Air Pollution:
EPA's Ozone Policy Is a Positive Step but Needs More Legal Authority
RCED-89-28: Published: Nov 23, 1988. Publicly Released: Dec 28, 1988.
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In response to a congressional request, GAO examined the legality of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposed ozone policy, focusing on: (1) legal and other problems EPA might encounter in implementing the policy; and (2) whether the policy would correct problems associated with past ozone programs.
GAO found that, under the proposed policy, EPA would: (1) extend from 3 to 5 years the deadlines for meeting the ozone standards; (2) recommend that the Department of Transportation withdraw highway funds from states and localities that fail to submit a revised plan for meeting ozone standards; (3) enlarge the boundaries of ozone nonattainment areas to include areas that meet ozone standards; (4) require a minimum 3-percent annual reduction in hydrocarbon emissions; and (5) impose economic sanctions on state or local governments for failure to develop or implement the required plans. GAO also found that state and local government officials expressed concern regarding the: (1) costs and financial burden of the new policy on states and localities; and (2) ability of areas to reduce emissions by 3 percent annually. GAO believes that EPA: (1) has no authority to waive nonattainment sanctions; (2) has no authority to withdraw highway funds for post-1982 nonattainments; (3) cannot make grants to any nonattainment states; (4) should require states to revise their implementation plans to reduce nonattainment; and (5) has no authority to categorize areas as nonattaining when they met ozone standards.
Jan 22, 2021
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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
Information on the Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability ProgramGAO-21-240R: Published: Jan 22, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 22, 2021.
Jan 19, 2021
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Chemical Assessments:
Annual EPA Survey Inconsistent with Leading Practices in Program ManagementGAO-21-156: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 19, 2021.
Jan 15, 2021
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Environmental Liabilities:
NASA's Reported Financial Liabilities Have Grown, and Several Factors Contribute to Future UncertaintiesGAO-21-205: Published: Jan 15, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 15, 2021.
Jan 13, 2021
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Nuclear Waste:
Congressional Action Needed to Clarify a Disposal Option at West Valley Site in New YorkGAO-21-115: Published: Jan 13, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 13, 2021.
Jan 7, 2021
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Hanford Cleanup:
DOE's Efforts to Close Tank Farms Would Benefit from Clearer Legal Authorities and CommunicationGAO-21-73: Published: Jan 7, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 7, 2021.
Dec 18, 2020
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Drinking Water:
EPA Could Use Available Data to Better Identify Neighborhoods at Risk of Lead ExposureGAO-21-78: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020. -
Recycling:
Building on Existing Federal Efforts Could Help Address Cross-Cutting ChallengesGAO-21-87: Published: Dec 18, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 18, 2020.
Dec 9, 2020
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Environmental Protection:
Action Needed to Ensure EPA's Enforcement and Compliance Activities Support Its Strategic GoalsGAO-21-82: Published: Dec 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020. -
Oil and Gas:
Onshore Competitive and Noncompetitive Lease RevenuesGAO-21-138: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020.
Dec 7, 2020
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Air Pollution:
Opportunities to Better Sustain and Modernize the National Air Quality Monitoring SystemGAO-21-38: Published: Nov 12, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 7, 2020.
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