The April 2013 issue of Wisconsin Interest, the magazine published by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, has an article making an economic and environmental argument in favor of frac sand mining. The article, "Mining Success," also discusses the impact the sand industry has had on local governing boards.

EPA has proposed to significantly reduce emissions of conventional air pollutants from cars and trucks while at the same time reducing the amount of sulfur in the nation’s gasoline supply. The new rules, which are known as “Tier 3” emissions and fuel standards, attempt to harmonize federal emissions requirements with California state requirements, creating one national market for automobiles.

On March 28, EPA finalized revisions to the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, or MATS (also known as “Utility MACT”) for new power plants, which were originally promulgated in February 2012.

The EPA has released its long-awaited proposed rule for regulating pollution discharges into waters of the United States from 1,200 power plants nationwide, as well as from any new plants.

The EPA, Wisconsin Power and Light Company (WPL), and various co-defendants and co-plaintiffs, have entered into a settlement agreement which will significantly alter Wisconsin’s energy generation portfolio and cost over a billion dollars. This action is part of a larger EPA plan to “eliminate or minimize emissions from coal-fired power plants, cement plants, glass plants and acid plants, which have been shown to seriously affect human health and the environment, by ensuring that there are no under-controlled coal-fired electric generating units, cement, acid, or glass plants.”

A new blog post from the Dept. of Energy’s Energy Information Administration explores the correlation between changing energy uses and fluctuation in GDP. While the two measures are linked, correlation does not imply causation.

Depending on the type of equipment they use and the air pollutants emitted from that equipment, some local wastewater treatment plants and water supply systems in Wisconsin may be required to get an air pollution control permit from Wisconsin DNR.

A new factsheet, WWTP and Water Supply Systems – Do I Need an Air Pollution Permit?, has been developed to help operators of wastewater treatment plants and water supply systems determine whether they need to get an air pollution permit, as well as the requirements for emergency engines or generators used at these facilities.
 

Federal cabinet secretaries rarely serve for the entire time the President who appointed them is in office, such is the case with the U.S. EPA and the Dept. of Energy.

The EPA’s independent Science Advisory Board (SAB) has announced the formation of a Hydraulic Fracturing Research Advisory panel. This panel of independent experts will peer review EPA’s 2014 draft report of results for its national study on any potential health and environmental impacts of fracking on drinking water resources.

A study released by two U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories on March 15 reveals strategies to reduce petroleum use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transportation sector by more than 80% by 2050.

In an interview with The Wheeler Report, Phil Montgomery, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin discussed the challenges of the agency and the agencies move to more regional work.

Attorneys or members of the public interested in tips on how to practice before the PSC are invited to attend an educational seminar on April 10, 2013 at the PSC. The free, 1.5-hour seminar will help both experienced and novice attorneys navigate Commission proceedings.

On a 2-1 vote, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) decided to deny the application of Highland Wind Farm, LLC, for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to construct a 102.5 Megawatt Wind Electric Facility in the Towns of Forest and Cylon in St. Croix County.

The Energy Information Administration at the U.S. Dept. of Energy recently released an article discussing the projected cellulosic biofuel shortfall and its implications.

In his State of the Union address, Pres. Obama exhorted Congress to adopt a “bipartisan, market-based solution to climate change” and warned that if “Congress won’t act soon” he will direct his Cabinet to come up with “executive actions.”

Since being selected as a Solar America City by the Energy Department in 2008, Milwaukee has continued to support the growth of its solar industry with the Milwaukee Power Pack pilot program and ongoing incentives for home and business owners. Last week, Energy.gov featured a weeklong blog series on Milwaukee’s solar strides.

• Learn how Milwaukee's solar pilot program and ongoing incentives are supporting local industry growth.
• Read an interview with the CEO of Helios Solar Works, Milwaukee’s first solar module manufacturing facility.
• See what a Milwaukee homeowner has to say about her experience with solar installation.
• Hear one Milwaukee solar installer reflect on his career in the field.
   

The EPA has posted the second year of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions data on its website, which provides public access to emissions data by sector, by greenhouse gas, and by geographic region such as county or state.

The EPA has proposed its 2013 volumetric requirements for four fuel categories that are part of the agency’s Renewable Fuel Standard program (RFS2) just a week after a federal court struck down one of its 2012 standards.

The EPA has filed its response brief in White Stallion Energy Center, LLC v. EPA, defending its Utility Mercury and Air Toxics Standard (Utility MATS) Rule from challenges from both industry and environmental groups that charge it is too strict and not strict enough, respectively.

The EPA has sent its draft proposal for effluent guidelines for power plants to the OMB. The guidelines will regulate wastewater discharges from steam electric generation power plants – including using coal, natural gas, oil, and nuclear fuels. The agency is subject to an April 19 court deadline to issue a proposed rule.

Additional information on effluent guidelines for power plants is available on this Great Lakes Legal Foundation webpage.