Air
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New Executive Order Presses Agencies to Continue to Seek Regulatory Flexibility in Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic
On May 19, 2020, the President issued an executive order titled “Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery” (“Executive Order”). The Executive Order seeks to “overcome the effects the virus has had on [the] economy.” To do so, executive departments and agencies are encouraged and directed to take appropriate action. Continue reading
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U.S. EPA Extends Comment Period on PFAS Safe Drinking Water Act Regulatory Determination to June 10, 2020
As discussed in more detail in a previous blog, on February 20, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“U.S. EPA”) announced that it was seeking public comments on its preliminary regulatory determination that seeks to implement regulatory limits for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in public drinking water across the United States. Continue reading
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USEPA Warns E-Commerce Platforms to Scrub Fake Coronavirus Disinfectant Products
As discussed in a prior post on Corporate Environmental Lawyer, on January 29, 2020, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”) activated its “Emerging Viral Pathogens Guidance for Antimicrobial Pesticides” (the “Guidance”) to help curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, the cause of COVID-19, in the United States. Continue reading
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Supreme Court issues Landmark CERCLA Ruling Finding that State Law Challenges to USEPA Cleanup Can Be Raised in State Court (But Plaintiffs Still Lose)
On Monday, April 20, 2020, the United States Supreme Court issued a key opinion regarding the preclusive effect of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Recovery Act (CERCLA), 42 U.S.C. Section 9601, on state common law remedies within Superfund Sites. In Atlantic Richfield v. Christian, Case No. 17-1498, the Supreme Court affirmed in part and… Continue reading
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Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Releases Compliance Guidance for COVID-19 Pandemic
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (“IEPA”) posted a Compliance Expectations Statement (the “Statement”) as guidance during the COVID-19 crisis. As discussed in the Jenner & Block Corporate Environmental Lawyer previous blog post, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“U.S. EPA”) recently issued its own temporary guidance regarding exercise of its enforcement discretion during the COVID-19… Continue reading
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EPA Issues Guidance on COVID-19 Impacts for Ongoing Cleanups
Following up on its March 26, 2020 temporary enforcement policy, on April 10, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued an interim guidance regarding new or ongoing cleanup activities during the COVID-19 situation. The interim guidance focuses on decision making at emergency response and longer term cleanups sites where EPA is the lead agency… Continue reading
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EPA’s Temporary Enforcement Discretion Policy for COVID-19 Pandemic
On March 26, 2020, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced a temporary policy regarding EPA enforcement of environmental legal obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler stated that the “EPA is committed to protecting human health and the environment, but recognizes challenges resulting from efforts to protect workers and the public from… Continue reading
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Does Environmental Investigation and Remediation Continue Despite COVID-19 Business Restrictions and Social Distancing?
As the United States rapidly transitions to working from home (when possible) companies involved in environmental investigations or remediation work must determine whether such field or other work could, should, or must continue in the days, weeks, and months ahead. Continue reading
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White House and Congress Use Liability Immunity to Address the Shortage of Respirators in Healthcare Settings
Due to COVID-19, the nation’s healthcare industry is facing a severe shortage of respiratory protection equipment for healthcare workers. Both Congress and the White House have recently taken steps to try to address that shortage by enacting liability immunity under the Families First Coronavirus Response law, signed late on March 18, 2020. These provisions protect… Continue reading
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U.S. OSHA Issues Guidance for Employers Regarding Preparing for COVID-19 Risks
On March 9, 2020, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued its “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19,” (“Guidance”) compiling best practices and existing regulatory standards for evaluating and preparing for risks to workers from exposure to the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. OSHA urges that, “it is important for all employers to plan now… Continue reading