Environmental Trends Contributors

Topics discussed this week include:

• U.S. Supreme Court sends “waters of the U.S.” case back to the federal district courts.
• “Critical habitat” dusky gopher frog case to be heard by U.S. Supreme Court.
• Florida coastal waters will continue to be analyzed for oil and gas leases.
• EPA announces it will revisit 2017 Regional Haze Rule.

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Topics discussed this week include:

• DOI proposes opening nearly all federal coastal waters to oil and gas drilling.
• BLM rescinds 2015 Obama administration fracking rule.
• EPA issues advance notice soliciting comment on Clean Power Plan substitutes.
• EPA draft risk assessment concludes that glyphosate is not likely carcinogenic to humans.
• Virginia DEQ publishes draft regulation to join RGGI.

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Topics discussed this week include:

• EPA issues important New Source Review guidance.
• EPA announces decision not to issue final regulations for hardrock mining.
• EPA reaches Clean Air Act settlement with outdoor products manufacturer.
• Commission issues rules that would ban hydraulic fracturing within Delaware River Basin.
• Federal court upholds lower court ruling that North Dakota lacks standing to intervene to challenge EPA settlement.
• California Supreme Court decides that groundwater charges are neither taxes nor tied to property ownership.

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Topics discussed this week include:

• EPA and Corps propose to delay Waters of the United States effective date.
• BLM opposes petition for panel rehearing in hydraulic fracturing appeal.
• D.C. Circuit weighs coal ash rule challenges and EPA effort to remand.
• Third Circuit hears argument on Delaware River Basin Commissions hydraulic fracturing moratorium.
• Environmental groups petition FERC for rehearing on Atlantic Coast Pipeline.
• EC reauthorizes glyphosate as study finds no cancer link.
• DOJ, EPA enforcement officials speak on environmental enforcement.
• EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation confirmed.

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Topics discussed this week include:

• Two lawsuits allege that state and federal officials violated youth plaintiffs’ constitutional rights by failing to sufficiently fight climate change.
• EPA issues directive on advisory committees.
• EPA issues final attainment area designations for ozone NAAQS for most areas of the United States.
• EPA issues NODAs regarding 2016 NSPS for oil and gas industry.
• Senate confirms nominee for EPA Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation.
• Ninth Circuit limits reach of RCRA’s antiduplication provision.

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Topics discussed this week include:

• U.S. House of Representatives passes bill to end EPA’s “sue and settle” practice.
• EPA announces that public wastewater treatment plants air standards will remain unchanged.
• Interior Department issues report evaluating federal energy regulations.
• DOI announces sale of largest federal oil and gas lease in U.S. history.
• Sixth Circuit reinstates residents’ nuisance claim against Detroit refinery.

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Topics discussed this week include:

• EPA announces plans to repeal the Clean Power Plan.
• D.C. District Court permits oil to continue flowing through Dakota Access.
• Supreme Court wades into Clean Water Act venue fight.
• EPA issues memo and directive to end “Sue and Settle.”
• Split Ohio Supreme Court denies writs of mandamus for fracking ballot amendment.

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Topics discussed this week include:

• Maryland sues EPA to compel response to Clean Air Act 126 Petition.
• C. Circuit denies request to invalidate EPA decision to stay landfill emissions rule.
• EPA grants additional extensions for formaldehyde rule.
• FERC issues supplemental EIS for Southeast Market Pipelines Project.
• District Court affords deference to state interpretation of Clean Air Act.
• EPA launches “Smart Sectors” program.
• Safety commission orders rulemaking on flame retardants.
• Court orders EPA to issue plans for fine particulate matter.

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Topics discussed this week include:

• Environmental groups and attorneys general challenge delay of civil penalty increases for automakers.
• Interior seeks to streamline environmental impact statements.
• Landowner suit claims FERC eminent domain powers are unconstitutional.
• EPA will reconsider coal ash disposal rule.
• EPA postpones compliance with power plant effluent limitations.
• Environmental groups threaten suit to compel oil and gas methane regulations.

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