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New WOTUS Rule Restores Protections for Many Waters, but Uncertainty Persists Due to Continuing Litigation

Posted by Jeffrey Karp on 2/1/23 3:37 PM

On December 30, 2022, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (collectively Agencies) announced the issuance of a final rule defining “waters of the United States” (WOTUS), a key term in the Clean Water Act (CWA). That phrase, which serves as the definition for “navigable waters” in the statute, effectively establishes the boundaries of the Agencies’ regulatory authority under the CWA.[1] The rule was published in the Federal Register on January 18, 2023, and will take effect 60 days thereafter.[2]

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Topics: Litigation, Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Policy, Environmental Law, WOTUS

Symposium Spotlights Natural Resource Damage Regulations Under DOI Review

Posted by Jeffrey Karp on 10/9/18 10:00 AM

By Jeffrey Karp and Kevin Fink

Section 301(c) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) authorizes the Federal government, States and federally recognized Indian Tribes to act as "trustees" on behalf of the public to pursue claims to redress injury or destruction of natural resources caused by hazardous substance releases. The measure of damages is calculated based upon the cost to restore or replace the injured or destroyed natural resources. Trustees also may recover compensation for services the resources would have provided the public pending restoration, as well as the reasonable cost of assessing injury and determining appropriate restoration.

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Topics: Environmental Policy, Environmental Law

The New Administration’s Deregulatory Agenda and its Impact on Environmental & Energy Policy

Posted by Jeffrey Karp on 7/28/17 8:24 AM

As seen in the first six months of President Trump’s Administration, the country is on a rollercoaster ride.  There is much uncertainty regarding the implementation of new policies and the status of existing programs throughout the government.  Nowhere is this sentiment more evident than in the environmental and energy arenas.  President Trump is quickly trying to undo the Obama Administration’s programs through executive orders seeking to roll back regulations; the appointment of faithful supporters of deregulatory agenda to key positions; significant budget cuts that substantially reduce agencies’ head counts and defund targeted programs; and the helping hand of a Republican-controlled Congress.

However, achieving this desired goal is easier said than done.  President Trump’s objectives may be tempered by legal, procedural and resource constraints, bureaucratic resistance combined with delays in filling key agency decisions, and higher priority domestic agenda items and world events.  This article will examine what already has occurred and what may be in store on significant issues involving energy and the environment.  It also will highlight aspects of the Trump Administration’s deregulatory efforts and the proposed budgetary impacts.

Out of the gate, the new administration has pursued an aggressive deregulatory agenda. President Trump’s operative goal is to “deconstruct the administrative state.”  His administration is building on campaign rhetoric to “roll back” “economy-choking regulations,” and implementing his campaign promise to “Drain the Swamp” by reining in and shrinking the federal bureaucracy.  For example, in January 2017, President Trump issued the “2-for-1” Executive Order (EO) on Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs, which specifies that agencies must repeal two existing regulations for every new significant regulatory action.  The EO further requires cost balancing between new and repealed regulations and a net cost of zero for any new regulations.  In response, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and others, led by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), are challenging the validity of the EO in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, arguing that the executive order is “arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, and not in accordance with law.”  In April 2017, the Department of Justice filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on the President’s behalf, and the NGOs moved for summary judgment in May.  Attorneys General from 14 states filed a brief in support of the EO.  The case is in limbo, as the court has not yet ruled on the parties’ motions.

In February 2017, President Trump issued another EO, on Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda, which requires designation of regulatory reform officers and task forces in all agencies and departments.  Each task force must identify “all regulations that are unnecessary, burdensome and harmful to the economy.”  In addition to internal deliberations, the task forces have asked stakeholders to help identify troublesome regulations.  For example, the Commerce Department sought public comment on government regulations interfering with domestic manufacturing.  Of the 168 comments submitted, 79 called out the EPA, the majority of which cited the Clean Air Act (CAA) and Clean Water Act (CWA).

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Topics: Energy Policy, Environmental Policy, Trump Administration, Deregulatory Agenda, Executive Orders

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About the Blog


The Environment & Energy Insights blog analyzes developments in the law, as well as provides updates and perspectives on trends and polices.

The material on this site is for general information only and is not legal advice. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage which may result from reliance on it. Always consult a qualified lawyer about a specific legal problem.

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