Technology and Innovation Subcommittee Plans Hearing

ACPA and PCA are discussing with the staff of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Science and Technology Committee Subcommittee on Technology and Innovation an upcoming hearing on transportation infrastructure. 

The subcommittee is interested in the challenges and impediments that exist when employing innovative technologies and approaches, particularly those related to reducing energy or materials in the construction of the nation’s roads and bridges.  

ACPA and PCA expect the dialogue to continue with the Subcommittee as the hearing nears.

Contact John Sullivan or Leif Wathne.

Particulate Matter Integrated Science Assessment
Workshop Hearing

The U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) will sponsor a workshop to evaluate initial draft materials for the Particulate Matter Integrated Science Assessment, as part of the review of air quality criteria and National Ambient Air Quality Standards for particulate matter.

The workshop will be organized by the National Center for Environmental Assessment and is scheduled for June 16-17, in Research Triangle Park, N.C.

For more information, contact EPA’s Lindsay Stanek at (919) 541-7792.

Contact Tyrone Wilson.

Agency Reinstates Emissions Standard Test For
New Source Review

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has backed away from the new source review test for power plants established in 2005.

The agency has instead resumed use of the annual actual emissions by a plant rather than the hourly potential emissions in determining whether to pursue enforcement cases.

Under the EPA initiative to focus on the hourly emissions rate, new source review would apply only to situations in which power companies expanded their production capacity,  because they could produce more power and emit more pollutants on an hourly basis. It would not apply in cases where plants maintained the same hourly emissions, but were able to operate for longer hours, even though annual emissions might increase.

The Clean Air Act's new source review provisions require major pollution sources to install modern pollution controls when they make major modifications at plants, defined as physical or operational changes that result in emissions increases.

Contact Tyrone Wilson.

Senators Propose Temporary Weight Increase
on Federal Highways

Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) on Tuesday introduced the Commercial Truck Fuel Savings Demonstration Act of 2008.  The bill aims to lessen the burden of high diesel fuel prices imposed on truck drivers using federal highways.

The legislation would allow trucks traveling on the federal Interstate system, for a trial period of two years, to carry up to 100,000 pounds when diesel prices reach or rise above $3.50 per gallon.

Raising the weight limit to 100,000 pounds would increase the amount of goods trucks could carry, and decrease the number of trucks on the road. The proposal would also keep trucks off of secondary roads, which require trucks to use more fuel and cause longer idling periods.

Currently, trucks traveling on the federal Interstate system are limited to 80,000 pounds.

Contact Robert Sullivan.

South Carolina Could Receive Two New Nuclear Power Plants

The South Carolina Electric & Gas Co., owned by Scana Corp., announced Tuesday that it has partnered with Westinghouse Electric Co., LLC and the Shaw Group Inc. to design and build two nuclear power plants in South Carolina to the tune of $9.8 billion.

The plants will be jointly owned by the South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. and a state-owned utilities company, Santee Cooper.

Before construction can begin on the two plants, both companies will have to obtain a license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.   The process can take up to four years, company officials have said.

The South Carolina Electric & Gas Co. estimates that once the licenses are obtained, the first plant could be built and ready for service by 2016; the second plant completed and ready by 2019.

Contact Kevin Walgenbach.

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