On March 15, 2019, the EPA issued a final rule that will ban the retail sale of methylene chloride containing products for consumer uses. Methylene chloride is a solvent that is currently, but not for much longer, commonly found in consumer paint and furniture strippers. It is sold by hardware stores and home improvement retailers.
Managing Environmental Risk in Transactions
TT&E: Tax, Trusts and…Environmental?
Whenever estate planning involves the transfer of a business or real estate, environmental issues can be important drivers. Owners and operators of real property are strictly liable for the remediation of any contamination on the property regardless of who caused the contamination. Often families are unaware of the environmental obligations and liabilities associated with their…
Emerging Contaminants Update: EPA Releases PFAS Action Plan
The PFAS family of chemicals continues to be in the spotlight on what seems like an almost daily basis. Just earlier today was this article, reporting on at least 55 drinking water systems contaminated with PFAS chemicals from Defense Department use of firefighting foam, a common source of PFAS chemicals. Here is our report…
Clean Water Act Jurisdiction Expansion? Supreme Court Takes Up Circuit Court Debate Over Groundwater Discharges to Navigable Waters
The United States Supreme Court agreed today to consider the issue of whether a Federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) permit is required for discharges of pollutants from point sources that reach CWA navigable waters through a groundwater conduit. By taking up this case, the Supreme Court will hopefully resolve a current Circuit Court split between…
Why Energy is Key to the Emerging Cannabis Industry
Often forgotten in the rush to expand the cannabis industry is the environmental impact of indoor cultivation operations and environmental considerations for the engineering and design of cultivation facilities. This article will briefly address environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation, specifically energy usage, in various states and how cultivators looking to the emerging New Jersey market…