Worldwide: Clean Air / Pollution

Federal agencies advance controversial oil and gas leasing proposals while communities grapple with industrial chemical emergencies and legal battles over dam decommissioning. Meanwhile, courts reshape environmental protections as lawsuits challenge EPA regulations on waste incinerators and drinking water fluoride standards.

On May 1, 2026, the Office of Administrative Law approved and filed regulations accompanying California’s Senate Bill 54 (SB 54). The regulations were effective as of the May 1 filing date.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is seeking stakeholder input on the upcoming renewal of its Stormwater Construction General Permit, which governs discharge from construction activities across the state. With the current permit set to expire in March 2028, TCEQ is engaging stakeholders early in the drafting process to gather feedback that could significantly impact design requirements, compliance obligations, and operational costs for construction projects disturbing one or more acres of land.

While federal environmental laws provide a foundational framework, much of the real enforcement action happens at the state level.

California’s SB 54, or the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, is a so called “Extended Producer Responsibility” (EPR) law aimed at reducing plastic waste and shifting the cost...

The EPA has added microplastics and pharmaceuticals to its draft Sixth Contaminant Candidate List under the Safe Drinking Water Act, marking a significant shift in federal drinking water priorities. Meanwhile, states await EPA's response to a 2024 petition requesting certain PFAS compounds be designated as hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act, with the statutory deadline potentially missed. New Mexico has implemented comprehensive PFAS labeling requirements that extend beyond its existing report

In this blog series, we have explored the challenges facing data center development. As the industry continues its rapid expansion, regulators at all levels of government are struggling...

A federal court in California examined whether pollution exclusions in commercial insurance policies bar coverage for environmental claims arising from equine operations.

On March 2, 2026, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) released a discussion document proposing revisions to its 1990 Noise Policy (the Policy)....