Pam McFarland

Pennsylvania Evaluates Carbon Capture Options With National Implications

June 5, 2020

As states grapple with reducing carbon emissions, adding carbon capture storage technology to industrial and power faciiities is an elusive goal and growing challenge.

Government

EPA's Rollback of Rules Faces Senate Committee Scrutiny

Pam McFarland

May 21, 2020

No Comments

Agency chief Andrew Wheeler was asked about the relaxation of reporting requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Air Pollution

EPA Rejects Calls to Tighten Air Pollution Standards for Particulate Matter

Pam McFarland

April 15, 2020

No Comments

The decision comes on the heels of a preliminary findings from a Harvard study that long-term exposure to air pollution is connected to more illness and death in COVID-19 infections.

EPA Aims to Allow Some Project Work Without Clean-Air Permits

Pam McFarland

April 2, 2020

No Comments

New Source Review new guidance would let construction start on non-pollutant emitting parts of facilities, but not all states may follow it.

Oregon LNG Project Jumps One Hurdle, but Many More Remain

Pam McFarland

March 24, 2020

No Comments

The Jordan Cove LNG project has been on the drawing board for 15 years.

Coronavirus and Construction

COVID-19 and Falling Oil Prices Roil Oil and Gas Sector

Construction Projects Delayed

Pam McFarland

March 23, 2020

No Comments

Lower oil prices plus lower demand, in addition to work stoppages because of the coronavirus, is leading to major uncertainty for related projects.

Energy

Energy Policy Bill Hits a Snag in the Senate

Pam McFarland

March 16, 2020

No Comments

Wide-ranging measure stalls because of squabble over procedural issue.

Federal Agencies Reject Removal of 4 Dams in Pacific Northwest

Pam McFarland

March 4, 2020

One Comment

The four dams — Ice Harbor, Lower Monumental, Little Goose and Lower Granite—provide a 1,000 MW of carbon-free power for the region, but also hinder the passage of salmon.

EPA Proposes Regulating Two PFAS Chemicals

Pam McFarland

March 2, 2020

No Comments

The Feb. 20 proposal calls for establishing maximum contaminant levels for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). EPA also proposed regulating imported products that contain certain long-chain PFAS chemicals that are used as surface coatings.

New Energy Code Is More Robust and Flexible than Previous Versions

Pam McFarland

February 25, 2020

No Comments

Latest model code for the first time includes provisions related to electric vehicles, as well as optional paths to reach net zero energy consumption.