Environmental Register for January 2011

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued its Environmental Register publication for January 2011.

The Environmental Register features a letter from Chairman Girard, which discusses progress that the Board made in a number of open rulemaking dockets. The Environmental Register also contains a rulemaking update, a summary of actions of the Board, a summary of new cases, the Board's calendar, and lists of public water supplies that are under restricted status and under critical review.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Illinois Environmental News Update

Here's a look at what has been making news in the Illinois environmental community:

(1) Governor Pat Quinn announces 20-year agreements with wind and solar energy vendors to supply Ameren and ComEd with renewable electricity to provide to consumers throughout the state.  http://tinyurl.com/4quhbny

(2) The Illinois EPA refers to the Illinois Attorney General’s office an enforcement action regarding alleged improper removal, handling, and disposal of asbestos-containing material.  http://tinyurl.com/4lw4pj7

(3) The Illinois Department of Natural Resources approves allowing 10 Lake County communities to tap into Lake Michigan water.  http://tinyurl.com/4hsdk7n

(4) The Illinois EPA issues violation notices to a southern Illinois landfill for violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act that resulted in strong odors several miles away.  http://tinyurl.com/4cpn6ax

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Environmental Register for December 2010

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued its Environmental Register publication for December 2010.

The Environmental Register features a letter from Chairman Girard, which discusses progress that the Board made in a number of open rulemaking dockets. The Environmental Register also contains a rulemaking update, a summary of actions of the Board, a summary of new cases, and the Board's calendar.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

US EPA's Updated Toxic Release Inventory Shows Decrease in Toxic Releases in Midwestern States

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently published an updated Toxics Release Inventory, which quantifies the amount of pollutants released across the country.  In the most recent update, EPA reported that in 2009, "more than 511 million pounds of toxic chemicals were released into the environment in the six states located in Region 5[, which are Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin].  Compared to 2008 data, regional releases to the air were down 20 percent, on-site releases to surface water were down 24 percent and on-site releases to land were down 33 percent.  More than 5,000 facilities in Region 5 report their chemical releases by July 1 of each year."

EPA also released an Illinois-specific fact sheet as well as specific data for Chicago.  Regarding Chicago, EPA reported:

"Total on-site disposal or other releases for the Chicago metropolitan area decreased by 25% from 2001 to 2009 with a 12% decrease from 2008 to 2009.  Air releases decreased 29% from 2001 to 2009 and 14% from 2008 to 2009.  Surface water discharges decreased by 50% from 2001 to 2009 and 17% from 2008 to 2009.  The primary metals total disposal or other releases decreased by 20% from 2001 to 2009, including a 49% decrease in surface water discharges and a 31% decrease in air releases."

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Environmental Register for November 2010

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued its Environmental Register publication for November 2010.

The Environmental Register features a letter from Chairman Girard, which discusses progress that the Board made in a number of open rulemaking dockets. The Environmental Register also contains a rulemaking update, a summary of actions of the Board, a summary of new cases, a list of provisional variances, and the Board's calendar.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

U.S. EPA Region 5 Releases Annual Enforcement and Compliance Results

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 recently released annual results from its enforcement and compliance efforts:
"Enforcement of environmental laws resulted in nearly $6 billion invested in pollution control and cleanup during fiscal year 2010 in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.  The largest cases are three Midwest oil spills -- Enbridge Energy Partners for spills in Marshall, Mich. and Romeoville, Ill., and BP Products North America Inc. for a spill in Whiting, Ind. Judgements against Cincinnati and Hamilton County required them to spend $1.79 billion to reduce untreated combined sewer and sanitary sewer overflows.

"In addition, Region 5's enforcement efforts will cause more than $1.8 million to be spent for supplemental projects benefiting communities and populations that could be disproportionately affected by the violation of environmental laws.

"During FY10, more than 16.9 million pounds of pollution were reduced, treated or eliminated in Region 5.  There were 1,415 violations reported with a resulting 2,750 pounds of hazardous wastes, 161 lab packs and 10 pounds of radioactive waste removed and disposed of.

"In FY 2010, Region 5 successfully negotiated and finalized decisions on 11 disclosures submitted by participants in the Region's Audit Agreement with Colleges and Universities.  Approximately 1415 violations were disclosed and have been corrected, resulting in the removal and disposal approximately 2750 pounds of hazardous wastes, 161 lab packs and 10 pounds of radioactive wastes."

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Environmental Register for October 2010

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued its Environmental Register publication for October 2010.

The Environmental Register features a letter from Chairman Girard, which discusses the Board's "very active rulemaking docket."  The Environmental Register also contains a rulemaking update, a summary of actions of the Board, a summary of new cases, the Board's calendar, and the Division of Public Water Supplies' Restricted Status List of Public Water Supplies.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Environmental Register for September 2010

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued its Environmental Register publication for September 2010.

The Environmental Register features a letter from Chairman Girard, which discusses progress that the Board made in a number of open rulemaking dockets.  The Environmental Register also contains a rulemaking update, a summary of actions of the Board, a summary of new cases, a list of provisional variances, and the Board's calendar.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Environmental Register for August 2010

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued its Environmental Register publication for August 2010.

The Environmental Register features a letter from Chairman Girard, which discusses five environmental bills that Governor Quinn recently signed into law.  The Environmental Register also contains an appellate court update, a rulemaking update, a summary of actions of the Board, a summary of new cases, a list of provisional variances, and the Board's calendar.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Selection to "14 Under 40" List in DePaul Magazine

I would like to announce my selection to the "14 Under 40" list in the Fall 2010 publication of DePaul Magazine.  According to the magazine, "each year, we call on members of the community, including alumni, faculty, staff and friends, to nominate DePaul graduates who distinguish themselves.  We then choose 14 of them, with the goal of representing schools and colleges across the university.  The result is an inspiring, interesting mix of people, professions, and achievements." 

Please click here to view my profile that was published in the magazine.  Thank you DePaul Magazine for this great honor!

Environmental Register for July 2010

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued its Environmental Register publication for July 2010.

The Environmental Register features a letter from Chairman Girard, an appellate court update, a rulemaking update, a summary of actions of the Board, a summary of new cases, a list of provisional variances, and the Board's calendar.  The Environmental Register also contains listings of adjusted standards and combined sewer overflow exceptions granted by the Board during fiscal year 2010.  "Restricted Status" and "Critical Review" lists of public water supplies, sewers, or lift stations in the State are also included in the publication.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Environmental Register for June 2010

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued its Environmental Register publication for June 2010.

The Environmental Register features a letter from Chairman Girard, a rulemaking update, a summary of actions of the Board, a summary of new cases, and the Board's calendar.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Environmental Register for May 2010

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued its Environmental Register publication for May 2010.

The Environmental Register features a letter from Chairman Girard, a rulemaking update, a summary of actions of the Board, information about a provisional variance, the Board's calendar, and Class III Groundwater Final Listing Notices.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Environmental Register for April 2010

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued its Environmental Register publication for April 2010.

The Environmental Register features a letter from Chairman Girard, a rulemaking update, a summary of actions of the Board, a summary of new cases, the Board's calendar, and the Restricted Status and Critical Review Lists for public water supplies.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

U.S. EPA Reveals Its Semiannual Regulatory Agenda

On April 26th, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published in the Federal Register its Semiannual Regulatory Agenda.  The Agenda identified seven themes to focus the regulatory work of EPA:

(1) Taking Action on Climate Change,

(2) Improving Air Quality,

(3) Assuring the Safety of Chemicals,

(4) Cleaning Up Our Communities,

(5) Protecting America’s Waters,

(6) Expanding the Conversation on Environmentalism and Working for Environmental Justice, and

(7) Building Strong State and Tribal Partnerships.

As reported on this blog, U.S. EPA has already commenced action on several of these goals by proposing or finalizing regulations.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Environmental Register for March 2010

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued its Environmental Register publication for March 2010.

The Environmental Register features a letter from Chairman Girard, a rulemaking update, a summary of actions of the Board, a summary of new cases, and the Board's calendar.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Susan Hedman Chosen to be Regional Administrator for U.S. EPA Region 5

On April 21st, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that President Obama selected Susan Hedman to be Regional Administrator for EPA's Region 5, which encompasses Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin and 35 Tribal Nations.

Regional Administrators "are responsible for managing the Agency's regional activities under the direction of the EPA Administrator.  They promote state and local environmental protection efforts and serve as a liaison to state and local government officials.  Regional Administrators are tasked with ensuring EPA's efforts to address the environmental crises of today are rooted in three fundamental values: science-based policies and programs, adherence to the rule of law, and transparency."

Environmental advocates are sure to cheer this appointment.  Ms. Hedman has been Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's Environmental Counsel and Senior Assistant Attorney General since 2005.  She has also held positions with the Environmental Law and Policy Center and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Environmental Register for February 2010

The Illinois Pollution Control Board has issued its Environmental Register publication for February 2010.

The Environmental Register features a letter from Chairman Girard, an appellate court update, a rulemaking update, a summary of actions of the Board, a summary of new cases, and the Board's calendar.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.

Climate Change Seminar at Chicago Bar Association

On March 17, 2010, I will present a climate change seminar entitled "Greenhouse Gas Regulations: Advising Clients in an Uncertain Legal Environment".  I will present this seminar as part of the "Hot Topics in Environmental Law" program, which will take place from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Chicago Bar Association, 321 South Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL 60604.

My seminar will address recent developments regarding greenhouse gas regulations, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's endangerment findings and mandatory reporting requirements.  I will discuss the uncertain legal environmental caused by Congressional inaction on climate change legislation and will provide guidance on what businesses should be doing to prepare for present and future regulation.

You can find more information and register for the program through this link to the Chicago Bar Association.  I hope to see you there!

President Obama Requests $10 Billion for EPA for 2011

Today, the Obama administration issued its 2011 budget proposal, which included $10.020 billion in discretionary budget authority for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Highlights of EPA's budget include:

--$1.3 billion "to address Superfund sites that may be releasing harmful or toxic substances into the surrounding community."

--$215 million "to clean up abandoned or underused industrial and commercial sites that are available for alternative uses but where redevelopment may be complicated by the presence of environmental contaminants."

--$27 million for EPA’s new Healthy Communities Initiative, which "will address community water priorities; promote clean, green, and healthy schools; improve air toxics monitoring in at-risk communities; and encourage sustainability by helping to ensure that policies and spending at the national level do not adversely affect the environment and public health or disproportionally harm disadvantaged communities."

--$60 million "to support state efforts to implement updated National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)."

--$1.3 billion for state and tribal grants to help "implement new and expanded requirements under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act."

--"$43 million for additional efforts to address climate change and work toward a clean energy future.  EPA will implement the greenhouse gas reporting rule; provide technical assistance to ensure that any permitting under the Clean Air Act will be manageable; perform regulatory work for the largest stationary sources of greenhouse gas emissions; develop standards for mobile sources such as cars and trucks; and continue research of carbon capture and sequestration technologies."

--$300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative "for programs and projects strategically chosen to target the most significant environmental problems in the Great Lakes ecosystem."

--$3.3 billion "to maintain and improve outdated water infrastructure and keep our wastewater and drinking water clean and safe."

--$56 million "for chemical assessment and risk review to ensure that no unreasonable risks are posed by new or existing chemicals."

--$8 million "for environmental justice programs.  It targets increased brownfields investments to under-served and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, and proposes $9 million for community water priorities in the Healthy Communities Initiative, funds that will help under-served communities restore urban waterways and address water quality challenges."

EPA's $10.020 billion request for 2011 is down from the $10.5 billion requested for 2010.  Congress enacted a $10.3 billion budget for EPA for FY2010.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.