You may not know this, but November 15th is America Recycles Day. It’s not exactly a holiday, but it is a day where US EPA recognizes how important recycling has become, especially to our economy (681,000 jobs, $37.8 billion in annual wages, $5.5 billion in taxes based on 2012 EPA data) and in protecting the […]
President Biden Signs Historic Climate Change Bill
On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act into law. The Act, which took the better part of a year and a half to negotiate, targets a number of issues, including climate change. Its sweeping plans to tackle climate change—which include including almost $370 billion in spending on climate change and clean-energy […]
NYSDEC Unveils Paint Recycling Program in New York State
A new paint recycling program beginning May 1 in New York State invites households, schools, and businesses to recycle leftover paint, stain, and varnish conveniently and sustainably. The program is operated by PaintCare, a nonprofit organization created by the paint industry through the American Coatings Association (ACA) to manage leftover paint in states that have […]
New York State Birding
Birding is a fun activity that everyone can enjoy! From Montauk to Buffalo, New York is home to a vast array of amazing habitat that supports over 450 different bird species. Birding, or birdwatching, is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities that can be enjoyed by all ages and experiences, plus it’s a […]
The New ASTM E1527-21 Standard Practice for Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESA)
On November 1, 2021, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) approved a new standard for conducting Phase I Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs), known as “E1527-21 – Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process.” The new standard makes significant modifications to the previous ASTM Phase I Standard Practice (E1527-13) […]
Environmental Due Diligence: Do Your Homework before You Buy
Every now and then we’re visited by a new client who discovers he bought contaminated property and needs legal help. In almost all of these cases, our client bought the property without first getting advice from an environmental lawyer or conducting adequate environmental due diligence on the property. We’re always glad to help, but the […]
The New York State Food Donation & Food Scraps Recycling Law: What New York State Businesses Need to Know
Enacted in 2019, a primary objective of the New York State Food Donation & Food Scraps Recycling Law (the “Act”) is to regulate and promote the diversion of organics (wasted food, yard waste, biosolids, food processing waste, etc.) from disposal to beneficial uses. Effective January 1, 2022, businesses that generate an annual average of two […]
President Biden Sets Goal of 2030 to Make Half of New U.S. Vehicles Electric
Earlier this month, President Biden issued an Executive Order intended to make half of all new vehicles sold in 2030 electric, fuel cell or plug-in hybrid vehicles. Although not legally binding, this goal is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as the nation confronts the increasingly evident effects of climate change. To address climate change, […]
What To Do When You Discover Your Property May Have Been Contaminated
Today, federal, state and even local agencies in New York enforce environmental laws and regulations designed to help keep the environment clean. Companies find it makes good business sense to have sound environmental practices. There is a culture of environmental awareness and recognition that we should be protective of the environment. It wasn’t that long […]
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Modified Nationwide Permit Program for the Construction, Maintenance, Repair, and Removal of Utility Lines Goes into Effect on March 15, 2021
Nationwide permits provide a streamlined process for the Corps to authorize activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 that have no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. NWPs expire every five years, and the Corps typically reissues the permits […]