DC Court of Appeals Rules NEPA is Unenforceable

A recent ruling from the DC Court of Appeals found that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) does not grant the authority to pass binding regulations. As a result, decades of regulations are now thrown up in the air, since rulings made under NEPA have been treated as legally binding up to this point. This could result in substantially more litigation, and could set up a fight in the Supreme Court that may result in further limits to the power of administrative agencies like the EPA.

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Hershey’s Faces Allegations of PFAS in Candy Wrapping

Hershey’s is facing a federal lawsuit that has accused it of having wrappers containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This has resulted in Hershey’s candy containing elevated levels of these potentially dangerous “forever chemicals.” This is particularly concerning given the popularity of these products with children, who may be at increased risk of health problems from PFAS exposure. 

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EPA Announces Stricter Standards for Lead Paint Dust

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that it is finalizing new standards to help protect people from exposure to lead paint dust. The new rules create stricter standards for homes built prior to 1978, as well as childcare facilities, to ensure they are free of lead paint. This is intended to protect people, particularly children, from the dangers of lead poisoning.

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USSC Blocks “Good Neighbor” Air Pollution Rule

In a recent decision, the United States Supreme Court has blocked the enforcement of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “good neighbor” rule. The rule was meant to help prevent “downwind” pollution where one state’s emissions caused pollution in another state. As a result of this ruling, however, the EPA’s authority will be much more limited, and polluting states will be more free to continue their current activities without limiting emissions.

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Proposed EPA Rule Would Limit Exposure to NMP

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently announced a new proposed rule that would limit the use of n-methylpyrrolidone (NMP), a chemical used for a number of industrial and commercial purposes. This chemical has been associated with a number of negative health effects, some of which are potentially fatal. The new rule is intended to protect both industrial workers who may be exposed to the chemical in the workplace, as well as consumers who might be exposed to it due to accidental contamination.

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ExxonMobil to Pay $725m in Benzene Cancer Case

A Philadelphia jury has ruled in favor of a plaintiff who sued ExxonMobil for exposure to benzene and other carcinogens while he was working for them, which he said caused him to develop leukemia. The jury awarded him $725 million, one of the largest such verdicts awarded to a single plaintiff. ExxonMobil says it will appeal the verdict, calling it “irrational” and saying that they are reviewing their options for appeal.

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