One of the key “non-scope considerations” commonly investigated during environmental due diligence for commercial property transfers is assessment of any lead impacts from lead-based paint (LBP) and lead dust. Although the use of LBP was banned in 1978, many structures constructed before that date retain LBP on surfaces. As that LBP deteriorates over time, it … Continue Reading
On June 16, Ohio Governor DeWine signed into law H.B. 168, which creates a “bona fide prospective purchaser” (BFPP) affirmative defense to liability for performing investigative or remedial activities that arise out of release or threatened release of hazardous substances. Ohio follows a number of other states that have similarly enacted a BFPP defense or … Continue Reading
In a little over a couple of months, the COVID-19 outbreak has dramatically altered the landscape of business. Companies are struggling to cope with massive uncertainty and an array of unforeseen challenges, including everything from supply chain and revenue disruptions caused by reduced consumer demand, to staffing shortages, travel restrictions, business closures, and other such … Continue Reading
The UK government has recently consulted on the future of minimum energy efficiency standards for non-domestic properties. If you are a UK landlord or tenant, and find the prospect of a minimum energy performance certification B somewhat eye-watering, then this consultation is critical reading for you. For more detailed information and a link to the … Continue Reading
A recent prosecution by the Environment Agency, where a company was ordered to pay £327,000, has highlighted potentially difficult issues for businesses in complying with the statutory waste duty of care. What is the Statutory Waste Duty of Care? All businesses generate waste of some description: from paper and kitchen waste in offices, to hazardous … Continue Reading
On February 14, 2019, the US Army Corps of Engineers and US EPA (Agencies) published in the Federal Register the proposed rule to revise the definition of “Waters of the United States,” the term that identifies the scope of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. The proposed rule is the second step in a two-part process … Continue Reading
Recent caselaw demonstrates that regulators are prepared to prosecute landlords as a direct result of their tenants’ unlawful waste operations. Landlords should consider this possibility when negotiating with prospective tenants and put in place reasonable safeguards to protect themselves. However, victims of fly-tipping may potentially face a similar risk of prosecution against which such safeguards … Continue Reading
In the past two weeks, U.S. District Courts in South Carolina and Washington issued decisions that dealt additional blows to the Trump Administration’s efforts to unravel the 2015 Obama-era “waters of the United States” rule (“Obama Rule”). In light of these rulings, the Obama Rule appears poised to remain effective in 22 states for at least … Continue Reading
When President Trump signed the omnibus spending bill on March 23, 2018, he also enacted the Brownfields Utilization, Investment, and Local Development Act of 2018 (BUILD Act) (not to be confused with the Better Utilization of Investments Leading to Development Act of 2018—yet another BUILD Act of 2018). Among the several provisions within the BUILD … Continue Reading
An important consideration for purchasers of US commercial property is establishing Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser (“BFPP”) liability protection to mitigate the risk of liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et. seq. Because the current owner of a property where a release of hazardous substances has occurred … Continue Reading
Shortly after being confirmed as the new US EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt appointed a Superfund Task Force to review the approximately 1,300 Superfund sites in the United States and make recommendations on how to improve and restructure the cleanup process. Administrator Pruitt observed that “many of these sites have been listed as Superfund sites for decades, some … Continue Reading
According to research published by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, more than one third of organisations required to complete a statement in compliance with the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 (“Act”) have failed to do so. Under section 54 of the Act, organisations that carry on business in the UK and have turnovers of £36 million or more … Continue Reading
The UK Government has published a Green Paper on Industrial Strategy, which identifies a number of challenges over the coming years, including: building on existing strengths and extending excellence into the future (with reference to the UK’s global reputation in industrial sectors – from automotive and aerospace to financial and professional services and the creative … Continue Reading
A common question that arises when performing environmental due diligence on commercial real estate is the degree to which the presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) should be investigated. In the case of ACMs, “what you don’t know can hurt you” and, therefore, the old axiom of “less is more” does not apply. This is especially true regarding asbestos not only … Continue Reading
Performing thorough environmental due diligence for commercial and industrial property acquisitions requires consideration of diverse risks to a prospective purchaser. Such diligence generally includes a Phase I environmental site assessment performed under ASTM Standard Practice E1527-13 (ASTM E1527-13), which is designed to investigate the possibility of hazardous substance or petroleum product releases at a commercial property—the presence of which … Continue Reading
The trading environment for Britain’s pubs has never been tougher. According to the Campaign for Real Ale, 29 pubs close every week in the UK, with pubs selling approximately a third of the number of pints that they used to sell in the late 1970s. Against this backdrop, insolvency practitioners need to be aware of … Continue Reading
In Asarco v. Union Pac. R.R. Co., 2014 U.S. App. LEXIS 15285 (8th Cir. 2014), the Eighth Circuit affirmed the lower court in Asarco LLC v. Union Pac. R.R. Co., 2013 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 108852 (D. Neb. Aug. 2, 2013), dismissing the contribution, breach of contract, and declaratory judgment claims brought by Asarco against Union Pacific … Continue Reading
How to comply with the vapor encroachment assessment required by ASTM Standard E1527-13 (ASTM E1527-13) has become a common question for Phase I Environmental Site Assessment users in search of satisfying the CERCLA all appropriate inquiry rules. As we reported in our prior frESH law blog post, unlike ASTM Standard E1527-05, the new ASTM E1527-13 … Continue Reading
On December 30, 2013, US EPA issued its final rule approving use of ASTM E 1527-13 Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments to satisfy the All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) requirements under CERCLA Section 101(35)(B). The rule is effective immediately. As expected and reported in our prior frESH law blog, US EPA clarified that “today’s rule … Continue Reading
On October 29, 2013, as expected and reported in our prior frESH law blog, USEPA withdrew its August 15, 2013 direct final rule that had approved the use of new ASTM Standard E 1527-13 to satisfy the All Appropriate Inquiry (“AAI”) requirements. The withdrawal was triggered by adverse comments, some of which expressed concern over … Continue Reading
Due to adverse comments received prior to the September 16, 2013 comment deadline, USEPA is expected to soon withdraw its August 15, 2013 direct final rule approving use of new ASTM Standard E 1527-13, “Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process” to satisfy the All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) requirements. In … Continue Reading
On August 15, 2013, USEPA published a direct final rule in the Federal Register approving use of new ASTM Standard E 1527-13, “Standard Practice for Environmental Site Assessments: Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Process” to satisfy the All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) requirements under Section 101(35)(B) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and set forth in 40 CFR … Continue Reading
In the first appellate court ruling to address the post-closing obligations of a party asserting the Superfund bona fide prospective purchaser (BFPP) defense, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed that a South Carolina brownfields developer forfeited the defense because of its failure to exercise due care with regard to existing contamination. … Continue Reading
