Blog Posts: Environmental and Energy Law Update

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The Environmental and Energy Law Update blog provides an analysis and discussion of the most critical and timely legal issues and announcements environmental, natural resource, and energy sectors.

Better Communication Among Regulators and the Regulated Can Improve Outcomes for Wastewater Permittees

As our understanding of the environment and anthropogenic impact grows, protection efforts increasingly spawn regulation. Media coverage of perceived harms to health and the environment and well-funded advocacy by conservation organizations usually eclipse the perspective of the regulated community. The disconnect between the regulators and the regulated is especially...
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Massachusetts Provides Extra Protection to Environmental Justice Communities from Air Pollution

In a groundbreaking move, effective July 1, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection will tighten the permitting requirement for certain existing and new sources of air pollution located near an environmental justice population . Environmental justice populations are those with elevated numbers of minorities, non-English speakers, or low-income households...
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EPA Issues Final National Drinking Water Standard for Six PFAS Compounds

On April 10, 2024, after receiving nearly 122,000 comments on the proposed rule, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced its final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (“NPDWR”) for six perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (“PFAS”) compounds. EPA’s announcement comes in advance of final publication of the rule, which is...
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Maine PUC Amends Small Generator Interconnection Procedures Rules (Chapter 324)

On November 3, 2023, the Maine Public Utilities Commission (the “Commission”) issued an Order adopting amendments to its Small Generator Interconnection Procedures Rule (Chapter 324). Background. Chapter 324 was last amended on December 21, 2021. See Maine Public Utilities Commission, Amendments to Small Generator Interconnection Procedures Rules (Chapter 324...
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A Toolkit for Evaluating Climate Change Impacts to Chapter 21E Sites Under the Amendments to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan

On September 1, 2023, MassDEP issued final amendments to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (“MCP”), the regulations governing the cleanup of releases of hazardous material and oil spills at contaminated properties. The MCP amendments, which will take effect on March 1, 2024, will now require the consideration of foreseeable climate...
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