Feb 18, 2022
EJScreen: Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool
EPA has developed a new environmental justice (EJ) mapping and screening tool called EJScreen.
Industry News
Feb 07, 2022
EPA unveils cybersecurity action plan for water utilities
As the U.S. formulates a national plan to increase the resilience of its critical infrastructure against cyberattacks, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has laid out an action plan to ramp up protections for the water and wastewater sector over the next three months.
Jan 31, 2022
PFAS Update: CERCLA Listing for PFOA and PFOS Is One Step Closer
On January 10, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) submitted a proposed rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) to designate perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (“PFOS”) as ”hazardous substances”...
Jan 27, 2022
EPA adds four PFAS to Toxics Release Inventory
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the addition of four per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI).
Jan 26, 2022
EWG: At least 1,500 U.S. textile mills likely dischargers of ‘forever chemicals’
The Environmental Working Group has identified more than 1,500 textile mills that may be releasing the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS that are responsible for contaminating drinking water across the U.S.
Jan 14, 2022
The Top 5 New Environmental Issues for Commercial Property Owners or Managers
The Biden-Harris administration is quickly establishing new federal environment requirements affecting commercial property owners and managers.
Jan 12, 2022
PFAS Update: A Retrospective on Federal PFAS Regulation in 2021
As anticipated, 2021 was an eventful year for the regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) at the federal level.
Dec 28, 2021
A Year-End Review of the Environmental Regulatory Landscape
Anne Austin recently joined Industry Insights host Joel Simon to discuss the key considerations and drivers of the Biden administration’s major regulatory initiatives.
Dec 20, 2021
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”).
Dec 17, 2021
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”)...
Dec 10, 2021
An Update on Recent PFAS Regulation and Enforcement and the Resulting Insurance Implications
In August, we provided an overview of the recent increase in regulatory and private litigation activity around per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), colloquially known as “forever chemicals,” and...
Dec 02, 2021
Environmental Justice: EPA’s New Focus in Inspection and Enforcement
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has an online tool, EJSCREEN, that can identify EJ communities across the country by address.
Nov 16, 2021
Biden signs infrastructure bill into law
President Biden officially signed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill into law on Nov. 15. The bill, which had been the center of partisan debate for much of Biden’s presidency, was passed by Congress Nov. 5.
Nov 16, 2021
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).
Nov 12, 2021
Will We Ever Stop Overestimating the Cost of Complying with Environmental Regulations?
Earlier this week, Greenwire had an interesting story about the role that EPA’s estimate of the cost to comply with the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule played in the politics and judicial review of the rule.
Nov 10, 2021
EPA’s PFAS Plan Likely To Generate News, If Not Fixes, in 2022
The Biden administration has laid out an ambitious roadmap to confront pollution from PFAS, a family of chemicals with potential health effects found in products throughout our consumer and industrial economy, including fast food wrappers and grease-resistant pizza packaging.
Nov 05, 2021
PFAS Update: Significant Expansion of PFAS Regulation Under RCRA
In a letter to the Governor of New Mexico on October 26, 2021, the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced that EPA would initiate two important rulemaking efforts to regulate PFAS substances under the RCRA framework...
Nov 02, 2021
EPA Announces Plans to Regulate PFAS under RCRA
Focus on Forever provides timely updates, legal insights and observations, and actionable tips to navigate the constantly evolving legal challenges involving PFAS.
Nov 02, 2021
As the PFAS Panic Continues, EPA Tries to Keep Up with the States
EPA has released its risk assessment for GenX, one of the hundreds of "forever chemicals" known collectively as PFAS that are ubiquitous in our environment owing to decades of use in everything from fire suppressants to pizza boxes.
Nov 02, 2021
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.