The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s FY2024 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Annual Results indicate 1,800-plus concluded civil cases; over 120 criminal defendants charged; 2.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions reduced, treated or eliminated; and, inspections totaling north of 8,500. Work completed in FY 2024, EPA contends, “has established a solid foundation for fulfilling the agency’s mission to protect…
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Manitowoc reaches $42.6M settlement tied to uncertified crane engines
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Environmental Protection Agency The Department of Justice (DOJ) and Environmental Protection Agency have outlined a settlement with Manitowoc Company Inc., along with subsidiaries, Grove U.S. LLC and Manitowoc Crane Group Germany GMBH, stemming from alleged Clean Air Act (CAA) violations or actions outside compliance with the EPA Transition Program for Equipment Manufacturers regulations. The agencies…
Read MoreEPA cites strength in 2024 enforcement action, compliance metrics
Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s FY2024 Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Annual Results report indicates 1,800-plus concluded civil cases, over 120 criminal defendants charged, more than 225 million pounds of recorded pollution reductions, and 8,500+ inspections, a nearly 10 percent year-over-year increase. Work completed over the October 2023-September 2024 window, EPA contends, establishes “a solid foundation…
Read MoreNew EPA guidance frames Buy Clean construction materials label program
Source: Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff The Environmental Protection Agency has outlined an implementation plan for a program and publicly accessible registry providing data on greenhouse gas emissions attending principal building and infrastructure project inputs. The EPA Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials will define parameters and thresholds informing the White House Federal Buy Clean Initiative, which aims…
Read MoreEPA proposes PCR/EPD criteria to back new construction materials labeling
Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff The Environmental Protection Agency invites comments through April 4 on “Criteria for Product Category Rules (PCRs) to Support the Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials.” Posted here, the 30-page document offers guidelines to improve PCRs by establishing consistent data quality and transparency requirements for Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). The proposed criteria…
Read MoreAEC Daily hosts Heidelberg Materials course on sustainable concrete mixes
Heidelberg Materials North America is offering a free American Institute of Architects-accredited on-demand course, “Mastering Sustainable Concrete: On the Road to Net Zero Construction,” to demonstrate to owners, contractors, specifiers and designers how to make structural material choices that promote decarbonization. Presented at www.aecdaily.com, the one-hour course focuses on the environmental impact of carbon emissions related to concrete, including a…
Read MoreFirst Lady’s Texas conservation group recognizes Cemex USA
Cemex USA has been named a Texan by Nature 20 (TxN 20) honoree for the fifth consecutive year. A conservation non-profit founded by former First Lady Laura Bush, TxN recognized the cement, aggregate and concrete giant in an official ranking of the best 2023 conservation and sustainability work from Texas businesses. Cemex is a long-standing advocate for land conservation and…
Read MoreCement plant emissions remain micro (< 1%) factor in EPA GHG Inventory
Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff The Environmental Protection Agency’s just-published Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks cites 5.586 billion metric tons (mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions for 2021, a 6 percent increase over the prior year. The Inventory spans six economic sectors; the third largest, Industry, accounted for 24 percent, or 1.34 billion mt…
Read MoreEPA sets 2027 target for halving heavy duty truck NOx emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency is finalizing a program to further reduce air pollution, including ozone and particulate matter (PM), from heavy-duty engines and vehicles. Compared to current standards, its new emissions thresholds are significantly more stringent and cover a wider range of heavy-duty engine operating conditions. The final rulemaking promulgates new numeric standards and changes key provisions of the existing…
Read MoreEPA tour closes in on Clean Water Act 50th anniversary
Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox recently joined agency colleagues, state and local officials to kick off the Clean Water Act 50th Anniversary celebration tour. Culminating in mid-October, it will highlight waters that are essential to healthy people, vibrant ecosystems, agricultural productivity, and economic growth, with stops including the Florida Everglades, Chesapeake…
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