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Pesticide Registration Fees: Reauthorization and Proposed Amendments
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) capacity to evaluate pesticide registrations within statutory time frames is generally dependent on sufficient resources and requisite scientific information to inform evaluations. Pursuant to the Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2012 (PRIA 3, P.L. 112-177), Congress reauthorized EPA to collect two categories of fees to support the agency's pesticide regulatory program and related activities through September 30, 2017. The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018, and Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2017 (P.L. 115-56), enacted September 8, 2017, extends to December 8, 2017, EPA's authority to collect and expend one of these fees--pesticide maintenance fees. The authority to collect the other fees --pesticide registration service fees--is also extended to December 8, 2017, before phasing out unless further extended. If authority to collect pesticide registration service fees were to expire, EPA would no longer be required to complete the evaluation of applications within statutory time frames. On March 20, 2017, the House passed the Pesticide Registration Enhancement Act of 2017 (H.R. 1029, H.Rept. 11549), which would reauthorize the collection of both fees and amend how EPA obligates monies derived from fee collections. On June 29, 2017, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry reported an amendment to H.R. 1029, renamed the Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2017. Both versions of H.R. 1029 are discussed below."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Yen, Jerry H.; Esworthy, Robert
2017-09-27
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Role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Environmental Justice [Updated August 29, 2019]
From the Document: "The role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in environmental justice is rooted in Executive Order (E.O.) 12898, 'Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations,' signed by President Bill Clinton on February 11, 1994. E.O. 12898 directs each executive department and agency, including EPA, to 'make achieving environmental justice part of its mission.' The consideration of environmental justice across federal programs and activities is not mandated in statute. E.O. 12898 more generally directs executive departments and agencies to integrate environmental justice into their respective missions to 'the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law.' Some departments and agencies have incorporated the consideration of environmental justice into their respective regulations to carry out the E.O."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert; Bearden, David M.
2019-08-29
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U.S. EPA FY2020 Appropriations [July 31, 2019]
From the Document: "As passed by the House on June 25, 2019, Division C of the five-bill omnibus appropriations bill H.R. 3055 included FY2020 funding for the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, which includes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Reported June 3, 2019, Title II of H.R. 3052 (H.Rept. 116-100)--the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations, 2020--provided the foundation for the funding for EPA included in H.R. 3055."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2019-07-31
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Ozone and Particulate Matter Air Standards: EPA Review [August 12, 2019]
From the Document: "The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review the standards for national ambient air quality every five years. In 2018, EPA announced strategies to expedite the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) review process while concurrently disbanding a pollutant-specific scientific review panel that has historically advised agency staff during their reviews. Although the CAA allows the EPA Administrator to specify the procedures for review of the NAAQS, past EPA reviews and revisions have garnered considerable congressional oversight. This In Focus discusses the status of EPA's current NAAQS reviews for ozone and particulate matter (PM), which EPA intends to complete in 2020, and issues of potential interest to Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shouse, Kate C.; Esworthy, Robert
2019-08-12
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Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program [October 11, 2019]
From the Document: "Emissions from diesel engines--especially particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides, and air toxics--have been shown to contribute to air pollution that adversely impacts public health and welfare in the United States. Since 1970, the Clean Air Act (CAA, 42 U.S.C. §7401 et seq.) has required the federal government to limit these emissions, among others, from new stationary (industrial) sources and new mobile sources. In the decades since, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has promulgated emission standards for a variety of source categories, including new heavy duty highway and nonroad diesel engines."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lattanzio, Richard K.; Esworthy, Robert
2019-10-11
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Ozone and Particulate Matter Air Standards: EPA Review [Updated October 30, 2019]
From the Document: "The Clean Air Act (CAA) requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review the standards for national ambient air quality every five years. In 2018, EPA announced strategies to expedite the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) review process while concurrently disbanding a pollutant-specific scientific review panel that has historically advised agency staff during their reviews. Although the CAA allows the EPA Administrator to specify the procedures for review of the NAAQS, past EPA reviews and revisions have garnered considerable congressional oversight. This In Focus discusses the status of EPA's current NAAQS reviews for ozone and particulate matter (PM), which EPA intends to complete in 2020, and issues of potential interest to Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shouse, Kate C.; Esworthy, Robert
2019-10-30
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Federal Research and Development Funding: FY2017 [June 24, 2016]
"President Obama's budget request for FY2017 includes $152.333 billion for research and development (R&D), an increase of $6.195 billion (4.2%) over the estimated FY2016 enacted R&D funding level of $146.138 billion. The request represents the President's R&D priorities; Congress may opt to agree with part or all of the request, or it may express different priorities through the appropriations process. In particular, Congress will play a central role in determining the growth rate and allocation of the federal R&D investment in a period of intense pressure on discretionary spending. Budget caps may limit overall R&D funding and may require movement of resources across disciplines, programs, or agencies to address priorities. Funding for R&D is concentrated in a few departments and agencies. Under President Obama's FY2017 budget request, seven federal agencies would receive 95.6% of total federal R&D funding, with the Department of Defense (47.8%) and the Department of Health and Human Services (21.5%) accounting for nearly 70% of all federal R&D funding. In dollars, the largest increases in agency R&D funding in the President's request would go to the Department of Energy (up $2.755 billion, 19.1%), the Department of Defense (up $1.953 billion, 2.8%), and the Department of Health and Human Services (up $772 million, 2.4%). The President's FY2017 request continues support for a number of multiagency R&D initiatives: the National Nanotechnology Initiative, Networking and Information Technology Research and Development program, U.S. Global Change Research Program, Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) initiative, Precision Medicine Initiative, Cancer Moonshot, Materials Genome Initiative, National Robotics Initiative, and National Network for Manufacturing Innovation."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F.; Esworthy, Robert; Gottron, Frank . . .
2016-06-24
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Federal Research and Development (R&D) Funding: FY2019 [October 4, 2018]
"The 115th Congress continues its interest in U.S. research and development (R&D) and in evaluating support for federal R&D activities. The federal government has played an important role in supporting R&D efforts that have led to scientific breakthroughs and new technologies, from jet aircraft and the internet to communications satellites, shale gas extraction, and defenses against disease. In recent years, widespread concerns about the federal debt, recent and projected federal budget deficits, and federal budget caps have driven difficult decisions about the prioritization of R&D, both in the context of the entire federal budget and among competing needs within the federal R&D portfolio. While these factors continue to exist, increases in the budget caps for FY2018 and FY2019 may reduce some of the pressure affecting these decisions."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sargent, John F., Jr.; Cowan, Tadlock; Esworthy, Robert . . .
2018-10-04
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Role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Environmental Justice [August 2, 2018]
"The role of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in environmental justice is rooted in Executive Order (E.O.) 12898, Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations, signed by President Bill Clinton on February 11, 1994. E.O. 12898 directs each executive department and agency, including EPA, to 'make achieving environmental justice part of its mission.' The consideration of environmental justice across federal programs and activities is not mandated in statute. E.O. 12898 more generally directs executive departments and agencies to integrate environmental justice into their respective missions to 'the greatest extent practicable and permitted by law.' Some departments and agencies have incorporated the consideration of environmental justice into their respective regulations to carry out the E.O."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert; Bearden, David M.
2018-08-02
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Air Quality: EPA's 2013 Changes to the Particulate Matter (PM) Standard [December 23, 2015]
"On January 15, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). The revised air quality standards were completed pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) and, in part, in response to a court order and consent agreement. Based on its review of scientific studies available since the agency's previous review in 2006, EPA determined that evidence continued to show associations between particulates in ambient air and numerous significant health problems, including aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, nonfatal heart attacks, and premature death. Populations shown to be most at risk include children, older adults, and those with heart and lung disease, and those of lower socioeconomic status. EPA's review of and revisions to the PM NAAQS have generated considerable debate and oversight in Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2015-12-23
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Air Quality: EPA's 2013 Changes to the Particulate Matter (PM) Standard [January 7, 2015]
"On January 15, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). The revised air quality standards were completed pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) and, in part, in response to a court order and consent agreement. Based on its review of scientific studies available since the agency's previous review in 2006, EPA determined that evidence continued to show associations between particulates in ambient air and numerous significant health problems, including aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, nonfatal heart attacks, and premature death. Populations shown to be most at risk include children, older adults, and those with heart and lung disease, and those of lower socioeconomic status. EPA's review of and revisions to the PM NAAQS have generated considerable debate and oversight in Congress. The January 2013 revisions change the existing (2006) annual health-based ('primary') standard for 'fine' particulate matter 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (or PM2.5), lowering the allowable average concentration of PM2.5 in the air from the current level of 15 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) to a limit of 12 μg/m3. The annual PM2.5 NAAQS is set so as to address human health effects from chronic exposures to the pollutants. The existing '24-hour primary standard' for PM2.5 that was reduced from 65 μg/m3 to 35 μg/m3 in 2006 was retained, as was the existing standard for larger, but still inhalable, 'coarse' particles less than 10 micrometers in diameter, or PM10. As it did in 2006, EPA set 'secondary' standards that provide protection against 'welfare' (nonhealth) effects, such as ecological effects and material deterioration, identical to the primary standards."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2015-01-07
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Particulate Matter (PM2.5): Implementation of the 1997 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) [October 4, 2007]
"Particulate matter (PM), including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is one of the six principal pollutants for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). NAAQS are designed to protect human health, with an adequate margin of safety. After years of litigation and other delays, the EPA is moving to implement the NAAQS for PM2.5 promulgated in 1997. Several key implementation milestones are scheduled to be completed during 2007 and 2008. This report provides information on the designation process for PM2.5 'attainment' and 'nonattainment' areas, and describes the issues that have been raised as the EPA and states develop implementation strategies. […] Other EPA recent rulemakings promulgated and proposed that affect various aspects of regulating air quality, in particular the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) published in May 2005, could influence the PM2.5 NAAQS implementation process. As part of its periodic review of the particulates NAAQS, as required under the CAA, on October 17, 2006, the EPA promulgated the final revisions to NAAQS for particulates, both PM2.5 and PM10, that included a strengthening of the 1997 PM2.5 standard. In late December 2006, several states and industry, agriculture, business, and public advocacy groups petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to review the new 2006 particulates NAAQS. Actions regarding these new PM NAAQS could affect implementation of the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2007-10-04
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Particulate Matter: Implementation of the 1997 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) [January 3, 2007]
"Particulate matter (PM), including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is one of the six principal pollutants for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). NAAQS are designed to protect human health, with an adequate margin of safety. After years of litigation and other delays, the EPA is moving to implement the NAAQS for PM2.5 promulgated in 1997. Several key implementation milestones are scheduled to be completed in 2007. This report provides information on the designation process for PM2.5 'attainment' and 'nonattainment' areas and describes the issues that have been raised as the EPA and states develop implementation strategies. […] The EPA rulemakings promulgated and proposed during FY2006 that affect various aspects of regulating air quality could influence the PM2.5 NAAQS implementation process. The EPA's completion of its periodic review of the particulates NAAQS, as required under the CAA, could also affect implementation of the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS. As part of this CAA review process, on October 17, 2006, the EPA promulgated the final revisions to NAAQS for particulates, both PM2.5 and PM10, that included a strengthening of the 1997 PM2.5 standard. In late December 2006, several states and industry, agriculture, business, and public advocacy groups petitioned the court to review the new 2006 particulates NAAQS."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2007-01-03
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Particulate Matter (PM2.5): Implementation of the 1997 National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) [October 6, 2006]
"Particulate matter (PM), including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), is one of the six principal pollutants for which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act (CAA). NAAQS are designed to protect human health within an adequate margin of safety. After years of litigation and other delays, the EPA is moving to implement the NAAQS for PM2.5 promulgated in 1997. This report provides information on the designation process for PM2.5 'attainment' and 'nonattainment' areas. It also discusses issues that have been raised as EPA, the states, and nonattainment areas develop implementation strategies. […] Legislation and EPA rulemaking that affect aspects of regulating air quality could influence the implementation process. Court challenges that followed the release of the eight-hour ozone designations, and EPA's periodic review of PM NAAQS, as required under the CAA, could also affect implementation of the 1997 PM2.5 NAAQS. As part of the CAA review process, on September 21, 2006, the EPA Administrator signed a final revision to NAAQS for particulate matter (both PM2.5 and PM10) that included a strengthening of the 1997 PM2.5 standard."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2006-10-06
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Air Quality: EPA's 2013 Changes to the Particulate Matter (PM) Standard [January 23, 2013]
"On January 15, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). The revised air quality standards were completed pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) and, in part, in response to a court order and consent agreement. Based on its review of scientific studies available since the agency's previous review in 2006, EPA determined that evidence continued to show associations between particulates in ambient air and numerous significant health problems, including aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, non-fatal heart attacks, and premature death. Populations shown to be most at risk include children, older adults, and those with heart and lung disease, and those of lower socioeconomic status. EPA's review of and revisions to the PM NAAQS has generated considerable debate and oversight in Congress. The January 2013 revisions change the existing (2006) annual health-based ('primary') standard for 'fine' particulate matter 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (or PM2.5), lowering the allowable average concentration of PM2.5 in the air from the current level of 15 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) to a limit of 12 μg/m3. The annual PM2.5 NAAQS is set so as to address human health effects from chronic exposures to the pollutants."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2013-01-23
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Air Quality: EPA's 2012 Proposed Changes to the Particulate Matter (PM) Standard [August 21, 2012]
"On June 14, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator signed a proposal to revise the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act (CAA) for particulate matter (PM), in response to a June 6, 2012, order issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Environmental and public health advocacy groups and 11 states had petitioned the agency, and subsequently filed suit in the D.C. Circuit alleging that EPA failed to perform its mandated duty to complete the review of the PM NAAQS within the statutory deadline. As part of the D.C. Circuit's decision and a related Consent Agreement, EPA has agreed to issue final revised PM NAAQS by December 14, 2012. EPA's review of the PM NAAQS has generated considerable debate and oversight in Congress. [] As with other NAAQS, a final revised PM standard will start a process that requires, among other things, a determination of areas in each state that exceed the standard and must, therefore, reduce pollutant concentrations to achieve it. Following the determination of 'nonattainment' areas (primarily counties) based on multiple years of monitoring data and other factors submitted by the states, state and local governments must develop (or revise) State Implementation Plans (SIPs) outlining measures they will implement to attain the standard. These often involve promulgation of new regulations by states, leading to the issuance of revised air permits, which affect pollution control requirements at various facilities. The process from finalization of a revised NAAQS to issuance of state SIPs, regulations, permits, installation of pollution control devices and attainment of the new standard, typically takes several years. Based on statutory scheduling requirements, designation of areas as nonattainment for any revised PM NAAQS would not be determined until the end of 2014, and states would have until at least 2020 to achieve compliance."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2012-08-21
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Air Quality: EPA's 2012 Proposed Changes to the Particulate Matter (PM) Standard [September 5, 2012]
"On June 29, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposal to revise the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) under the Clean Air Act (CAA) for particulate matter (PM), in response to a June 6, 2012, order issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Environmental and public health advocacy groups and 11 states had petitioned the agency, and subsequently filed suit in the D.C. Circuit alleging that EPA failed to perform its mandated duty to complete the review of the PM NAAQS within the statutory deadline. EPA has agreed to issue final revised PM NAAQS by December 14, 2012. EPA's review of the PM NAAQS has generated considerable debate and oversight in Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2012-09-05
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Air Quality: EPA's 2013 Changes to the Particulate Matter (PM) Standard [February 5, 2013]
"On January 15, 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM). The revised air quality standards were completed pursuant to the Clean Air Act (CAA) and, in part, in response to a court order and consent agreement. Based on its review of scientific studies available since the agency's previous review in 2006, EPA determined that evidence continued to show associations between particulates in ambient air and numerous significant health problems, including aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, non-fatal heart attacks, and premature death. Populations shown to be most at risk include children, older adults, and those with heart and lung disease, and those of lower socioeconomic status. EPA's review of and revisions to the PM NAAQS has generated considerable debate and oversight in Congress. The January 2013 revisions change the existing (2006) annual health-based ('primary') standard for 'fine' particulate matter 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (or PM2.5), lowering the allowable average concentration of PM2.5 in the air from the current level of 15 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m3) to a limit of 12 μg/m3. The annual PM2.5 NAAQS is set so as to address human health effects from chronic exposures to the pollutants."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2013-02-05
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Air Quality: EPA's 2006 Changes to the Particulate Matter (PM) Standard [Updated March 14, 2007]
"On October 17, 2006, the EPA published its final revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (particulates, or PM). The EPA reviewed more than 2,000 scientific studies and found that the evidence continued to support associations between exposure to particulates in ambient air and numerous significant health problems, including aggravated asthma, chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, heart attacks, and premature death in people with heart or lung disease. Based on several analytical approaches, the EPA estimated that compliance with the new NAAQS will prevent 1,200 to 13,000 premature deaths annually, as well as substantial numbers of hospital admissions and missed work or school days due to illness. Although a tightening of the standards, the new particulates NAAQS are not as stringent as recommended by EPA staff or the independent scientific advisory committee (Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee, or CASAC) mandated under the Clean Air Act. The new particulates NAAQS strengthen the pre-existing (1997) standard for "fine" particulate matter 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (PM2.5) by lowering the allowable daily concentration of PM2.5 in the air. The new daily standard averaged over 24-hour periods is reduced from 65 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3) to 35 µg/m3."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
McCarthy, James E.; Esworthy, Robert
2007-03-14
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Wildfire Smoke: Air Quality Concerns and Management [November 2, 2020]
From the Document: "Wildfire smoke can temporarily degrade air quality and harm human health. Some Members of Congress have expressed concern about wildfire health risks, including potential interactions with COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019]. This Insight provides background, discusses federal air quality requirements related to wildfires, and identifies wildfire smoke response programs."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Shouse, Kate C.; Esworthy, Robert
2020-11-02
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Environmental Protection Agency: FY2007 Appropriations Highlights [June 1, 2007]
"During its first session, the 110th Congress completed action on FY2007 [Fiscal Year] appropriations for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the enactment of the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution for FY2007 (P.L. 110-5, H.J.Res. 20). P.L. 110-5 provided funding through the end of that fiscal year for EPA and other federal agencies not funded in the appropriations laws for the Department of Defense (P.L. 109- 289) and Homeland Security (P.L. 109-295). P.L. 110-5 provided funding for EPA in FY2007 at the same level, and under the authority and conditions, specified in the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for FY2006 (P.L. 109-54), unless otherwise specified in P.L. 110-5."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Bearden, David M.; Esworthy, Robert
2007-06-01
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Federal Pollution Control Laws: How Are They Enforced? [October 7, 2014]
"As a result of enforcement actions and settlements for noncompliance with federal pollution control requirements, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that, during FY2013, regulated entities committed to invest an estimated $7.0 billion for judicially mandated actions and equipment to control pollution (injunctive relief), and $22.0 million for implementing mutually agreed-upon (supplemental) environmentally beneficial projects. EPA estimated that these compliance/enforcement efforts achieved commitments to reduce or eliminate 1.3 billion pounds of pollutants in the environment, primarily from air and water, and to treat, minimize, or properly dispose of 148 million pounds of hazardous waste. Noncompliance with federal pollution control laws remains a continuing concern. The overall effectiveness of the enforcement organizational framework, the balance between state autonomy and federal oversight, and the adequacy of funding are long-standing congressional concerns. This report provides an overview of the statutory framework, key players, infrastructure, resources, tools, and operations associated with enforcement and compliance of the major pollution control laws and regulations administered by EPA. It also outlines the roles of federal (including regional offices) and state regulators, as well as the regulated community. Understanding the many facets of how all federal pollution control laws are enforced, and the responsible parties involved, can be challenging. Enforcement of the considerable body of these laws involves a complex framework and organizational setting."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2014-10-07
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Federal Pollution Control Laws: How Are They Enforced? [May 23, 2014]
"As a result of enforcement actions and settlements for noncompliance with federal pollution control requirements, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that, during FY2013, regulated entities committed to invest an estimated $7.0 billion for judicially mandated actions and equipment to control pollution (injunctive relief), and $22.0 million for implementing mutually agreed-upon (supplemental) environmentally beneficial projects. EPA estimated that these compliance/enforcement efforts achieved commitments to reduce or eliminate 1.3 billion pounds of pollutants in the environment, primarily from air and water, and to treat, minimize, or properly dispose of 148 million pounds of hazardous waste. Noncompliance with federal pollution control laws remains a continuing concern. The overall effectiveness of the enforcement organizational framework, the balance between state autonomy and federal oversight, and the adequacy of funding are long-standing congressional concerns. This report provides an overview of the statutory framework, key players, infrastructure, resources, tools, and operations associated with enforcement and compliance of the major pollution control laws and regulations administered by EPA. It also outlines the roles of federal (including regional offices) and state regulators, as well as the regulated community. Understanding the many facets of how all federal pollution control laws are enforced, and the responsible parties involved, can be challenging. Enforcement of the considerable body of these laws involves a complex framework and organizational setting."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2014-05-23
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Appropriations for FY2014 in P.L. 113-76 [August 15, 2014]
"Enacted on January 17, 2014, Title II of Division G of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2014 (P.L. 113-76, H.R. 3547) provided $8.20 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for FY2014. The act appropriated funding for the full fiscal year through September 30, 2014, for all of the 12 regular appropriations acts, including EPA within Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Total discretionary appropriations available in FY2014 for all federal departments and agencies were based on a cap of $1.012 trillion set in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 (P.L. 113-67). The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) determined that this spending level in FY2014 would not trigger sequestration under the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA; P.L. 112-25), as amended by the American Taxpayer Relief Act (ATRA; P.L. 112-240). Unlike FY2013, the FY2014 appropriations therefore were not reduced through sequestration. The total FY2014 enacted appropriations of $8.20 billion for EPA were $47.0 million (0.6%) more than the President's FY2014 request of $8.15 billion, and $298.9 million (3.8%) above the FY2013 enacted appropriations of $7.90 billion (post-sequestration and rescission) provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2013 (P.L. 113-6) as reported by EPA in its FY2013 Operating Plan. The FY2014 enacted appropriations are a $278.4 million (3.3%) decrease compared to the total FY2013 appropriations of $8.48 billion for EPA, when accounting for the $577.3 million (post-sequestration) in supplemental funds provided in the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 (P.L. 113-2). These supplemental funds were dedicated to water infrastructure, cleanup, and other recovery efforts in areas of states affected by Hurricane Sandy in late October 2012."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert; Bearden, David M.
2014-08-15
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Appropriations for FY2013 in P.L. 113-6 [August 29, 2013]
"This report summarizes actions on FY2013 appropriations for EPA [Environmental Protection Agency] and presents the FY2013 enacted levels after the application of the across-the-board rescission and reductions triggered by sequestration, as reported in EPA's Operating Plan. A breakout of the agency total is presented for each account and selected programs and activities within those accounts that received prominent attention in the congressional debate. A comparison of the FY2013 enacted levels to the President's FY2013 budget request and the FY2012 enacted levels is included."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert; Bearden, David M.
2013-08-29
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Federal Pollution Control Laws: How Are They Enforced? [December 16, 2013]
"As a result of enforcement actions and settlements for noncompliance with federal pollution control requirements, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that, during FY2012, regulated entities committed to invest an estimated $9.0 billion for judicially mandated pollution controls and cleanup, and for implementing mutually agreed upon (supplemental) environmentally beneficial projects. EPA estimated that these efforts achieved commitments to reduce, treat, or eliminate 2.2 billion pounds of pollutants in the environment, primarily from air and water. EPA also assessed more than $208.0 million in civil penalties (administrative and judicial) and $44.0 million in criminal fines and restitution during FY2012. Noncompliance with federal pollution control laws remains a continuing concern. The overall effectiveness of the enforcement organizational framework, the balance between state autonomy and federal oversight, and the adequacy of funding are long-standing congressional concerns. This report provides an overview of the statutory framework, key players, infrastructure, resources, tools, and operations associated with enforcement and compliance of the major pollution control laws and regulations administered by EPA. It also outlines the roles of federal (including regional offices) and state regulators, as well as the regulated community. Understanding the many facets of how all federal pollution control laws are enforced, and the responsible parties involved, can be challenging. Enforcement of the considerable body of these laws involves a complex framework and organizational setting."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2013-12-16
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Pesticide Law: A Summary of the Statutes [November 14, 2012]
"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for implementing federal pesticide policies under two statutes: the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), governing the sale and use of pesticide products within the United States, and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), which limits pesticide residues on food in interstate commerce (including imports). This report defines key terms, provides a brief history of the federal pesticide laws, and describes key provisions of the laws, including the pesticide registration process and how it interfaces with food safety requirements. In addition, this report lists several references for more detailed information about the acts, and two tables cross reference sections of the 'U.S. Code' with corresponding sections of the acts. The report is descriptive rather than analytic, highlights key provisions rather than providing a comprehensive inventory of s' numerous sections, and addresses authorities and limitations imposed by statute, rather than the status of EPA implementation or other policy issues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert; Schierow, Linda-Jo
2012-11-14
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): FY2016 Appropriations [September 29, 2015]
From the Summary: "Compared to the President's FY2016 request, the proposed funding in the House and Senate committee-reported bills (H.R. 2822 and S. 1645) would be a decrease for all of the nine EPA appropriations accounts for FY2016. The amounts recommended by the committee-reported bills would be generally less than or equal to FY2015 enacted appropriations for the nine accounts. There would be both increases and decreases across the individual program activities funded within the nine EPA appropriations accounts when compared to the FY2016 requested and FY2015 enacted appropriations. Several recent and pending EPA regulatory actions, most notably those that address greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and the definition of 'waters of the United States,' have again been prominent in the debate regarding the FY2016 budget request. Several of these issues were central to debates on EPA's FY2015 appropriations since FY2011, and Congress has limited the use of enacted appropriated funds to carry out some of these EPA regulatory actions. A number of such provisions have been included and adopted as amendments in the current House and Senate committee-reported bills."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert; Bearden, David M.
2015-09-29
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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): FY2016 Appropriations [November 12, 2015]
From the Summary: "Compared to the President's FY2016 request, the proposed funding in the House and Senate committee-reported bills (H.R. 2822 and S. 1645) would be a decrease for all of the nine EPA appropriations accounts for FY2016. The amounts recommended by the committee-reported bills would be generally less than or equal to FY2015 enacted appropriations for the nine accounts. There would be both increases and decreases across the individual program activities funded within the nine EPA appropriations accounts when compared to the FY2016 requested and FY2015 enacted appropriations. Several recent and pending EPA regulatory actions, most notably those that address greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and the definition of 'waters of the United States,' have again been prominent in the debate regarding the FY2016 budget request. Several of these issues were central to debates on EPA's FY2015 appropriations since FY2011, and Congress has limited the use of enacted appropriated funds to carry out some of these EPA regulatory actions. A number of such provisions have been included and adopted as amendments in the current House and Senate committee-reported bills."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert; Bearden, David M.
2015-11-12
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2013 National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5): Designating Nonattainment Areas [December 23, 2015]
"On April 7, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published amendments to the January 15, 2015, final rule designating areas for compliance with the 2013 primary 'annual' National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Revising a NAAQS established under the Clean Air Act (CAA) sets in motion a process under which the states and EPA identify areas that exceed the standard ('nonattainment areas') using multi-year air quality monitoring data and other criteria, requiring states to take steps to reduce pollutant concentrations in order to meet the standard."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Esworthy, Robert
2015-12-23
