Category: General

August 7, 2017

EC Publishes NanoData Landscape Compilation Reports

On June 8, 2017, the European Commission (EC) published eight NanoData Landscape Compilation reports.  The EC states that the reports offer a snapshot of the environment for nanotechnology in different application fields: NanoData Landscape Compilation: Health:  This report offers a snapshot of the status of the environment for nanotechnology in the context of health.  Analysis of that environment, trends in the data, and the effects of European policies and actions...
August 4, 2017

Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News

The Hill, “Court Rejects 2015 EPA Biofuels Waivers” Govenors’ Biofuels Coalition, “Action on E15 Bill not Expected Before August Recess” Department of Energy, “EERE Success Story -- New Membrane Technology Will Improve Efficiency of Biofuel Production” PWashington State University, “Algae Cultivation Technique Could Advance Biofuels”
August 4, 2017

NBB Announces New CARB Certified Biodiesel Additive

By Kathleen M. Roberts On July 25, 2017, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) announced that the California Air Resource Board (CARB) certified a biodiesel additive that will make California B20 blends the cleanest diesel fuel with the lowest emissions profile available in the U.S.  The additive known as Branded VESTA™1000 reduces every measurable regulated emission, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), when blended with CARB diesel fuel, California’s unique clean-burning...
August 4, 2017

EPA Publishes Analysis Of GHG Emissions From Sugar Beets

By Lauren M. Graham, Ph.D. On July 26, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its analysis of the upstream greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions attributable to the production of sugar beets for use as a biofuel feedstock.  EPA considered a scenario in which non-cellulosic beet sugar is extracted for conversion to biofuel and the remaining beet pulp co-product is used as an animal feed.  Based on the findings, EPA anticipates that biofuels produced from sugar...
August 3, 2017

EPA Nominates Additional Candidates for Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals; Requests Public Comments

On August 3, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice on further nominations to the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC).  EPA’s notice provides the names and affiliations of 64 additional candidates currently under consideration for appointment to SACC.  Biographical sketches for these candidates will be are posted on EPA’s website.  EPA will also be considering the 29 candidates for membership previously identified in...
August 2, 2017

Lynn L. Bergeson, James V. Aidala, Jr., Charles M. Auer, Richard Engler, and Oscar Hernandez, “Practitioner Insights: Enhancing TSCA Reform Implementation,” BNA Daily Environment Report, August 2, 2017.

The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act significantly amended the Toxic Substances Control Act. The act, which has been in force for just over a year, made substantive changes to multiple sections of TSCA that are proving to be even more consequential than anticipated (new TSCA is identified as Pub. L. No. 114-182 and old TSCA was identified as Pub. L. No. 94-469). This paper, authored principally by former EPA officials and a practicing TSCA lawyer, all with long...
August 2, 2017

WEBINAR – – TSCA Hot Topics: Inventory Notification and Strategies for Complying, and Update on Section 5, Wednesday, August 2, 2017, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EDT

Bloomberg BNA/Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C) Webinar. This complimentary webinar was presented by a panel including Dr. Jeff Morris, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and former EPA officials and seasoned regulatory professionals who engaged in a lively discussion on: Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 5 Inventory notification reporting requirements and strategies; how to recognize and avoid pitfalls when reporting; current state of play of EPA’s new chemicals...
August 1, 2017

Monthly Update for August 2017

TSCA/FIFRA Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. Forms “TSCA New Chemicals Coalition” JOIN NOW Section 5 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) addresses new chemical notifications and, as such, is chemical innovation’s regulatory gatekeeper. The Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg) amended Section 5. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) interpretation of these amendments has changed significantly the Section 5 review process in ways that none...
August 1, 2017

Lisa M. Campbell, Timothy D. Backstrom, and James V. Aidala, “EPA’s Evaluation and Determination of Epidemiological Data for Chlorpyrifos,” ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources PCRRTK Newsletter, Volume 18, Issue 5, August 2017.

Among the many legal, regulatory, and policy issues being watched closely by pesticide registrants as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) long and contentious review of chlorpyrifos registrations continues is the controversy concerning when EPA may appropriately apply a tenfold uncertainty factor pursuant to the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA 10X). This issue centers around EPA’s novel and unprecedented use of epidemiological data and the statutory requirements that govern...
July 31, 2017

EPA’s Regulatory Agenda Lists Proposed and Final Pesticide Rulemakings

On July 20, 2017, the Trump Administration released its 2017 Unified Regulatory Agenda.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Agency Rule List included several pesticide rulemakings in the proposed rule stage, as well as the Certification of Pesticide Applicators rulemaking that is in the final rule stage.  The five items in the proposed rule stage are: RIN 2015-AA00:  Revision of Procedural Rules for Hearings on Cancellations, Suspensions, Changes in...