Your authoritative, multi-channel network for natural resources and environmental information since 1989 – by practioners for practitioners.

Environmental, Energy and Climate Change Law & Regulation Reporter

REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS

EPA Passes Rule Exempting Stormwater Discharges from Logging Roads from Clean Water Act NPDES Permitting Requirements31

PENALTIES AND SANCTIONS

Recent Investigations, Settlements, Penalties and Sanctions33

LAWSUITS FILED OR PENDING

U.S. Supreme Court Hears Two Clean Water Act Cases37

RECENT FEDERAL DECISIONS

Circuit Court of Appeals:

D.C. Circuit Holds EPA Reasonably Interpreted the Clean Air Act, Regulating Only Specific Pollutants39

Desert Citizens Against Pollution v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ___F.3d___, Case No. 11-1113 (D.C. Cir. Nov. 9, 2012).

D.C. Circuit Finds EPA’s Determination of Compliance with CAA Section 112(c)(6) Constitutes Legislative Rulemaking Subject to APA Require-

ments40

Sierra Club v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ___F.3d__, Case No. 11-1184 (D.C. Cir. Nov. 9, 2012).

Eleventh Circuit Finds District Court Lacked Jurisdiction to Enjoin a State Water Contract Dispute42

Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Fund, Inc. v. City of Atlanta, ___F.3d___, Case Nos. 10-10711, 10-10718 (11th Cir. Nov. 19, 2012).

District Court:

District Court Holds Materials Related to Regulatory Compliance May Not Be Protected from Disclosure in Compliance-Related Litigation44

Graff v. Haverhill North Coke Company, ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. 1:09-cv-670 (S.D. Ohio Nov. 13, 2012).

District Court Finds City’s Pre-Suit Settlement With State Agency Does Not Bar Subsequent Clean Water Act Citizen Suit46

Gulf Restoration Network v. City of Hattiesburg, ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. 2:12-CV-36-KS-MTP (S.D. Miss. Nov. 6, 2012).

District Court Denies Motion for Summary Judgment Against Defendants on the Basis of ‘Contributing’ to a 550-Gallon Fuel Oil Spill under RCRA48

National Exchange Bank and Trust v. Petro-Chemical Systems, Inc., ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. 11-CV-134 (E.D. Wisc., Dec. 3, 2012).

District Court Rejects Manufacturer’s Claim that Insurance Policies Covering Past Dumping of Hazardous Substances Gave Rise to Duty to Defend50

Ross Development Corp. v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co., ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. 2:08-3672-MBS (D. S.C. Nov. 15, 2012).

District Court Denies Request Compelling Discovery of CERCLA Litigant’s Finances while Permitting Discovery of Insurance Information53

Shulman v. Chromatex, Inc., ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. 3:CV-08-0229 (M.D. Penn. Nov. 13, 2012).

District Court Upholds Superfund Clean Up Plan—Finds Defendants Liable Even if Their Contribution Alone Would Not Have Incurred a Response

Action54

U.S. v. NCR Corp., ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. 10-C-910 (E.D. Wisc. Nov 21, 2012); U.S. v. NCR Corp., ___F.Supp.2d___, Case No. 10-C-910 (E.D. Wisc. Nov 23, 2012).