EPA Turns 49, Kicks Off Year-Long 50th Anniversary. EPA celebrated its 49th birthday on December 2 and kicked off a year-long celebration leading up to the agency’s 50th anniversary on December 2, 2020. “Since the agency’s inception under the leadership of the late Administrator William Ruckelshaus, EPA staff have worked tirelessly to clean up our air, water, and land for the American people,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. Over the last 50 years, the agency has worked to fulfill its mission of protecting human health and the environment by improving the nation’s air, cleaning up land and water resources, and providing a cleaner, healthier environment for all people.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-celebrates-49th-birthday-and-kicks-year-long-50th-anniversary-celebration

Further Actions to Improve the NSR Permitting Program. EPA announced several actions to clarify and improve New Source Review (NSR) permitting requirements. These Clean Air Act actions are part of a suite of measures EPA is taking to modernize and streamline the NSR process, without impeding the Agency’s ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance the nation’s air quality. These actions will improve regulatory certainty and remove unnecessary obstacles to projects aiming to improve the reliability, efficiency, and safety of facilities while maintaining air quality standards. “NSR reforms are a key component of President Trump’s agenda to revitalize American manufacturing and grow our economy while continuing to protect and improve the environment,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-takes-further-actions-improve-nsr-permitting-program

EPA Fulfills Another Trump Administration Promise: Finalizes RFS Volumes for 2020 and Biomass Based Diesel Volumes for 2021. EPA finalized a rule that establishes the required renewable volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program for 2020, and the biomass-based diesel volume for 2021. Through this action, the Trump Administration has fulfilled yet another key promise to the American people, American farmers and American biofuels producers by increasing biofuels volumes under the renewable fuel standard and modifying the program requirements to ensure those volumes are met. The EPA is committed to ensuring a net of 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuel is blended in 2020. “Through President Trump’s leadership, this Administration continues to promote domestic ethanol and biodiesel production, supporting our Nation’s farmers and providing greater energy security,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-fulfills-another-trump-administration-promise-finalizes-rfs-volumes-2020-and

EPA Provides Needed Clarity and Certainty for U.S. Agriculture. EPA announced two important actions that will help the agricultural sector protect crops from pests and weeds. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), EPA is approving the use of 10 pesticide products on hemp in time for the 2020 growing season. Nine of these products are biopesticides and one is a conventional pesticide. EPA is also issuing a proposed interim decision on atrazine — a widely used herbicide. Both actions provide regulatory certainty and clarity on how these tools can be used safely while also helping to ensure a strong and vibrant agricultural market. “With common-sense actions, we are protecting the health of our nation and ensuring that crops such as corn, sorghum, sugar cane and hemp can be protected against a broad spectrum of weeds and pests,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler.https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-takes-steps-provide-needed-clarity-and-certainty-us-agriculture-0