmental cooperation through the SED. Administrator Johnson will join Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and other senior U.S. officials for the third cabinet level meeting of the SED.

This meeting will focus on integrity of trade, balanced economic development, energy conservation, financial sector reform, environmental sustainability, and advancing bilateral investment. The dialogue was launched by President Bush and President Hu in September 2006.

Real-World Studies Show Air Pollution Lowers Lung Function

Two real-world studies recently reported in the New England Journal of Medicine show that increased exposure to traffic heavy with diesel exhaust has a measurable effect on lung capacity.

The Swiss study conducted over an 11-year period showed that breathing cleaner air resulting from a cut in air pollution through the enforcement of stricter environmental laws, added an extra year of healthy breathing to test subjects. The London study examined 60 asthmatic adults as they took 2-hour walks. The subjects walked along a busy London street filled with exhaust or in a traffic-free park. Lung function decreased by 5-6 percent after being exposed to traffic emissions.

It appears from the studies that a decrease in exposure to particulate matter, a component of diesel exhaust, and breathing cleaner air reduces the aging affect on the lungs.

See the Source:

The China Post

U.S. News & World Report

Find out:

Find out how to reduce diesel particulate emissions by retrofitting with diesel particulate filters.

diesel emissions
air pollution

States Want EPA to Regulate Plane Emissions

Several states and environmental groups filed a petition last week urging the EPA to regulate GHG emissions from planes departing or landing at American airports. The states included in the petition are California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and DC.

Domestic aircraft emissions are expected to increase by 60 percent by 2005. Currently plane emissions account for 3 percent of the U.S.'s total carbon dioxide emissions.

See the Source:
SFGate.com

environment
global-warming

Energy Bill Blocked in Senate

One day after the U.S. House of Representatives passed an historic energy bill that would put the country on a path to cleaner energy, lower energy demand, and reducing dependency on oil, the Senate blocked progress on the bill. Led by a several Senators, and supporters of the coal and oil industry, the bill failed to reach the 60 votes necessary to pass.

A revised bill is expected to return to the Senate floor by the end of this week, minus some renewable energy provisions.

See the Source:

Inside Renewable Energy

current issues
energy

EPA Announces Regulatory Priorities

EPA today released its Regulatory Plan, which describes 30 of the most significant regulations it plans to issue by next October. EPA also released its Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, which describes over 300 actions under development or review, as well as those completed or withdrawn since the Spring 2007 agenda was published. For the first time, the bulk of EPA's agenda is available exclusively online rather than on paper in the Federal Register. Moving to an online agenda saves resources and provides users with a more useful, searchable mechanism for accessing regulatory information. It also helps meet e-Government objectives while saving taxpayers money by significantly reducing printing costs. (E-Government is President Bush's goal of utilizing technology to improve federal government services to citizens).

EPA recognizes that not everyone has access to the Internet, so is making printed copies of the agenda available upon request. These hardcopies are available by calling 1-800-490-9198 or by e-mailing: nscep@bps-lmit.com. (E-mail requests should include the requestor's name and address and display "Regulatory Agenda Hard Copy" in the subject line.)

See the Source:
EPA - Regulatory Plan
EPA - Regulatory Plan and Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

environment
air pollution

California Proposes New Regulations to Reduce Diesel Pollution at Ports

The California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary Nichols highlighted two port-related emissions reductions programs on Wednesday, Dec. 5th. If passed by the full Board later this week, the programs will dramatically reduce diesel particulate matter pollution from ships and trucks throughout the state by 2014.

The first regulation requires operators of certain types of ocean-going vessels to shut down their diesel auxiliary engines while docked at the state's busiest ports in favor of using shore-based electrical power. The second regulation is aimed at cleaning up emissions from the aging fleet of dirty diesel trucks that hauls goods around the clock to and from ports and rail yards throughout the state.

"These first-of-their-kind measures will continue our work to slash port-related emissions," Nichols said. "Residents from San Pedro to Oakland will breathe easier as a result of our aggressive actions to clean up diesel emissions from ports throughout the state. We owe it to the long-suffering ports communities to continue our quest of reducing all the emissions we can from ships, trucks and trains."

ARB adopted strategies in December 2005 that require cleaner engines in cargo handling equipment and clean fuel on ships.

Combined with the measures before the Board this week, ARB regulations will reduce diesel particulate matter emissions from container and cruise ship terminals by almost two-thirds by 2010, and by an estimated 75 percent by 2014. Overall diesel soot emissions will decline by 1,800 tons per year in 2014.

Shore Power
The new regulation will require certain fleet operators of container, passenger and refrigerated cargo ships ("reefers") to turn off their auxiliary engines -- which power lighting, ventilation, pumps and other onboard equipment -- while a ship is docked for most of its stay in port. The rule will affect almost 95 percent of the ship visits in these three categories.

Once docked, operators would then be expected to receive their electricity from shore-based sources or meet percentage reductions through other means. Ports affected by the regulation are those most visited: Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, San Diego, San Francisco and Hueneme in Ventura County.

A 2005 ARB exposure study at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach shows that more than two million people live in areas around the ports with predicted cancer risks of greater than 10 in a million due emissions from docked ocean-going vessels. From that study and other data, ARB estimates that about 61 premature deaths per year can be attributed to exposure to diesel exhaust generated from ships in port.

Container, passenger and reefer vessels call at California ports almost 6,000 times each year, accounting for nearly 85 percent of the emissions from all docked ships. In 2006, approximately 1.8 tons per day of diesel particulate matter and 21 tons per day of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), a key ingredient of smog, were emitted from the diesel-fueled auxiliary engines of docked ships. The regulation is expected to reduce diesel and smog-forming emissions from docked container, passenger and reefer ships by nearly 50 percent relative to levels otherwise expected to be emitted in 2014, and 80 percent by 2020.

Next year, ARB expects to introduce a similar rule that will reduce emissions from bulk ships, tankers and vehicle carriers.

Port Trucks
ARB staff estimates that California has about 20,000 port or "drayage" trucks that frequently visit the ports and rail yards and have the greatest impact on local air quality. Drayage trucks are a significant source of diesel particulate matter, contributing three tons per day statewide. With regards to the smog precursor NOx, port trucks emit 61 tons per day.

The regulation is expected to reduce diesel particulate matter emissions from drayage trucks from baseline 2007 levels some 86 percent (2.6 tons per day) by 2010. Emissions of NOx are expected to be reduced from 2007 baseline levels by 62 percent (42 tons per day) by 2014.

ARB estimates that the proposed regulation will prevent 1,200 premature deaths from 2009 through 2020, with benefits being the most dramatic in the communities where port trucks are heavily concentrated.

Phase one of the new regulation requires all pre-1994 drayage truck engines be retired or replaced with 1994 and newer engines by the end of 2009. In addition, trucks with 1994-2003 engines will need to be either replaced or retrofitted to achieve an 85 percent reduction in diesel particulate matter by the same deadline. The second phase of the regulation requires all drayage trucks to meet 2007 emissions standards by the end of 2013.

The rule also requires compliant trucks working at the 14 ports and 11 rail yards affected by this regulation to be entered into a special registry by late 2009.

Next year, the Board will consider a similar measure which will focus on reducing emissions from in-use private heavy duty diesel truck fleets.

See the Source:

CARB

Find out:

How to reduce diesel particulate matter by using diesel particulate filters from CleanAIR Systems.

diesel emissions

Climate Security Act Passes Senate Committee

Late on Wednesday, December 5th, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee passed America’s Climate Security Act of 2007 (S. 2191), considered a major step forward in slowing and hopefully reversing the global warming effect of green house gas emissions.

The bill calls for a cut of GHG emissions, such as carbon dioxide, by as much as 63% by 2050 (or 19% below 2005 levels).

Emission limits would affect virtually all market segments, incorporating pollution permits based on EU’s carbon-trading program. The limits may also result in possible cuts in energy use.

But Senior Vice President and Chief Economist for the American Council for Capital Formation, Dr. Margo Thorning who testified before the committee on Nov. 8th, warns “A major stumbling block to the U.S.’s meeting the targets set forth in American’s Climate Security Act of 2007 (S. 2191) is projected increases in covered emissions and population growth over the next several decades. Sharp cutbacks in U.S. energy use would be necessary to close the 55 percent gap in 2030 between projected emissions and the S. 2191 target.”

See the Source:
GovTrack.us
ACCF
The New York Times

environmental news
global-warming

Up to $7 Million in Grants Adds Fuel to the Methane to Markets Partnership

On December 6th the EPA made up to $7,000,000 available through a grant solicitation for innovative international projects and activities as part of the Methane to Markets Partnership.

The agency expects to award approximately 40 cooperative grants agreements ranging from approximately $100,000 to $700,000. The Methane to Markets partnership is an international initiative to reduce global methane emissions by promoting capture-and-use projects in oil and gas systems, coal mining, landfills, and animal waste management.

EPA is requesting proposals for projects that directly identify, characterize, or implement methane capture-and-use projects. Examples include technology transfers and demonstrations, feasibility studies, training and capacity building, and databases of potential sites.

EPA seeks proposals from a wide variety of institutions, including international governments, universities, and public or private non-profit organizations to advance project development in the following Methane to Markets Partner countries: Argentina, Brazil, China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, South Korea, Ukraine, and Vietnam. EPA will also consider regional proposals including other countries as long as at least one of the countries listed above is included.

The total grants cannot exceed $7 million. The estimated project period for awards is September 2008 through September 2011. Proposals are due by Feb. 22, 2008 at 4 p.m. EST.

More information about this grant: http://www.epa.gov/methanetomarkets/grants.htm or http://www.epa.gov/air/grants_funding.html#0801

emissions control

EPA Seeks Early Input on Standards for Airborne Lead

EPA is seeking early comments on policy options the agency is considering as it reviews the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for lead.

The United States has made tremendous progress in reducing lead concentrations in the outdoor air. Average lead concentrations in the air have dropped a dramatic 96 percent since 1980, primarily as a result of the ban on lead in motor vehicle gasoline. Also, since the late 1970s, blood lead concentrations for children ages one to five have dropped significantly, from about 15 micrograms per deciliter (:g/dL) to less than 2 :g/dL.

EPA has released an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). It is not a proposal, but a new part of the NAAQS review process that offers an additional public comment period before the agency issues a proposed rule.

EPA is seeking broad public input on the policy options under consideration as part of the lead NAAQS review. For example, the ANPR seeks comment on available scientific information, on current lead exposures for both airborne sources and other sources, and on a number of lead monitoring issues. That input will help inform the agency as it develops a proposed rule.

EPA will accept comment on the ANPR for 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

EPA is required by a consent decree to issue a proposal regarding the lead standards by May 1, 2008, and to issue a final rule by Sept. 1, 2008.

More about the lead NAAQS rulemaking: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/naaqs/standards/pb/s_pb_cr_fr.html

air pollution