Why is the legal challenge of EPA’s approval of the affirmative defense provisions in Texas’ state implementation plan (SIP) the subject of a venue battle? Why did the Sierra Club and eight other environmental groups...more
On February 9, 2016, in a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the Clean Power Plan (CPP), effectively halting the rule’s implementation until the D.C. Circuit and, in all likelihood, the high court itself reach a...more
On January 21, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) won an initial victory as the D.C. Circuit refused to grant opponents a stay of the Clean Power Plan (CPP or Rule). The Rule, promulgated...more
Affirmative defenses commonly relied upon by facility operators to avoid civil and administrative penalties for violations of air emissions limitations during periods of facility startup, shutdown or malfunction (“SSM”) may...more
For many years, a number of state air regulations, including certain MEDEP, NHDES, and RIDEM regulations, have contained exemptions and/or affirmative defenses for excess air emissions occurring during startup, shutdown...more
On April 24, the Supreme Court issued a 6-2 decision in EPA v. EME Homer City Generation, L.P., No. 12-1182, 572 U. S. ____, 2014 WL 1672044 (2014), upholding EPA’s latest version of a regional cap-and-trade program under the...more