EPA July 1 quietly finalized a controversial three-year exemption from its greenhouse gas (GHG) permit requirements for biogenic emission sources despite the fact that a top agency official has publicly questioned whether the move would survive an expected court challenge from environmentalists. Industry proponents of the exemption - which applies to prevention of significant deterioration (PSD) and Title V permit requirements, and is designed to give an upcoming EPA Science Advisory Board panel time to study the issue -are applauding the move, particularly sources such as solid waste landfills and incinerators whose biogenic GHG emissions would otherwise be subject to "step 2" of EPA's GHG tailoring rule that also takes effect July 1.
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