The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed to list two “forever chemicals”—perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)—as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund). For some this is a hair-on-fire moment, so let’s pause and evaluate what difference that listing would actually make if it became final.
Banking organizations should take note of an announcement last week by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System that it would conduct a climate scenario analysis exercise with six of the largest US banking organizations. This Legal Update provides further detail on this exercise.
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The Supreme Court heard oral argument today in the Sackett case, in which the Sacketts are hoping that SCOTUS will finally issue a clear decision narrowing the scope of jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. 
I have stayed out of the SCOTUS prediction game because I find such speculation to be a waste of time.
National Energy Policy: EPA Establishes New Environmental Justice Office 
On September 24, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the creation of the new Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. The Office will manage the $3 billion climate and environmental justice program created by the Inflation Reduction Act. The EPA created the
Dairy Policy: Pennsylvania’s Over-Order Premium Continues But ‘Should be Modified’
On September 21, 2022, the Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board (PMMB) entered a new 90-day over-order premium (OOP) order (OGO No. A-1014), as opposed to its customary 180-day order. The order continues Pennsylvania’s OOP at $1.00 cwt for the period October 1, 2022 through
The 2022 Monaco Memo highlights two “core principles” regarding voluntary self-disclosure. First, absent aggravating factors, DOJ will not “seek a guilty plea when a company has voluntarily self-disclosed, cooperated, and remediated misconduct.” Second, DOJ will not “require the imposition of an independent compliance monitor” if the company has implemented and tested an effective compliance program by the time of
Complying with the SEC’s 2010 Guidance Regarding Disclosure Related to Climate Change has evolved and dramatically so.
Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published its much-anticipated proposal, updating the regulations governing permits for incidental take of bald and golden eagles, as well as take of their nests. This proposal is the culmination of efforts to improve the effectiveness of the eagle take permitting process, particularly for wind energy projects.
This week Governor Newsom signed a series of bills intended to accelerate housing development in California. Two bills – AB 2011 and SB 6 – seek to facilitate residential redevelopment of commercially zoned areas, though they contain stringent requirements that may put their benefits out of reach for many developers. AB 2097 largely eliminates local
On September 2, 2022, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection of the Department of Homeland Security (“CBP”) issued a CBP ruling, HQ H32233, determining that most offshore Wind Energy installation projects, including the laying of transmission cables, generally requires the use of Jones Act (Coastwise) compliant vessels. Jones Act qualified and compliant vessels are those