September 2017
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EPA Announces Smart Sectors Program to Ease Regulatory Burden on Industry
On September 26, 2017, EPA announced its new Smart Sectors program, a program aimed at easing the regulatory burden on industry. Continue reading
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Jenner & Block Welcomes Sam Hirsch Back from ENRD
Jenner & Block is pleased to report that Sam Hirsch, former Acting Assistant Attorney General and Principal Deputy at the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), has returned to the Firm as a Partner in our Washington, DC office. Continue reading
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President Trump’s U.S. EPA—Status Update on Nominations
Unless one has been living under a log (and even that might not be an excuse), we all know that Scott Pruitt was confirmed as U.S. EPA Administrator on February 17, 2017. However, the status of President Trump’s other U.S. EPA nominations may not be as front and center as Administrator Pruitt. Continue reading
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Third-Annual Environmental Attorney Reception at Jenner on Thursday 9/14
On Thursday, September 14th, from 5 pm to 7 pm, environmental attorneys and professionals will come together for a networking reception at Jenner & Block’s offices in Chicago. Complimentary food and drinks will be provided thanks to the event’s sponsors. Continue reading
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Who is in Charge of Protecting the Environment–The Role of U.S. EPA and State Environmental Agencies During a Hurricane
Following Hurricane Harvey, and with the pending landfall of Hurricane Irma, the manner and degree to which federal and state agencies coordinate environmental protection duties may seem chaotic and disorganized. However, there is a specific protocol that guides these federal agencies in taking steps to protect the environmental in anticipation of and following a hurricane. Continue reading
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Hurricane Harvey Response: TCEQ Suspends Environmental Rules
As the cleanup, rebuilding, and recovery continues in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, there has been increasing news coverage about the environmental consequences resulting from impacts of this devastating storm in Texas. We have all seen the coverage on the Arkema SA chemical plant explosion and fire in Crosby, Texas, as well as this weekend’s… Continue reading
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New Climate Change Disclosure Guidance
State Street Global Advisors (SSGA), managing $2.6 trillion in assets, recently took action to motivate companies to treat climate change as a significant risk and to encourage business to ensure that assets and its long-term business strategy are resilient to climate change impacts. SSGA published “Perspectives on Effective Climate Change Disclosure” to provide guidance to… Continue reading
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Hurricane Harvey and Act of God Defense—Viable Defense or Futile Prayer
Following the disaster that has unfolded in Texas as a result of the unprecedented flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey, affected businesses might be asking whether they might be able to avail themselves of the “Act of God” defense that is embodied in several federal environmental laws and the Texas Health and Safety Code. Continue reading