The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has affirmed a lower court’s decision that the Environmental Protection Agency is under no obligation to require permits of landowners contributing to violations of state-developed Total Maximum Daily Loads (“TMDLs”). Conservation Law Foundation v. EPA, 48 ELR 20013 (1st Cir. 2018). In this consolidated appeal,…
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The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit affirmed the District Court’s entry of summary judgment on all remaining claims in an action filed by the Town of Westport against Monsanto Company, Solutia, Inc., and Pharmacia. Town of Westport v. Monsanto Company, Case No. 17-1461 (December 8, 2017). In the suit, Westport alleged…
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The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana has ruled that an insurer must bear the costs of a remediation agreement entered into voluntarily by the policyholder without the insurer’s knowledge or consent. Southern Pilot Ins. Co. v. Matthews Auto Repair, Inc., 2017 BL 425647; No. 17-cv-01027 (S.D. Ind., November 29, 2017)….
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The United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin has ruled that a citizen suit related to the release of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may be brought under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, (RCRA), even though PCBs are regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Liebhart v. SPX Corp., No. 16-cv-700 (W.D….
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The Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has held that residents of Flint, Michigan, may pursue class claims against state actors in state court. Mays v. City of Flint, 47 E.L.R. 20112, No. 16-2484, (6th Cir., September 11, 2017). In January 2016, several plaintiffs filed a class-action lawsuit in state court alleging they…
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The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a District Court’s summary judgment in favor of the defendant in a contribution action under CERCLA, finding mining company Asarco timely brought a claim to recoup compensation from Atlantic Richfield. Asarco, LLC v. Atlantic Richfield Co., No.14-35723 (9th Cir., August 10, 2017). CERCLA § 113(f) provides that after…
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The United States District Court for the District of Columbia has ruled the Environmental Protection Agency does not have authority under the Clean Air Act to force companies that use hydrofluorocarbons (“HFCs”) in products like spray cans, automobile air conditioners and refrigerators to replace the HFCs with an EPA-approved alternative. The EPA enacted the rule…
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A West Virginia federal judge rejected a proposed $151 million deal reached by American Water Works and Eastman Chemical that would have settled class claims arising from a 2014 coal-processing chemical spill, but indicated the agreement is salvageable. Good et al. v. American Water Works Co. Inc. et al., Case No. 2:14-cv-01374, (S.D. W. Va., July…
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A New York Appellate Court has ruled a hazardous materials exclusion did not relieve an insurer of its obligation to defend a recycling plant operator from claims the Plant is spreading a foul odor. Hillcrest Coatings, Inc. v. Colony Ins. Co., 2017 NY App. Div. LEXIS 4519 (NY 4th Dept. June 9, 2017). The five-judge…
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The United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York has held that Defendants responsible for dumping hazardous waste in a town park are not liable under CERCLA because they did not know of the hazardous nature of the material dumped. Town of Islip v. Datre, 47 E.L.R. 20049 (E.D.N.Y. 2017). In 2013,…
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