As Americans are becoming increasingly aware, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of thousands of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. PFAS have...more
In last year’s update, we provided an overview of federal and California regulatory actions designed to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These actions...more
In last year’s update, we provided an overview of federal and California regulatory actions designed to protect public health and the environment from the impacts of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These actions...more
5/2/2023
/ California ,
CEQA ,
CERCLA ,
Clean Water Act ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Environmental Site Assessment ,
Environmental Social & Governance (ESG) ,
Housing Developers ,
Office Space ,
Offshore Wind ,
PFAS ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Safe Drinking Water Act ,
State and Local Government
EPA’s power to curb greenhouse gases faces Supreme Court scrutiny -
Courthouse News Service – October 29 -
The Supreme Court announced last Friday that it will hear challenges brought by the states of West Virginia...more
Federal court rejects continued application of Trump-era water quality review rule pending adoption of alternative regulation -
Courthouse News Service – October 22 -
Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for...more
EPA unveils strategy to regulate PFAS -
Associated Press – October 18 -
Michael Regan, the head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced on Monday that the agency is launching a broad strategy to...more
California appellate court overturns Monterey County fracking ban -
Courthouse News Service – October 12 -
A California appeals court on Tuesday set aside a Monterey County measure banning hydraulic fracturing, or...more
Biden administration to restore climate criteria to NEPA -
The New York Times – October 6 -
The Biden administration on Wednesday announced that it would restore climate change protections to the nation’s bedrock...more
10/11/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Climate Change ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Governor Newsom ,
Monsanto ,
NEPA ,
Offshore Drilling ,
Oil & Gas ,
PFAS ,
Regulatory Agenda
U.S. to resume enforcement of unlawful bird deaths by industry -
Associated Press – September 29 -
The Biden administration said Wednesday that it will draft rules under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act over the next...more
10/1/2021
/ Air Quality Standards ,
Biden Administration ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Review ,
Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) ,
Oil & Gas ,
Waste Treatment Facilities ,
Wastewater ,
Water Quality ,
Water Quality Control Boards
EPA rescinds previous administration’s guidance on Clean Water Act permit requirements -
Water & Wastes Digest – September 21 -
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is rescinding its guidance document: “Applying...more
9/24/2021
/ Air Pollution ,
Air Quality Standards ,
Clean Water Act ,
Climate Change ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Governor Newsom ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Hawaii Wildlife Fund v County of Maui ,
Hazardous Waste ,
NPDES ,
Nuclear Power ,
Petroleum
Kern County sues Governor Newsom over oil and gas development permits -
Courthouse News Service – September 13 -
Kern County, California’s largest oil and gas producing county, claims in a federal lawsuit filed on...more
EPA to propose first-ever PFAS discharge limits -
The Hill – September 8 -
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Wednesday that it will propose a rule to set the first-ever limits on the...more
9/10/2021
/ Clean Water Act ,
Department of Toxic Substances Control ,
Drought ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
PFAS ,
Recycling ,
Scrap Metal ,
State Water Boards ,
Water Resources Control Board ,
Water Supplies
Federal judge strikes down Trump rule governing water pollution -
The New York Times – August 23 -
In the latest episode of a long-running battle concerning the reach of federal jurisdiction over surface waters, Judge...more
9/3/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Clean Water Act ,
Contaminated Properties ,
Drought ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Groundwater ,
Oil & Gas ,
Water Pollution ,
Water Supplies ,
Waters of the United States
Southern California counties reach most intense drought category -
Los Angeles Times – August 23 -
As drought conditions continue to worsen throughout California, Ventura and other Southern California counties have...more
8/27/2021
/ Air Pollution ,
Air Quality Standards ,
Airports ,
Clean Water Act ,
Drought ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ,
Infrastructure ,
Oil & Gas ,
Water Supplies
In a first, U.S. declares shortage on Colorado River, forcing water cuts - The New York Times – August 16 - With climate change and long-term drought continuing to take a toll on the Colorado River, the federal Bureau of...more
8/20/2021
/ Biden Administration ,
Bureau of Reclamation ,
Clean Water Act ,
Climate Change ,
Coal Industry ,
Department of the Interior ,
Drought ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
Hazardous Waste ,
Oil & Gas ,
Pesticides ,
Water Supplies
Environmental groups oppose developer’s plan to fill in part of Redwood City tidal lagoon to build apartment complex -
Bullet The Mercury News – August 10 -
Environmental groups are opposing a developer’s plan to...more
As drought worsens, regulators impose unprecedented water restrictions on California farms -
Los Angeles Times – August 3 -
Amid intensifying drought, the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) voted on Tuesday...more
8/6/2021
/ Airports ,
Biden Administration ,
Clean Water Act ,
Drought ,
Electric Vehicles ,
Endangered Species ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Executive Orders ,
Forest Service ,
Governor Newsom ,
Lead Poisoning ,
Motor Vehicles ,
National Marine Fisheries Service ,
State Attorneys General ,
Water Conservation ,
Water Supplies
California drafts safe limits for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water -
Chemical & Engineering News – July 23 -
A July 22 draft report from the California Environmental Protection Agency would set a science-based safe...more
Bay Area air quality regulators adopt stringent refinery particulate emissions standard -
Reuters – July 21 -
The governing board of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (District) on Wednesday adopted...more
EPA considers placing limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water -
The Guardian – July 14 -
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this week that it is proposing to include the entire class of...more
7/19/2021
/ California Air Resources Board ,
Discharge of Pollutants ,
Drinking Water ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Fracking ,
NPDES ,
PFAS ,
Toxic Chemicals ,
Water Quality ,
Wildfires
Lawsuit alleges lax groundwater oversight in Sonoma County threatens Russian River -
The Press Democrat – July 7 -
An environmental group, California Coastkeeper, is suing Sonoma County over permitting policies it...more
California oil and gas regulators delay health and safety rules -
Associated Press – June 22 -
It has been a year and a half since Governor Gavin Newsom directed oil regulators to consider new health and safety...more
California oil and gas regulators delay health and safety rules -
Associated Press – June 22 -
It has been a year and a half since Governor Gavin Newsom directed oil regulators to consider new health and safety...more
California water managers vote to cut off farmers as statewide drought intensifies -
Courthouse News Service – June 15 -
Citing severe drought conditions, the California State Water Resources Control Board on Tuesday sent...more
Biden moves to restore safeguards under Clean Water Act -
Associated Press – June 9 -
The Biden administration began legal action this Wednesday to set aside a regulation known as the “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS)...more