Environmental Compliance

By Rebecca A. Davis and Jeryl L. Olson

Seyfarth Synopsis: ASTM 1527-21 is now in effect.  The ASTM Standard for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments is evaluated every eight years.  The most recent update, ASTM E1527 – 21, approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on December 15, 2022, is now in effect.

On December 15, 2022

Continue Reading ASTM E1527-21 is Now in Effect

By Jeryl L. OlsonPatrick D. JoyceRebecca A. DavisJose AlmanzarIlana R. MoradyBrent I. Clark, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law two sweeping pieces of legislation prohibiting  certain products containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in California starting on January 1, 2025.

Continue Reading New California Legislation Outlaw PFAS in Textiles and Cosmetics in Continuation of PFAS Regulation in Western States

By Adam R. Young, James L. Curtis, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: With Hurricane Ian drenching the Gulf Coast, Florida, and the Atlantic coastal states, employers are facing daunting emergencies, safety and health risks, property damage, employee disruption, and re-building.  

This blog contains an updated primer on (1) preparing for an emergency;
Continue Reading The Rain is Coming Again: Disaster Preparedness, Recovery, and Employee Safety During Hurricane Season

By Jeryl L. Olson and Patrick D. Joyce

Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General (OIG) determined that USEPA has not been giving proper attention to voluntary disclosures, and recommended that the Agency update the way it screens and follows up on voluntary disclosures.

In a report dated June 30, 2022 (Report No. 22-E-0051)
Continue Reading Agency Watchdog: USEPA Should Focus More Attention on Voluntary Disclosures

By Jeryl L. Olson, Patrick D. Joyce, Rebecca A. Davis, Jose AlmanzarIlana R. Morady, Brent I. Clark, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The environment was yet another topic addressed by the United States Supreme Court in a ruling where it dealt a heavy blow to the EPA’s efforts to cut greenhouse
Continue Reading Supreme Court Finds USEPA Lacks the Authority to Regulate Certain Emissions

By Jeryl L. OlsonRebecca A. DavisPatrick D. Joyce, Scott T. Fenton, Jose AlmanzarIlana R. Morady, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Administrator Michael S. Regan and Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) comprehensive enforcement strategy to advance environmental
Continue Reading USEPA and Department of Justice Launch Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy

By James L. CurtisBrent I. ClarkBenjamin D. BriggsMark A. Lies, Jeryl L. Olson, Patrick D. Joyce, Adam R. Young, A. Scott Hecker, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. DOL and U.S. EPA have published their 2022 increases to civil penalties.

We have blogged previously about the
Continue Reading Big Money: OSHA and EPA Civil Penalties Increase for 2022

By Jeryl L. OlsonRebecca A. DavisIlana R. Morady, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: We noted earlier this year that the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) was in the process of updating its Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process. The ASTM Standard
Continue Reading Updated ASTM Standard for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments Just Released

By Jeryl L. OlsonRebecca A. DavisPatrick D. JoyceIlana R. Morady, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued the 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit (“MSGP”) for industrial stormwater discharges on January 15, 2021. The 2021 MSGP became effective on March 1, 2021 and replaces the 2015 MSGP for
Continue Reading EPA Issues 2021 Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Stormwater Discharges

By Jeryl L. OlsonRebecca A. DavisPatrick D. Joyce, Ilana R. Morady, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: The ASTM is in the process of updating its Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process.

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment is a report, following ASTM Standards, that identifies recognized
Continue Reading Revision to ASTM Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process