PFAS Perspectives

The Authority

(by Michael Korns and Amanda Brosy)

Municipal authorities and other public entities in Pennsylvania have long been familiar with the weight and burden of DEP and EPA mandates and regulations.  …

Environmental Alert

(by Matt Wood and Jean Mosites)

On April 17, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a pre-publication version of its long-anticipated final rule designating perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and their salts and structural isomers, as “hazardous substances” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).  …

Environmental Alert

(by Jean Mosites and Mackenzie Moyer)

On April 10, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) Rule regulating six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Safe Drinking Water Act, 42 U.S.C. …

Environmental Alert

(By Joseph Schaeffer and Sloane Wildman)

On March 21, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an opinion in Inhance Technologies, L.L.C. …

(By Amanda Brosy, Matt Wood, and Jessica Deyoe)

On March 20, 2024, the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works held a hearing entitled “Examining PFAS as Hazardous Substances.” Panelists included:

• The Honorable James Kenney, Secretary, New Mexico Department of Environment
• Kate Bowers, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division, Congressional Research Service
• Scott Faber, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Environmental Working Group
• Michael D.

…

Environmental Alert

(by Sloane Anders Wildman and Jessica Deyoe)

On February 8, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published two proposed rules to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants under the authority of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). …

EPA has released a much-anticipated test method to measure volatile, nonpolar fluorinated compounds, such as PFAS, in air emissions, including compounds that are products of incomplete combustion or incomplete destruction, a method that could help implement the pending update to EPA’s PFAS destruction and disposal guidance, which is undergoing White House review. …

Environmental Alert

(By Matt Wood)

On December 14, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its Second Annual Progress Report to its 2021 PFAS Strategic Roadmap, summarizing updates on the agency’s actions and goals to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS.  …

Environmental Alert

(By Joseph Schaeffer and Jessica Deyoe)

In a final rule published in the Federal Register this Halloween, which we previewed at the time of proposal, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) increased the reporting requirements for per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other chemicals of special concern under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know-Act, 42 U.S.C. …

Environmental Alert

(by Kip Power and Matt Wood)

At the end of August 2023, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) began sending letters to facilities that the agency believes may be subject to new requirements to report production or use of specific per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).  …

Attorney Matt Wood will be a co-panelist for “PFAS” during the 2023 WV Brownfields & Main Street Conference, September 12-14, 2023. For more information, click here.

Environmental Alert

(by Matt Wood and Mackenzie Moyer)

On June 23, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule updating the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) chemical list to add nine more per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).   …

Smart Business

(By Adam Burroughs featuring Jean Mosites)

Fluorinated chemicals, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are a large and diverse family of chemical compounds used in myriad consumer, commercial and industrial products. …

Pittsburgh Business Times

(By Jean Mosites)

We all use them: consumer electronics, textiles, paper packaging, nonstick cookware, chrome plating, paints, varnishes, and stain repellents for carpeting and upholstery. However, such products – and the manufacturing processes used to make them – have incorporated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, manufactured chemicals that have been associated with various health and environmental impacts. …

Environmental Alert

(By Matt Wood and Mackenzie Moyer)

West Virginia is one among many states developing new laws and regulations related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). On March 28, 2023, Governor Jim Justice signed House Bill 3189, also known as the PFAS Protection Act (the Act), into law.  …