Source: http://www.lexology.com, April 17, 2015 By: Scott Murphy, Barnes & Thornburg LLP The California Supreme Court has expanded the number of parties who can assert claims against architects. In Beacon Residential Community Association v. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, 327 P.3d 850; 173 Cal.Rptr.3d 752 (2014), the Supreme Court held that architectural firms owe a duty […]

Source: http://theenergycollective.com, March 24, 2015 No sooner had the Interior Department released new fracking rules for public lands on Friday than industry groups announced a lawsuit to halt what they called “a reaction to unsubstantiated concerns.” The new regulations pertain to hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas on about 756 million acres of federal and […]

Source: The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), April 19, 2015 Posted on: http://envfpn.advisen.com A state judge in Covington has dismissed Abita Springs’ lawsuit aimed at blocking the proposed oil drilling and fracking project about 4 miles outside town. Siding with Helis Oil & Gas Co. and the state Office of Conservation, Judge William Knight ruled Wednesday […]

Source: Guardian Web, April 19, 2015 Posted on: http://envfpn.advisen.com A bill supported by energy companies that prevents cities and counties from banning the practice of fracking on their land has been passed by the first tier of state legislators in Texas and is on course to become law. The proposed law would stop municipalities and […]

Source: Times Record (Fort Smith, AR), April 18, 2015 Posted on: http://envfpn.advisen.com A proposed class-action lawsuit against Whirlpool was dismissed this week after a settlement was reached with plaintiffs whose property was devalued by groundwater contamination. U.S. District Court Judge P.K. Holmes III on Wednesday granted a motion to dismiss filed by Rogers attorney Kenneth […]

Source: http://www.lexology.com, April 15, 2015 By: Jeanine L.G. Grachuk, Beveridge & Diamond PC Two Massachusetts municipalities are down but not out in their attempts to hold manufacturers of PCBs responsible for the environmental effects of PCB-containing products decades later.  In March, the Federal court in Boston issued several opinions involving claims bought by towns against […]

Source: http://alextimes.com, April 16, 2015 By: Chris Teale The planned cleanup of two leaking underground oil storage tanks at the former GenOn coal-fired power plant in North Old Town reached a vital stage last month as the proposed Corrective Action Plan was approved with some additional requirements and clarifications requested by the Virginia Department of […]

Source: http://www.timesunion.com, April 15, 2015 By: Brian Nearing Walgreens is under state pressure to fund removal of pollution The state is planning steps to compel Walgreens, a national pharmacy chain, to support a state-proposed $500,000 cleanup of underground chemical pollution from a former dry cleaners at a busy Loudonville intersection. Walgreens has owned the property, a […]

Source: http://host.madison.com, April 15, 2015 By: Jeff Glaze Dane County officials will require a Canada-based company to carry special pollution insurance in order to gain permits for planned upgrades to a pipeline running through the county. The Dane County Zoning and Land Committee’s unanimous decision follows a consultant’s recommendation that the county require Enbridge Energy […]

Source: http://www.insurancejournal.com, April 16, 2015 By: Travis Loller Two environmental groups claim toxic pollution from a Gallatin, Tenn., power plant is seeping into the Cumberland River and state regulators are not doing enough to stop it. The allegations are part of a lawsuit filed in federal court on Tuesday against the Tennessee Valley Authority. The […]

Source: http://www.scnow.com, April 13, 2015 By: Sammy Fretwell Evidence that Duke Energy’s power plant site near Hartsville is more contaminated than previously suspected continues to grow as state regulators, environmentalists and company officials learn more about the property. Records show that a coal ash waste pond at the H.B. Robinson plant contains about six times […]

Source: http://www.oedigital.com, April 14, 2015 By: Torgeir Willumsen and Terje Holte Analyses foresee 2015 as being the toughest year for drilling companies since 2009. On the back of falling oil prices, contractors are facing increased pressure as operators shift risks and liabilities, often in contradiction with entrenched industry-accepted allocations. Offshore contracts are changing and contractors […]