Synergy Environmental Inc

DOJ Announces Another Nail in Supplemental Environmental Projects’ Coffin

Posted on September 18, 2019

Vinson & Elkins LLP
Ronald J. Tenpas, Carrick Brooke-Davidson and Conrad Bolston

September 3, 2019

The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) will no longer use Supplemental Environmental Projects (“SEPs”) in settlements with states and municipalities as a result of a policy change announced August 21, 2019.1 The change follows a series of steps taken since 2017 curtailing SEPs. It may foreshadow future action to formally curtail SEPs in settlements with private sector parties, as the memo notes that the Department is actively reconsidering current guidance that continues to allow SEPs in settlements with private parties.2 Even without a formal change to private party settlements, companies should expect increased difficulty in incorporating SEPs in negotiated settlements and, if engaged currently in negotiations, should consider accelerating those negotiations if inclusion of a SEP is a critical priority.

The Devil is in the Details (or Lack Thereof): A Costly Lesson in Allocating Environmental Responsibility in Contracts

Posted on August 22, 2019

Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti LLP
Jaan M. Haus

August 7, 2019

A seller of a car wash property located in North Bergen, New Jersey recently learned the hard way that its failure to understand the nature and magnitude of contamination found on its property, and to clearly define in a contract of sale the scope of its obligations associated therewith, can be quite costly. In June, the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court upheld a trial court’s order directing the seller to fully remediate previously undiscovered environmental contamination at the property in accordance with its contractual obligations, which according to seller, was more than it had bargained for. Hector v. Super Car Wash LLC, et al., Docket No. A-3131-17T1 (N.J. App. Div. Jun. 10, 2019).

States Ratcheting Down on PFAS Compounds, Moving Ahead of Federal Government

Posted on August 22, 2019

Cozen O’Connor
Peter J. Fontaine, Marcia Mulkey

July 31, 2019

New Hampshire has just become the first state to finalize drinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFOS and PFOA, two of the best known and studied PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), setting levels for those compounds at 15 ppt (parts per trillion) and 12 ppt respectively, effective October 1, 2019. New Hampshire also adopted MCLs for PFHxS at 18 ppt and PFNA at 11 ppt. These actions, which were expeditiously moved through the New Hampshire decision-making processes, now predate final action on New Jersey’s proposed MCLs of 13 ppt for PFOS and 14 ppt for PFOA. New Jersey also already has the first formal PFAS MCL, for PFNA at 14 ppt.

Importance Of Environmental Site Assessment Ever Expanding

Posted on August 22, 2019

McLane Middleton
Michael J. Quinn

August 8, 2019

This article originally ran in the Portsmouth Herald/Seacoast Online

The protection from environmental liability afforded by the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment (“ESA”) is well-known to purchasers of land who conduct ESAs before becoming the “owner.” These ESA derived protections now have expanded to cover tenants that were previously at risk.

First, some background. Although the public tends to think of the Superfund statute in connection with the worst hazardous waste sites (remember Love Canal?), it can apply to almost any property where hazardous waste requires remediation. Without causing the contamination, a new owner, a local government, a tenant or a charitable organization could each find themselves ensnared in the law’s strict liability framework by virtue of acquiring property or leasing property with preexisting pollution.

EPA Proposes Sweeping Changes to Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Regulations

Posted on August 22, 2019

Troutman Sanders LLP
Chuck Sensiba, Elizabeth J. McCormick and Morgan M. Gerard

August 13, 2019

On Friday, August 9, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) unveiled a pre-publication version of a notice of proposed rulemaking (“NOPR”) to clarify state water quality certification (“certification”) procedures under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) to allow for increased regulatory certainty in federal licensing and permitting activities, and particularly authorization of infrastructure projects. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced on Friday that the “proposal is intended to help ensure that states adhere to the statutory language and intent of Clean Water Act.” The NOPR proposes substantive changes to the scope of state water quality certification authority under the CWA and the procedures governing these certifications, focusing on the plain language of the statute and at times departing from prior case law precedent.

Death, Taxes and CERCLA

Posted on July 17, 2019

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP
Vivek R. Hadley

July 9, 2019

Benjamin Franklin famously said that nothing in this world is certain, except death and taxes. A recent decision from the Southern District of Ohio ruled that in some circumstances, not even death can save a party from CERCLA liability.

In Garrett Day, LLC v. International Paper Co., No. 3:15-CV-36, 2019 WL 1331680 (S.D. Ohio Mar. 25, 2019), several parties fought over who should pay for the expensive cleanup of a former paper mill that operated for 100 years in Dayton, Ohio. The Site contained several hazardous substances like asbestos, trichloroethylene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls. The current owner of the Site brought a CERCLA claim and a similar state law claim against former owners and operators who may have contributed to the contamination.

Impact of PFAS on Private Equity: Preparing for the Coming Wave of Regulation and Litigation

Posted on July 17, 2019

Akerman LLP
Ellen S. Robbins and Matthew J. Schroeder

July 11, 2019

Regulation of Per and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) is increasing at the state and federal level as costly PFAS-related litigation is on the rise throughout the United States. Found in everyday products such as food packaging, stain, water and grease-resistant materials, and nonstick cookware, as well as being present on virtually all military bases and airports, the prevalence of PFAS combined with the heightened awareness of the public and the plaintiffs’ bar, make private equity funds and their portfolio companies prime targets for litigation and regulation.

Uncertainty Abounds Despite Clean Water Act Update

Posted on July 17, 2019

Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Daniel R. Flynn

July 8, 2018

Last month marked the 50-year anniversary of one of the more infamous and impactful environmental disasters to occur in the United States. On June 22, 1969, the Cuyahoga River, which runs through the heart of Cleveland before emptying into Lake Erie, caught fire for the 13th time. Time magazine ran a story that highlighted the river’s severe pollution.[1] The national reaction to the story is widely credited as the impetus for the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, now known as the Clean Water Act (CWA).[2] The objective of the CWA is “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.”[3] This seemingly straightforward and worthy objective has, however, led to more than 40 years of uncertainty and litigation over what constitutes “the nation’s waters” or “waters of the United States.”

PCB Update To New Jersey Site Remediation Guidance

Posted on July 17, 2019

Manko Gold Katcher & Fox
Bruce S. Katcher

June 27, 2019

While many site remediation projects are effectively handled by complying with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Technical Requirements for Site Remediation, the dual jurisdiction of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and NJDEP frequently comes into play when it comes to the remediation of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contaminated media. Consequently, the recent update of NJDEP’s guidance document “Coordination of NJDEP and USEPA PCB Remediation Policies” should be reviewed for any New Jersey remediation involving PCBs.

EPA Finalizes ACE Rule

Posted on July 17, 2019

Winston & Strawn LLP
Stephanie B. Sebor

July 11, 2019

On July 8, 2019, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice in the Federal Register finalizing three discrete rulemaking actions. First, EPA repealed the Clean Power Plan (CPP) promulgated by the Obama Administration on the grounds that the CPP exceeded EPA’s rulemaking authority. Second, EPA finalized the American Clean Energy (ACE) rule, which established emission guidelines for greenhouse gas emissions from existing coal-fired electric utility generating units (EGUs). Third, EPA finalized regulations for state plans implementing emission guidelines under Clean Air Act (CAA) section 111(d). Notably, the agency did not finalize proposed changes to the CAA’s new source review regulations. It intends instead to finalize those revisions later as part of a separate rulemaking.

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