Robert J. Schena

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We’ve discussed in our previous posts the process that EPA will likely use to designate PFOA and PFOS as “hazardous substances,” how that designation will impact responsible parties, and what effects it may have on current EPA-lead investigations and remediations. In this article we discuss how the process may impact states that are…

In two of our previous posts, we discussed the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Hazardous Substance” Designation Process and the Implications of a Designation on Responsible Parties. Here, in this post, we discuss what a designation of PFOA and PFOS might mean for ongoing investigations and remediations lead by EPA.

Current EPA Interim …

The Biden Administration has pledged to designate certain PFAS as hazardous substances under federal law. What effect would the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) designation of PFOA and PFOS as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) have on the legal landscape? As you may recall, in a previous…

For the past several years, much attention has been focused on the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) legal authority to respond to PFAS contamination. When EPA published its PFAS Action Plan in February 2019, it discussed, among other things, designating PFOS and PFOA as “hazardous substances” through one of the available statutory mechanisms under…

The U.S. District Court in the Western District of North Carolina recently held in Colony Insurance Co. v. Buckeye Fire Equipment Co. that an insurance company must defend personal injury claims arising from direct exposure to Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF) under a Commercial General Liability (CGL) Policy despite the policy containing a “Hazardous Materials…

In a previous post, we noted the New Hampshire Superior Court’s issuance of a preliminary injunction enjoining the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) from implementing final maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and ambient groundwater quality (AGQS) standards for four PFAS compounds.  On July 23, 2020, Governor Chris Sununu signed into law legislation…

As we’ve discussed in prior posts, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have historically been an important component of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) products that are used for training and fire suppression. As awareness of PFAS in AFFF has grown over the last several years, governments at the federal, state, and municipal level, as well…

Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“PADEP”) published for public comment its proposed update to the Chapter 250 regulations under the “Land Recycling and Environmental Remediation Standards Act” – frequently referred to as Act 2. As part of its regulatory update, PADEP proposed to include remediation standards for three Per- and polyfluoroalkyl…

On December 20, 2019, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its Interim Recommendations for Addressing Groundwater Contaminated with Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) under federal cleanup programs, such the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). EPA’s guidance recommends the use of…

In response to the COVID-19 emergency, and consistent with Gov. Tom Wolf’s Proclamation of Disaster Emergency of March 6, 2020, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) has developed guidance for those permit holders and operators who have questions about their obligations during this time.

Key Points:

PADEP COVID-19 Emergency Request to Temporarily Suspend…