Your Guide to Emerging Issues in Environmental Regulation and Litigation.
The Trump administration on Sept. 28 released new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, easing the fuel economy requirements that were strengthened under President Biden. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated that the rollback will increase American auto manufacturing, cut unnecessary regulations, and reduce car prices. Proponents, including National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, further stated …
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) has moved from a policy aspiration to a compliance reality. Over the past several years, a growing number of states have enacted packaging EPR laws that shift the cost and logistics of managing packaging waste onto the producers who put that packaging into the marketplace. Oregon has been at the leading …
The second half of 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal period for U.S. environmental policy. Federal agencies and lawmakers are advancing proposals that could significantly alter the regulatory landscape for climate policy, industrial permitting, wetlands protection, and infrastructure development. Together, these efforts reflect a broader shift toward accelerating economic development and project approvals …
As we recently reported here and here, the Environmental Protection Agency has stated it is revisiting and rolling back some of its limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The prior regulations set by the EPA included the following: A Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of zero for PFOA and PFOS. Enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels …
Between 2025 and 2026, several proposed changes to New York’s lead regulations have emerged at both the state and city levels. One of the most significant is Bill S122A, introduced last year, which directs the New York State departments of Environmental Conservation and Health to establish updated standards for lead contamination in ambient air, soil, …
Recently, while speaking at a conference in Washington D.C., the Environmental Protection Agency’s head of the Office of Water, Jessica Kramer, indicated the administration is revisiting the Biden administration’s limits on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” in drinking water. The prior limits were put in place by the Biden …
The Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) are federal air pollution regulations issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act. Finalized in 2012 and effective beginning in 2015, MATS establish technology‑based emission limits for hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) emitted by coal‑ and oil‑fired power plants. In 2024, the EPA finalized …
On March 13, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and Department of Transportation (“DOT”) on behalf of the U.S., filed suit against California in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California to block the California fuel mandates. At issue are regulations established by the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”). The …
Earlier this year, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed the Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act, sponsored by Senators Linda Greenstein and Bob Smith. The Act seeks to address intentionally added perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) in consumer products; it also funds mandated PFAS-related research. Beginning two years after the Act’s effective, January 12, 2026, the …
In August 2024, the NJDEP introduced the Resilient Environments and Landscapes (REAL) rule amendment package as part of the Protecting Against Climate Threats (NJPACT) initiative. These rules are meant to reform New Jersey’s environmental land-use regulations by including current and projected climate-change impacts, such as sea-level rise, chronic flooding, and extreme weather, into all major …