The Department of Environmental Protection seeks public comment on proposed emergency amendments to Chapter 595, State Revolving Fund. There is a high likelihood that the federal government will provide stimulus money to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund in order to create construction jobs for infrastructure projects. These amendments would allow funding incentives, such as 0% interest loans or principal forgiveness, to move projects quickly to construction. Comments are due February 11, 2009.

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to 310 CMR 7.24 U, Organic Material Storage and Distribution, and addition of 310 CMR 7.24 (9), Dispensing of E85 Blended Gasoline (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). The new regulations apply to the installation, operation, and maintenance of E85 ethanol blended gasoline dispensing facilities in Massachusetts. By proposing these new regulations, the Department hopes to provide regulatory certainty and guidance to businesses considering whether to invest in this new industry.

The Department of Environmental Quality will hold a public hearing on proposed amendments to ARM 17.40.318 and the adoption of a new rule pertaining to state revolving fund and public water and sewer projects eligible for categorical exclusion from review. The amendments would restrict the current exclusion to "minor" ancillary facilities and would expand the current exclusion to include rehabilitation projects that are not "minor." A new provision would prohibit use of the exclusion for upgrades or extensions that are primarily for the purposes of future development.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public hearing on proposed consolidation of the ambient air quality standards for the state of Ohio. The hearing will be March 5, 2009. http://www.registerofohio.state.oh.us/pdfs/phn/3745_NO_65698_20090126_0807.pdf.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control adopted amendments to R.61-30, Environmental Protection Fees, that would increase individual residential and irrigation well fees. http://www.scdhec.gov/administration/regs/docs/regupdate.doc p. 8.

The Department of Ecology is proposing a new rule, chapter 173-539A WAC, for the upper Kittitas County groundwater area. The rule is designed to minimize future adverse effects on flows in the Yakima River and its tributaries while minimizing adverse effects on the local economy. http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/laws/wsr/2009/02/09-02-079.htm.

The Department of Environmental Quality is repealing Appendix 10, Evaluation of Air Quality Data, and Appendix 11, Allowable Particulate Emissions Computations, in their entirety. The Department determined that the information contained in Appendix 10 is out of date and does not comply with current monitoring protocols as designated by U.S. EPA. The Department also determined that Appendix 11 is not useful because the actual values must be calculated using the equation included in the rules, not the graph.

The Oil and Gas Commission adopted amendments to Rule A-8: Reporting Requirements for Mineral Proceeds Escrow Accounts; Rule B-2: Proof of Financial Responsibility Required To Be Furnished; Rule B-4: Well Drilling, Completion & Workover Requirements; Rule B-11: Domestic Natural Gas Wells & Conversion of Permitted Oil and Natural Gas Wells For Use as Domestic Natural Gas or Fresh Water Supply Wells; Rule D-7: Natural Gas to be Metered; and Rule D-8: Monthly Natural Gas Production Reports.

The Pollution Control and Ecology Commission adopted amendments to Rule 11: Solid Waste Disposal Fees, Landfill Post-Closure Trust Fund, and Recycling Grants Program. http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/elections_pdfs/register/2008/december_2008/014.00.08-005.pdf.

The Air Resources Board will conduct a public hearing to consider the adoption of a regulation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles operating with underinflated tires. The hearing will be March 26, 2009. http://www.oal.ca.gov/pdfs/notice/6z-2009.pdf pp. 205-208.