EPA proposes to enable states to require ‘forever chemical’ cleanup, use ‘hazardous’ label

 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed to designate nine toxic “forever chemicals” as “hazardous constituents” under the nation’s law for cleaning up ongoing pollution, in a move that would enable states to require cleanups if the substances are released.

As part of an effort to limit contamination stemming from the class of toxic substances, also called PFAS, New Mexico wrote them into a permit that regulated emissions from the Cannon Air Force Base in 2018.

The military pushed back, suing in 2019 and saying that it could not include these chemicals in its permit since they were not regulated at the federal level.

But the new proposal this week from the EPA would put New Mexico’s efforts in line with federal regulators — as well as going beyond the state, and beyond the military, to impact other states and private companies that release PFAS.

An EPA press release said that its updates would “assure that EPA’s regulations clearly reflect EPA’s and authorized states’ authority to require cleanup of the full range of substances that the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) intended, including emerging chemicals of concern, such as PFAS, that may present substantial hazards, at permitted facilities.”

PFAS have been used in a range of nonstick and waterproof products like clothes, makeup and cookware as well as military firefighting foam.

They have been linked to health issues including prostate, kidney and testicular cancers, as well as decreased fertility, weakened immune systems and high cholesterol.

A federal study estimated that they are in the blood of 97 percent of Americans and another study estimated them to be in 45 percent of U.S. tap water. 

They have been nicknamed “forever chemicals” because they tend to persist and accumulate in nature, instead of breaking down.  

Scott Faber, senior vice president of  government affairs at the Environmental Working Group, said the EPA’s proposal “moves us one step closer to ensuring that PFAS wastes are disposed in a way that doesn’t ultimately release them back in the environment.”

“States will have new powers to order corrective actions where there’s a release that poses an imminent danger,” he added. 

This is not the first time the EPA has floated a “hazardous” label for PFAS. In 2022, it proposed to declare two PFAS as hazardous substances under a different law that would similarly enable cleanup for sites with legacy, rather than ongoing, pollution.

Additionally, the Biden administration has proposed to issue national drinking water limits for some of the substances.

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4445417-forever-chemicals-pfas-environmental-protection-agency-proposal-would-enable-states-require-cleanups-hazardous-label/

Milei Wins Approval In Congress for Watered Down Reforms

 Argentine President Javier Milei won approval on Friday for his first package of reforms sent to Congress but was forced by legislators to drop key economic measures, underscoring the challenges of implementing his self-styled free-market revolution.

The government's so-called omnibus bill was approved with 144 votes in favor and 109 against.

Milei, a political outsider who disparages career politicians as being part of a political caste, celebrated the approval of the bill. The Senate needs to approve the legislation.

"History will remember with honor those who understood the historical context and chose to end the privileges of the caste and corporatist republic in favor of the people who have been impoverished and starved for years by the political class," he said. "The only viable path forward for our country is freedom, work and order."

https://www.marketscreener.com/news/latest/Argentina-s-President-Milei-Wins-Approval-In-Congress-for-Watered-Down-Reforms-WSJ-45877672/

Farm biogas projects should not get Biden climate money -congressional letter

 Projects to capture methane from farm livestock manure for energy production should not be eligible for farm conservation dollars included in U.S. President Joe Biden's signature climate law because they are harmful to the environment, members of Congress told the administration in a letter sent on Thursday.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed last year, includes $18 billion for Department of Agriculture-designated climate-smart farming practices. Agriculture accounts for about 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, largely from livestock and fertilizer application.

The process of capturing methane from animal manure involves infrastructure to separate, store and process the waste.

Proponents argue livestock biogas projects can combat climate change by reducing methane emissions, while also providing a revenue stream for farmers. But environmental groups have argued that biogas projects can encourage farmers to increase their herds, resulting in more farm runoff and air pollution, and that such projects are viable only for the largest farms.

USDA's conservation sub-agency should remove certain biogas infrastructure, like waste storage facilities, from its list of practices eligible for federal support, said the letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. The document's 15 signatories included Senator Cory Booker and Representative Alma Adams, both Democrats.

"We oppose the inclusion of these practices, which further entrench the unsustainable, inhumane industrial model by funneling a significant portion of conservation dollars to a handful of large producers instead of supporting more small and mid-sized producers," said the letter, which was first reported by Reuters.

The agency expanded its climate-smart practices list for fiscal- year 2024 to include more biogas infrastructure.

A USDA spokesperson said the IRA conservation money "will provide direct climate mitigation benefits and will expand access to financial and technical assistance for producers to advance conservation on their farm, ranch or forest land."

Some farm state Republicans are hoping to reallocate the IRA conservation dollars to a broader array of practices, a dispute with Democrats that could further delay the already overdue federal farm funding bill. 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-farm-biogas-projects-not-214957237.html