Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the federal Superfund law (PFAS Designation Rule) in September...more
Effective February 13, 2024, prospective purchasers and ground tenants of commercial and industrial property seeking liability protections under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act...more
On May 8, 2024, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published its final rule designating two types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) — specifically, perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) and...more
On April 19, 2024, EPA issued its long-awaited Final Rule officially listing two key per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or so-called “forever chemicals,” as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive...more
The Minnesota Legislature has passed landmark environmental legislation with far-reaching consequences for regulated industries throughout the state. The bill provides approximately $1 billion in new spending for...more
Every eight years, standards for environmental Phase I reports are updated – and, typically, made more detailed and stringent. The standards were most recently updated in 2021, and the updated version was approved by the U.S....more
On February 13, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule amending the All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) rule took effect. Under the new rule, prospective purchasers of contaminated property can use ASTM...more
On December 15, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice of a Final Rule approving the use of a new American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) standard for conducting Phase I...more
What are PFAS and What’s the Big Deal? PFAS, short for per- and poly-fluoroalkyls substances are man-made chemicals used to make hundreds of products for home and industry use, ranging from stain proofing and waterproofing...more
On December 15, 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency published a final rule recognizing ASTM E1527-21 as the new standard for performing a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (“ESA”)....more
On December 15, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a final rule amending the Standards and Practices for All Appropriate Inquiries (“AAI”) to incorporate and adopt the American Society...more
On December 15, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amended its All Appropriate Inquiries Rule, publishing a final rule that incorporates an updated Phase I Environmental Site Assessment standard...more
On December 14, U.S. EPA issued a final rule adopting ASTM Standard E1527-21 for conducting Phase I environmental site assessments. Real estate developers, lenders and investors, and all purchasers of commercial property...more
Over the past several weeks, there has been a significant level of EPA activity regarding PFAS, including: Proposed Rule on Enhanced PFAS Reporting Requirements for Toxics Release Inventory (“TRI”): On December 5, 2022...more
On December 15, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) published the final amendment to the All Appropriate Inquiry Rule (40 CFR Part 312) (AAI Rule) that establishes the environmental due diligence...more
On December 15, 2022, U.S. EPA issued its final rule adopting the ASTM E1527-21 standard for Phase I environmental site assessments as meeting the All Appropriate Inquiries (AAI) requirement to qualify for new owner and...more
On November 1, 2021, ASTM International released its revised standard for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments. On March 14, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) published a Direct Final Rule that...more
Throughout 2021 and the first half of 2022, the commercial real estate market in the Southeast has been remarkably active. Despite rising interest rates and economic uncertainty, analysts expect this trend of high activity to...more
The long-anticipated new ASTM standard concerning Phase I environmental site assessments (ESAs), which was finally expected to go into effect mid-May, is in limbo while the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers...more
As our loyal readers know, in January ASTM International revised its Standard Practice for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (Phase I) to address PFAS as a “non-scope” consideration. (As a reminder, “non-scope”...more
Last month, EPA made three PFAS/Clean Water Act-related announcements. First, EPA issued proposed draft Clean Water Act aquatic life criteria for PFOA and PFOS. The proposed draft includes the most up-to-date scientific...more
For many years, it has been standard practice for prospective purchasers and even tenants to conduct a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (“ESA”) before acquiring a new property interest. This is for two important reasons:...more
On March 14, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued a direct final rule approving the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International Standard E1527-21 for Phase I environmental site assessments...more
Inside EPA reports that the United States Chamber of Commerce has objected to the inclusion of the forever chemicals known collectively as PFAS in the 2021 ASTM standard for Environmental Site Assessments that EPA was...more
In November, 2021, the American Standard for Testing and Materials (ASTM) published its E1527-21 (-21 Standard), its 2021 update to its Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site...more