Greens and Labor senators have recommended that ships in Dampier port use low-sulphur diesel, if they are contributing to acid damage of Aboriginal rock art.
The federal government might introduce a sulfur standard for diesel used off-road, and says an oil industry-backed timetable for better quality petrol would be less expensive for refineries but result in much greater health costs.
The Turnbull government's 2018 environmental agenda will affect importers of new chemicals, companies required to report pollutant emissions, suppliers of products that lead to problem wastes, and facilities that emit large quantities of greenhouse gas.
A new pollution bill would allow the government to set emission standards for products to protect health and the environment, or to meet international climate change obligations.
Environment groups have criticised the lack of public progress and the secrecy surrounding two important reviews that were launched months ago by the Federal Government.
The NSW EPA has ordered coal-fired power generators to provide information on coal quality and maintenance and monitoring activities, as it investigates claims they manipulated National Pollutant Inventory reports.
New National Pollutant Inventory data shows that either some industries have seen radical changes in their emissions or the scheme's quality control is poor.