Federal agencies aren’t required to hand over draft documents related to the harm an EPA rule would pose to endangered plants and animals, the Supreme Court ruled in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv. v. Sierra Club , U.S., No. 19-547.
EHS Law Insights
Comment and analysis by Reed Smith lawyers on the latest developments in Environmental Health & Safety
EHS Law Insights, published by Reed Smith LLP, focuses on legal developments and regulatory changes in environmental health and safety (EHS). The blog covers topics such as carbon removal credit regulations, chemical substance bans like PFAS, environmental rule rollbacks by agencies like the EPA, and shifts in enforcement priorities under different administrations. It also addresses compliance strategies for industries affected by environmental laws, updates on air and water pollution standards, and the impact of federal and state regulatory actions on corporate environmental responsibilities. The blog provides analysis relevant to industries navigating evolving environmental regulations and sustainability mandates.
Latest from EHS Law Insights - Page 12
California to increase fuel sample analysis during ocean-going vessel inspections
Beginning in May 2021, California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) enforcement staff will begin additional analysis of fuel samples taken during ocean-going vessel inspections. CARB is seeking to improve compliance due to changing international regulatory sulfur limits, which has created situations…
EPA indicates intention to regulate certain PFAS in drinking water
The EPA is moving towards establishing a drinking water standard for PFOA and PFOS, and has stated that it is considering avenues for regulating additional groups of PFAS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) as well. On February 22,…
Cal/OSHA moves forward with development of permanent COVID-19 standard while legislature considers bill to increase enforcement
California continues to move forward with new proposals for regulation and enforcement of workplace hazards associated with COVID-19. As the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (“Cal/OSHA”) continues to develop a draft permanent standard to address COVID-19 hazards in cooperation…
Upcoming public hearing announced regarding California modifications to use of “Short-Form” Proposition 65 warnings
As we reported, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) seeks to significantly amend the regulations under the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (aka “Proposition 65”) to revise the method of transmission and…
Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Update: Towards new European laws and guidance on Sustainable Corporate Governance
In our “What to expect in 2021” blog, one cross-sectoral EU initiative we flagged was forthcoming Commission proposals for far-reaching new EU-wide Sustainable Corporate Governance requirements.
Here are some more details of what that might entail.
Background
Recent…
EU Green Deal: European Commission proposes changes to the EU Industrial Emissions Directive and a Zero Pollution Action Plan
In accordance with its initiatives under the European Green Deal, the Commission is currently seeking public feedback on both its proposed update to the EU Industrial Emissions Directive (‘IED’) and for the proposed implementation of the EU Zero Pollution Action…
The fall of Trump’s Affordable Clean Energy Rule and the strengthened EPA authority to regulate greenhouse gases
On January 19, 2021, in a 2-1 decision, the D.C. Circuit Court vacated the Trump administration’s 2019 Affordable Clean Energy (ACE) Rule and remanded it to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The decision offers a strong statement about…
The EU Commission’s proposed new batteries laws “at a glance”
The European Commission is proposing a radical and wide-ranging overhaul of the roughly 15 years’ old existing batteries and waste batteries laws in the Union.
For those who have not yet found the time to read the nearly 127-page draft…
New EU legislation on reducing methane emissions in the energy sector is set for 2021
The European Commission is moving forward with its legislative agenda to reduce methane emissions in the energy industry, specifically the oil, gas and coal sectors. Following the Commission’s October 2020 Communication (COM 2020/663 final) on an EU strategy to reduce…