Source: https://elr.info/weekly-update-archives/41/32
Timestamp: 2019-09-15 13:11:18
Document Index: 663504482

Matched Legal Cases: ['§402', '§107', '§113', '§113', '§107', '§107', '§22', '§22', '§113', '§702', '§720', '§728', '§2', '§114', '§36']

Weekly Update Volume 41, Issue 32 | Environmental Law Reporter
Weekly Update Volume 41, Issue 32
The Tenth Circuit affirmed a lower court decision dismissing a lawsuit challenging the Forest Service's approval of a ski area improvement project near Aspen, Colorado. A conservation group alleged that the Forest Service violated NEPA by approving the project without examining certain cumulative effects--namely, effects on water resources, endangered fish, forest habitats, and other resources--and without assessing the impacts of the construction of a new village as a cumulative action. But except for the issue of water depletion, the group failed to exhaust its claims at the administrative level. Claims cannot be "only vaguely and cryptically referred to, if at all, during the administrative appeal." Here, the group merely included its claims in long lists without expounding on the significance of the proposed impacts, or it described them vaguely as "other impacts." And although it did exhaust the water depletion issue, it failed to properly preserve it before the lower court. In fact, the group gave minimal, if any, attention in the lower court to the claims they raised on appeal. Ark Initiative v. United States Forest Service, No. 10-1473, 41 ELR 20336 (10th Cir. Nov. 8, 2011).
A district court upheld the U.S. Forest Service's environmental review of a coal mine expansion project in the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests. An environmental group argued that the final EIS failed to adequately consider methane capture and flaring as reasonable alternatives to venting or as potential mitigation measures. But the Forest Service consulted with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the agency with final authority over mine safety issues, regarding a proposed flaring system, and the MSHA concluded that there were too many unanswered questions to render it an approvable alternative to venting. In addition, the Forest Service concluded that capture of the methane was not feasible because of the legal complexities involved in leasing the gas and the logistical and economic challenges involved in putting the methane to beneficial use. Accordingly, it was reasonable for the Forest Service to conclude that flaring and methane capture was impractical. And because the Forest Service did not act arbitrarily and capriciously in ruling out flaring and capture as feasible alternatives, it was reasonable for it not to provide an extended discussion of these methods as possible mitigation measures. The group also argued that the final EIS failed to adequately analyze the cumulative impacts of methane venting on climate change. The Forest Service stated that it could not provide an estimate of the project's impact on global climate change because of the lack of appropriate models and research. Because the group failed to identify any method that would enable the Forest Service to describe with particularity how the project would contribute to overall climate change, the group failed to carry its burden to show that the Forest Service's actions were arbitrary and capricious. WildEarth Guardians v. United States Forest Service, No. 08–cv–02167, 41 ELR 20338 (D. Colo. Oct. 31, 2011) (Krieger, J.).
WATER, CLEAN WATER ACT:
A district court denied a sand and gravel company's motion to dismiss environmental and citizen groups' CWA action against it for discharging stormwater associated with industrial activity from one or more point sources at its facility to a river without a NPDES permit. The company argued that the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction because the CWA does not include facilities with the SIC code of the type it operates. It claimed that the facility is not an industrial facility under the CWA; rather, it is a distribution facility that simply stockpiles processed materials for a short period of time until they can be distributed to various concrete batch plants or sold to a third party. Thus, none of the stored materials are raw material subject to industrial stormwater permitting under the CWA. But based on the parties' arguments and evidentiary support, the court was unable to determine at this stage of the litigation whether the facility is or is not an industrial facility. Neither CWA §402(p) nor its implementing regulations plainly and unambiguously require that the facility at issue be classified under a particular SIC group. California Sportsfishing Protection Alliance v. Shamrock Materials, Inc., No. C11–2565, 41 ELR 20337 (N.D. Cal. Nov. 2, 2011) (James, J.).
A district court granted in part and denied in part the government's motion to dismiss a company's action for damages and declaratory relief in connection with dioxin contamination at the Centredale Manor Superfund site in Connecticut. The government argued that the company could not bring a CERCLA §107(a) claim for cost recovery because, pursuant to administrative settlements it has entered into with EPA, §113(f) contribution is the company's exclusive remedy. But the company did bring a §113(f) action, and it is entitled to plead a §107 claim in the alternative to ensure that it will be able to recover for its cleanup efforts at the site. Accordingly, the court denied the government's motion to dismiss the §107 claim. The court, however, granted the government's motion to dismiss the company's equitable indemnity claim. Regardless of whether its claim sounds in tort or contract, the company failed to show a waiver of sovereign immunity. The court, therefore, lacks jurisdiction. In addition, the court dismissed without prejudice the company's right to assert divisibility. Emhart Industries, Inc. v. United States Department of the Air Force, No. 11-023, 41 ELR 20334 (D.R.I. Oct. 31, 2011) (Smith, J.).
HAZARDOUS & SOLID WASTE, CONTRACT LAW:
The Court of Federal Claims held that the U.S. government is liable for costs an oil company incurred cleaning up contamination stemming from the production of aviation gasoline at its Baytown, Texas, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, refineries during World War II. In the early 1940s, the company's predecessors entered into contracts with the government to sell the "avgas" directly to the United States. The contracts require the government to pay for any new or additional "taxes, fees, or charges" that the companies may be required to pay in connection with its production, manufacture, sale, or delivery of avgas. In the 1980s and 1990s, Louisiana and Texas ordered the company to clean up the site. The company therefore filed suit against the federal government for reimbursement of its cleanup costs. The government claimed that its liability only covers costs incurred during the performance of the contract. But the court disagreed. The timing of the cleanup charges has no bearing on the government's liability to cover costs that are causally related to avgas production. The very purpose of the contract clause at issue was to remove the potential risks any reasonable producer would be reluctant to take on. To now argue that the guarantee was limited in time while the risks are now doing damage is inconsistent with the whole purpose of the clause. Exxon Mobil Corp. v. United States, Nos. 09-265C, -882C, 41 ELR 20335 (Fed. Cl. Oct. 31, 2011) (Smith, J.).
EPA delegated authority to West Virginia to implement and enforce NESHAP and new source performance standards. 76 FR 69268 (11/8/11).
EPA determined that the coal-fired Portland generating station in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, is emitting air pollutants that impact New Jersey in violation of the interstate transport provisions of the CAA and established limitations and compliance schedules to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions. 76 FR 69052 (11/7/11).
SIP Approvals: California (volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions for the San Joaquin Valley unified air pollution control district) 76 FR 69135 (11/8/11); (partial approval of attainment of the 1997 fine particulate matter (PM) NAAQS for the San Joaquin Valley nonattainment area) 76 FR 69896 (11/9/11); (partial approval of attainment of the 1997 fine PM NAAQS for the Los Angeles-South Coast nonattainment area) 76 FR 69928 (11/9/11). Virginia (expiration of nitrogen oxide (NOx) budget trading program) 76 FR 68638 (11/7/11).
SIP Proposals: Alabama (attainment of the 1997 fine PM NAAQS for the Birmingham nonattainment area) 76 FR 70078 (11/10/11); (attainment of the 2006 24-hour fine PM NAAQS for the Birmingham nonattainment area) 76 FR 70091 (11/10/11). Pennsylvania (conditional approval of attainment of the 1997 fine PM NAAQS for the Liberty-Clairton nonattainment area) 76 FR 68699 (11/7/11). Utah (regional haze and fire strategy programs) 76 FR 69217 (11/8/11). Virginia (expiration of NOx budget trading program: see above for direct final rule) 76 FR 68698 (11/7/11); (VOCs from consumer and commercial products) 76 FR 69214 (11/8/11).
EPA entered into a proposed administrative settlement under CERCLA that requires the settling parties to pay $45,300 in U.S. response costs incurred at the Tracy Lead Battery Superfund site in Tracy, Minnesota. 76 FR 69733 (11/9/11).
EPA announced a final NPDES general permit for point source discharges from the application of pesticides to waters of the United States. 76 FR 68750 (11/7/11).
EPA Region 10 issued effluent limits for six substances under the NPDES general permit for oil and gas exploration, development, and production facilities in state and federal waters in Cook Inlet, Alaska. 76 FR 68749 (11/7/11).
EPA proposed to approve revisions to New Mexico's public water system supervision program. 76 FR 69734 (11/9/11).
United States v. Horne, No. 4:05-00497 (W.D. Mo. Oct. 28, 2011). Settling CERCLA defendants responsible for violations at the Armour Road Superfund site in Kansas City, Missouri, must pay 36.7% of estate assets toward U.S. response costs incurred at the site. 76 FR 70164 (11/10/11).
United States v. Williams Four Corners, LLC, No. 1:11-cv-02846 (D. Colo. Nov. 1, 2011). A settling CAA defendant responsible for leaks at the Ignacio Gas Plant and operating permit violations at the Ute E Compressor Station in La Plata County, Colorado, must pay a $50,000 civil penalty, must implement an enhanced leak detection and repair program at the Ignacio plant, and must obtain minor source permit coverage for the Ute E station. 76 FR 69285 (11/8/11).
United States v. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Co., No. 1:11-cv-01057-UNA (D. Del. Oct. 31, 2011). A settling CWA defendant responsible for violations at its titanium dioxide production facility in Edge Moor, Delaware, must pay a $500,000 civil penalty to the United States and Delaware and must perform a comprehensive engineering study of the wastewater treatment plant and its collection system. 76 FR 68788 (11/7/11).
S. 363 (land use), which would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to convey certain NOAA property to the city of Pascagoula, Mississippi, was passed by the Senate. 157 Cong. Rec. S7390 (daily ed. Nov. 10, 2011).
S. 363 (land use) was reported by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. 157 Cong. Rec. S7187 (daily ed. Nov. 8, 2011). The bill would authorize the Secretary of Commerce to convey certain property of NOAA to the city of Pascagoula, Mississippi.
S. 1810 (Feinstein, D-Cal.) (water) would authorize improvements to flood damage reduction facilities adjacent to the American and Sacramento Rivers near Sacramento, California. 157 Cong. Rec. S7155 (daily ed. Nov. 7, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 1812 (Begich, D-Alaska) (energy) would amend the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 2004 to promote the availability of natural gas to North American markets. 157 Cong. Rec. S7155 (daily ed. Nov. 7, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S. 1815 (Alexander, R-Tenn.) (air) would codify and delay the implementation of and compliance dates for a final rule relating to interstate transport of air pollution. 157 Cong. Rec. S7155 (daily ed. Nov. 7, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 1833 (Manchin, D-W. Va.) (governance) would provide additional time for compliance with, and coordination of, the compliance schedules for certain EPA rules. 157 Cong. Rec. S7294 (daily ed. Nov. 9, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 1836 (Menendez, D-N.J.) (water) would amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to clarify that the Act applies to certain incidents that occur in water beyond the exclusive economic zone of the United States. 157 Cong. Rec. S7294 (daily ed. Nov. 9, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
S. 1844 (Heller, R-Nev.) (land use) would ensure that Federal Register notices submitted to BLM are reviewed in a timely manner. 157 Cong. Rec. S7367 (daily ed. Nov. 10, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
S. 1845 (Wyden, D-Or.) (energy) would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for an energy investment credit for energy storage property connected to the grid. 157 Cong. Rec. S7367 (daily ed. Nov. 10, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Finance.
S. 1851 (Merkley, D-Or.) (energy) would authorize the restoration of the Klamath Basin and the settlement of the hydroelectric licensing of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project in accordance with the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement. 157 Cong. Rec. S7367 (daily ed. Nov. 10, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
H.R. 3365 (Lummis, R-Wyo.) (land use) would reauthorize the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act. 157 Cong. Rec. H7397 (daily ed. Nov. 4, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
H.R. 3374 (Reichert, R-Wash.) (energy) would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend and modify the credit for new qualified hybrid motor vehicles. 157 Cong. Rec. H7397 (daily ed. Nov. 4, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
H.R. 3377 (Amodei, R-Nev.) (land use) would designate the Pine Forest Range Wilderness area in Humboldt County, Nevada. 157 Cong. Rec. H7397 (daily ed. Nov. 4, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
H.R. 3379 (Berg, R-N.D.) (air) would amend the CAA to provide states increased flexibility in implementing standards through SIPs. 157 Cong. Rec. H7397 (daily ed. Nov. 4, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 3388 (Langevin, D-R.I.) (water) would amend the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act to designate a segment of the Beaver, Chipuxet, Queen, Wood, and Pawcatuck Rivers in the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island for study for potential addition to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 157 Cong. Rec. H7397 (daily ed. Nov. 4, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
H.R. 3389 (Markey, D-Mass.) (energy) would provide for the establishment of Clean Energy Consortia to promote the commercial application of clean energy technology. 157 Cong. Rec. H7397 (daily ed. Nov. 4, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
H.R. 3391 (Pingree, D-Me.) (toxic substances) would provide for the establishment of a national mercury monitoring program. 157 Cong. Rec. H7397 (daily ed. Nov. 4, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
H.R. 3393 (Rivera, R-Fla.) (hazardous & solid waste) would amend the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to impose penalties and provide for the recovery of removal costs and damages in connection with certain discharges of oil from foreign offshore units. 157 Cong. Rec. H7398 (daily ed. Nov. 4, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
H.R. 3394 (Linda T. Sanchez, D-Cal.) (energy) would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the energy credit for microturbine property. 157 Cong. Rec. H7398 (daily ed. Nov. 4, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
H.R. 3396 (Walsh, R-Ill.) (climate) would abolish the Office of Polar Programs of the National Science Foundation. 157 Cong. Rec. H7398 (daily ed. Nov. 4, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Appropriations.
H.R. 3398 (Thompson, D-Cal.) (energy) would authorize the restoration of the Klamath Basin and the settlement of the hydroelectric licensing of the Klamath Hydroelectric Project in accordance with the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement and the Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement Agreement. 157 Cong. Rec. H7405 (daily ed. Nov. 10, 2011). The bill was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The Department of Environmental Quality proposed to repeal Ariz. Admin. Code 18.2, Air Pollution Control. Changes would update the state's new source review rules to eliminate the "SIP gap." There will be a public hearing December 18, 2011, and the deadline for comment is January 12, 2012. See http://www.azsos.gov/public_services/Register/2011/44/proposed.pdf.
The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment added estrogen-progestogen used as menopausal therapy, etoposide, etoposide in combination with cisplatin and bleomycin, methyl isobutyl ketone, and MOPP (vincristine-prednisone-nitrogen mustard-procarbazine mixture) to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer. The listing took effect November 4, 2011. See http://www.oal.ca.gov/res/docs/pdf/notice/44z-2011.pdf (p. 1805).
The Department of Environmental Protection proposed to amend Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies §22a-174-22d, which would establish an intrastate nitrogen oxide (NOx) ozone season cap-and-trade program. The program would replace the Clean Air Interstate Rule NOx Ozone Season Trading Program, §22a-174-22c, which will sunset by federal action on December 31, 2011. There will be a public hearing December 15, 2011, and the deadline for written comment is December 16. See http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2586&Q=490070.
The Department of Environmental Protection proposed to amend 62 Fla. Admin. Code §113.100, Delegations. Changes would partially delegate the Environmental Resource Permit program from the Department of Environmental Protection to the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County. The delegation would make the Commission responsible for permitting, compliance, and enforcement of permit program applications and activities for such things as construction, alteration, operation, and removal of docks, seawalls, and individual, single-family residences in wetlands and other surface waters within Hillsborough County. The deadline for written comment is November 25, 2011. See https://www.flrules.org/Gateway/View_notice.asp?id=10583784.
The Environmental Protection Division released its NPDES Pesticide General Permit GAG820000, covering pesticide applications in or near waters of the state of Georgia. The permit became effective October 28, 2011. See http://www.georgiaepd.org/Documents/NPDESPesticideGeneralPermit.html.
The Pollution Control Board amended 35 Ill. Admin. Code §702, RCRA and UIC Permit Programs, and §§720-726 and §728, Hazardous Waste Management System. Changes update the regulations to correspond with U.S. EPA hazardous waste rules and make technical amendments. The amendments took effect October 14, 2011. See http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/register/register_volume35_issue45.pdf (pp. 17647-18330).
The Air Pollution Control Board temporarily amended 326 Ind. Admin. Code §§2.2, 2.3, & 2.7, concerning new source review provisions for particulate matter less than 2.5 microns and the deferral of carbon dioxide emissions from bioenergy and other biogenic sources. See http://www.in.gov/legislative/iac/20111109-IR-326110680ERA.xml.pdf.
The Department of Environmental Protection proposed to amend 06-096 Code Me. Regs. Ch. 305, Permit by Rule Standards, Section 20, concerning activities located in, on, or over high or moderate value inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat, or shorebird nesting, feeding, and staging areas. Changes would allow activities occurring in high- or moderate-value waterfowl and wading bird habitat to be eligible for a permit-by-rule. There will be a public hearing December 1, 2011, and the deadline for comment is December 12. See http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/notices/2011/110911.html.
The Department of Natural Resources amended Mont. Admin. Code 36.25, pertaining to the land banking program. Changes add a definition for "sale units" that can be made up of multiple parcels of land. See http://sos.mt.gov/arm/Register/archives/MAR2011/MAR11-21.pdf (pp. 2414-15).
The Commission on Environmental Quality proposed to add 30 Tex. Admin. Code §§§114.670 - 114.672, Natural Gas Vehicle Grant Program. The program would encourage eligible entities to replace on-road heavy-duty and medium-duty vehicles with natural gas vehicles and to replace on-road heavy-duty and medium-duty vehicle engines with natural gas engines. There will be a public hearing November 29, 2011, and the deadline for comment is December 5. See http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1104/1104is.pdf (pp. 7480-83).
The Commission on Environmental Quality proposed to add 30 Tex. Admin. Code §§36.1 - 36.8, Suspension or Adjustment of Water Rights During Drought or Emergency Water Shortage. The rule would implement recent action by the legislature to allow executive director to temporarily suspend or adjust water rights during times of drought or other emergency shortage of water. There will be a public hearing December 1, 2011, and the deadline for comment is December 5. See http://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/pdf/backview/1104/1104is.pdf (pp. 7463-68).
COURT FINES FRENCH ENERGY GIANT 1.5 MILLION EUROS
A French court has fined energy company EDF 1.5 million euros ($2 million) and jailed two staff members for hiring a security firm to spy on Greenpeace campaigners during an effort to build nuclear reactors. The court also awarded Greenpeace 500,000 euros ($700,000) in damages. The campaign targeted one of the European Pressurized Water Reactors, which is being built on the Normandy coast and is similar to the ones that EDF hopes to bring to the United Kingdom. EDF and its contractors tout the power and safety features of the reactors, but two in construction in Finland are behind schedule and over budget. Tom Burke, former head of Friends of the Earth UK, said that the future of EDF's plans to sell nuclear power to the world depends on Britain paying to build new reactors. EDF is expected to appeal the decision. For the full story, see http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15683090 and http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/nov/10/edf-spying-greenpeace.