Arizona, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania are profiled in this week’s state regulatory update.

Arizona – New Technology for USDA Inspections

Arizona is the first state to implement a new USDA pilot program for fresh fruit and vegetable inspections. The program, the Fresh Electronic Inspection Reporting/Resource System (FEIRS), is an electronic process utilizing software and laptop computers that has, up until now, only been used in federal terminal markets. The Arizona Department of Agriculture is the first nonfederal agency to use FEIRS.

---

Louisiana – New HazMat Reporting Regs

Companies that have hazardous materials in temporary storage or in transit have new reporting requirements during emergencies under a regulation implemented by the Louisiana DEQ. The requirements apply to hazardous materials in transit or temporarily stored in portable storage containers during Category 3 or higher hurricanes. The hazardous materials are those on the EPA’s list of extremely hazardous substances (40 CFR 355, Appendix A).

---

Maryland – Clean Car Regs

The Maryland Department of the Environment recently proposed regulations that would adopt the California emissions standards for cars. This adoption was mandated by the Maryland Clean Cars Act of 2007.

---

Massachusetts – Public Supports Wind Farm

The Cape Wind project that would place 130 wind turbines about 5 miles off the coast of Cape Cod continues to enjoy substantial public support from both sides of the political aisle, based on a survey sponsored by the Civil Society Institute. According to Cape Wind Associates, the proposed project is expected to generate 170 megawatts of electricity, or about 75 percent of the demand for Cape Cod, and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. However, a bill sponsored by Alaska’s Rep. Don Young would limit the distance such turbines can be from shipping lanes and could hamper the project. Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy is also on record as opposing the project.

---

New Hampshire – Shoreline Act Changes Coming Up

Changes made by the General Court this year to New Hampshire’s Comprehensive Shoreline Protection Act will be effective in April 2008. The state believes it’s not too early for companies to familiarize themselves with the amendments and how they will affect their operations. The amendments establish a permit program for construction, excavation and filling activities within the protected shoreline; create a 50-foot waterfront buffer in which vegetation removal is restricted and pesticides are prohibited; and limit impervious surfaces.

---

New York – DEC Improves BECI

To boost environmental crime-fighting efforts, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has reconstituted its Bureau of Environmental Crimes Investigations (BECI) unit to focus on high-level and statewide criminal operations. The DEC believes that by appointing Charles Johncox as BECI major and Scott Florence as BECI captain it will improve its ability to perform statewide and other complex investigations.

---

North Carolina – Water Quality Permit Fees Hiked

Facilities in the Tar Heel State need to address their budgets in order to accommodate a hike in permit fees. The North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources recently increased the state’s water quality permit fees by 20 percent. According to the department, this is the first increase in fees since 1999. The permit programs affected by the fee increase include those for wastewater treatment plants and recycling systems, sewer extensions, animal operations, state and general stormwater permits, and water quality certifications required for wetlands permits.

---

Pennsylvania – Mercury: Doing It Our Way

It appears that Gov. Edward G. Rendell is winning the battle for more stringent mercury standards in Pennsylvania, as the federal EPA has recently proposed to approve the commonwealth’s mercury reduction plan. Rendell’s plan requires that power plants make an 80-percent reduction in mercury emissions by 2010 and a 90-percent reduction before 2015, without any emissions trading provisions.