The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposed regulatory amendments that implement congressional mandates in the Protecting our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020 to reduce methane emissions from new and existing gas transmission lines, distribution pipelines, regulated gas gathering pipelines, underground natural gas storage facilities, and liquefied natural gas facilities.
EPA seeks comment to inform the availability of zero emission technologies in the heavy-duty vehicle and port sectors to support development of potentially multiple funding programs under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
The U.S. Sentencing Commission promulgated amendments to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, commentary, and statutory index for federal courts.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) proposed to amend and update its regulations for implementing NEPA to better align with its current and near future actions, adjust the level of NEPA review and documentation required for certain actions, and provide more concise descriptions of NASA actions, as well as incorporate updates to existing categorical exclusions.
In China, the year 2022 witnessed the further evolution of environmental protection and development of legislation and rulemaking. This mainly included adoption of the Black Soil Protection Law and the Yellow River Protection Law, as well as revision of the Animal Husbandry Law and the Wildlife Protection Law. This Comment summarizes some of the year’s major developments.
More severe storms and rising sea levels resulting from the changing climate pose a threat to ecosystems along the U.S. coast. These include beaches, dunes, wetlands, and marshes, which provide significant environmental, recreational, and economic benefits. Practices to sustain these ecosystems are available, but are not well understood, face legal and financial obstacles, and have not been widely implemented. On January 25, 2023, the Environmental Law Institute hosted a panel of experts who explored measures and practices for sustaining beaches and dunes in the face of a changing climate.
EPA proposed to promulgate new greenhouse gas (GHG) standards for heavy-duty highway vehicles starting in model year (MY) 2028 through MY 2032 and to revise certain GHG standards for MY 2027, including updating discrete elements of the Averaging Banking and Trading program; to add warranty requirements for batteries and other components of zero emission vehicles; to revise certain highway heavy-duty vehicle provisions and certain test procedures for heavy-duty engines; and to revise regulations addressing preemption of state regulation of new locomotives and new engines used in locomotives.
The Natural Resources Conservation Service announced its intent to issue a series of revised conservation practice standards in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP), and seeks comment on specified conservation practice standards in the NHCP.
The president issued Executive Order No. 14096, Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice For All; among other things, the Order reaffirms a commitment to and sets steps for a governmentwide approach to environmental justice, and creates the White House Office of Environmental Justice within CEQ.
EPA entered into a proposed settlement agreement under the CWA and the APA in Center for Biological Diversity v. EPA, No. 21-71306 (9th Cir.), which would require the Agency to take specified steps with respect to implementation of the 2021 pesticide general permit (PGP), complete ESA consultation of the 2026 PGP, and propose for public comment certain changes to its monitoring and recordkeeping provisions.