Source: ENR By Pam Hunter The Environmental Protection Agency on Nov. 9 issued a subpoena to oil-field services contractor Halliburton for failing to provide information the agency needs to complete its congressionally mandated study on hydraulic fracturing, or “hydrofracking.” Eight other hydrofracking firms that received voluntary information requests in September agreed to submit “timely and […]

The November 22, 2010 issue of National Underwriter featured Jeff Slivka’s article entitled, “Traditional E&O Risks Emerge From Sustainable Construction.”  The article focuses on green construction, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and the risks related to these and other green initiatives.  To read Jeff’s article, click here.

Click below to read the latest issue of The Environmental Advisor from the Environmental Division of Great American Insurance Group.  This issue includes the following: Biographies of some of Great American’s expert team members A discussion of Great American’s partnership with Cura Emergency Services (CES) and the 24/7/365 access that this partnership offers to Great […]

Publication Date 11/20/2010 Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said today that it will remove and replace soil at 11 schools and 16 child-care and Head Start centers in St. Francois County due to elevated levels of toxic lead in the soil. The removal is expected to protect more than 5,300 […]

Publication Date 11/23/2010 Source: Boston Globe, The (MA) Trooper died after hitting handrails; Official had been told of possible risks The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and several other defendants have agreed to pay $9 million to the family of a state trooper who died when his motorcycle slammed into Big Dig handrails, whose design has been […]

Publication Date 11/24/2010 Source: Miami Herald (FL) Drywall manufacturer Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin agreed this week to pay to repair dozens of houses in Homestead that were part of a class-action suit over Chinese drywall — and cover their attorneys’ fees and other expenses. And the homeowners won’t have to pay back the manufacturer if less than […]

Acknowledgement to XL Environmental By Bob Hallenbeck, SVP, Sales & Marketing, Environmental Group Since the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1988, almost 200 military bases have been shuttered, mothballed, closed. Fortunately, while the military activities has long ceased, many closed military bases have not sat idle. Closed Bergstrom Air Force Base, near Austin, […]

Acknowledgement to XL Environmental By MaryAnn Susavidge, Executive Managing Underwriter, Environmental As Deepwater Horizon was added to the list of names — Exxon Valdez, Bhopal, Love Canal — synonymous with environmental disasters, businesses received a stark reminder that their activities have the potential to incur environmental liabilities. While they may have made a mental note of […]

Publication Date 11/20/2010 Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Friday it will remove and replace lead-contaminated soil around 11 schools and 16 child care and Head Start centers in St. Francois County. The soil removal is expected to protect more than 5,300 children in Park Hills, Bonne Terre and Desloge […]

Publication Date 11/22/2010 Source: BestWire Services Energy and environmental insurers are eagerly eyeing an emerging energy boom: the development of the Marcellus shale natural gas area. “It’s a major, major find that I think will impact the energy market not only locally, but globally,” said Chris Moscardelli, director of Societe Generale’s energy project finance group. […]

Publication Date 11/21/2010 Source: Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA) A former Monticello circuit boards manufacturer pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court Thursday for storing toxic waste and dumping the waste into Kitty Creek. Gene Riddle, 74, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of violation of the Clean Water Act, and also pleaded guilty on behalf of […]

Publication Date 11/12/2010 Source: Daily Gazette (Sterling, IL) Nov. 12–DIXON — The substance found in the Lancaster gym at Dixon High School is asbestos, officials confirmed Thursday. The 51-year-old gym, closed since the discovery Monday, will remain off-limits until the problem is solved — however that may be. Air-monitoring devices will be installed. Other than […]