Tulane Summit On Environmental Law And Policy Panel on EPA Rulemaking

Contact:
Lisa Marie Jacobs
970-903-6818
[email protected]

 

February 23, 2015

MEDIA ADVISORY – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tulane Summit On Environmental Law And Policy 

Adds Panel on EPA Rulemaking

 

Panel title:  Shaping EPA policy on oil spill response

Use of dispersants, chemical and biological agents, and other substances to be discussed

 

On Friday, February 27, 2015, the Tulane Summit on Environmental Law and Policy will host a panel discussion on proposed revisions to the National Contingency Plan (NCP) for Oil Spill Response. These changes involve new rules on how dispersants, bioremediation products, and various other products will be selected, used, and monitored.

Public comment is open on EPA’s proposed rules governing use of all chemical and biological agents and other substances on oil spills in U.S. waters. The NCP for oil spill response is extremely outdated and marred by significant gaps in coverage, particularly for spills in fresh water of unconventional oil and gas (UOG) such as tar sands oil and shale oil. Dispersant use is at the heart of this rulemaking, which has huge implications for the Arctic and deep offshore drilling. However, for the first time in 40 years, EPA is also proposing sweeping changes for use of other chemical and biological agents and other substances on fresh water spills.

Panelists will discuss legal framework, key new or revised rules and anticipated impact on the environment and public health, areas of gaps, recommendations, and opportunity for involvement.

Panelists include:

Julia LeMense, JD, LLM, MPH
Riki Ott, PhD, Director, ALERT Project
and possibly others

 

Panel is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27, 3:30 to 5:00 PM, at Tulane Law School, 6329 Freret St., New Orleans.

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