PFAS Perspectives

(by Mackenzie Moyer)

On December 18, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register announcing EPA’s Preliminary Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 16 (Preliminary Plan 16). …

Environmental Alert

(by Sloane Wildman, Joseph Schaeffer and Jessica Deyoe)

The final year of the Biden administration saw several significant developments related to the regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS. …

The Department of Defense (DOD) Office of the Assistance Secretary for Energy, Installations, and Environment released a report this month titled “Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Non-Incineration Destruction Technologies Report to Congress.” The Report was released in response to a House Report accompanying the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act in which the House Armed Services Committee asked DOD to submit a report to the Committee on whether DOD could incorporate non-incineration technologies into DOD’s strategy for disposing of PFAS and PFAS-containing wastes. …

Environmental Attorney Matt Wood will co-present “Water Issues — PFAS” at the PA Chamber of Business and Industry’s Annual Environmental Conference on Thursday, October 24, 2024. This Conference brings together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to provide critical updates on environmental policy in the Commonwealth. …

Babst Calland joins the Oilfield Water Connection for its 3rd Annual Marcellus Shale Water Business Update on Thursday, August 8, 2024. During this conference, more than 100 E&P, midstream, and water service business leaders will gather in Pittsburgh for networking and discussion of the latest produced water industry trends pertaining to commercialization, business risks/opportunities, optimization, and capital allocation. …

The Authority

(by Michael Korns and Amanda Brosy)

Municipal authorities and other public entities in Pennsylvania have long been familiar with the weight and burden of DEP and EPA mandates and regulations.  …

Environmental Alert

(by Matt Wood and Jean Mosites)

On April 17, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a pre-publication version of its long-anticipated final rule designating perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and their salts and structural isomers, as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).  …

Environmental Alert

(by Jean Mosites and Mackenzie Moyer)

On April 10, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) Rule regulating six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. …

Environmental Alert

(By Joseph Schaeffer and Sloane Wildman)

On March 21, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an opinion in Inhance Technologies, L.L.C. …

(By Amanda Brosy, Matt Wood, and Jessica Deyoe)

On March 20, 2024, the Senate Committee on Environment & …

Environmental Alert

(by Sloane Anders Wildman and Jessica Deyoe)

On February 8, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published two proposed rules to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants under the authority of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). …

EPA has released a much-anticipated test method to measure volatile, nonpolar fluorinated compounds, such as PFAS, in air emissions, including compounds that are products of incomplete combustion or incomplete destruction, a method that could help implement the pending update to EPA’s PFAS destruction and disposal guidance, which is undergoing White House review. …

Environmental Alert

(By Matt Wood)

On December 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Second Annual Progress Report to its 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap, summarizing updates on the agency’s actions and goals to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS.  …

Environmental Alert

(By Joseph Schaeffer and Jessica Deyoe)

In a final rule published in the Federal Register this Halloween, which we previewed at the time of proposal, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) increased the reporting requirements for per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other chemicals of special concern under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know-Act, 42 U.S.C. …

Environmental Alert

(by Kip Power and Matt Wood)

At the end of August 2023, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) began sending letters to facilities that the agency believes may be subject to new requirements to report production or use of specific per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).  …