Environmental Trends Contributors

Topics discussed this week include:

• DOJ and EPA issue guidance documents with implications for environmental enforcement.
• EPA ends “once-in always-in” MACT policy.
• EPA delays applicability of WOTUS rule, prompting lawsuits.
• EPA issues proposed ROD Amendment for $236 million cleanup of West Lake Landfill Superfund Site.
• EPA releases FY 2017 enforcement results.
• Ninth Circuit holds that discharges through groundwater to waters of the United States are regulated under the Clean Water Act.
• White House infrastructure plan proposes major changes to NEPA permitting process for projects.

(more…)

SHARE

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.

(more…)

SHARE

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.

(more…)

SHARE

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.

(more…)

SHARE

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.

(more…)

SHARE

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.

(more…)

SHARE

Houston – Sidley Austin LLP announced that it will add a highly sought-after team of five partners to its Capital Markets and M&A practices, four of whom – David Buck, Jon Daly, Angela Richards and George Vlahakos – will be based in its Houston office, with the remaining partner – Bill Cooper – splitting his time between Houston and Washington, D.C. Mr. Buck, Mr. Daly, Mr. Vlahakos and Mr. Cooper will join Sidley November 1, while Ms. Richards will follow in early December. Their arrival will solidify Sidley’s position as a destination firm for energy transactions. (more…)

SHARE

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.

(more…)

SHARE

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.

(more…)

SHARE

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.

(more…)

SHARE