Skip to main content

SEC Revises (and Weakens) Climate Disclosure Rules

by  Patrick Paul; Shawane Lee; John Habib On March 6, 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted final climate disclosure rules sparking a range of reactions within the business and environmental communities. These changes represent a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for public companies, particularly regarding the reporting of climate-related risks and […]

| 3 min read | Tagged: , , ,

EPA Announces Removal of Existing Natural Gas Plants from Proposed Carbon Rule

On February 29, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a significant delay in the implementation of its proposed carbon rule for existing natural gas power plants. This decision has drawn criticism from both environmental and industry groups, highlighting the complex interplay of environmental justice, political considerations, and regulatory challenges.  EPA first proposed the […]

| 2 min read | Tagged: , ,

FDA and Industry Announce the End of PFAS Use in Food Packaging

In a significant move designed to enhance public health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that the sale of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used in grease-proofing food packaging has ceased in the United States. (USFDA Announcement) This decision targets the major source of dietary exposure to PFAS, which are found in […]

| 2 min read | Tagged: , ,

Breaking News:  Phoenix AMA Has Abundant Groundwater and Will Still Have Abundant Groundwater in 100 Years

On June 1, 2023, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs revealed the results of a new groundwater model prepared by the Arizona Department of Water Resources (“ADWR”) that predicts the future availability of groundwater for pumping throughout most of the Phoenix Active Management Area (the “Phoenix AMA”) over the 100-year period mandated by ADWR’s Assured Water Supply […]

| 12 min read | Tagged: , , ,

Perchlorate…. It’s baaaack

While various States have enacted various regulations covering a wide variety of differing standards over the years, the EPA never created a national standard for remedial or drinking water levels. Finally, after decades of considering proposals and counter proposals, the EPA made a “final” determination in July 2020 during the Trump administration that perchlorate was […]

| 2 min read | Tagged: , ,
MK

So, What Exactly Is A Water Of The U.S.?

by Patrick J. Paul The federal Clean Water Act created federal jurisdiction over “navigable waters” defined as “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). Since becoming law in 1972, debate over what is, and is not, WOTUS has been robust.  The Supreme Court’s 2006 decision in Rapanos v. U.S. epitomized the challenges in finding consensus on […]

Supreme Court Grants Cert On GHG Regulation Of Power Plants

by Patrick J. Paul On January 19, 2021, the last full day of President Trump’s tenure at the White House, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals essentially said “good riddance” to Trump’s “ACE” (the Affordable Clean Energy Rule) in American Lung Association v. EPA, No. 19-1140 (D.C. Cir. 2021). More to the point, the D.C. […]

| 2 min read | Tagged: , , , ,

Environmental Justice: A Focus in Air Toxics Data Reporting

by Lucas J. Narducci & Amanda A. Reeve We all have been waiting to see what new course or approach will be taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”) in regard to environmental justice.  Rather than a major new program or enforcement initiative, the recent declaration from USEPA in this area provides clarity and […]

| 2 min read | Tagged: , ,
AR
Environmental & Regulatory Policy Advisor

EPA to Collect PFAS Manufacturing Data

by Patrick J. Paul On June 10, 2021, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announced three actions demonstrating its commitment to help reduce the potential risks to the public from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). RELEASE Those actions included issuing a proposed rule that is designed to gather comprehensive data on more than 1,000 PFAS manufactured […]

| 3 min read | Tagged: , ,

NASA Flies First Drone Ever on Another Planet

By Patrick J. Paul On April 19, 2021, America’s civil space program – the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) made history when its Mars Ingenuity helicopter made the first ever powered, controlled flight on another planet.  With it, the once comical world of the Jetsons becomes increasingly real. The solar-powered helicopter first became airborne […]

| 2 min read | Tagged: , ,