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About Us:
Welcome to the S&W Environmental, Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Law Blog. This blog is a resource for the regulated community to stay current on new developments impacting the environmental, natural resources and energy sectors. It provides timely updates on a broad range of federal, state and local environmental topics — including proposed legislation and government rulemakings — that impact regulated industries throughout the southwest and the nation as a whole.
Topics
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Recent Posts
Arizona Natural Resources, Environment & Water Legislation Transmitted to the Governor
by Amanda A. Reeve The Arizona’s First Regular Session of the 55th Legislature has been moving along at a pretty fast and steady pace. A total of 40 bills have already been sent to the Governor’s desk; and 32 of … Continue reading
Tagged Arizona, legislation
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Friend or Foe Drones: FAA to Require Remote ID “Digital License Plate”
by Kelly A. Daly On December 28, 2020, the FAA released the Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Final Rule. This long-awaited Remote ID rule, identified as the next incremental step to integrating drones into the National Airspace System, requires the broadcasting … Continue reading
Tagged drones, FAA, Remote ID rule
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Arizona Governor Doug Ducey Funds Wastewater Study to Stop Pandemic Spread
by Patrick J. Paul As the page is turned on 2020 and some hope exists with respect to a COVID-19 vaccine, Arizona finds itself with the dubious distinction of leading the nation in COVID-19 cases per 100,000. Against this regrettable … Continue reading
Tagged COVID-19, pandemic, sewer, University of Arizona, wastewater testing
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EPA Issues Interim PFAS Guidance
by Patrick J. Paul On December 18, 2020, EPA issued interim guidance (available here and here) designed to protect the public from exposure to emerging chemicals of concern. More particularly, that interim guidance outlines the current state of science on techniques … Continue reading
In California the Housing Crisis Yields to Luxury Spas
by Sean M. Sherlock A recent court of appeal opinion out of San Diego demonstrates how the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) has once again been used to impede housing development—this time to the benefit of a high-end luxury spa. … Continue reading
Tagged CEQA, Golden Door, San Diego
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Drone Delivery Systems Can Aid Coronavirus Relief
by Patrick J. Paul As COVID-19 continues its spread across the U.S. and globe and governments react with historic aid measures, social distance and stay at home orders, it seems opportunities for accelerated drone deployment to help with the COVID-19 … Continue reading
Sewage Surveillance to Assess Possible COVID-19 Spread in Tempe Wastewater
by Patrick J. Paul Researchers from Arizona State University are evaluating Tempe wastewater for traces of COVID-19, which could serve as an early warning system of the virus’s spread in communities. Although believed to be among the first cities in America … Continue reading
Tagged Arizona State University, ASU, coronavirus, COVID, Tempe, Wastewater
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COVID-19 Drone Use Cases May Hasten Regulatory Approvals
by Patrick J. Paul As the Coronavirus pandemic continues its spread across the globe, the case for drone delivery is rapidly gaining international attention and consequently may have regulatory approval fast-tracked. In China, drone delivery systems previously utilized for residential … Continue reading
Tagged coronavirus, COVID-19, drone delivery, FAA, Part 135, waiver
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Drone Deployment to Combat COVID-19
by Patrick J. Paul As the world faces an unprecedented pandemic with the rapid spread of the coronavirus, drones are being increasingly deployed to assist in the response. From delivery, to disinfectant, to photography, the use of drones in this … Continue reading
Tagged coronavirus, COVID-19, CV-19, drone delivery, drones
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DOJ Announces New Drone Policy
by Kelly A. Daly Calling it “a paradigm-shifting technology with far-reaching social impact,” on November 27, 2019, the Federal government announced the issuance of the new Department of Justice Policy on the Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (the “Policy”) governing … Continue reading
Tagged Department of Justice, DOJ, drone, UAS
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