CERCLA’s strict liability for environmental cleanup costs on owners or operators of contaminated sites contains limited defenses and exceptions. One such exception is the “safe harbor” that shields lenders from liability provided they do not undertake certain activities with respect
Sive | Paget | Riesel | Blog
The Sive | Paget | Riesel Blog focuses on legal developments related to environmental law, particularly in New York. It covers topics such as green and sustainable remediation policies, climate litigation, energy storage system regulations, and evolving federal and state regulations on contaminants like PFAS. The blog also discusses significant court decisions affecting environmental review processes under statutes like NEPA. It provides updates on regulatory changes, litigation trends, and policy proposals impacting environmental compliance, renewable energy development, and hazardous substance regulation.
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PFAS Legal and Regulatory Updates
By Jack Quinn
The regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has continued to evolve at the federal and state levels in recent months under the Trump administration. EPA announced in April 2025 a bundle of planned actions to combat PFAS contamination, although…
Legal Challenges to NYSDEC’s New Freshwater Wetlands Regulations – Four Lawsuits to Watch
By Jack Quinn
At least four separate lawsuits were filed in April 2025 challenging the legality of New York’s Freshwater Wetlands Act and its recently amended implementing regulations. Broadly, the lawsuits seek to annul the 2022 statutory amendments and 2025 regulations and enjoin…
NYSDEC Proposes Several New Freshwater Wetlands General Permits
By Jack Quinn
On February 5, 2025, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation proposed to issue five new statewide general permits and to modify three existing general permits previously issued under the Freshwater Wetlands Act. The five newly proposed general permits…