October 29, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns have had many significant impacts on our daily life. Have you been curious to know what happened to our air quality during the pandemic and just maybe, does it provide a glimpse to controlling air pollution going forward?
Bruce Broberg has been professionally examining Houston air quality since his time as a regulator in early 1980’s. With the unique circumstances around 2020, he was naturally curious during the pandemic to see if lockdown had an impact on the air quality. Bruce and the TRC air quality team set out on a mission to gather air quality data for the Houston Air Shed for criteria pollutants in 2020. Over a million data points for the last five years were obtained from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) air monitoring network as well as air quality monitors operated by TRC. These data were compiled, sorted, analyzed and compared for trends.
In this webinar, Bruce presents the teams conclusions, sometimes surprisingly counterintuitive, derived from statistical analysis of these data.
Embrace The Shift
Partner With TRC’s Tested Practitioners
Sharing Our Perspectives
Our practitioners share their insights and perspectives on the trends and challenges shaping the market.
EPA Proposal Strengthens Air Quality Standards for Synthetic Organic Chemical Plants and Polymers and Resins Plants
September 20, 2023
Clean Air Act Bolstered with 10 New Proposed Standards and Rules
EPA Proposes Changes to Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR)
August 30, 2023
The EPA is proposing updates to their Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR) through amendments to 40 CFR Parts 2 and 51.
Consequences of a Lowered NAAQS for PM2.5
February 16, 2023
TRC breaks down the significance of EPA lowering the NAAQS for PM₂.₅
EPA Penalizing Stationary Engine Violations
November 9, 2022
The EPA is identifying violations of the Clean Air Act and has taken enforcement actions and assessed penalties.
TRC Acquires United Sciences Testing, Inc., Expanding Air Management Capabilities
February 23, 2022
TRC Companies (“TRC”), announced the expansion of its Air Management capabilities with the acquisition of United Sciences Testing, Inc. (USTI), who provides emissions testing services to utility and industrial clients within the Great Lakes and Midwest regions of the US.
Managing EHS & ESG Risks Through Integrated Systems Today and Beyond
July 22, 2021
It has been more than 50 years since the development and establishment of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) which were formed to protect our environment and workplaces across the United States. Significant laws, policies and regulations followed to establish the “regulatory programs” that all applicable businesses and entities must address and meet to ensure these compliance-driven legislative programs would create a foundation to protect our society.
EPA Proposes New Emissions Limits for Combustion Turbines
May 22, 2021
After 15 years of legal limbo, combustion turbines could be facing new emissions standards under a proposal introduced by the EPA.
EPA Ramps Up Inspections and Enforcement Actions
May 14, 2021
EPA’s acting enforcement chief, Larry Starfield, directs agents to ramp up inspections in communities known to be afflicted by pollution
EPA Clean Air Act Rulemaking Announced December 2020
December 31, 2020
EPA announces Clean Air Act Rulemaking in the final month of the current administration and indicates more could be announced before the new administration comes into office.
New Jersey’s Landmark Environmental Justice Law
November 24, 2020
On April 19 the EPA published proposed revisions to the National Emissions Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for stationary combustion turbines that would set limits on formaldehyde emissions and expand the category to include additional turbine types EPA had sought to delist. The proposed revisions would implement the emissions limits of the original 2004 NESHAP and expand the affected units to include gas-fired lean pre-mix and diffusion flame units. The revised standard reflects required Risk and Technology Review (RTR) of NESHAP. The turbine RTR, like the RTRs for a number of other categories, was years overdue. Due to the lateness of many RTR programs EPA is under court order to complete the RTRs for 33 source categories by 2021.
EPA Finalizes Reversal of “Once In Always In” Air Pollution Policy
November 18, 2020
On October 1, 2020, the EPA finalized a ruling that no longer enforces the “once in, always in” air emissions policy.