Shifty petitioners fail to persuade EPA to lower pH 12.5 corrosivity level

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has formally denied a 2011 rulemaking petition that sought to “revise the regulatory threshold for defining waste as corrosive from the current value of pH 12.5, to pH 11.5; and expand the scope of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) corrosivity definition to include non-aqueous wastes in addition to the aqueous wastes currently regulated.” 

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EPA affirms pH 12.5 corrosivity; averts new cement, concrete handling burdens

Sources: CP staff; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Alexandria, Va.; CP staff The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has formally denied a 2011 rulemaking petition that sought to “revise the regulatory threshold for defining waste as corrosive from the current value of pH 12.5, to pH 11.5; and expand the scope of the Resource Conservation and Recovery…

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EPA honors nine cement companies and PCA in 2021 Energy Star Awards

Thirteen of the 95 plants earning certification in the 2020 Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star manufacturing category produce portland cement: Argos USA LLC, Calera, Ala. and Harleyville, S.C.; Ash Grove Cement, Seattle; Buzzi Unicem USA, Festus, Mo. and Chattanooga, Tenn.; CalPortland Co., Rillito, Ariz.; Cemex USA, Miami; Drake Cement, Paulden, Ariz.; GCC of America, Pueblo, Colo. and Rapid City, S.D.;…

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Argos, Buzzi, GCC and Titan double up in EPA Energy Star certifications

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff Thirteen of the 95 manufacturing plants earning certification in the 2020 Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star program produce portland cement: Argos USA LLC, Calera, Ala. and Harleyville, S.C.; Ash Grove Cement, Seattle; Buzzi Unicem USA, Festus, Mo. and Chattanooga, Tenn.; CalPortland Co., Rillito, Ariz.; Cemex USA, Miami; Drake…

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EPA CANCELS RULEMAKING OPAQUENESS

When promulgating significant regulatory actions or developing influential scientific information, the Environmental Protection Agency will give greater consideration to studies where the underlying dose-response data are available in a manner sufficient for independent validation. An agency rule finalized in late 2020 does not call for release of personally identifiable or confidential business information, nor does it require EPA to collect,…

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EPA rule clears traditional opaqueness in science justifying regulatory actions

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff A new rule establishes that when promulgating significant regulatory actions or developing influential scientific information, the Environmental Protection Agency will give greater consideration to studies where the underlying dose-response data are available in a manner sufficient for independent validation. The rule does not require the release of personally identifiable information or confidential business…

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Pennsylvania producers springboard EPA Smart Cement & Concrete Sector

Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association Chairman Rod Martin (Martin Stone Quarries) have signed a four-year, first-of-its-kind memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize a partnership pursuing environmental stewardship. It expands EPA and PACA activities to prioritize funding, coordinate on regulatory programs, recognize concrete and aggregate industry members for environmental performance, and enhance opportunities for…

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EPA, Corps, Interior move to expedite water infrastructure priorities

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Six federal agencies have named designees for a new Water Subcabinet established through President Trump’s mid-October “Modernizing America’s Water Resource Management and Water Infrastructure” Executive Order. They are tasked with protecting taxpayer investments  by promoting integrated planning and coordination for drinking water, wastewater, water reuse, water storage and delivery, plus water resource management; supporting workforce development…

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Pennsylvania producers host EPA chief to further Smart Sectors action

agreement signing

Sources: Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association, Harrisburg; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; CP staff EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association Chairman Rod Martin (Martin Stone Quarries) have signed a four-year, first-of-its-kind memorandum of understanding (MOU) to formalize a partnership pursuing environmental stewardship. It expands EPA and PACA activities to prioritize funding, coordinate on regulatory programs, recognize concrete…

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EPA spurs $6 billion in water supply, wastewater infrastructure funding

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a 2020 notice of funding availability under its Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program, including grants for the new State infrastructure financing authority WIFIA (SWIFIA). The programs accelerate investment in critical water infrastructure through innovative and flexible financing that can support diverse projects in communities large and small. This year’s funding will provide up to $6 billion to support $12 billion in water infrastructure projects, while creating more than 35,000 jobs and improving environmental protection in communities across the country.

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