EPA entered into a proposed administrative settlement agreement under CERCLA that provides for the performance of response actions and the payment for certain response costs incurred by the United States and the state of Colorado in connection with the Broderick Wood Products Superfund site.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration amended the Hazardous Materials Regulations to require railroads that carry hazardous materials to generate in electronic form, maintain, and provide to first responders, emergency response officials, and law enforcement personnel, certain information regarding hazardous materials in rail transportation to enhance emergency response and investigative efforts.
United States v. Pope Resources, No. 3:24-cv-05470 (W.D. Wash. June 13, 2024). Under a proposed consent decree concerning the release of hazardous substances from the former Pope & Talbot sawmill facility in Kitsap County, Washington, settling CERCLA and CWA defendants must construct, implement, maintain, and monitor a habitat restoration project; fund future long-term maintenance, monitoring, and stewardship of the project; and pay past and estimated future costs for natural resource damages assessment and restoration implementation and oversight.
United States v. Santolubes, LLC, No.24-cv-807 (E.D. Mo. June 10, 2024). Under a proposed consent decree, settling CERCLA defendants must pay $300,000 for response costs incurred at the Findett/Hayford Bridge Road Groundwater Superfund site in St. Charles County, Missouri.
EPA entered into a CERCLA settlement agreement with LPC Holdings, Inc., concerning recovery of cleanup costs at the Aberdeen Contaminated Groundwater Superfund Site in Aberdeen, North Carolina.
EPA proposed to enter into individual CERCLA settlements with seven additional parties concerning the recovery of cleanup costs at Bennett Landfill Fire Site in Chester, South Carolina.
EPA determined that Alabama’s coal combustion residuals permit program does not meet the standard for approval under RCRA.
DOI proposed to revise seven categorical exclusions under NEPA in the Bureau of Reclamation’s NEPA implementing procedures.
United States v. Union Carbide Corp., No. 1:24-cv-01463 (D. Colo. May 23, 2024). Under a proposed consent decree, settling CERCLA defendants must pay $600,000 to reimburse response costs incurred at the Uravan Uranium Project Superfund Site in Montrose County, Colorado, and to comply with institutional controls and other requirements for property owned within the site.
More severe storms and rising sea levels pose a threat to U.S. coastal communities, including millions of homes and businesses. Insured damages to coastal property are steadily increasing, insurance premiums are increasing, and private insurance companies have stopped serving some coastal states. Taken together, the consequences of declining availability and increasing costs constitute a coastal property insurance crisis.