ENV-09-45 Reversing Course: The Obama Administration’s Environmental Agenda and How it Will Impact the Refiner

Description:

Within hours of President Obama taking office, the White House issued a 90-day stay on pending regulations until a legal and policy review could be conducted.1 This initial directive by President Obama sent a clear message that the administration would revisit not just the rules of the Bush administration, but the entire Bush approach to environmental regulation. The Obama environmental agenda is taking shape, and it is expected to have a significant impact on the refining industry. Enforcement is fast emerging as a priority, including civil and criminal enforcement of the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and others. The New Source Review (NSR)/Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) program, alleged to be a neglected aspect of the Bush administration, is under -going a thorough review with the likely result being the repeal of several Bush administration regulations. Finally, since the inauguration of President Obama, climate change has moved to the foreground of both the legislative and regulatory agendas.