The EPA has introduced new guidelines for states and local jurisdictions to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using the best available control technologies. The guidance is aimed at air-permitting authorities in identifying cost-effective options under the Clean Air Act to reduce pollution from GHG. A new federal preconstruction permit program begins on January 2, 2011. some industry experts fear that the new permitting regulations could result in a “construction moratorium” for the manufacturing and energy generating sectors.
In other EPA news, over 100 US kilns have been warned by EPA that they will have to spend $1 billion annually to cut mercury and fine-particle emissions by 92%. Concrete executives whose companies rely on cement produced in kilns worry that this will result in higher costs. Only oil refineries and power plants emit more greenhouse gases than cement kilns.