Sean writes about air quality policy and regulations. His work has been honored by the National Press Club and Washington Press Club Foundation, among others; he also contributed a chapter to "Turning Carolina Red," an eBook published by E&E in 2014. He previously reported for the Federal Times and newspapers in Alabama. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from Carleton College and a master's degree in the same subject from Duke University.
EPA yesterday sent a proposed rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget with the announced purpose of "strengthening transparency and validity in regulatory science," according to the RegInfo.gov site.
For the sprawling Atlanta metro area, tighter regulations on power plants and vehicles yielded a long-term payoff in both dramatically improved air quality and fewer emergency room visits, according to a study released today by the Health Effects Institute.
EPA has issued guidance that aims to make it easier for businesses to show that proposed new plants or expansions of existing facilities will not significantly affect air quality when they are applying for air permits under the Prevention of Significant Deterioration program.
The good news in the American Lung Association's latest annual survey of air quality trends: Levels of dangerous fine particulates generally continued to decline in recent years. The bad news comes attached to a warning note about the impacts of climate, both physical and political.
EPA is poised to formally publish a final decision to leave its primary air quality standards for nitrogen oxides (NOx) unchanged, ending a review process that began six years ago.