MRP Props., LLC v. United States
A district court held that the federal government must answer claims that it is liable for the cleanup of World War II-era hazardous waste from 12 oil refineries in seven states. Property owners brought a contribution claim against the U.S. government under CERCLA, claiming that the government exerc...
The Trump Administration’s First Steps Toward Streamlining Environmental Reviews
On August 15, 2017, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order entitled “Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects," which seeks to expedite federal review and approval of infrastructure projects by imposing new timelines and procedures, including a two-year deadline for completing reviews under NEPA and issuing permits for major infrastructure projects.
Pieper v. United States
The Fourth Circuit held that a proposed class of residents alleging that improper chemical disposal at a Frederick, Maryland, Army base contaminated their groundwater can't sue the government. The residents brought a claim under the Federal Torts Claim Act alleging that the Army negligently disposed...