Project Catalyst: An Economic Development Podcast | Episode 9: The Role of Railways in Economic Development with Brian Gwin of Norfolk Southern
On June 17, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a proposed rule to approve Texas’s application for primary permitting and enforcement responsibility (primacy) for carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration wells...more
Stakeholders following developments in states obtaining primary authority for implementation and enforcement of permitting of carbon storage and sequestration wells, take notice. With a recent Memorandum of Agreement between...more
The California Air Resources Board has requested that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant California an authorization pursuant to § 209(e)(2) of the Clean Air Act to, among other things, prohibit locomotives that...more
Federal environmental regulators are taking action that eventually could transform the way motor vehicle tires are manufactured to reduce toxic runoff from 6PPD, a substance used in tire production that kills or harms some...more
Everyone expected that EPA's eighth attempt to define the reach of the Federal Clean Water Act would end up in court. I have to admit that I was a bit surprised that two groups of plaintiffs filed their lengthy complaints...more
The Railroad Commission of Texas (“RRC” or “Commission”) recently took a critical first step in the process of applying for permitting and enforcement authority, known as “primacy,” over the Safe Drinking Water Act’s Class VI...more
This week, the Court examines whether EPA guidance on water toxicity tests could be challenged under the APA, and addresses whether California’s scheme for taxing railroad property contravenes federal law. SOUTHERN...more
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit (“Court”) addressed in a March 31st Opinion the indemnification provision of an Asset Purchase Agreement (“APA”) involving contamination that was identified...more
The United States Surface Transportation Board (“STB”) issued a Decision on December 29th addressing a preemption issue related to the Clean Water Act. See Association of American Railroads – Petition for Declaratory Order,...more
Focus - Four automakers reach deal with California to increase fuel efficiency standards - The Washington Post – July 25 - Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, and BMW - major automakers with a combined 30 percent of the U.S....more
Focus - EPA Region 9 Administrator position reportedly to be filled by lawyer - THE HILL - Apr 30 Michael Stoker, a former Republican Santa Barbara County supervisor and agriculture attorney, will soon be appointed...more
Prompted by regulatory changes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding emission standards for locomotives, several railroads and locomotive manufacturers have been working for several years to develop...more
• The Trump Administration released an ambitious $1.5 trillion infrastructure plan on Feb. 12, 2018 – a plan that includes many provisions focused upon encouraging the reuse of contaminated brownfields and Superfund sites. ...more
On February 12, 2018, the White House unveiled its 55-page proposal for infrastructure investment, the Legislative Outline for Rebuilding Infrastructure. The sweeping proposal seeks to inject funding into several key areas...more
Lipsky was not Range’s lessor, therefor I know nothing about the case. Surely, this person lives in my house, where I enjoy a long history of knowing nothing about anything. (Memo to self: check progress on subpoena for kids’...more
In the last several months, the Surface Transportation Board (STB or Board) has issued a number of decisions further defining the scope of federal preemption. As the primary agency tasked with the economic regulation of the...more
Once again, shale oil and gas production dominated energy headlines in 2014, with a number of key economic, political, and legal developments making news across the country. Bolstered by technologies like hydraulic...more
Approaching the midpoint of its 2014-15 term, the Supreme Court has added to its docket several cases with potentially wide-reaching implications for a range of important policy and business issues. The Court accepted for...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - Obama to designate portion of San Gabriel Mountains a national monument: Los Angeles Times - Oct 8: President Obama plans to announce Friday that he will set aside roughly half of the...more
In This Issue: - Fifth Circuit Reins In Trend of Expanding ESA Liability for Remote Harm - Japan's Pivotal Role in the Global LNG Industry's 50-Year History - Government of Greece to Launch New Licensing...more
President Obama will announce his support for a four-year, $302 billion transportation funding bill to repair and rebuild bridges, tunnels, roads and transit. About $150 billion of the bill would be paid for through corporate...more