Whether by land, by sea or through human innovation, carbon sequestration is likely coming to (or already happening in) a destination near you. As our planet, overdosed on greenhouse gases, battles climate disasters, a...more
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) published a proposed rule aimed at modernizing and streamlining the “Type A” Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) regulations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response,...more
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) anticipates proposing a new rule that would revise its “Type A” Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) regulations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and...more
New EPA guidance clarifies the application of federal hazardous waste requirements under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) to the management and recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries.
As the demand for...more
The EPA’s tentative determination signals the possibility of a future course reversal, and interested parties should consider making public comments, which could influence the outcome of the process.
The U.S. Environmental...more
EPA released a pre-publication notice of its long-anticipated proposed rule to designate certain PFOS and PFOA as CERCLA (Superfund) hazardous substances.
CERCLA hazardous substances designation would fulfill an important...more
As the world pursues ambitious net-zero carbon emission goals, demand is soaring for the critical materials required for the technologies leading the energy transition. Lithium may be the most well-known of these inputs due...more
In a mixed decision for international investors, the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) recently published a tribunal’s award finding that the Republic of Colombia breached its obligations...more
In a bid to encourage vaccination among the nation’s workers to protect unvaccinated people, OSHA’s new Emergency Temporary Standard calls for private-sector employers with more than 100 employees to mandate COVID-19...more
11/9/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Employer Mandates ,
Executive Orders ,
OSHA ,
Privately Held Corporations ,
Reasonable Accommodation ,
Religious Exemption ,
Vaccinations ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
Climate change litigation has become a global phenomenon, as scientists, agencies, and the general public increasingly associate wildfires, droughts, flooding, hurricanes, heat waves and other events with changing climate....more
11/5/2021
/ Air Pollution ,
Civil Liability ,
Climate Change ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Environmental Claims ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Violations ,
Fossil Fuel ,
Government Investigations ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
International Litigation ,
Negligence ,
Public Trust Doctrine
Under a forthcoming OSHA emergency temporary standard, private-sector employers with more than 100 employees will be required to mandate COVID-19 vaccination or weekly testing. Eliminating a testing alternative, federal...more
The Greater Houston Partnership’s new Energy Transition Strategy report makes an economic case that the Houston region is poised to lead the energy transition, articulating an industry-driven vision that builds on the City of...more
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, federal and local governments have adopted varying moratoria on evictions, enacted as emergency legislative protections for tenants facing eviction. The federal moratorium on eviction,...more
In a closely watched 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court sided against the challengers to the eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), keeping a stay in place that leaves the...more
Late last week a federal district court judge for the District of Columbia held that the nationwide eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) went beyond the agency’s statutory...more
A federal judge in Texas has declared the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eviction moratorium unconstitutional, holding that Article I’s power to regulate interstate commerce and enact laws necessary and...more
Be proactive in considering and protecting potentially applicable attorney-client and work product privileges.
Communications during and following crisis should always be examined through a lens of compassion....more
Last week, President Biden released a fact sheet summarizing a proposed $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package, which promises to have a broad reaching impact on U.S. businesses.
The proposal includes a $15 billion grant...more
1/21/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Budget Reconciliation ,
Clean Energy ,
Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Cybersecurity ,
Economic Stimulus ,
Educational Institutions ,
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) ,
Popular ,
Public Utility ,
Relief Measures ,
Sick Leave ,
Small Business ,
Small Business Loans ,
Technology Sector ,
Tenants ,
Vaccinations ,
Venture Capital
The incoming Biden Administration promises a more nationalized approach to combatting the COVID-19 public health crisis, plus a large economic stimulus response focused on unemployment, paid leave, state and local government...more
11/12/2020
/ Biden Administration ,
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) ,
Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Corporate Counsel ,
Economic Stimulus ,
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ,
Healthcare ,
Healthcare Workers ,
Masks ,
National Institute of Health (NIH) ,
Paid Leave ,
Personal Protective Equipment ,
Popular ,
Public Health Emergency ,
Public Schools ,
Small Business ,
State and Local Government ,
Telemedicine ,
Unemployment Benefits ,
Virus Testing ,
World Health Organization
The major policy differences between President Trump and Former Vice President Joe Biden on regulations governing energy and the environment could have major impacts on the energy transition.
Former Vice President Biden, if...more
10/22/2020
/ Automotive Industry ,
Biofuel ,
Bureau of Land Management ,
Donald Trump ,
Economic Growth ,
Energy Efficiency ,
Energy Sector ,
Environmental Policies ,
FERC ,
Joe Biden ,
Net Zero ,
Oil & Gas ,
Paris Agreement ,
Popular ,
Renewable Energy ,
Renewable Fuel Standard
From mask-wearing to physical separation to staggered schedules and crowding-related transit incentives, implementing these guidelines may reshape office life.
Updated CDC guidelines provide information for minimizing the...more
The rapid spread of the coronavirus has generated new interest in the regulation of medical waste.
The COVID-19 crisis is generating a significant amount of regulated medical waste....more
Only a week after introducing his plan to reopen the Texas economy, Governor Abbott announced two more waves of business reopenings to begin on May 8 and May 18.
Hair salons, barber shops, nail salons, tanning salons, and...more
Texas charges forward with phased reopening plan commencing May 1, 2020.
Retail, restaurants, and movie theaters are now permitted to operate at limited capacity, with plans to expand operating capacity and add another...more
5/4/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Golf Courses ,
Governor Abbott ,
Libraries ,
Movie Theaters ,
Museums ,
Public Health ,
Re-Opening Guidelines ,
Resorts & Restaurants ,
Retailers ,
Shopping Malls ,
Texas ,
Virus Testing ,
Workplace Safety
Pandemic-related work stoppages and delays are affecting both field and non-field work at Superfund sites.
COVID-19 is impacting Superfund site investigations and response activities.
...more