On March 6, 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted final rules that will require domestic and foreign registrants to include extensive climate-related information in their registration statements and periodic reports.
https://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Sonia Gupta Barroshttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSonia Gupta Barros2024-03-13 13:03:332024-03-13 13:03:33SEC Finalizes Climate-Related Disclosure Rules Ushering in a New Era of Public Company Climate Reporting
In a 2–1 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) largely vacated an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule requiring 32 states to amend their Clean Air Act implementation plans (called State Implementation Plans, or SIPs) by removing provisions providing either exemptions or affirmative defenses to excess emissions from unit startups, shutdowns, or malfunctions (SSM) — times when pollution controls often cannot fully function as needed.[1] Sources in states that still have or revert to allowing an SSM defense may now have this important operational flexibility. However, stakeholders should track the actions of their individual states and keep close watch on whether EPA or environmental groups seek rehearing or appeal the ruling.
https://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Byron F. Taylorhttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngByron F. Taylor2024-03-12 10:10:162024-03-12 10:10:16D.C. Circuit Largely Vacates EPA State Implementation Plan Call on Startup, Shutdown, and Malfunction Rules
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced that it will hold a public workshop to discuss amendments to its Heavy-Duty (HD) Engine and Vehicle Omnibus (Omnibus) Regulation. The amendments have been proposed following extensive discussion between CARB and the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) during 2023, which culminated in CARB agreeing to revise its heavy-duty vehicle emission standards to align more closely with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.
https://environmentalenergybrief.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/03/MN-22848-Adobe-Photo-Download-Request-_-EnvironmentalEnergy-Blog-3.jpg6251200Samuel B. Boxermanhttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSamuel B. Boxerman2024-03-07 09:05:092024-03-06 16:03:10California Air Resources Board Will Workshop Omnibus Regulation Amendments
California agencies issued a public notice that they will hold a workgroup to answer questions and engage with stakeholders on the agencies’ latest vapor intrusion guidance. The workgroup comes following years of confusion among stakeholders regarding the agencies’ application of draft guidance for addressing vapor intrusion, including during site cleanup and redevelopment.
https://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Samuel B. Boxermanhttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSamuel B. Boxerman2024-03-05 11:29:182024-03-05 11:29:18California Agencies Proceed With Revisions to Vapor Intrusion Guidance
On February 7, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule under the Clean Air Act lowering the primary (health-based) annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller (PM2.5) from 12 to 9 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). EPA asserts that the stricter standard is based on scientific evidence showing that the current PM2.5 standard (12 µg/m3), which was established in 2012 and retained in 2020, does not sufficiently protect human health. According to EPA, based on air monitoring data from 2020-22, 119 counties would not meet the new standard of 9 µg/m3.
https://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Samuel B. Boxermanhttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSamuel B. Boxerman2024-02-27 09:05:342024-02-26 14:58:57U.S. EPA Sets Stricter National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter
On February 9, 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published a proposed rule that would amend the Corps permitting regulations to follow the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) implementing regulations as developed interpreted by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). Specifically, the Corps proposes removing its own NHPA regulations, Appendix C from 33 CFR part 325, and replacing them with those promulgated by the ACHP at 36 CFR part 800. This change may lengthen the regulatory review process and expand the scope of the Corps’ NHPA review.
https://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Samuel B. Boxermanhttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSamuel B. Boxerman2024-02-21 11:10:052024-02-21 11:10:05U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Proposes Broader Historic Preservation Review
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is proposing to expand its authority under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), including to extend its corrective action powers over an additional list of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Specifically, as part of the EPA PFAS Strategic Roadmap, EPA has prioritized development of a framework to regulate PFAS. In the June 2023 Spring Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Agenda), which lists federal agencies’ planned “short-term” and “long-term” regulatory actions, EPA included the short-term action of a proposed rule listing certain PFAS as hazardous constituents under RCRA.
https://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Samuel B. Boxermanhttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSamuel B. Boxerman2024-02-08 09:39:202024-02-08 09:39:20U.S. EPA Proposes Nine PFAS Compounds as Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Hazardous Constituents
On Wednesday, January 25, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California dismissed a challenge to a 2020 rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revising regulatory requirements for water quality certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. That rule came under challenge by environmental groups and Democratic-led states and was initially vacated by the district court but then reinstated by the Ninth Circuit in 2023 and remanded to the district court for additional review. However, on September 27, 2023, EPA promulgated a new rule that superseded the 2020 rule and replaced it with new Section 401 requirements, rendering challenges to the 2020 rule moot. Even as this 2023 rule is being challenged, the court stated that at present, there is no longer a pending controversy as to which effective relief can be granted. But because the 2020 rule was dismissed without prejudice, the court stated that if the 2023 rule is enjoined and the 2020 rule were to be resurrected, plaintiffs can reinitiate their challenge. Additional information on the issue is provided in prior posts on the vacatur here and 2023 rule here.
https://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.png00Samuel B. Boxermanhttps://goodlifesci.sidley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2022/03/sidleyLogo-e1643922598198.pngSamuel B. Boxerman2024-02-01 09:04:512024-01-31 10:46:19Challenge to Trump Administration Clean Water Act Rule Dismissed as Moot
SEC Finalizes Climate-Related Disclosure Rules Ushering in a New Era of Public Company Climate Reporting
On March 6, 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted final rules that will require domestic and foreign registrants to include extensive climate-related information in their registration statements and periodic reports.
(more…)
Sonia Gupta Barros
Washington, D.C.
sbarros@sidley.com
Heather M. Palmer
Houston
hpalmer@sidley.com
Kwaku A. Akowuah
Washington, D.C.
kakowuah@sidley.com
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
Maureen F. Gorsen
Century City
maureen.gorsen@sidley.com
Nicolas J.S. Lockhart
Geneva
nlockhart@sidley.com
Andrea L. Reed
Chicago
andrea.reed@sidley.com
Leonard Wood
Houston
lwood@sidley.com
Brittany A. Bolen
Washington, D.C.
bbolen@sidley.com
Katie LaVoy
Chicago
klavoy@sidley.com
Sara M. von Althann
Washington, D.C.
svonalthann@sidley.com
Evan Grosch
Houston
egrosch@sidley.com
Thomas E. Johnson
Chicago
thomas.johnson@sidley.com
Lucy Li
Houston
lucy.li@sidley.com
D.C. Circuit Largely Vacates EPA State Implementation Plan Call on Startup, Shutdown, and Malfunction Rules
In a 2–1 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) largely vacated an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule requiring 32 states to amend their Clean Air Act implementation plans (called State Implementation Plans, or SIPs) by removing provisions providing either exemptions or affirmative defenses to excess emissions from unit startups, shutdowns, or malfunctions (SSM) — times when pollution controls often cannot fully function as needed.[1] Sources in states that still have or revert to allowing an SSM defense may now have this important operational flexibility. However, stakeholders should track the actions of their individual states and keep close watch on whether EPA or environmental groups seek rehearing or appeal the ruling.
(more…)
Byron F. Taylor
Chicago
btaylor@sidley.com
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
Jim Wedeking
Washington, D.C.
jwedeking@sidley.com
California Air Resources Board Will Workshop Omnibus Regulation Amendments
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) announced that it will hold a public workshop to discuss amendments to its Heavy-Duty (HD) Engine and Vehicle Omnibus (Omnibus) Regulation. The amendments have been proposed following extensive discussion between CARB and the Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA) during 2023, which culminated in CARB agreeing to revise its heavy-duty vehicle emission standards to align more closely with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.
(more…)
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
Justin A. Savage
Washington, D.C.
jsavage@sidley.com
Caleb J. Bowers
Los Angeles
cbowers@sidley.com
Aaron L. Flyer
Washington, D.C.
aflyer@sidley.com
California Agencies Proceed With Revisions to Vapor Intrusion Guidance
California agencies issued a public notice that they will hold a workgroup to answer questions and engage with stakeholders on the agencies’ latest vapor intrusion guidance. The workgroup comes following years of confusion among stakeholders regarding the agencies’ application of draft guidance for addressing vapor intrusion, including during site cleanup and redevelopment.
(more…)
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
Maureen F. Gorsen
Century City
maureen.gorsen@sidley.com
Caleb J. Bowers
Los Angeles
cbowers@sidley.com
U.S. EPA Sets Stricter National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter
On February 7, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule under the Clean Air Act lowering the primary (health-based) annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller (PM2.5) from 12 to 9 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3). EPA asserts that the stricter standard is based on scientific evidence showing that the current PM2.5 standard (12 µg/m3), which was established in 2012 and retained in 2020, does not sufficiently protect human health. According to EPA, based on air monitoring data from 2020-22, 119 counties would not meet the new standard of 9 µg/m3.
(more…)
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
Brittany A. Bolen
Washington, D.C.
bbolen@sidley.com
Rob Abrams
Washington D.C.
rabrams@sidley.com
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Proposes Broader Historic Preservation Review
On February 9, 2024, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published a proposed rule that would amend the Corps permitting regulations to follow the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) implementing regulations as developed interpreted by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP). Specifically, the Corps proposes removing its own NHPA regulations, Appendix C from 33 CFR part 325, and replacing them with those promulgated by the ACHP at 36 CFR part 800. This change may lengthen the regulatory review process and expand the scope of the Corps’ NHPA review.
(more…)
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
Peter Whitfield
Washington, D.C.
pwhitfield@sidley.com
Rob Abrams
Washington D.C.
rabrams@sidley.com
U.S. EPA Proposes Nine PFAS Compounds as Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Hazardous Constituents
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is proposing to expand its authority under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), including to extend its corrective action powers over an additional list of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Specifically, as part of the EPA PFAS Strategic Roadmap, EPA has prioritized development of a framework to regulate PFAS. In the June 2023 Spring Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions (Agenda), which lists federal agencies’ planned “short-term” and “long-term” regulatory actions, EPA included the short-term action of a proposed rule listing certain PFAS as hazardous constituents under RCRA.
(more…)
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
Brittany A. Bolen
Washington, D.C.
bbolen@sidley.com
Nicole E. Noëlliste
Washington, D.C.
nnoelliste@sidley.com
Challenge to Trump Administration Clean Water Act Rule Dismissed as Moot
On Wednesday, January 25, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California dismissed a challenge to a 2020 rule by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revising regulatory requirements for water quality certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. That rule came under challenge by environmental groups and Democratic-led states and was initially vacated by the district court but then reinstated by the Ninth Circuit in 2023 and remanded to the district court for additional review. However, on September 27, 2023, EPA promulgated a new rule that superseded the 2020 rule and replaced it with new Section 401 requirements, rendering challenges to the 2020 rule moot. Even as this 2023 rule is being challenged, the court stated that at present, there is no longer a pending controversy as to which effective relief can be granted. But because the 2020 rule was dismissed without prejudice, the court stated that if the 2023 rule is enjoined and the 2020 rule were to be resurrected, plaintiffs can reinitiate their challenge. Additional information on the issue is provided in prior posts on the vacatur here and 2023 rule here.
(more…)
Samuel B. Boxerman
Washington, D.C.
sboxerman@sidley.com
Aaron L. Flyer
Washington, D.C.
aflyer@sidley.com
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