Section Newsletters

Articles on Environmental Law

Illinois Paves Way for Carbon Capture and Sequestration with SAFE CCS Act By Gabriel J. Salinas, Philip K. Lau, Ryan J. Silverman, & Juan Pablo Tablada Flores Environmental and Natural Resources Law, December 2024 Illinois has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for the development of carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) projects. The state's legislature has passed Senate Bill 1289, also known as the SAFE CCS Act, which was signed into law on July 18, 2024. This groundbreaking legislation was the result of collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, including industry representatives, environmental groups, and labor organizations.
Things Once Old, May Be New Again, and Then Some By William J. Anaya Environmental and Natural Resources Law, December 2024 A look at President-Elect Donald Trump's choice to lead the United States Environmental Protection Agency: Lee Zeldin. 
What Do We Mean by ESG? By Christopher P. Perzan Environmental and Natural Resources Law, December 2024 ESG stands for Environmental, Social, Governance. Easy enough, but not very enlightening. Whether it is ESG, sustainability, CSR, CSV, SDGs, or another term, this paradigm is ultimately broadly about a transparent process to understand the environmental and social impacts of an enterprise followed by a plan of action to address those impacts. This approach also allows a company to understand and address external or internal risks, identify potential opportunities, and inform strategic decisions.
Chevron Reversed: Loper Bright Enterprises et al. v. Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce et al. – What Are Agencies, Litigants, and Courts to Do? By William J. Anaya & Mary C. Hofmann Environmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2024 In June, the United States Supreme Court overturned Chevron's analytical approach to statutory interpretation of ambiguous statutes in Loper Bright Enterprises et al. v. Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce et al.
Editor’s Note By William J. Anaya Environmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2024 An introduction to the issue from the editor.
PFAS in the Headlines: June 2024 By Eric Berry Environmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2024 The PFAS scientific and legal landscape continues to change at a rapid pace, with new issues and developments affecting liability scenarios seemingly coming from all directions.
Clean Water Act Jurisdiction: A Review of Sackett Cases One Year Later By Lisle A. Stalter & William J. Anaya Corporate Law Departments, June 2024 One year post Sackett et ux. v. Environmental Protection Agency, there were several significant decisions analyzing its applicability with differing interpretations.
Appellate Court Upholds Illinois Coal Ash Regulations By Michael P. Murphy Environmental and Natural Resources Law, May 2024 In March 2024, the appellate court upheld the rules governing coal ash ponds.
EPA Officially Lists Key PFAS as ‘Hazardous Substances’ Under Superfund By Matthew A. Walker Environmental and Natural Resources Law, May 2024 On April 19, 2024, EPA issued its long-awaited final rule officially listing two key per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act.
PFAS Activity Reaches a Boil in April 2024 By Eric Berry Environmental and Natural Resources Law, May 2024 A summary of the three major April 2024 developments from the U.S. EPA regarding PFAS.
U.S. EPA Finalizes First-Ever Federal Enforceable Drinking Water Standard for Certain PFAS By Matthew A. Walker Environmental and Natural Resources Law, May 2024 In April 2024, the federal government set enforceable standards for any PFAS in drinking water for the first time.
Clean Water Act Jurisdiction: A Review of Sackett Cases One Year Later By Lisle A. Stalter & William J. Anaya Environmental and Natural Resources Law, April 2024 One year post Sackett et ux. v. Environmental Protection Agency, there were several significant decisions analyzing its applicability with differing interpretations.
U.S. EPA Releases Second Annual Progress Report on PFAS Strategic Roadmap By Andrea Quade & Michael Murphy Environmental and Natural Resources Law, April 2024 On December 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released its Second Annual Progress Report summarizing updates on the Agency’s actions and goals to address per and polyfluoroalkyl substances
2023 Environmental Statutes and Regulatory Amendments By William J. Anaya Environmental and Natural Resources Law, February 2024 Brief descriptions of new statutes, rules, and programs created by the Illinois General Assembly, the Office of the State Fire Marshall, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, the Illinois Pollution Control Board, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 2023.
Federal Jurisdiction and the Clean Water Act: Can We Expect Anything From Congress? By William J. Anaya Corporate Law Departments, January 2024 With the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Sacket et ux. v. Environmental Protection Agency et al., it seems that the definition of "waters of the United States" has been resolved—unless, of course, Congress decides to modify the Clean Water Act.
Federal Jurisdiction and the Clean Water Act: Can We Expect Anything From Congress? By William J. Anaya Agricultural Law, December 2023 With the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Sacket et ux. v. Environmental Protection Agency et al., it seems that the definition of "waters of the United States" has been resolved—unless, of course, Congress decides to modify the Clean Water Act.
Federal Jurisdiction and the Clean Water Act: Can We Expect Anything From Congress? By William J. Anaya Environmental and Natural Resources Law, October 2023 With the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision in Sacket et ux. v. Environmental Protection Agency et al., it seems that the definition of "waters of the United States" has been resolved—unless, of course, Congress decides to modify the Clean Water Act.
Becoming an Environmental Attorney By Christine Zeman Law Related Education for the Public, May 2023 Advice for anyone considering a career in environmental law.
21st Annual Environmental Law Conference Environmental and Natural Resources Law, April 2023 The 21st Annual Environmental Law Conference is scheduled for May 11-12, 2023, at the Chicago Regional Office.
At the Intersection of Agriculture and Environmental Law: What Is New in the Old World By Lynne Ostfeld Environmental and Natural Resources Law, April 2023 An overview of solutions proposed by other countries to combat environmental problems.
Evaluating Emerging Contaminants Like PFAS as a Non-Scope Consideration By Kate Hendrickson Environmental and Natural Resources Law, April 2023 The American Society for Testing and Materials International El 527-21 "Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process" became effective on February 13, 2023, after a multi-year collaboration process and addressing significant public comments.
Historical Review of Liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act By Eugene P Schmittgens, Jr. Environmental and Natural Resources Law, April 2023 A summary and analysis of United States v. Pacific Hide & Fur Depot, Inc.
Recent Legislative Proposals Involving Environmental Law By William J. Anaya Environmental and Natural Resources Law, April 2023 Summaries of recent legislative proposals of interest to environmental law practitioners.
Attorney General Raoul Files Lawsuit Against Multiple Manufacturers Over Contamination by Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Environmental and Natural Resources Law, March 2023 A press release issued by the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.
A Handful of Hot Button ESG Issues to Watch in 2023 By Bruce White Environmental and Natural Resources Law, March 2023 An overview of some of the emerging environmental, social, and governance challenges companies will face in the coming year.
A Refresher on Standing in Environmental Litigation By Lisle A. Stalter Environmental and Natural Resources Law, March 2023 A refresher on standing and summaries of recent caselaw.
US EPA Approves ASTM Standard E1527-21 By William J. Anaya Environmental and Natural Resources Law, March 2023 The United States Environmental Protection Agency recently amended 40 C.F.R Part 312 and formally approved the recently revised  ASTM Standard E-1527-21 as satisfying the “all appropriate inquiry” requirement for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments.
Environmental Justice Update: Five End-of-Year Lessons from EPA’s 2022 Efforts By J. Michael Showalter & David M. Loring Environmental and Natural Resources Law, January 2023 Environmental justice, formerly viewed as a theoretical goal, has become a unifying federal driver touching permitting, rulemaking, civil rights investigations, and policy setting across all sectors of environmental law, including those at the state and local governments.
EPA and Army Finalize Rule Establishing Definition of WOTUS and Restoring Fundamental Water Protections Environmental and Natural Resources Law, January 2023 A press release issued by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Holm v. Kodat: Another Perspective By Raymond T. Reott Environmental and Natural Resources Law, January 2023 An opinion on the Illinois Supreme Court's recent decision in Holm v. Kodat.

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