Flag of California

California Suspends CEQA and CCA Requirements to Fastrack Rebuilding Efforts after Wildfires

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Jan. 12 issued an executive order in response to the devastating wildfires, suspending environmental reviews required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and permitting requirements under the California Coastal Act.

CEQA  requires for any “public project” — defined broadly as an action requiring a “public agency’s discretionary funding or approval that has the potential to either (1) cause a direct physical change in the environment or (2) cause a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment” — that …

Continue Reading
Scientist-with-beaker

EPA Removes Toxic Substances Control Act Exemptions for PFAS

The Environmental Protection Agency announced Dec. 4 finalized amendments on the regulation of new chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

Specifically, the EPA targeted stricter regulations of certain exemptions under the TCSA for PFAS and PBT chemicals. As our blog has previously reported, the challenges surrounding the manufacturing of PFAS and PFAS PBT chemicals continue to steadily increase.

The EPA through the TCSA review program acts as a “gatekeeper” for the manufacture of “new chemicals” (i.e. chemicals not presently listed in the …

Continue Reading