UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 O FFI C IAL BUSINESS PEN ALTV FOR PRIVATE USF. $300 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER A Environmental News Wiener (202) 755-0344 FOR USE UPON RECEIPT EPA LISTS JULY 1975 NEWS RELEASES Following is a list of the news releases issued by the Environmental Protection Agency during the month of July 1975. The releases are listed chronologically, by exact title. A capsule description of the information contained in each release is given, along with the last name of the in- dividual who may be contacted for further information. Unless otherwise noted, the telephone number to call is (202) 755-0344. Copies of the news releases may be obtained by calling this number, or by writing to the EPA News Services Division, Room 329, West Tower, Waterside Mall, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20460. July 2 -- EPA REFERS INVESTIGATION OF CHRYSLER TO JUSTICE DEPART- MENT EPA refers for appropriate legal action its investigation of incorrect emission-related devices on certain 1974 Chrysler cars. (Barr) July 3 EPA SETS PUBLIC HEARING ON ASSEMBLY LINE AUTO EMISSION TESTING Hearing July 22 in Washington, D.C. on proposed regulations for selective emission testing of cars and light duty trucks on assembly lines. (Ryan) July 3 SYSTEM SCIENCES TO CONDUCT EPA CANCER STUDY System Sciences Inc., of Bethesda, Maryland commissioned toinvestigate (more) Return this sheet if you do NOT wish to receive this material Q, or if change of address is needed ~ (indicate change, including zip code). EPA FORM 1510-1 (REV. S-72) POSTAGE AND FEES PAID U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY E P A - 3 35 1-190 ------- -2- connections between cancer incidence and population exposures to industrial pollutants on a national scale. (Robinson) July 7 EPA URGES EARLY COMPLIANCE WITH TRUCK AND BUS NOISE STANDARDS Owners and operators of nearly one million trucks used in interstate commerce urged to act soon to get these vehicles in compliance with new noise regulations that will become effec- tive October 15. (Sibbison) July 9 EPA AWARDS $1.9 MILLION FOR NOISE STUDIES Contracts awarded for studies designed to help establish noise control regulations for motorcycles, buses, bulldozers, earth loaders, trash compactors and collection vehicles, refrigerator units mounted on trucks and commercial interstate trailers; and additional contracts awarded to determine what technology is available for quieting new automobiles, snowmobiles, and jack- hamiriers and paving breakers. (Sibbison) July 10 STATES AWARDED $100,000 TO TRAIN MECHANICS IN AUTO EMISSION MAINTENANCE New York, Pennsylvania, California, Oregon and Arizona get matching grants to train experienced auto mechanics in the proper maintenance and repair of emission control devices. The grants will help these States meet the inspection/maintenance requirements of EPA's transportation con- trol programs. Funding is shared by EPA and the Office of Education, Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. (Ryan) July 10 QUARLES TESTIFIES ON THE NEED FOR TOXIC SUBSTANCES ACT The EPA Deputy Administrator tells the House Interstate and Foreign Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Finance that legislation to prevent the proliferation of dangerous chemi- cals throughout the environment is one of the most urgently needed environmental laws. (Robinson) July 11 EPA EXTENDS AUTO EMISSION STANDARD SUSPENSION TO ALL MANUFACTURES EPA extends a one-year suspension of 1977 standards for hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions to all manufacturers of light duty vehicles. (Acly) July 14 EPA CONSTRUCTION GRANTS TOTAL $3.6 BILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 1975 EPA Administrator announces that grant obligations for Fiscal Year 1975 totalled $3.6 billion, reflecting a signi- ficant speed-up in the construction grant program. Train also announces the approval of 300 new positions to strengthen the management and conduct of the sewage treatment grant program. (Niles) July 15 EPA MAKES AVAILABLE ITS COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS FOR MAY 1975 -- The list of environmental impact statements upon which the Agency commented in writing during the period May 1 to May 31, 1975 made available to public. (Wiener) (more) 1-190 ------- -3- July 16 EPA SCHEDULES HEARINGS TO WEIGH USE OP SODIUM CYANIDE M-44 CAPSULES FOR PREDATOR CONTROL Formal public hearings set for August 12-15 in Washington, D.C. to determine whether there is enough new evidence to warrant modifying EPA's March 1972 Order cancelling and suspending registrations of sodium cyanide for predator control uses. (Wiener) July 16 -- LEGRO CONFIRMED AS NEW EPA ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR ENFORCEMENT Stanley W. Legro, formerly of the San Diego law firm of Legro and Rentto, confirmed as EPA's hew Assistant Administrator for Enforcement. (O'Neill) July 16 WORKING CATALYSTS REQUIRED ON IMPORTED CARS Auto- mobiles with catalytic converters that have been driven outside the United States, Canada or Mexico must be fitted with new catalytic converters before import into the United States, since they will have been driven where unleaded gasoline is not generally available. (Robinson) July 16 TRAIN VIEWS MID-WEST ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS EPA Administrator makes three-day Mid-West trip to see EPA activities in agriculture, wastewater and solid waste handling, and energy. (Fitzwater) July 17 CALIFORNIA REQUEST TO ENFORCE EVAPORATIVE STANDARDS GRANTED FOR 1978 California authorized to enforce a standard for automobile evaporative hydrocarbon emissions for the 1978 model year that is more stringent than the present Federal standard. The State's request to enforce such a standard for the 1977 model year is denied. (Lawson) July 17 PLEHN NAMED EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO EPA ADMINISTRATOR Steffen W. Plehn, formerly with the President's Council on Environ- mental Quality, appointed Executive Assistant to the Administrator. (Robinson) July 21 PARTS FOR CHRYSLER CARS RECALLED BY EPA NOW AVAILABLE Owners of 197 3 and 1974 Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge cars recalled last summer because of defective emission control devices should now be able to obtain repairs. (Lawson) July 22 EPA PROPOSES GUIDELINES FOR STORAGE AND COLLECTION OF SOLID WASTES Guidelines proposed for the storage and collection of residential, commercial, and institutional solid wastes. (Connolly 202-755-0872) July 23 EPA AWARDS ENERGY RECOVERY GRANTS Grants totalling $490,000 awarded to seven local governments, one local authority and one State to assist them in planning and implementing energy recovery systems. (Lawson) (more) R-190 ------- -4- July 24 AUTO MAKERS JOIN '76 FUEL ECONOMY LABELING PROGRAM -- Eighteen auto makers agree to participate in the 1976 voluntary "fuel economy" labeling program for automobiles and light duty trucks. (Robinson) July 24 TRAIN CITES STUDY SHOWING UTILITY RATE INCREASES DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS ARE NO MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT -- Study results show that environmental requirements were responsible for no more than five percent of the increase in electric rates during 1974, a year in which average consumer costs for electricity increased an unprecedented 30 percent on a per kilowatt hour basis. (Lawson) July 2 5 EPA SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDES FIFTH AUTO EMISSION TAMPERING CASE -- Agreement reached between the Department of Justice, representing EPA, and a New Orleans automobile dealer charged with rendering inoperative an auto emission control system. (Ryan) July 25 EPA ESTABLISHES HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE A special Environmental Health Advisory Committee within EPA's Science Advisory Board is established to assist in identifying health problems emerging as a result of envirpnmental pollution. (Robinson) July 2 5 EPA PROPOSAL WOULD COMBINE SEVERAL STATE PLANNING PROCESSES EPA proposes to amend its existing basin planning program to combine several separate planning procedures into a single State planning process that will satisfy requirements of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972. (Niles) July 30 TRAIN STOPS MANUFACTURE OF HEPTACHLOR/CHLORDANE, CITES IMMINENT CANCER RISK EPA Administrator orders an end to the manufacture of the pesticides heptachlor and chlordane for most household and agricultural uses, citing new evidence which con- firms and heightens the human cancer hazard posed by these pesticides. The decision would allow continued production for termite control by ground insertion and the dipping of roots and tops of noon-food plants. (O'Neill) # # # I J-c EPA Headquarters and Chemical Libraries r Permanent Col Mail cogs 3404T 1o01 Co.' iSi'sii-HiOl'! Mv'0 NW Washington DC 20004 202-566-0556 (August 22, 1975) R-190 ------- |