Source: https://elr.info/weekly-update-archives/38/14
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 01:30:12+00:00

Document:
The Eleventh Circuit upheld a lower court's grant of summary judgment, albeit for different reasons, in favor of the U.S. government on a property owner's citizen suit concerning the U.S. Air Force's use of property as a landfill during the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The lower court granted summary judgment on the merits, but it should have granted summary judgment on the ground that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the case. Because there is an ongoing CERCLA remedial action taking place on the property, CERCLA bars the owner's suit. CERCLA §113(h) bars preenforcement review to all removal or remedial actions selected under §104. Although the jurisdictional bar does not apply to cleanups on federal property conducted under CERCLA §120, §120 only deals with federal property listed under the NPL. Because the property at issue here is not on the NPL, the cleanup is "selected under" §104, thereby triggering §113(h)'s jurisdictional bar to ongoing cleanups.OSI, Inc. v. United States, No. 07-10941, 38 ELR 20107 (11th Cir. May 5, 2008).
The D.C. Circuit dismissed an energy company's petitions for review seeking declarations that Massachusetts and Rhode Island waived their rights to deny certification of a proposed dredge-and-fill operation under the CWA. The company applied for certification from the states' environmental agencies that its liquefied natural gas project would comply with the CWA's dredge-and-fill requirements. Because the agencies have yet to make final determinations, the company filed suit, arguing that by failing to act upon its application within one year of its submission, the state agencies waived their rights to deny the requested certification. The company, however, lacks standing because the company does not claim to have been injured by the state agencies' inaction. On the contrary, the company's theory of the case is that it benefited from the agencies' inaction; that is, the agencies, by failing to issue timely rulings on the company's applications, waived their rights to deny the certifications the company seeks.Weaver's Cove Energy, LLC v. Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, No. 07-1235, 38 ELR 20105 (D.C. Cir. May 2, 2008).
The Second Circuit upheld the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection's denial of an energy company's request for a state water quality permit necessary to build a natural gas pipeline across the Long Island Sound. Record evidence supports the agency's finding that various techniques to be used by the company in installing the proposed pipeline would violate state water quality standards by eliminating a significant area of nearshore waters from their existing and designated use of shellfishing. Based on this record, the agency's decision to deny the company a certificate of compliance was not "arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law."Islander East Pipeline Co. v. McCarthy, No. 06-5764, 38 ELR 20106 (2d Cir. May 2, 2008).
The Supreme Court of Connecticut held that an individual convicted for storing and disposing of hazardous waste without a permit in violation of state law is entitled to a new trial due to improper jury instructions. The trial court improperly charged the jury as to the elements of "disposal" and "storage" by using the definitions of those terms provided in RCRA rather than those provided under the state's hazardous waste statute. The court also rejected arguments that the instruction resulted in harmless error, as the state definitions proscribe a narrower scope of conduct.State v. Cote, No. SC 18014, 38 ELR 20109 (Conn. Apr. 22, 2008).
A California appellate court held that a subdivision project that a county initially approved but for which subsequent delays caused the tentative map to expire is not a new project for purposes of environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). Nothing significant about the activity to be undertaken on the land has changed in any way; all that has changed is that the county's previous approval of a map expired. Expiration of the tentative map was an abstract occurrence that had no effect on the project's environmental impacts. Nevertheless, supplemental environmental review is required based on new information about certain potentially significant impacts. The court, therefore, affirmed in part and reversed in part a lower court judgment denying a landowner's petition for writ of mandate and requiring the preparation of a new environmental impact.Moss v. County of Humboldt, No. A114205, 38 ELR 20108 (Cal. Ct. App. 1st Dist. May 7, 2008).
A California appellate court held that a property owner may not intervene in an insurance coverage dispute between an insurance company and the former property owner from which the current owner seeks contribution. The current owner argued that it has a legitimate interest in making coverage arguments that may affect its possibilities of recovering damages and environmental cleanup costs under its pending contribution action. It contended that without intervention, rulings could be made in its absence that would affect its rights to pursue the insurance company as a "potential" judgment creditor of the former owner. The current owner's interest, however, is purely speculative at this point.Royal Indemnity Co. v. United Enterprises, Inc., No. D051011, 38 ELR 20110 (Cal. Ct. App. 4th Dist. Apr. 23, 2008).
A California appellate court affirmed a lower court decision holding unripe a construction company's takings claim against the California Coastal Commission for denying its application of a coastal development permit. The court rejected the company's argument that there is no economically productive use that can be made of its property as a result of the permit denial. The company has only presented one plan to the Commission and the Commission has made only one formal decision. That formal decision does not settle the question of what development will be allowed; nor does it indicate it would be futile for the company to submit other development plans. In addition, the Commission's reasons for denying the permit were well supported by the record.Charles A. Pratt Construction Co. v. California Coastal Commission, No. B190122, 38 ELR 20111 (Cal. Ct. App. 2d Dist. May 8, 2008).
EPA adopted comprehensive near-term and long-term emission standards for locomotives and marine diesel engines to reduce particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide (NOx).73 FR 25098(5/6/08).
EPA withdrew final authorization of revisions to requirements for the control of hazardous air pollutants from mobile sources and for early benzene credits due to adverse comments.73 FR 26325(5/9/08).
SIP Approvals:Connecticut (interstate transport of air pollutants)73 FR 25516(5/7/08). Georgia (enhanced inspection and maintenance (I/M) plan for one-hour ozone nonattainment area)73 FR 24500(5/5/08). New Jersey (PM motor vehicle emissions budgets for Mercer County)73 FR 24868(5/6/08). South Dakota and Wyoming (interstate transport of pollution)73 FR 26019(5/8/08).
SIP Proposals:California (NOx emissions from stationary internal combustion engines in Ventura County)73 FR 26355(5/9/08). Georgia (enhanced I/M plan for one-hour ozone nonattainment area; see above for direct final rule)73 FR 24515(5/5/08). South Dakota and Wyoming (interstate transport of pollution; see above for direct final rule)73 FR 26059(5/8/08).
EPA entered into a proposed administrative settlement under CERCLA for recovery of past and projected future response costs that requires settling parties to reimburse $56,250 to both the United States and the state of New Hampshire concerning the Elite Laundry Superfund site in Jaffrey, New Hampshire.73 FR 26111(5/8/08).
The federal agencies issued their semiannual regulatory agendas providing specific information on the status of regulations under development and revision. Rulemaking actions are grouped according to prerulemaking, proposed rules, final rules, long-term actions, and rulemaking actions completed since the December 2007 agenda. (5/5/08).
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers initiated revisions to theEconomic and Environmental Principles and Guidelines for Water and Related Land Resources Implementation Studiesand requested suggested changes.73 FR 26086(5/8/08).
FWS initiated a 12-month status review of the white-tailed prairie dog to determine whether listing under the ESA is warranted.73 FR 24910(5/6/08).
FWS announced a 90-day finding on a petition to list the Lake Sammamish kokanee as a threatened or endangered species under the ESA; the Agency found that listing may be warranted and initiated a 12-month status review.73 FR 24915(5/6/08).
FWS proposed designating 1,330,000 acres in Avoyelles, East Carroll, Catahoula, Concordia, Franklin, Iberia, Iberville, Madison, Pointe Coupee, Richland, St. Martin, St. Mary, Tensas, West Carroll, and West Feliciana parishes, Louisiana, as critical habitat for the Louisiana black bear.73 FR 25354(5/6/08).
FWS announced a 90-day finding on a petition to list the San Francisco Bay-Delta population of the longfin smelt as endangered under the ESA; the Agency found that listing may be warranted and initiated a 12-month status review.73 FR 24911(5/6/08).
United States v. Sun State Builders, Inc., No. 2:08-CV-00816-HRH (D. Ariz. Apr. 29, 2008). A settling CAA defendant that violated dust control regulations in Maricopa County, Arizona, must pay a $106,000 civil penalty and must implement measures designed to abate fugitive dust emissions.73 FR 26146(5/8/08).
United States v. Teledyne Technologies Inc., No. 3:08-cv-1085 (N.D. Ohio Apr. 29, 2008). Settling CERCLA defendants must pay $525,000 for past response costs incurred by the U.S. Navy and must perform further response actions necessary to achieve regulatory closure for releases of hazardous substances at the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant in Toledo, Ohio.73 FR 25031(5/6/08).
United States v. ASARCO LLC, No. 6:08-CV-00030 DWM (D. Mont. Apr. 25, 2008). Settling CERCLA defendants must pay $16 million to the state of Montana for response action and natural resource restoration, must pay $1 million to the Forest Service for expected response costs, and must allow a general unsecured claim of $19,771,554 for additional response action and restoration work by the state and $228,446 for past response costs by the Forest Service concerning the Mike Horse site in Lewis and Clark County, Montana.73 FR 24612(5/5/08).
S. 2457 (land lease extensions), which provides for extensions of leases of certain land by Mashantucket Pequot (Western) Tribe, was signed into law by President Bush on May 8, 2008. Pub. L. No. 110-228, 154 Cong. Rec. D569 (daily ed. May 8, 2008).
S. 2739 (Northern Mariana Islands), which authorizes certain programs and activities in the DOI, the Forest Service, and the DOE; implements further the Act approving the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States of America; and amends the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003, was signed into law by President Bush on May 8, 2008. Pub. L. No. 110-229. D569 (daily ed. May 8, 2008).
H. Res. 1175 (energy)was reported by the Committee on Rules. H. Rep. No. 110-622, 154 Cong. Rec. H3108 (daily ed. May 6, 2008). The resolution would provide for consideration of the Senate amendments to the bill (H.R. 3221) moving the United States toward greater energy independence and security, developing innovative new technologies, reducing carbon emissions, creating green jobs, protecting consumers, increasing clean renewable energy production, modernizing our energy infrastructure, and providing tax incentives for the production of renewable energy and energy conservation.
S. 2970 (Reid, D-Nev.) (drinking water utilities)would enhance the ability of drinking water utilities in the United States to develop and implement climate change adaptation programs and policies. 154 Cong. Rec. S3742 (daily ed. May 2, 2008). The bill was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 2973 (Domenici, R-N.M.) (energy security)would promote the energy security of the United States. 154 Cong. Rec. S3742 (daily ed. May 2, 2008). The bill was read the first time.
S. 2974 (Allard, R-Colo.) (Arkansas Valley Conduit)would provide for the construction of the Arkansas Valley Conduit in the state of Colorado. 154 Cong. Rec. S3742 (daily ed. May 2, 2008). The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S. 2991 (Reid, D-Nev.) (energy prices)would provide energy price relief and hold oil companies and other entities accountable for their actions with regard to high energy prices. 154 Cong. Rec. S3891 (daily ed. May 7, 2008). The bill was read the first time.
S. 2994 (Levion, D-Mich.) (Federal Water Pollution Control Act) would amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to provide for the remediation of sediment contamination in areas of concern. 154 Cong. Rec. S3975 (daily ed. May 8, 2008). The bill was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
H.R. 5964 (Gonzalez, D-Tex.) (CAA)would amend the CAA to extend the compliance period for persons subject to the renewable fuel mandate in the years 2008, 2009, and 2010. 154 Cong. Rec. H3050 (daily ed. May 5, 2008). The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 5999 (Hirono, D-Haw.) (National Tropical Botanical Garden)would authorize appropriations for the National Tropical Botanical Garden. 154 Cong. Rec. H3402 (daily ed. May 8, 2008). The bill was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
H.R. 6000 (Kucinich, D-Ohio) (energy taxes)would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose a windfall profit tax on oil and natural gas (and products thereof); allow an income tax credit for purchases of fuel-efficient passenger vehicles; and allow grants for mass transit. 154 Cong. Rec. H3402 (daily ed. May 8, 2008). The bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R. 6001 (Buyer, R-Ind.) (energy portfolio)would seek to rebalance the United States energy portfolio, increase and utilize the Nation's domestic energy resources and supply, and strengthen energy security and independence. 154 Cong. Rec. H3402 (daily ed. May 8, 2008). The bill was referred to the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, Armed Services, and Science and Technology.
H.R. 6006 (Bordallo, D-Guam) (mitigation programs)would amend title 10, U.S. Code, to authorize the Secretary of a military department, and the Secretary of Defense with respect to the Defense Agencies, to participate in conservation banking programs and in-lieu-fee mitigation programs. 154 Cong. Rec. H3402 (daily ed. May 8, 2008). The bill was referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
H.R. 6009 (English, R-Pa.) (domestic energy)would seek to leverage market forces to bring greater efficiency and capacity to domestic refineries and bring new sources of domestic energy to market. 154 Cong. Rec. H3402 (daily ed. May 8, 2008). The bill was referred to the Committees on Natural Resources, Energy and Commerce, the Judiciary, Ways and Means, and Foreign Affairs.
H.R. 6017 (Stupak, D-Mich.) (algal blooms)would ameliorate the effects of harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes by reducing phosphorus inputs. 154 Cong. Rec. H3402 (daily ed. May 8, 2008). The bill was referred to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Energy and Commerce, and Natural Resources.

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