Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joins a group of government officials to hire private law firms to pursue PFAS suits on a contingent basis, and Michigan becomes just the second state to extend the PFAS lawsuit statute of limitations. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl...
Environmental
Calm Before the Storm
In 2018, California was ravaged by multiple large-scale wildfires, killing more than 100 people and firefighters and resulting in more than $9 billion in damages paid by insurers. The 2018 hurricane season produced 8 hurricanes, including two “major” (Cat 3, 4, or 5)...
Environmental Law In NJ To Protect Low Income Communities
New Jersey's Governor Murphy recently signed into law S-232, the “toughest” environmental law of its kind in the country, that is aimed at curbing the cumulative environmental and public health impacts in The Garden State. S-232 now requires facilities that meet...
EPA Science Panel Will Impact Asbestos Regulations
On October 1, 2020, the EPA announced the nominees for the approximately 15 additional spots on the TSCA Scientific Advisory Committee on Chemicals (“SACC”). SACC is a group of experts chosen by the EPA to “provide independent scientific advice and recommendations to...
Glyphosate Litigation Update
The glyphosate litigation seemingly ended last week with the news that the manufacturer of Roundup had agreed to a $10.9 billion dollar settlement agreement that applied to the majority the pending claims against it across the country (the settlement has not yet been...
Creosote Litigation: Understanding and defending the industrial and commercial uses
A new toxic tort lawsuit was recently filed against a railroad company in Houston, Texas. Plaintiffs allege that the coal tar used by the railroad between 1950 and 1985 contained creosote that contaminated the air and ground of the railroad property and plaintiffs’...
Glyphosate Litigation Takes Criminal Turn
Two name-partners in a plaintiff firm based in Richmond, Virginia were sentenced to one and two year prison terms for pleading guilty to attempting to extort an unnamed chemical company of $200 million. Based on marketing information found on the firm website for...
PFAS Included In EPA Stormwater and Wastewater Permits
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced an interim strategy for regulating Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in stormwater and wastewater discharges through its national permitting system that promises to have far-reaching impacts on...
PFAS Consumer Products Regulation: Legislative Update
As 2020 comes to a close and we begin to discuss in earnest the potential impacts of a Biden-Harris administration on U.S. environmental policy, it is important to look at the current and potential PFAS consumer products regulations. While more movement has occurred...
PFAS Testing In Firefighting Foam MDL Needed, State AG Says
In multidistrict litigation in South Carolina surrounding the alleged effects of PFAS-containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) used in firefighting, the number of plaintiffs continues to grow and the short-term and long-term relief requested continues to evolve....










