Health & Safety Developments
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Environmental Groups Collaborate on Launch of National PFAS Clearinghouse
In conjunction with a publicity blitz surrounding the release of “Dark Waters,” a movie targeting alleged environmental and health impacts associated with PFAS releases in Ohio and West Virginia, a group of environmental groups, lawmakers and other advocates of strict PFAS regulations launched a public clearinghouse that is intended to provide consumers with information on… Continue reading
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DoD Quietly Releases PFAS Screening Levels
On October 15th, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued an internal guidance document regarding CERCLA cleanup actions involving per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Continue reading
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Managing the Great Lakes Seminar—October 29th
Jenner and Block and ELI cordially invite you to attend a seminar titled “Managing the Great Lakes” on October 29, 2019 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm (CST) at Jenner and Block’s office (353 N. Clark Street) in Chicago and by webinar. Continue reading
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Recent DOJ Directive Marks Continuing Effort to Curb Availability of Supplemental Environmental Projects in Civil Environmental Settlements
On August 21, 2019, the Department of Justice issue a new memorandum reducing state and local governments’ ability to enter into settlement agreements that require the completion of supplemental environmental projects (SEPs) as compensation for alleged environmental violations. Continue reading
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Available Company Defenses to Climate Change Shareholder Activism: Trends in Climate Change Litigation, Part 5
As noted in Jenner & Block’s prior blog post, Shareholder Activism: Trends in Climate Change Litigation, Part 4, an emerging issue for public companies in high greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emitting industries is increased pressure from environmentally focused “activist shareholders.” These shareholders often seek to leverage their ownership shares to influence companies into taking action to… Continue reading
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How Low Will The Regulators Go: California Sets New PFOA/PFOS Drinking Water Notification Guidelines
On August 23, 2019, California’s State Water Resources Control Board (Water Board) announced updated guidelines for local water agencies for perfluorooactanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water. Continue reading
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California Clarifies Proposition 65 Safe Harbor Warning for Rental Cars
California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (“OEHHA”) recently adopted amendments to California’s Proposition 65 regulations regarding appropriate warnings for rental vehicles. Continue reading
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Shareholder Activism: Trends in Climate Change Litigation, Part 4
In the fourth installment of the Corporate Environmental Lawyer’s discussion of emerging trends in Climate Change Litigation, we are highlighting the growing trend of Climate Change Shareholder Activism. While not active litigation, pressure from activist shareholders who wish to influence the environmental policy of public companies is another powerful force in the climate change litigation arena.… Continue reading
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Climate Change Lawsuits Brought by Coastal Municipalities and States Against the Fossil Fuel Industry: Trends in Climate Change Litigation, Part 3
In the third installment of Jenner & Block’s Corporate Environmental Lawyer’s discussion of emerging trends in Climate Change Litigation, we are discussing a quickly proliferating form of litigation—lawsuits filed by U.S. states and municipalities against companies that operate in industry sectors which have historically had high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Continue reading
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Trends in Climate Change Litigation: Part 2—Investigations & Litigation by State Attorneys General
In the second installation of Jenner & Block’s Corporate Environmental Lawyer’s discussion of emerging trends in Climate Change Litigation, we are highlighting recent investigations brought by US state attorneys general against private companies for allegedly misleading the public and/or company shareholders regarding the potential climate impacts of their operations. Continue reading