New definition of “waters of the United States” takes effect June 22, 2020 everywhere except Colorado under split decisions. By Janice M. Schneider and Peter R. Viola In the closely watched battle over the scope of the Clean Water Act (CWA), a federal court in California has denied a motion brought by a coalition of … Continue Reading
A recent federal court decision in Utah renews the question of whether defeat device and tampering prohibitions constitute “an emission standard or limitation”. By Arthur F. Foerster A non-profit citizen group, Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, is seeking nearly US$1.5 million in costs and attorneys’ fees after successfully prosecuting a citizen action in Utah federal … Continue Reading
Under the TCI program, fuel suppliers would be required to hold allowances to cover their reported emissions. By Jean-Philippe Brisson, Joshua T. Bledsoe, and Benjamin W. Einhouse The Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI), a regional collaboration of Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states and the District of Columbia, has advanced its program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) … Continue Reading
EPA’s new policy may result in public disclosure of confidential business information if confidentiality is not properly claimed. By Julia A. Hatcher, Ann Claassen, and Stijn van Osch The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on July 15, 2019 that, beginning August 15, 2019, EPA would no longer provide notices of deficiency to businesses that … Continue Reading
EPA’s decision to forego financial requirements will likely face opposition by eNGOs. By Claudia M. O’Brien and Stacey L. VanBelleghem On July 2, 2019, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its proposed decision not to impose new financial responsibility requirements on the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution industry under Section 108(b) of the … Continue Reading
In a significant and potentially precedent-setting action, EPA terminates the Clean Power Plan, narrows the scope of required controls to the regulated unit, and axes previously available compliance options. By Stacey L. VanBelleghem and Robert A. Wyman On June 19, 2019, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule … Continue Reading
WIFIA program — no longer a “pilot” — is set to grow. By Joel C. Beauvais and David J. Penna On October 23, 2018, President Trump signed into law the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (AWIA 2018). This bipartisan legislation, among other elements, reauthorized the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA). WIFIA, which … Continue Reading
The announcement signals EPA’s intent to publish a proposed rule in 2020. By Arthur F. Foerster On November 13, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its “Cleaner Trucks Initiative” (CTI) to further decrease oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions from on-highway trucks and engines. EPA intends to publish a proposed rule in early 2020, … Continue Reading
By Joel Beauvais, Claudia O’Brien, Stacey VanBelleghem and Bridget Reineking Over the past four decades, compliance with the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) has proven to be among the most costly of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. EPA tightened the primary and secondary ozone standards to 70 parts per billion (ppb) in late … Continue Reading
By Joel Beauvais and Claudia O’Brien President Donald Trump, on February 28, signed an executive order (EO) directing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) to issue a proposed rulemaking for notice and comment to rescind or revise their joint 2015 Clean Water Rule, also known as the Waters of the … Continue Reading
By Robert Wyman, Claudia O’Brien, Michael Carroll, Alicia Handy, Andrew Westgate and Samantha Seikkula On May 12, 2016, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final rules aimed at reducing methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, in support of the Obama Administration’s efforts to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas … Continue Reading
