Section Newsletters

Articles on Environmental Law

Regulatory developments in 2007 By Monica Rios Environmental and Natural Resources Law, September 2008 The Illinois Pollution Control Board (“Board”) was created by the Illinois Environmental Protection Act (“Act”) and is responsible under that Act for adopting many of the environmental regulations at force in the State of Illinois.
Reporting radioactive releases under the Environmental Protection Act By John VanVranken Environmental and Natural Resources Law, September 2008 In 2005 and 2006, there were numerous press reports concerning releases of radioactive tritium from the Braidwood Nuclear Power Plant and from other nuclear power plants in Illinois.
Discarded materials revisited: A case review of Northern Illinois Service Company v. Illinois Environmental Protection Agency By Lisle A. Stalter Environmental and Natural Resources Law, May 2008 We all knew that it would not be too long before a case came along looking at the Alternate Fuels opinion and its impact and implications on what constitutes waste and discarded materials.
Part Two: Federal Administrative Environmental Law - Permitting and Administrative Enforcement By Bertram C. Frey Environmental and Natural Resources Law, May 2008 Editor’s Note: This is the second part of a two-part series on Federal Administrative Law in the environmental area by Bert Frey, Deputy Regional Counsel for Region 5 of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Nicole Wood from Bert’s staff.
Working towards more successful environmental mediation (pt. 2) By Kurt Kamrath Alternative Dispute Resolution, May 2008 In the initial part of this article, issues arising from the construction of an effective mediation process were explored in regards to environmental conflicts.
Part One: Federal Administrative Environmental Law - Rulemaking By Bertram C. Frey Environmental and Natural Resources Law, April 2008 Editor’s Note: In this issue, we are presenting the first of a two part series on Federal Administrative Law by Bert Frey, Deputy Regional Counsel for Region 5 of United States Environmental Protection Agency and Nicole Wood from Bert’s staff in the Regional Counsel office.
Radon disclosure now required for residential property sales By Raymond T. Reott Environmental and Natural Resources Law, April 2008 On January 1, 2008, the Illinois Radon Awareness Act (“the Act”) became effective.
Working towards more successful environmental mediation (Part 1) By Kurt Kamrath Alternative Dispute Resolution, April 2008 The practice of environmental mediation has numerous inherent benefits.
All Appropriate Inquiry at eight months: The more things change, the more they stay the same By Joseph R. Podlewski, Jr. Environmental and Natural Resources Law, March 2008 The impact of the federal “All Appropriate Inquiry” regulations (40 C.F.R. Part 312) on the environmental assessment industry was the subject of much discussion among environmental professionals following the publication of the final AAI rules in the Federal Register on November 1, 2005.
Insurance coverage for bankruptcy claims By Raymond T. Reott & Becky J. Schanz Environmental and Natural Resources Law, March 2008 When a company is in bankruptcy, the rules for pursuing environmental claims often drive governmental agencies and other parties to assert claims against the bankrupt entity.
Legislative update: Ten new Public Acts that affect general practice By J.A. Sebastian General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm, November 2007 The following is a summary of recent legislative action of interest to members of the ISBA General Practice, Solo, and Small Firm Section.
Guidance from above By Raymond T. Reott Environmental and Natural Resources Law, October 2007 In a recent decision, the Supreme Court clarified several issues under the Clean Water Act’s NPDES program as well as the Endangered Species Act and general issues related to agency action of all types.
U.S. Supreme Court leads PRPs back to §107(a) for cost recovery under CERCLA By Kyle Rominger Environmental and Natural Resources Law, October 2007 In a unanimous decision, the United States Supreme Court has ended recent uncertainty regarding cost recovery under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”).
Recent SEC enforcement of environmental financial disclosure By E. Lynn Grayson & Stephanie M. Ailor Corporate Law Departments, September 2007 In the past few months, the SEC has resolved a number of pending actions against corporate executives accused of engaging in improper environmental financial reporting.
Financial reporting 201: A review of key principles of environmental financial reporting By Chris Blume Environmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2007 Last year, this newsletter included an analysis of the key principles of financial reporting of environmental claims. This article provides a further update and a brief summary of the key concepts.
One final warning before we call security: The debut of chemical facility anti-terrorism standards By T.J. Hunter Environmental and Natural Resources Law, July 2007 Congress has authorized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to promulgate interim final regulations establishing risk based performance standards for the security of chemical facilities.
Illinois ethical release reporting dilemmas for environmental attorneys, engineers and geologists By Raymond T. Reott & Becky J. Schanz Environmental and Natural Resources Law, April 2007 This article will examine the confidentiality duties of Illinois attorneys and other environmental professionals with regards to the release reporting obligations.
Fear and loathing in the Wetlands: Murder on the Kumbaya Express—“It Ain’t That Pretty At All” By Thomas J. Immel Environmental and Natural Resources Law, February 2007 What is the environmental practitioner to do in advising a “wetlands” client after Rapanos?
Will EPA’s Administrative Order on Consent Satisfy the Procedural Requirements of Cooper v. Aviall? By Gene Schmittgens & Jessica Merrigan Environmental and Natural Resources Law, February 2007 Not only did the Court’s decision in Cooper Industries, Inc. v. Aviall Services, Inc. eliminate the availability of contribution under CERCLA following a voluntary cleanup, it also has the potential to significantly limit the right of contribution for parties that have “settled” or wish to “settle” liability in an administrative setting.
Delegation Agreements under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act By Lisle A. Stalter Environmental and Natural Resources Law, December 2006 The delegation agreement is a formal written agreement between the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and a unit of local government.
Recent decision addresses landlord liability for lead-based paint hazard By T.J. Hunter Environmental and Natural Resources Law, December 2006 Earlier this year the Fourth District of the Appellate Court of Illinois allowed tenants to pursue a private cause of action against a landlord and its agent even though the defendants had no knowledge of the presence of lead paint.
Insurance notice obligations Environmental and Natural Resources Law, September 2006 In the environmental area, many policyholders seek coverage under their comprehensive general liability (CGL) policies for environmental claims.
Supreme Court will hear global warming case Environmental and Natural Resources Law, September 2006 Just as this issue is going to press, the United States Supreme Court agreed to resolve the pending dispute related to the scope of USEPA’s regulatory powers with regard to carbon dioxide, one of the principle greenhouse gases emitted from motor vehicles.
U.S. EPA argues no implied right of contribution for PRPs under Section 107(a) of CERCLA By Joseph R. Podlewski, Jr. Environmental and Natural Resources Law, September 2006 In the October, 2005 issue of the newsletter, we reported on the case of Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago v. Lake River Corp., 365 F. Supp. 2d 913 (N.D. Ill. 2005).
Do you want fries with that? Biodiesel regulation in America By Christine LeBel Environmental and Natural Resources Law, June 2006 Your local greasy spoon might provide a partial solution to the problem of U. S. dependence on foreign oil. New state and local laws are helping, including an Illinois law just signed last year.
Financial reporting for environmental claims By Chris Blume Environmental and Natural Resources Law, June 2006 Editor’s Note: As federal courts convict the participants in the various financial scandals that rocked the corporate and financial accounting worlds the last several years, there also will be increased attention on the reporting of environmental liabilities.
Extension of “arranger” liability to suppliers of dry-cleaning equipment By Jorge Mihalopoulos Environmental and Natural Resources Law, May 2006 In two unrelated suits, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court both recently addressed whether dry-cleaners could compel their equipment suppliers to share the costs of cleaning up contamination discovered at the drycleaners’ former facilities.
Pollution Control Board rules, January 2006 By Kathleen M. Crowley & Marie E. Tipsord Environmental and Natural Resources Law, May 2006 The normally somewhat staid subject of rulemaking before the Illinois Pollution Control Board became Chicago Tribune front-page news January 5, 2006.
General Assembly expands IEPA’s powers and public notice duties By Jorge Mihalopoulos Environmental and Natural Resources Law, February 2006 On July 25, 2005, Governor Rod Blagojevich signed into law Public Act 94-0314, which makes several amendments to the Illinois Environmental Protection Act (“Act”).
Reconsidering environmental considerations in commercial real estate transactions—2006: New alternatives and new opportunities for clients By William J. Anaya Environmental and Natural Resources Law, February 2006 Environmental cleanup liability has been a consideration in commercial real estate transactions for the past two and one-half decades, but the law’s response to that stimulus has changed significantly in just the past few years.

Select a Different Subject