The EPA administrator has signed a final rule regarding Ethylene Emissions (EtO) from Sterilization Facilities. The requirements of this final rule take effect on the day of publication in the Federal Register; however, there are different sets of compliance dates. What does this mean? Check out this information post and find out more.
The US EPA and SEC have been busy in the month of March!
The EPA administrator, Michael S. Regan, has signed a final rule to lower the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for Particulate Matter (PM). Specifically, this rule will lower the primary annual NAAQS for particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers and smaller (PM2.5) from the current value of 12 micrograms/cubic meter to 9 micrograms/cubic meter. The lowered PM2.5 NAAQS will take effect 60 days after the publication date of the final rule in the Federal Register. What does this mean? Check out this information post and find out more.
The EPA is proposing to reclassify three Texas ozone nonattainment areas (Dallas-Ft Worth, Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, and San Antonio [Bexar County]) under the 2015 ozone NAAQS from the “moderate” ozone nonattainment classification to the “serious” ozone nonattainment classification. What does this mean? Check out this information post and find out more.
Our team is equipped to assist clients in a wide range of industries to accomplish their reporting needs whether it be required by the state, the EPA, or even your stakeholders for CSR/ESG Reporting. Spirit’s experts are prepared to work with clients to develop complete and accurate reports, implement facility objectives, and provide necessary trainings and education on regulatory compliance.
In Part 3 of Spirit’s carbon journey, we discuss how our company continues to explore carbon market nuances and offset business emissions/commuting emissions for our team. Recognizing the global nature of climate change, Spirit chose to invest in projects that would safely dispose of some of the highest global warming potential refrigerants still in use internationally while continuing to support an international biochar development program.
In Part 2 of Spirit’s carbon journey, we discuss how our company pivoted to offset Spirit’s business-related travel and total commuting emissions. To better align with industry best practices, Spirit adopted the use of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to offset our electricity consumption rather than carbon offsets. Finally, in addition to the landfill gas capture credits used to offset 2019 and 2020, Spirit purchased offsets for carbon injected concrete and biochar to address Scope 1 and Scope 3 emissions.
TCEQ issued the renewal of the CGP with an effective date of March 5, 2023.
Spirit’s journey to carbon offsets started by looking at our major emissions sources, gathering data from our building management on energy consumption, surveying employees to evaluate commuting emissions, and determining which emissions were most material to our business. Once we had a preliminary handle on the numbers, we evaluated several options for offsetting our emissions before settling on a landfill methane gas capture project for 2019 and 2020.
On December 6, 2022, the EPA published a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register. The proposal is intended to significantly reduce emissions of GHGs and other harmful air pollutants from the Crude Oil and Natural Gas source category and affects 40 CFR Part 60 Subparts OOOOb and OOOOc. The EPA comment period is open until February 13, 2023.
