TagEPA(100)

This document is a technical annex to the U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks Inventory, outlining the methodologies used to measure and categorize national greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2015. It identifies 'key categories' — the emission sources with the greatest impact on total national greenhouse gas levels, trends, and uncertainty — using standardized IPCC guidelines. The largest emission sources identified include road transportation, coal-fired electricity generation, and natural gas combustion across industrial, residential, and commercial sectors.

In a July 2022 congressional hearing, Chairman Ro Khanna highlighted the health dangers of leaded aviation fuel (Avgas) still used in small general aviation aircraft, noting that children near airports in communities of color face blood lead levels exceeding those seen during the Flint water crisis. The statement criticizes the FAA and EPA for failing to act urgently on phasing out leaded fuel, despite the existence of viable unleaded alternatives, and accuses oil companies and aviation industry groups of deliberately delaying the transition. Khanna calls on federal agencies to accelerate approval of lead-free fuel options, involve affected communities in decision-making, and use infrastructure funding to support the switch to unleaded aviation fuel.

In West Virginia v. EPA (2022), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on whether the Environmental Protection Agency had the legal authority to use the Clean Air Act's Section 111(d) to require power plants to shift electricity generation away from coal toward cleaner energy sources. The Court examined EPA's 2015 Clean Power Plan, which set carbon dioxide emissions limits so strict that coal plants could only comply by reducing their own production or investing in natural gas and renewable energy. The case ultimately turned on whether Congress had clearly granted EPA such broad authority to reshape the national energy mix, a question analyzed under the 'major questions doctrine.'

This January 2022 White House fact sheet outlines 25 competitive infrastructure funding opportunities available to local governments under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, covering transportation, climate, energy, and environmental programs. It highlights grants for roads, ports, buses, electric vehicle charging, school buses, and community reconnection projects, with funding amounts ranging from $1 billion to $7.5 billion per program. Note: this document focuses on broad federal infrastructure funding and does not specifically address airport noise policy or Sea-Tac Airport.