A hotly debated topic at this year’s MIPIM was strategies for the mitigation of carbon emissions within the real estate industry, including those emanating from the construction phase of new buildings or refurbishments...
Solving the contaminated sediment remediation funding puzzle
For over a century, vast amounts of toxic contaminants were discharged by industries into the Detroit and Rouge Rivers. Many of these contaminants now reside in river-bottom sediments ...
The Debt Ceiling Standoff and NEPA: New Changes to the NEPA Review Process
An increased borrowing limit for the U.S. was not the only change brought about by the recently enacted Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Unmanned Aerial Systems/Solar Arrays: Utilization by PMI for Design/Development
The ability of unmanned aerial vehicle systems (i.e., drones) to assist in a variety of activities in the environmental and energy areas has been and is continuing to expand rapidly.
Are You Insured? What Property Owners Need to Know Before Allowing Environmental Work
Property owners that allow access to their property for environmental work often seek to be included as “additional insureds” on insurance policies held by those doing the work.
New Buildings Do Change Neighborhoods—Mostly for the Better
How does the construction of a new building change who lives in the neighborhood? That question is at the heart of urban politics in America today, where everyone knows we need to build more homes, but nobody wants them in their backyard.
Cities need to be redesigned for the climate crisis. Can they make us happy, too?
It’s tempting to draw lines on a map, but we can’t forget that cities should be designed for the people who live there.
Rugged’s construction layout robots land $9.4M
It’s been a little less than a year since we first noted Rugged Robotics. The Houston-based startup developed a robot that prints building layouts on the floor of construction sites, so workers know where — and where not — to build. The “layout Roomba,” as the company puts it.
USEPA Issues New Construction General Permit
The USEPA issued their new 2022 Construction General Permit (CGP) for stormwater discharges from construction activities on February 17, 2022.
Revised Phase I ESA Standard Released by ASTM
ASTM International released its revised standard for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments on November 1, 2021. The new standard (ASTM E1527-21) updates the 2013 version of the standard (ASTM E1527-13), which is widely used by the commercial...
All (New and Improved?) Appropriate Inquiry
ASTM announced revisions to its standard practice for Phase I environmental site assessments (E1527-21) on November 1, 2021 (the “Standard”).
All (New and Improved?) Appropriate Inquiry ALL
Phase I environmental site assessments (“Phase I ESAs”) play an important part in real estate due diligence and can constitute “All Appropriate Inquiry” (“AAI”) under the liability protections afforded by the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”)...
This old coal power plant will be transformed into a 15-minute neighborhood
For more than four decades, a massive coal power plant sat on the shore of Lake Ontario in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga, with hulking towers that were visible from miles away.
The New Phase I ESA Standard is Here – ASTM E1527-21
Here's what CRE transaction parties need to know about the Phase I ESA standard changes.
Revised Phase I ESA Standard Released – ASTM-E1527-21
On November 1, ASTM International (ASTM) released a revised standard for conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I ESAs).
A Change Is on the Horizon: A Revised ASTM Standard for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
After a lengthy committee process, ASTM International revised its standard practice for Phase I environmental site assessments (ASTM E1527) for the first time since 2013.
The New Phase I ESA Standard, and What You Need to Know
Over the next few weeks and months, you’ll likely be hearing much discussion about the imminent revised and updated ASTM E1527 Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (Phase I ESA) standard.
2021 Revision of the ASTM Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Standard Approved
On November 1, 2021, the environmental committee of ASTM International approved revisions to the organization’s E1527 standard practice for Phase I environmental site assessments.
At the same time that Federal courts are strictly enforcing the requirements for All Appropriate Inquiries, ASTM International has issued additional, potentially challenging revisions to the E1527...
The first phase of the implementation of the new Regulation respecting the traceability of excavated contaminated soils began on November 1st.
