On May 23, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held an “Environmental Modeling Public Meeting” (EMPM). As stated in the April 12, 2018, Federal Register notice announcing the meeting, the “EMPM provides a public forum for EPA and its stakeholders to discuss current issues related to modeling pesticide fate, transport, and exposure for pesticide risk assessments in a regulatory context.” The overall theme of the EMPM was the quantitative use of...
On June 1, 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the much anticipated first ten problem formulation documents; its systematic review approach document; and a significant new use rule (SNUR) proposal enabling it to prevent new uses of asbestos for public comment. Links and short summaries are provided below. EPA states that the problem formulation documents refine the conditions of use, exposures, and hazards presented in the scope of the risk evaluations for the...
Lynn L. Bergeson, Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., And Susan M. Kirsch Contribute To ABA SEER’s The Year In Review 2017: Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) is pleased to announce the publication of The Year in Review 2017: Environment, Energy, and Resources Law by the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER). The Year in Review 2017 provides an annual summary of developments in environmental, energy, and resources law....
By Lynn L. Bergeson On May 17, 2018, a proposed amendment to repeal the Farm Bill’s energy title programs was defeated in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 75-340. These title programs provide grants and loan guarantees to rural lenders and businesses, as well as research and development support for renewable energy products. While these programs account for less than one percent of the total amount that the federal government spends on agriculture and nutrition programs,...
June 1, 2018
Coalition Intends To Ensure EPA Retains Safer Choice
By Lynn L. Bergeson A coalition will be launched on June 1, 2018, that intends to ensure that Safer Choice will continue to exist as a federal program within the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to improve the program so that it operates in the most effective way possible for all stakeholders. The Coalition will comprise companies throughout the chemical value chain -- chemical manufacturers, consumer product companies, and retailers -- as well as non-governmental...
June 1, 2018
DOE Awards $2 Million To 13 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfe
By Lynn L. Bergeson On May 24, 2018, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that, as part of the DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office’s (BETO) support to small businesses, BETO has awarded approximately $2 million, out of $13 million awarded by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), to 13 Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grants. DOE states that these small businesses are “improving the state of...
By Lynn L. Bergeson On May 25, 2018, the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) dropped its nearly decade long pursuit to convert a $1-per-gallon tax credit for biofuel blenders to an equivalent credit for producers. NBB originally sought to change the credit to support the domestic biofuel industry, as some blenders who benefited from the credit were also importing foreign biodiesel. Recent import duties imposed by the U.S. Commerce Department have done a great deal to curb inexpensive biodiesel...
By Lynn L. Bergeson On June 18, 2018, Richard E. Engler, Ph.D., Director of Chemistry, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), will present “New TSCA and Green Chemistry Innovation” at the 22nd Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference (GC&E), hosted by the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Green Chemistry Institute®. GC&E will highlight product innovation using greener chemistries and provide an opportunity for a diverse group of academic,...
June 1, 2018
Weekly Roundup of Other Biobased News
Neste, “Neste to acquire the share majority of the Dutch animal fat trader IH Demeter B.V.” Cosmetics Design, “Genomatica debuts bio-based butylene glycol at in-cosmetics global” just-style, “Brands back new bio-based fibers collaboration”
May 31, 2018
Christopher R. Bryant Quoted By Bloomberg Environment Regarding EPA’s New Definition of Solid Waste
On May 31, 2018, Christopher R. Bryant, Senior Regulatory Consultant, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), was quoted in the Bloomberg Environment article “EPA Backs Recycling Formerly ‘Hazardous’ Materials, But States Get Final Say.” This quote was also featured as the “Quote of the Day” in Bloomberg Environment’s daily First Move email. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new definition of solid waste “allows more material—like...