Tag Archives: EPA

Federal Government, Regulation and Risks

EPA Proposal Promotes Fossil Fuel Use over Renewable Wood Use for Heating Homes

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The latest example of big brother schemes brewing in Washington this year is the proposal of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to significantly restrict solid particulate emissions from wood burning stoves. The Census Bureau estimated that 2.4 million U.S. homes use wood as a primary source for heating their homes. The EPA is proposing that manufacturers be required to reduce solid particulate matter emissions by any wood burning stove from the current level of 7.5 grams per hour to 4.5 grams per hour by 2015, and further reductions to 1.3 grams per hour by 2019 (see Table 3).

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Environmental Education

Environmentalism: Achievements and Mistakes

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Nearly forty-four years ago, the first Earth Day energized the environmental movement. The event gave form and substance to long-simmering concerns about the environmental side effects of free enterprise. It empowered the leaders of the environmental movement to pursue safeguards through the political process.

Unfortunately, environmental leaders made a very costly, fundamental error at the outset. They misdiagnosed the problem. They attributed environmental problems to uncontrolled pursuit of profit, while the true source of the problems was poorly defined and un-enforced property rights. Consequently, they sought (with the best intentions) controls on behavior, rather property rights corrections.

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Federal Government

USSC Hears Case on EPA Power

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The Supreme Court heard oral arguments yesterday in a case that revolved around the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.

In 2010, the EPA regulated emissions from vehicles in its so-called “tailpipe rule.” The agency said that promulgating the tailpipe rule triggered authority within the Clean Air Act that stationary sources that also emit GHGs — such as factories and plants, but even stoves, fireplaces, and campfires— can be regulated.

The issue in the case is basically whether it is permissible for the EPA to regulate stationary sources based on this separate regulation of vehicles.

Notably, that part of the Clean Air Act that would, according to proponents, justify greenhouse gas regulation sets emission thresholds at such low levels that schools and small businesses would be covered by the rule. To remedy this, the EPA simply raised those emissions thresholds. Was that a reasonable move, or an illegal exercise of authority? Swing vote Justice Anthony Kennedy told the solicitor general, “I couldn’t find a single precedent that strongly supports your position,” and Justice Alito said that there existed no precedent for such unilateral revision in “the entire history of federal regulation.”

Those who heard the oral argument report that Kennedy appears once again to be the swing vote on the issue. The Washington Times has the story here, and SCOTUS Blog has even more details here and here.

The decision should be out later this Spring.

Federal Government, State and Local Government

EPA vs Texas

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A fight against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was won in Texas this past week as the EPA allowed Texas significantly more flexibility when dealing with state permits concerning pollution sources. Giving Texas more control over the environmental impacts that occur within the state. A hard fought win for Texas as they have been working for years to gain back the control that the EPA stripped away from them.

The compromise on Texas’s clean air plan can be used as an example for other states hoping to gain back some of their rights concerning environmental regulation. By allowing the states the ability to implement locally tailored plans and permits, plants will no longer fear being shut down due to overly strict federal regulation. Less regulation is for the better as Texas currently houses 832 drilling rigs, which accounts for 47% of all US oil rigs and 25% of the entire worlds!

number of rigs

This has boosted oil and gas severance tax revenue to an amazing $900 million dollars which has funded several projects. The projects would utilize the surplus to fund the State Water Plan which was create in 1997 but never received funding until now. The legislature in total created two funds that;

  • The State Water Implementation Fund (SWIFT) will contain $2.5 billion to fund projects in the State Water Plan.
  • The State Water Implementation Revenue Fund of Texas (SWIRFT) will contain $3.5 billion for road, port and rail infrastructure projects.

In a state that led national job growth in 2013, is a powerhouse in the energy industry, and increased environmental standards without EPA involvement; even less federal involvement can only be for the better.