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AZ – Dust Storms Are No Excuse

Arizona has claimed that dust storms were responsible for 10 of the 11 unacceptably high pollution spikes in Phoenix during 2008. The spikes were blamed for causing the state's failure to meet the national PM10 standard. The EPA rejected the claim.

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AR – Aggregate Facilities GP Up for Renewal

  The state DEQ has proposed to renew the Water Division's general permit (GP) for aggregate facilities involved in processing materials such as sand, gravel or crushed stone. ARG500000 authorizes operators of aggregate facilities to discharge wastewater which meets the GP effluent standards to allowable receiving streams in the state.

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CA – Six-Month Permit Amnesty

  Businesses that failed to obtain required operating permits on time can do so without incurring a penalty under a six-month amnesty being offered by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The amnesty, which took effect March 5, 2010, is being retroactively applied from Feb. 5, 2010, and will run through Aug. 4, 2010.

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CO – New Energy Bills Signed

  Gov. Bill Ritter wrapped up the legislative session by signing a package of new energy economy bills, bringing the total number of energy bills passed during the session to 16, including the first-in-the-nation Clean Air-Clean Jobs Act, and an increase in the renewable energy requirement. Almost 60 New Energy Economy Bills have been passed since Ritter took office in 2007.

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FL – Oil Spill Complicates Hurricane Season

  With the state in the midst of hurricane season, the Gulf oil spill is being closely watched as strong winds could direct the oil toward the state's coastline. The state DEP is the lead agency responding to impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill along Florida's shoreline. The state has established the Gulf Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force to facilitate efforts by state businesses in recovering lost revenues due to the oil spill.

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KY – Surface Coal Mining Discharges Suspended

  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has suspended Nationwide Permit 21, which authorizes discharges of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States for surface coal mining activities in the Appalachian regions of Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

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NH – Revisions Slated for Air Permit System

  Anyone planning to apply for an air permit in New Hampshire should pay attention to the changes DES has proposed for the statewide air permit system. The existing rules establish a permit system for construction, operation and modification of new and existing stationary sources, area sources and devices.

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SC – State Watchdog Scrutinizes DHEC

  The state's Department of Health and Environmental Control has not always involved the public in cleanup plans for toxic waste sites and that needs to change, according to a recent report prepared by the state Legislative Audit Council (LAC) – the oversight agency of the state General Assembly.

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VA – 2009 Solid Waste Report Released

  The state has released its 2009 annual report on solid waste management, which includes the amounts of solid waste managed in Virginia and the amounts and sources of out-of-state solid waste received. The total volume of solid waste received at state facilities decreased by about 2.5 million tons (11 percent) from 2008.

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WI – New Water Quality Rules Approved

  New rules to improve the water quality of the state's lakes, rivers and streams were approved by the Natural Resources Board and lauded by the state DNR. The rules target both point and non-point pollution sources, including factories, municipal water treatment systems, agricultural sources, and urban and suburban stormwater runoff. For the first time in the state, research-based numerical water quality standards for phosphorous were established.