Electric Energy, Inc. v. Environmental Protection Agency
The D.C. Circuit dismissed petitions to review EPA actions applying and enforcing regulations that govern disposal of coal combustion residuals (CCRs). Owners and operators of coal-fired power plants argued EPA's actions amended existing legislative rules governing disposal of CCRs and that the Agen...
Earthworks v. United States Department of the Interior
The D.C. Circuit, 2-1, affirmed summary judgment for BLM in a challenge to the agency's 2003 final rule withdrawing a proposed rule that would have limited the maximum size of "mill sites" for mining claims on federal lands and instead codifying the agency's historical understanding that the governi...
Natural Resource Damages Under CERCLA and OPA
Natural resource damages (NRD) under federal law is a statutory cause of action to compensate for injury to natural resources resulting from releases of hazardous substances or oil. Designated officials are authorized under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA), among others, to act as “trustees” on behalf of the public or tribes.
Strengthening Superfund Cleanups With Land Use Institutional Controls
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) established the “Superfund,” which allows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up contaminated sites. It also forces the parties responsible for contamination to either perform cleanups or reimburse the government for the EPA-led cleanup work. The Superfund program relies on several tools to protect against lasting contamination.