News

July Regulatory Update: GHG Permitting, BOEM WEA EA, SWPPP Tips & Energy Outlook

July 26, 2012

EPA Issues Final Greenhouse Gas Permitting Rule
The final rule in the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) phased approach to regulating greenhouse gas emissions was good news for minor sources. Step 3 of the 2010 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Tailoring Rule did not lower the thresholds for obtaining a federal Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Permit on the basis of a facility's GHG emissions. The limits established in July 2011 will remain in effect. In other good news, the EPA is working to streamline the administration of PSD permits for GHG through the establishment of plantwide applicability limitations (PALs). PALs are applied sourcewide rather than to specific emissions points. With a PAL in place, facilities have the flexibility to make changes without having to go through the rigorous PSD permitting process each time they modify equipment or operations as long as GHG emissions do not increase above the limit established in a PAL. The new EPA approach will also give minor sources with the potential to emit 100,000 tpy or more of GHG the opportunity to apply for a PAL while remaining a minor source.

For more information, visit the EPA website or read the EPA's Final Rule Fact Sheet.

BOEM Solicits Comments on EA for Wind Energy Area Offshore RI & MA

On July 16th and 17th, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management held public information meetings to provide an overview and solicit comments for the Environmental Assessment (EA) for commercial wind lease issuance and site assessment activities for the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf offshore Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The EA was created to determine if there would be any significant impacts from issuance of leases or approval of site plans as well as to help determine which areas should be the focus of leasing efforts. The EA concluded that the proposed action is expected to have a negligible to minor impact on environmental and socioeconomic resources. The EA also found that there would be no additive effect on offshore environmental resources of multiple locations.

Comments on the BOEM EA must be received or postmarked no later than August 2, 2012.Find out more about the BOEM EA.

Stormwater Discharge Permits - You Might Need One and Not Know It!

Want to know if your facility qualifies for the "No Exposure" exclusion? Need assistance determining the permits required for your state? Looking for guidance on developing a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)?

Subscribe to ESS SWPPP Tips to receive Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan updates and compliance advice via email. Check out the ESS website to view previous SWPPP Tips.

Annual Energy Outlook 2012

The US Energy Information Administration, the statistical and analytical agency within the US Department of Energy, has posted The Annual Energy Outlook 2012. The report provides their projections on factors that shape the US energy system and analysis of potential energy policy changes. Areas of market, technology, and policy uncertainty are also explored.

Find out more information or download a PDF of the AEO2012.

About ESS Group, Inc.

ESS Group, Inc. is a multi-disciplinary environmental consulting and engineering firm with offices in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Virginia. Our team is comprised of scientists, engineers, and environmental specialists who provide full life-cycle engineering and consulting services, with a primary focus on energy projects. For more information, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .