Lead and Copper Rule Improvements/Safe Drinking Water Act: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Announces $29,810,000 in Funding for Arkansas
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued an October 9th press release titled: Biden-Harris Administration Protects Communities from Lead in Drinking Water, Announces $29,810,000 in Funding to Arkansas to Provide Clean Water to Schools and Homes. EPA had simultaneously…
Criminal Enforcement/Lead Service Line Replacement: U.S. Department of Justice Charges Two New Jersey Individuals with Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
The United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”) filed a criminal complaint against Michael Sawyer and Latronia Sanders of New Jersey for their alleged roles in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The alleged wire fraud is stated to have been in connection with the Newark Lead Service Line Service…
Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers: Baltimore City Council Enacts Prohibition
The Baltimore, Maryland City Council has enacted a bill that would ban “gas-powered debris removal equipment”. See Council Bill 23-0367. The Baltimore Mayor is expected to sign the bill. City Council Bill 23-0367 would prohibit the use of gas-powered debris removal equipment in the City of…
Wastewater Enforcement: Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Cowhide Cove Recreation Area) Enter into Consent Administrative Order
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) entered into a September 25th Consent Administrative Order (“CAO”) addressing an alleged violation of a Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge…
Greenhouse Gas Emissions/Pollution Exclusion: Hawaii Supreme Court Addresses Insurance Coverage Issue Arising in Climate Change Litigation
The Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii (“Hawaiian Court”) addressed in an October 7th Opinion an insurance coverage issue arising in a climate litigation matter. See Aloha Petroleum, Ltd. vs. National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA, et al., SCCQ-23-0000515. The Court addressed…