EPA | The Ohio Star

‘America Is Back’: Biden Unveils Sweeping Oil, Gas Regulations That Would Cut Methane Emissions by 41 Million Tons

November 3, 2021November 2, 2021 Ohio Star Staff

The Biden administration rolled out broad new regulations that it said will substantially reduce U.S. methane emissions within 15 years.

The sweeping regulations would cut methane emissions, which account for roughly 10% of the greenhouse gasses emitted by the U.S., by 41 million tons between 2023 and 2035, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Tuesday. Such a reduction is equivalent to 920 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, or the amount emitted by all cars and commercial aircraft in 2019.

“As global leaders convene at this pivotal moment in Glasgow for COP26, it is now abundantly clear that America is back and leading by example in confronting the climate crisis with bold ambition,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement.

Commentary: Conservatives File Suit to ‘Derail Biden Climate Railroad’

November 2, 2021November 1, 2021 RealClearWire

Michael Regan began his tenure as President Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency administrator by dismissing dozens of outside scientific advisers appointed during the previous administration — part of an effort to “ensure the agency receives the best possible scientific insight to support our work.”

At the time, Regan (pictured) called it a “reset.” Opponents grumbled that it looked more like “a purge.” Now, one of those advisers, Stanley Young, has filed a lawsuit in federal court accusing the agency of violating U.S. law; the suit also seeks an injunction to halt the work of his former committee.

The legal dustup is the latest rearguard action from the right on environmental issues. Conservatives see the case as their best chance to thwart the Biden administration’s multi-agency approach to combating climate change, seen as hostile to the fossil fuel industry.

Biden EPA’s Web of Conflicts with Climate Groups Forces Ethics Waiver for One Official

July 8, 2021July 7, 2021 Ohio Star Staff

The revolving door between climate change special interests and the Biden Environmental Protection Agency has swung open so often in recent months that the agency is being forced to grant an ethics waiver to one of its politically appointed lawyers allowing her to participate in cases involving a former client.

From Nixon to Trump: EPA Chief Touts Environmental Gains, Hits ‘Single Issue Advocacy’

September 7, 2020September 6, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, the government has reduced air pollution by 7%, declared Superfund sites safe again at a record pace, and directed tens of billions of dollars to ensuring clean water, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler said Thursday in a speech marking the agency’s 50th anniversary.

Commentary: Trump’s EPA Can End an Obama-Era Cover-Up

August 20, 2020August 20, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

On many regulatory issues, the Trump administration moved as fast as bureaucratically possible to overturn excesses of the Obama administration. On issues from labor rules to land use to consumer protection, Trump’s team did what they could to make regulations more fair and less far-reaching.

Commentary: President Trump’s Overhaul of Stifling Environmental Regulations Clears the Way for Infrastructure Projects Nationwide

July 20, 2020July 19, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

President Trump recently finalized an overhaul of one of the most important environmental laws in America. Credited by some as the “Magna Carta” of environmental legislation, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is one of America’s main legislative weapons in fighting climate change. It mandates an extensive review process, including the drafting of a lengthy Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and subsequent legal challenges, before the commencement of infrastructure projects. But Trump’s revision of the law through regulatory reinterpretation dramatically weakens the bill’s potency, greatly simplifying the procedure for getting federal approval on many infrastructure projects.

Despite Supreme Court Win, Energy Companies Cancel $8 Billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline

July 6, 2020July 5, 2020 The Associated Press

The developers of the long-delayed, $8 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline announced the cancellation of the multi-state natural gas project Sunday, citing uncertainties about costs, permitting and litigation.

Despite a victory last month at the United States Supreme Court over a critical permit, Dominion Energy and Duke Energy said in a news release that “recent developments have created an unacceptable layer of uncertainty and anticipated delays” for the 600-mile project designed to cross West Virginia and Virginia into North Carolina.

EPA’s Andrew Wheeler Calls Out Senate Dems for ‘Politicizing’ Agency’s COVID Response

May 31, 2020May 30, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler believes Democrats are politicizing the agency’s response to coronavirus and using flawed research to argue regulation rollbacks are disproportionately hurting black people amid a pandemic.

Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts used a politically-motivated research and a study based on 15-year-old data from Europe to suggest that the agency’s regulatory work is increasing the harm of coronavirus on minority groups, Wheeler said in an exclusive interview with the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Trump Rolls Back Another Obama-Era Enviro Rule as Impeachment Trial Drags On

January 26, 2020January 25, 2020 Ohio Star Staff

The Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule Thursday afternoon scaling back an Obama-era regulation farmers and energy producers said saddled them with unnecessary burdens.

Trump’s EPA Rolling Back Obama-Era Anti-Coal Regulation

November 4, 2019November 3, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

The Environmental Protection Agency will propose easing rules on disposal of coal ash, the residue from burning coal, to make it less likely the federal government would shutter a coal-fired utility plant, in an announcement set for Monday.

Corn Farmers Sent Letter of Concern to President Trump, Now Applauding Deal on Ethanol Standards

October 7, 2019October 7, 2019 Beth Lear

Corn growers from across the heartland sent a letter of concern to President Trump on September 27th. Ohio’s Jon Miller signed the letter along with 22 other agricultural leaders from across the fruited plain, expressing their frustrations with a “perfect storm of challenges [this year] in rural America.” Added to the mounting difficulties were renewable fuel waivers for oil companies relating to biofuel requirements. But on Friday, October 4th, their frustration changed to applause when the Trump Administration announced an agreement on ethanol standards.

EPA Repeals Controversial Obama-Era Water Rule

September 14, 2019September 13, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday announced the repeal of a controversial Obama-era rule on regulating water under the Clean Water Act.

Trump Goes After Another Obama-Era Reg as EPA Plans to Ease Rules Affecting Oil Companies

August 30, 2019August 30, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday a plan to loosen federal rules governing methane emissions, a move that could be a boon for some energy providers and setback for environmentalists, the agency said in a statement.

Federal Judge: Georgia and Nine Other States May Ignore Obama-era ‘Waters of the United States’ Rule

August 26, 2019August 26, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

A federal judge has blocked the Obama administration’s 2015 Waters of the United States rule from taking effect in Georgia and nine other states while it is being revised.

Media Requests for EPA Records Soar Under Trump

July 24, 2019July 24, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

by Kevin Mooney Major news outlets, seemingly more prone to investigative reporting in the Trump era, are much more aggressive in seeking records from the Environmental Protection Agency than they were in the final years of the Obama administration, The Daily Signal has learned. ABC News, CBS News, the…

Analysis: EPA’s Repeal of the Clean Power Plan Falls Short by Allowing the ‘Carbon Endangerment Finding’ to Remain

June 24, 2019June 23, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

by Robert Romano The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Donald Trump has finally rescinded the Obama era Clean Power Plan that sought to end coal as a form of electricity and puts states in the driver’s seat in terms of regulating carbon emissions rates. But because Congress has left the 2009…

Trump’s EPA Finalizes Plan to Repeal And Replace Obama-Era Coal Plant Regulations

June 20, 2019June 20, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

by Michael Bastasch The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its plan to repeal and replace an Obama-era regulation that critics said would cost thousands of coal industry jobs. EPA will repeal the Clean Power Plan, which the U.S. Supreme Court stayed and it never went into effect. EPA’s replacement…

Gov Jared Polis Broke the Law to Bring Colorado Out of Compliance With EPA Air Rules, Lawsuit Claims

April 26, 2019April 25, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

by Michael Bastasch Colorado Gov. Jared Polis’s attempt to put a large swath of his state out of compliance with federal air quality regulations allegedly violated the law and state constitution, according to a Tuesday lawsuit. The lawsuit, filed by the pro-industry group Defend Colorado, is asking the Denver…

Trump Signs Executive Orders to Fast-Track Oil and Gas Pipelines

April 12, 2019April 11, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

by Michael Bastasch President Donald Trump signed a pair of executive orders aimed at speeding up oil and gas pipeline permitting, including limiting the ability of activists and states to block key energy projects. Trump signed the orders Wednesday at an International Union of Operating Engineers’ training center near…

Trump’s New EPA Chief Says He Won’t Make the Same Mistakes Obama Did in Flint

March 21, 2019March 21, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

by Chris White Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler criticized the Obama administration’s handling of Flint’s lead water problems and promised Wednesday he is going to avoid making the same mistakes. “Part of the problem with Flint was there was a breakdown in once they got the data, once…

Top EPA Official Leaves Government To Help Trump Fight ‘Venezuela-Style Socialism’

February 9, 2019February 9, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

by Michael Bastasch Mandy Gunasekara served two years as a top Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adviser, but now is leaving the government to be an advocate for President Donald Trump’s agenda. “There is a void out there of folks who can understand and have the pertinent experience to talk…

Enviros Launch Campaign Against Trump’s Pick To Replace Scott Pruitt At EPA

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019 Ohio Star Staff

by Michael Bastach Environmentalists kicked off the new year with a campaign to derail the nomination of Andrew Wheeler, President Donald Trump’s pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Make no mistake — to protect our health, planet, economy, and national security we must #StopWheeler from being permanently…

Trump’s EPA Moves to Repeal Obama’s De Facto Ban on New Coal Plants

December 7, 2018December 7, 2018 Admin

by Michael Bastasch The Trump administration proposed rolling back Obama-era regulation that opponents called a de facto ban on building new coal-fired power plants. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will raise carbon dioxide emissions limits for new coal-fired power plants and eliminate the Obama administration’s mandate that new facilities…

EPA’s Andrew Wheeler Suggests the Obama Administration Put its Thumb on the Scale of the Latest US Climate Report

November 29, 2018November 29, 2018 Admin

by Michael Bastasch Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler suggested the Obama administration told the authors of the latest National Climate Assessment (NCA) to emphasize “worst-case” global warming predictions. “And I don’t know this for a fact — I wouldn’t be surprised if the Obama administration told…

EPA Delays Repeal of Obama-Era Truck Regulations Causing Mass Layoffs

October 26, 2018October 25, 2018 Ohio Star Staff

by Michael Bastasch The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will not be providing any near-term relief to manufacturers burdened by Obama-era regulations on glider kits, two sources familiar with the matter told The Daily Caller News Foundation. EPA Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler told EPA staffers Wednesday he would not be…

DHS to Waive Environmental Laws for Border Wall Construction

October 10, 2018October 9, 2018 Ohio Star Staff

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that it would waive environmental laws so it could build gates between sections of border barriers in South Texas’ Rio Grande Valley. The waiver posted online lists 11 locations where the government plans to install gates in existing fencing. DHS has in…

GOP Senators Demand EPA Fix Permitting ‘Abuses’ Used by Democratic States to Block Energy Projects

October 6, 2018October 5, 2018 Ohio Star Staff

by Michael Bastasch Republicans senators asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review its implementation of a key provision of the Clean Water Act being used by states to block energy projects. “We ask that you work with other federal agencies to determine whether new clarifying guidance or regulations…

REPORT: EPA Paid $14.5 Million For Foreign Nationals, Not Americans, To Work In Government Labs

September 28, 2018September 27, 2018 Admin

by Michael Bastach The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) paid $14.5 million to foreign nationals to work at agency laboratories over the past 11 years that could have been awarded to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, according to federal investigators. EPA’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) found the agency’s cooperative…

Drain The Swamp: EPA Shed 1,200 Jobs In Trump’s First Year And A Half

September 10, 2018September 9, 2018 Admin

by Evie Fordham The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shed approximately 1,200 jobs as roughly 1,600 employees departed and less than 400 new employees were hired during President Donald Trump’s first year and a half in office. Departing employees included “at least 260 scientists, 185 ‘environmental protection specialists’ and 106…

IG Is Investigating Allegations of Collusion Between Volvo and EPA Officials to Sabotage President Trump’s Auto Regs Roll-Back

September 6, 2018September 5, 2018 Admin

by Tim Pearce Federal investigators are probing into a 2017 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report that claimed refurbished trucks emitted significantly more pollution than new models. The EPA Office of Inspector General (OIG) announced Tuesday that it would look into allegations that EPA officials improperly colluded with truck manufacturer Volvo to…

Zinke Ends Obama-Era Policy Requiring Energy Companies Fund Environmental ‘Mitigation’ Projects

July 27, 2018July 26, 2018 Admin

by Tim Pierce The Department of the Interior (DOI) is scrapping an Obama-era policy mandating energy companies mitigate development on federal land by funding offsite environmental projects. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) — a DOI-controlled agency and the largest land-owning agency in the U.S. — began forcing oil,…

The Battle To Repeal An Obama-Era Regulation On Trucks Heats Up

July 19, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

by Michael Bastasch The battle over the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to repeal an Obama-era regulation has been reignited. The Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund and Center for Biological Diversity sued EPA on Tuesday to prevent the agency from repealing regulations on refurbished truck engines, called glider kits. Their suit…

Scott Pruitt’s Parting Gift: Nixing One More Obama-Era Regulation

July 10, 2018July 9, 2018 Admin

by Michael Bastach A regulation to strictly limit the sale of refurbished truck engines was effectively repealed on Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt’s final day in office. Pruitt’s last day at the agency was Friday, but that same day, EPA shifted its policy towards glider kits, which…

Amid Investigations, Embattled EPA Chief Scott Pruitt Blames ‘Unrelenting Attacks’ Against Him, His Family In Resignation Letter

July 6, 2018July 5, 2018 Admin

by Michael Bastach Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt cited “unrelenting attacks” against himself and his family in his resignation letter that was delivered to President Donald Trump on Thursday. Pruitt thanked Trump for allowing him to serve at EPA, but says “the unrelenting attacks on me personally, my…

The Special Interests Behind the Unsustainable ‘Renewable Fuel Standard’

July 3, 2018July 2, 2018 Admin

By Printus LeBlanc The ethanol lobby and corn farmers are teaming up to keep the government mandated gravy train flowing into their bank accounts. After a deal was reached between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), several Senators, and oil refiners regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), the deal suddenly collapsed…

Emails Suggest EPA Officials Colluded With Lobbyists To Thwart Trump’s Agenda

June 20, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

by Michael Bastach An attorney and junk science blogger uncovered emails suggesting lobbyists and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials coordinated on an effort to preserve regulations on used truck engine manufacturers. “The purpose, of course, was to embarrass and intimidate the Trump EPA into aborting the rollback of the…

US Conservationists Sue Trump Administration Over Migratory Bird Policy

May 27, 2018July 18, 2018 Admin

Reuters A coalition of conservation groups sued the Trump administration on Thursday, accusing the government of slashing protections for migratory birds. At issue is the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which the National Audubon Society and other plaintiffs say has been undermined. In the past, the act helped hold parties…

EXCLUSIVE: Emails Cast Doubt On House Democrats’ Latest Claim Against Scott Pruitt

May 9, 2018May 8, 2018 Admin

by Michael Bastasch Democrats mischaracterized emails between top Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials to claim Administrator Scott Pruitt wanted “misuse” of taxpayer dollars by creating a new agency office in his hometown. Pruitt directed his staff “to establish a new EPA office in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma,” sparking a…

Two EPA Officials Stepping Down Amid Ethics Investigation

May 2, 2018May 1, 2018 Admin

by Jason Hopkins In what is seen as another major blow to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, two officials have resigned from the agency. Albert “Kell” Kelly and Pasquale “Nino” Perrotta — two Pruitt allies engulfed in their own separate scandals — tendered their resignations on Monday. Kelly served as head…