20233年3月17日,法学院诊所向美国环境保护局提交60天意向通知告文,说明各实体打算起诉EPA,指控它没有履行1972年噪声控制法(“Act's”)下的各项非全权职责。
自1982年以来基本未使用如果EPA恢复管制噪声污染,可能会对各种产品制造商产生重大影响,这些制造商可接受与控制产品噪声有关的多项调控要求举例说,某些产品的制造商可受某些标签、验证、记录保存和报告义务约束.
spanid='More-8474'>_span>§4901(b)Accordingly, the purpose of the Act is "to establish a means for effective coordination of Federal research and activities in noise control, to authorize the establishment of Federal noise emission standards for products distributed in commerce, and to provide information to the public respecting the noise emission and noise reduction characteristics of such products." Id. While the Act makes clear that "primary responsibility for control of noise rests with State and local governments" (consistent with similar language in the Clean Air Act), it also provides that "Federal action is essential to deal with major noise sources in commerce, control of which require national uniformity of treatment." Id. at § 4901(a)(3).EPA's principal regulatory authority under the Act consists of its ability to identify and regulate products that are a "major source of noise." Id. at § 4905.受监管产品包括建筑设备、运输设备、任何电机或引擎和任何“电子设备”。at§4907此外,该法指示EPA协调并咨询其他机构帮助减少噪声努力, Id. 第4903(c)节,并具体考虑对飞机和电机生成噪声的调控Id. at#4916/4917.
EPA执行1970年代规约时,机构表示有意规范产品类别,如卡车、摩托车、总线、拖拉机、压缩机、草坪割草机、人行道拆路机、岩石钻井但它建议1982年撤销多位指定,作为不再执行规约的一部分47美联储瑞格54.1081982年1月)1982年,应管理和预算局及EPA请求,国会取消了执行规约的资金,但没有废除该法。西德尼AShapiro,sessions从公共政策失效:EPA和NioiseAbtement ,19生态L.Qsue 通知根据该规定,公民可对EPA不履行该法规定的非全权职责提起诉讼。42 U.S.C.§4911(a)(2)(A)Here, the sixty-day letter alleges that the EPA is aware of a growing universe of literature documenting the health risks associated with noise pollution—including sleep disruption, anxiety, depression, and increased risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and early death—but that the EPA has, for forty years, abdicated several of its responsibilities under the Act, including its nondiscretionary duties to:
- Review, revise, and supplement published noise criteria;
- Review, revise, and supplement published information on safe levels of environmental noise;
- Identify and regulate major sources of noise;
- Develop low-noise-emission products;
- Designate products and promulgate labeling regulations;
- Coordinate and regularly consult with federal agencies and report on their noise control programs!and
- Assist state and local governments in developing effective noise control programs.
Why it Matters
If the EPA ultimately resumes implementation of the Noise Control Act, whether on its own initiative or pursuant to a court order, it could have significant implications for a wide range of industries and product manufacturers, who could be subject to regulatory requirements relating to noise levels, along with associated verification, recordkeeping, and reporting obligations.
The notice letter singles out several industries and consumer products, including: personal listening devices, toys, outdoor power equipment used in land care and construction, drones and urban air mobility, and conventional transportation technologies.制作旨在减少噪声的产品者-例如耳塞-同样可接受EPA的进一步监督。