Implementation of the newly amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), signed into law last June, is in full swing. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working hard to meet statutorily imposed deadlines for promulgating three “framework” rules by June 2017. To date, the EPA is on target. This column discusses the three framework rules.
Category: General
On March 8, 2017, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced S. 578, the “Better Evaluation of Science and Technology Act” or “BEST Act,” a bill that would amend title 5 of the United States Code, commonly referred to as the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), to “provide requirements for agency decision making based on science.” Although the BEST Act does not refer to the recently amended Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), it is apparent that it plans to implement the same...
March 20, 2017
James Aidala Quoted In Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report Article “Mixed Review of Glyphosate Links to Cancer Frustrates Some”
On March 20, 2017, James Aidala, Senior Government Affairs Consultant with Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), was quoted by the Bloomberg BNA Daily Environment Report on the recently released report on the health risks posed by glyphosate. “My overall reaction to the report was that it was really uninformative,” Jim Aidala, a consultant with Bergeson & Campbell PC who served as the EPA's chemical office chief under President Bill Clinton, told Bloomberg BNA. The...
March 17, 2017
Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News
? Euractiv, “Parliament Committee Says Palm Oil Biofuels Usage Should End by 2020” ? Bellona, “Opportunities and Risks of Seaweed Biofuels in Aviation” ? Pacific Business News, “Hawaii’s Largest Oil Refinery Owner in Talks with Biofuel Developers” ? Chemical & Engineering News, “Nestlé, Danone Look to Renewable Bottles”
On March 9, 2017, Neste, a member of the Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®), announced that its My Renewable Diesel helped reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 6.7 million tons in 2016. The reduction of carbon emissions from MY Renewable Diesel is equivalent to the removal of 2.4 million passenger cars from the road for one full year. The low-carbon diesel, which is refined from renewable raw materials, is suitable for all diesel-powered passenger cars and...
March 17, 2017
Coalition Sends Letter To Trump On Ethanol Policy Changes
On March 7, 2017, the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition sent a letter to President Trump requesting the Administration’s support for changes to various federal policies to strengthen biofuels production and expand markets for ethanol and other biofuels. The letter, which was signed by Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, specifically highlights the need for the Trump Administration to change the fuel volatility limitations placed on E15, to update corn...
March 17, 2017
Bipartisan Bill Introduced To Reform RFS Program
On March 2, 2017, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) reintroduced the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Reform Act, which aims to guide the debate and reform of the ethanol mandate. According to Goodlatte, the RFS program failed to lower prices at the pump and resulted in unintended and profound effects on consumers, energy producers, livestock producers, retailers, and the environment. The RFS Reform Act, which had 42 bipartisan cosponsors, would eliminate corn-based ethanol requirements,...
March 16, 2017
EPA’s Extension of Comment Date for TSCA Inventory Notification Proposed Rule Issued in Error
On March 15, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would be extending the comment period on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory Notification (Active-Inactive) proposed rule issued on January 13, 2017. On March 16, 2017, however, EPA rescinded this extension, stating it was issued in error, but did state that it would “make every effort to consider comments received outside of the formal comment period, if provided by March 24, 2017.” EPA is...
On March 10, 2017, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) began a public consultation on its opinion on titanium dioxide (nanoform) as an ultraviolet (UV)-filter in sprays. In July 2015, the European Commission (EC) received new data from industry to support the safe use of nano titanium dioxide when used as a UV-filter in sunscreens and personal care spray products at a concentration up to 5.5 percent. The EC asked SCCS whether, in light of the data provided, nano...
On March 10, 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that its Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT) would be hosting two webinars covering the use of the Central Data Exchange (CDX) for upfront confidential business information (CBI) substantiation. Per EPA’s notice on January 19, 2017, the statutory requirements for substantiation of CBI claims will change effective March 21, 2017, for Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) submissions. In...