The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced a second public conference on May 6-9, 2002, to examine issues associated with U.S. petroleum prices. While the Commission is interested in analyzing the recent volatility in gasoline prices, it also wants to focus on the effects of recent mergers and restructurings, changes in business practices, increased dependency on foreign crude oil, and new governmental regulations. The FTC held its first conference on the issue last August.
The FTC’s examination is of interest to ILMA members. The Commission has set forth a number of questions for public comment, including changes in the structure of the refining industry, the closure of certain small refineries, the exercise of significant market power in particular aspects of the refining industry.
ILMA will be following up before the May conference with FTC staff to determine to what extent the Commission can focus on lubricant-related issues.
EPA Issues Proposed Standard on Emissions from Coatings, Resin Manufacturing, May Affect Some ILMA Members
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a proposed hazardous air pollutant emission standard for the manufacture of paints, coatings, inks, adhesives, and some polymers and resins. ILMA’s SHERA Committee is analyzing the 534-page proposal to understand the effects on independent lubricant manufacturers. EPA will accept comments on the proposed regulation until mid-May.
EPA is scheduled to finalize the standard in one year, and the new requirements would go into effect three years later. The proposed standard and fact sheets covering the proposal can be downloaded from the Agency’s website at www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/t3pfpr.html.
The proposed standard, a massive, 534-page document, includes detailed hazardous air pollutant emission limits and work-practice standards for a range of batch and continuous-process functions and systems (e.g., process vents, wastewater streams, waste-management units, storage tanks, and transfer operations).
For example, EPA is proposing that all "major-source" surface coating manufacturing facilities install add-on pollution control equipment on all stationary process tanks. Such controls could include condensers, activated carbon, thermal oxidizers, and other abatement devices.
ILMA will keep members apprised of its analysis and the opportunity for comment to EPA.
