An existential crisis playing out right now in front of our eyes
Endangered Northern Long Eared Bat is a Victim of Biodiversity Degradation
Massachusetts Codifies “No Net Loss” Conservation Policy Under Article 97
On February 10, 2023, the Public Land Preservation Act (PLPA), Chapter 274 of the Acts of 2022, (M.G.L. Ch. 3 §5A), went into effect. It both codifies existing practices and creates new obligations that public entities in the Commonwealth must follow to dispose or change the use of interests in land protected
Deposit return scheme: Circularity Scotland hails “milestone” producer registration and reaffirms August 2023 launch date amid growing scepticism
With a planned launch date of 16 August 2023, the pressure is on for the Scottish government to deliver the deposit return scheme (“DRS”) for drinks containers. Despite increased scrutiny of industry readiness, Circularity Scotland (“CSL”) reaffirmed on 2 March that the scheme is on track and that producers responsible for more than 95% of
PFAS in Drinking Water: EPA Proposes Historic New Regulation
On March 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) which, if finalized, would set enforceable limits, known as Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), for six Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The announcement marks the first time the EPA has proposed to establish a new MCL under
Biden Administration Requests Big Budget Increase For OSHA
By Adam R. Young, Patrick D. Joyce, James L. Curtis, Daniel R. Birnbaum, Melissa A. Ortega and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The Biden Administration is seeking a 17% funding increase for OSHA under the Department of Labor’s fiscal year 2024 budget request.
The FY 2024 budget request for OSHA is
Decarbonization: The Requirements for—and Role of—Mining Companies
Mining companies are closely linked to the energy transition, both as businesses for which new requirements apply and as suppliers of critical minerals used to produce electric vehicles batteries, solar panels and wind turbines, among other products. In this Legal Update, we discuss emerging climate change-related guidelines and requirements, give examples of how mining companies
EPA Proposes First-Ever National Standard for PFAS in Drinking Water
By Jeryl L. Olson, Rebecca A. Davis, Patrick D. Joyce, Scott T. Fenton, Ilana R. Morady, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) has announced that it is proposing the first-ever national drinking water standard for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the latest action
EPA Proposes Limits on PFAS in Drinking Water
On March 14, 2023, EPA announced the first ever national drinking water standard for PFAS via its proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six specific PFAS including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA, commonly known as GenX Chemicals), perfluorohexane sulfonic
Second District Rejects CEQA and Coastal Act Challenge to Senior Facility in Pacific Palisades Area of Los Angeles
In Pacific Palisades Residents Association, Inc. v. City of Los Angeles et al. (March 8, 2023, Case No. B306658) __ Cal.App.2d __, the Second District issued a strong opinion affirming the trial court’s ruling that a proposed eldercare facility in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood was consistent with the Los Angeles Zoning Code and exempt from
EPA Proposes First National Drinking Water Standard for PFAS
Yesterday, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released proposed national drinking water standards for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pursuant to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)—a key step towards establishing the first enforceable federal standard for PFAS. PFAS compounds have come to be known as “forever chemicals” because of their ability