Library Search

More Search Options
In the News: E&E News April 4, 2024

Proposed settlement prods EPA action on incinerator emissions

Deena Tumeh, Attorney, Washington, D.C., Office: "Most commercial and industrial waste incinerators across the country operate subject to outdated and flawed toxic air pollution standards or none at all. Communities living near these incinerators have suffered the health consequences of exposure to many toxic air pollutants, including lead, which has…
An industrial incinerator frames a church playground in Midlothian, TX. A wide array of toxic pollutants from nearly all commercial/industrial waste-burning incinerators across America are currently not regulated by the EPA. (Photo courtesy of Samantha Bornhorst)
Article October 6, 2014

20 Years, Yet EPA Still Fails to Protect Us From Polluting Incinerators

Recognizing the threat incinerators pose to public health, Congress directed the EPA to set strict limits on all waste-burning incinerators by 1994. Twenty years later, EPA has only set pollution…
An industrial incinerator, as viewed from a church playground in Midlothian, Texas. (Photo courtesy of Samantha Bornhorst)
case October 3, 2014

Protecting Communities from the Toxic Pollution of Waste-Burning Incinerators

Press Release September 13, 2004

EPA Rule Allows Toxic Air Emissions from Industrial Waste Incinerators

Federal rule exempts thousands of local waste incinerators from effective emission controls
Press Release November 21, 2005

Conservation Groups Call for Stronger Protections Against Waste Incineration

Litigation challenges EPA rule that does little to protect against mercury, PCBs and more
Press Release March 19, 2004

EPA Fails to Regulate Toxic Air Emissions

Proposed rule proves to be inadequate
Press Release: Victory June 12, 2009

U.S. EPA to Review Standards for Hazardous Waste Combustors

Failure to regulate has allowed release of tons of toxic pollution released annually
Press Release: Victory June 11, 2007

Court Shuts Down Illegal EPA Incinerator Rule

Decision will require protective controls for toxic emissions from waste burners
In the News: Grist October 5, 2021

EPA might finally regulate the plastic industry’s favorite kind of ‘recycling’

Jim Pew, Attorney, Washington, D.C., Office, Earthjustice: “It’s quite simple. If you want to burn municipal waste, meet the Clean Air Act standards for municipal waste incinerators. If you want to burn industrial waste, meet the Clean Air Act standards for industrial waste.”
There are over 200 sewage sludge incinerators operating in communities across the U.S. The health effects from the toxic air pollutants they emit include premature death, cancer and respiratory problems. (Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice)
case: Victory August 21, 2013

Cleaning Up Sewage Sludge Incinerators

The Cheswick coal-fired power plant in Pennsylvania, reflected in a window of a home in Springdale, is among the hundreds of power plants likely covered by the Mercury & Air Toxics Standards. (Chris Jordan-Bloch / Earthjustice)
feature April 25, 2024

The Mercury & Air Toxics Standards

When companies burn coal in the U.S., significant amounts of mercury spew into our air. Now, that mercury is controlled, thanks to a federal rule that Earthjustice and our clients…
Press Release August 21, 2013

Decision on Toxic Sewage Sludge Forces EPA to Take Another Look

Agency must review rule to ensure emission reductions
Press Release November 16, 2009

Clean Air Act Turns 19; Important Clean Air Milestones Reached, More Remain

EPA has made strides on incinerators, cement kilns just in the last 10 months alone
Press Release July 20, 2011

Bill From Sens. Collins and Wyden to Delay Clean Air Act Protections Creates Permanent Exemption for Industrial Waste Burning

Bill permits uncontrolled industrial waste burning and will lead to thousands of premature, preventable deaths
document June 11, 2010

Fact Sheet on EPA's Proposed Regulation of Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerators (CISWI) and the Definition of Solid Waste (D.C. Version)

document June 9, 2010

Fact Sheet on EPA's Proposed Regulation of Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerators (CISWI) and the Definition of Solid Waste (Los Angeles Version)

document June 9, 2010

Fact Sheet on EPA's Proposed Regulation of Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerators (CISWI) and the Definition of Solid Waste (Houston Version)

Press Release June 16, 2011

Air Pollution Loophole Puts Communities in Danger from Unregulated Waste Burning

Groups sue U.S. EPA to close loophole, protect public health and the environment