After nearly two decades of litigation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized a suite of four regulations targeting the power sector. The rules aim to address greenhouse gas
Continue Reading EPA Announces Broad Suite of Pollution Regulations for Power PlantsBernadette M. Rappold
Bernadette M. Rappold focuses her practice on federal and state regulatory issues related to energy, manufacturing, and the environment. Bernadette has substantial litigation experience and advises clients on regulatory compliance as well as the environmental, safety, and health aspects of numerous business and real estate transactions, including water, air, and chemical hazards. Bernadette offers clients perspective gained through years of service at the Environmental Protection Agency. While serving as a director of the Special Litigation and Projects Division in the Office of Civil Enforcement at the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, Bernadette led complex enforcement actions in response to violations of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and other environmental statutes. Her work at the EPA covered a variety of economic and industrial sectors including the oil and gas, chemical, pharmaceutical, telecommunications, and agriculture industries.
EPA Finalizes New RMP Rule and Rejects Provision on Transloading
In a rulemaking closely watched by the transloading industry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule on March 1, 2024, updating the Accidental Release Prevention Requirements and…
Continue Reading EPA Finalizes New RMP Rule and Rejects Provision on TransloadingEPA Announces Its Final National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives
On Aug. 17, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its final, revised National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives (NECIs) for fiscal years 2024-2027, seven months after soliciting public comment…
Continue Reading EPA Announces Its Final National Enforcement and Compliance InitiativesSupreme Court Issues Decision Sharply Limiting Clean Water Act Jurisdiction over Wetlands
The U.S. Supreme Court has sided with the Sacketts against the Environmental Protection Agency to narrow the Clean Water Act.
Continue Reading Supreme Court Issues Decision Sharply Limiting Clean Water Act Jurisdiction over Wetlands
PFAS in Drinking Water: EPA Proposes Historic New Regulation
On March 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) which, if finalized, would set enforceable limits, known as Maximum Contaminant…
Continue Reading PFAS in Drinking Water: EPA Proposes Historic New RegulationCumulative risk by any other name: Seeking environmental justice in an era of statutory, regulatory, and scientific uncertainty
On his first day in office, President Biden issued Executive Order 14008, calling on federal agencies to prioritize environmental justice and find ways to address disproportionate pollution impacts on…
Continue Reading Cumulative risk by any other name: Seeking environmental justice in an era of statutory, regulatory, and scientific uncertainty
SEC Issues Long-Awaited Proposed Rule on Climate Disclosures
Registered public companies would be required to report their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and certain information regarding climate-related financial risks and metrics, including any actual or likely material impacts to…
Continue Reading SEC Issues Long-Awaited Proposed Rule on Climate Disclosures
The Top 5 New Environmental Issues for Commercial Property Owners or Managers
The Biden-Harris administration is quickly establishing new federal environment requirements affecting commercial property owners and managers. These requirements, along with changes occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic, raise a host of…
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Biden EPA Moving Forward with National Drinking Water Regulations for PFOA and PFOS
Indicating its intention to move forward aggressively to address growing legacy chemical concerns, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in February took two steps towards regulating certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances…
Continue Reading Biden EPA Moving Forward with National Drinking Water Regulations for PFOA and PFOS
Domestic and International Securities Regulators Focus on Sustainability Standards
Recent statements from domestic and international securities regulators suggest that development of consistent environmental disclosure standards may soon be forthcoming, with a nearer-term emphasis on sustainability goals and methodologies for…
Continue Reading Domestic and International Securities Regulators Focus on Sustainability Standards