EPN In Action November-December 2021
Welcome to your EPN In Action Newsletter
Highlights
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EPN members John Bachmann and Dan Costa presented testimony and EPN submitted comments on EPA’s Draft Policy Assessment for the Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These standards reflect the advances in scientific knowledge on the effects of particulate matter on public health.
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EPN submitted comments on EPA’s draft draft Supplement to the 2019 Integrated Science Assessment for Particulate Matter. The integrated science assessment provides the scientific basis for EPA’s reconsideration of NAAQS.
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EPN sent a letter to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) providing comments on its proposal to generally restore regulatory provisions for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that were in effect for decades before being modified under the Trump administration.
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EPN offered comments on EPA’s strategic plan for FY2022-26, a planning document for the agency’s work over the next four years.
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EPN’s members were featured in dozens of media outlets and authored several op-eds. EPN continues to provide in-depth, insightful background information to numerous reporters.
EPN’s Work on Air
Air in the News
E.P.A. Announces Tightest-Ever Auto Pollution Rules
Jeff Alson, former Senior Engineer and Policy Advisor, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality, was quoted in this article discussing the recently-announced vehicle emissions standards for model year 2023-2026 automobiles and light-duty vehicles. Jeff was also quoted in related articles appearing in a variety of news outlets including The Washington Post, E&E News, Huffington Post, and Grist.
US Lags in Electric Vehicle Sales Despite Biden Administration’s Push
Margo Oge, former Director, Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA Office of Air and Radiation, was quoted in this article regarding the legislative and regulatory push the Biden administration will need to exert on US automakers in order for the country to reach the administration’s 2030 electric vehicle sales target.
Pulling Back the Curtain on Pollution
Mustafa Santiago Ali, former Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization and Assistant Associate Administrator for Environmental Justice, was quoted in this article regarding EPA’s recent ruling that requires all natural gas processing facilities to report their hazardous pollutant emissions to the Toxics Release Inventory.
EPN’s Work on NEPA and EPA’s Strategic Plan
EPN Member Op-Eds
EPN members penned their own op-eds on the EPA budget, electric vehicles, and a clean energy economy.
EPA Needs an Annual Appropriation That Will Fund the Biden Environmental Agenda
Dave Coursen, former attorney, EPA Office of General Counsel, wrote this op-ed outlining the many reasons why EPA needs an annual appropriations bill passed in order to rebuild and restore its role in protecting human health and the environment.
Why the Midwest Should Lead on Electric Vehicles
Jeff Alson, former Senior Engineer and Policy Advisor, EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality, penned this op-ed about how Midwesterners could take the lead in the country’s transition to electric vehicles.
A Clean Energy Economy Is Crucial for Frontline Communities
Mustafa Santiago Ali, Senior Vice President for Environmental Justice, National Wildlife Federation; former EPA Senior Advisor for Environmental Justice and Community Revitalization; and former EPA Assistant Associate Administrator for Environmental Justice, wrote this op-ed discussing the importance of investing in an equitable clean energy economy.
More Examples of EPN in the News
In addition to the articles above, EPN members contributed to a range of articles on topics such as lead, the Superfund tax, and the Clean Water Act.
White House Lead-Eradication Plan Draws Praise and Questions
Betsy Southerland, former Director, Office of Science and Technology, EPA Office of Water, was quoted and EPN was mentioned in this article discussing the Biden administration’s recently announced Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.
A ‘Polluter Pays’ Tax in Infrastructure Plan Could Jump-Start Languishing Cleanups at Superfund Sites
Bill Muno, former Superfund Director, EPA Region 5, was quoted in this article discussing how the polluters pay tax incorporated into the infrastructure law will allow work to resume at many languishing Superfund sites.
Top Dem Seeks Probe of Trump EPA’s Handling of Yazoo Pumps
EPN’s letter to EPA regarding the Trump-era reversal of the agency’s 404(c) determination of the Mississippi Delta’s Yazoo Pump project was quoted in this article.