Closed Until The 2nd Tuesday in November

There are at least four major EPA rules in line to be finalized in 2012 but don’t look for that to happen until after the elections. That’s the consensus of opinion from this Politico article, which says new regulations for lower sulfur gasoline, coal ash disposal, Greenhouse Gas limits on power plants and refineries and a new federal particulate matter standards are all on hold while the Obama Administration becomes full engaged in the 2012 Presidential campaign. ““If there’s one thing we’ve learned in a presidential election year, Democrats and Republicans behave similarly in that they are loath to propose or finalize a rule that could be construed as being controversial or having a significant impact on the economy,” said Bill Becker, executive director of the National Association of Clean Air Agencies, which represents state regulators. While some groups will be filing lawsuits, it’s not clear if the glacial pace of such efforts will be any quicker in getting the new rules than waiting until after the election.