George H. Buermann, vice chair of Goldberg Segalla’s Environmental Law practice, sat down with Leader’s Edge Magazine for a discussion about electric car batteries and the potential future regulations regarding their disposal.

“We’re beginning to hear loud voices,” said George, noting lithium is now a compound for which public water utilities must conduct testing along with 29 other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS.

George also addressed a May 2023 memorandum from the Environmental Protection Agency that mentions a heightened interest in regulation, expecting lithium-ion batteries to be classified as hazardous waste upon disposal.

George acknowledged that while electric vehicles aren’t yet flawless — bearing an initial carbon footprint from the mining of raw materials, and facing challenges with battery disposal and recycling —only time will reveal if they can provide the sought-after solution.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE: “Electric Avenue,” Leader’s Edge Magazine, January 24, 2024

MORE ABOUT GOLDBERG SEGALLA’S George H. Buermann:

George H. Buermann advises clients on complex environmental regulatory and compliance matters and litigates environmental and toxic tort disputes across the country. George offers clients in-depth knowledge of the state and federal regulations governing such disputes, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and others.