EPA published statements of findings after its review of certain TSCA submissions from September 1, 2023, to September 30, 2023, that certain new chemical substances or significant new uses are not likely to present an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment.

EPA invited public comment to inform the domestic availability of multiple products used in the construction, alteration, and/or maintenance of water infrastructure. 

EPA announced the availability of and seeks comment on a white paper describing the benefits of the creation, submission, review, approval, and distribution of structured content and digital pesticide labels.

United States v. ACF Industries LLC, No. 3:23-cv-1603 (D. Or. Nov. 1, 2023). Under two proposed consent decrees, settling CERCLA, CWA, and OPA defendants whose facilities along the Willamette River released hazardous substances must pay cash and/or purchase restoration credits in one or more restoration projects approved by the Natural Resource Trustees to create habitat for injured natural resources, and make payments for the public’s lost recreational use of the river, for monitoring of culturally significant plants and animals, and for reimbursement of the Natural Resource Trustees’ costs. 

EPA announced the availability of and seeks comment on a document that announces several proposed changes to the Agency's Safer Choice Standard, including a name change to the Safer Choice and Design for the Environment Standard.

United States v. Board of County Commissioners of Hamilton County, No. C-1-02-107 (S.D. Ohio Oct. 25, 2023). A proposed material modification to a consent decree under the CAA moves two projects back in priority order; changes the descriptions and design criteria for a few projects; adds a process to the Wet Weather Improvement Plan (WWIP) to address previously unidentified CSO or SSO outfalls; adds an additional short phase of work to the WWIP’s scheduling process; and makes a few clarifying changes to other aspects of the WWIP. 

United States v. Revere, Massachusetts, City of, No. 1:10-cv-11460 (D. Mass. Oct. 25, 2023). Under a proposed first modification to a consent decree, a settling CWA defendant must update portions of its Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan and Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan by December 31, 2026. 

EPA announced the preliminary designation of stormwater discharges from certain commercial, industrial, and institutional sites in two watersheds in Los Angeles County, California, for regulation under the CWA NPDES permitting program. 

EPA proposed to prohibit all manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution in commerce of trichloroethylene (TCE) and industrial and commercial use of TCE for all uses, with longer compliance time frames and workplace controls for certain processing and industrial and commercial uses (including proposed phaseouts and time limited exemptions); prohibit the disposal of TCE to industrial pretreatment, industrial treatment, or POTWs, with a time limited exemption for cleanup projects; and establish recordkeeping and downstream notification requirements.

EPA added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances subject to reporting under EPCRA and the Pollution Prevention Act pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 to the list of Lower Thresholds for Chemicals of Special Concern.