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In the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, the EPA finalized 196 settlement agreements with companies small and large across the United States. This represents a decrease in enforcement actions—down from 215 penalties issued in Q4 of 2024. The actions taken resulted in $6,089,365 in fines. Here are some of the highlights. CAA violations yield biggest […]
On March 24, 2025, a webpage was added to the EPA website announcing the creation of an electronic mailbox to allow impacted regulated community to request a Presidential Exemption under Section 112(i)(4) of the Clean Air Act (CAA). Eligible industry was given until March 31, 2025, to submit an e-mail request. “The [CAA] allows the […]
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s recent announcement of 31 historic actions the Agency plans to undertake “in the greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history” sent shockwaves throughout regulated industry, environmental groups, state and local regulatory agencies, and other concerned stakeholders across the nation. Although the Agency’s announcement labels these actions as historic, […]
On March 12, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that “the Agency will undertake 31 historic actions in the greatest and most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history, to advance President Trump’s Day One Executive Orders (EOs) and Power the Great American Comeback.” “Today is the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen. […]
In February, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee unanimously passed the Brownfields Reauthorization Act of 2025, which is legislation to reauthorize the EPA’s brownfields program, and the Strategies to Eliminate Waste and Accelerate Recycling Development (STEWARD) Act, which is legislation to improve our nation’s recycling and composting systems. “The Brownfields Reauthorization Act of […]
The EPA recently announced a consent decree with the operators of the Oasis Mobile Home Park in California to resolve violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The consent decree requires the park’s operators to upgrade its drinking water and wastewater systems and pay a $50,000 penalty. “EPA is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring that […]
On March 12, 2025, the EPA made two announcements: Background The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires the EPA to revise industry-wide wastewater treatment limits, called effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs), to keep pace with innovations in pollution control technology. “[ELGs] are national industry-specific wastewater regulations based on the performance of demonstrated wastewater treatment technologies (often called […]
The U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) issued a split 5-to-4 decision, narrowly deciding in favor of the city of San Francisco in San Francisco v. the EPA on March 4, 2025. The decision makes it more difficult for the EPA to regulate the discharge of raw sewage that occasionally occurs during heavy rains in the city […]
In response to President Donald Trump’s memo titled “Regulatory Freeze Pending Review,” the EPA delayed until March 21, 2025, the effective date of a January 2025 regulation adding nine per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI), which makes these chemicals subject to reporting requirements under the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) and […]
It’s a confusing time to work for the EPA. In February 2025, the EPA announced it placed 171 employees in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and accessibility and environmental justice on administrative leave. “Under President [Donald] Trump, the EPA will be focused on our core mission to protect human health and the environment, while Powering […]