Decision on Standing in PFAS Cases Raises Serious Concerns

As litigation concerning the emerging contaminants known as “perfluoroalkyl” or “polyfluoroalkyl” substances (PFAS) has become increasingly common, the omnipresent nature of PFAS has created a troublesome issue for courts and litigants. In particular, courts have struggled to articulate the level of injury necessary to proceed on a claim that exposure to PFAS caused some kind…

INSIGHT: Defense Authorization Bill Pushes Forward on PFAS Regulations

The House and Senate have passed separate versions of the National Defense Authorization Act with slightly different language to address contamination of groundwater by PFAS compounds from military bases. This article analyzes the provisions and whether they’ll survive the conference committee and avoid a presidential veto. August 30, 2019 | Bloomberg Environment | Authors: Jeffrey…

Federal Agencies Dig In for Prolonged PFAS Fight

The U.S. Department of Defense has picked a fight with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Congress over allowable levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, in groundwater in a remarkably public battle that portends a prolonged fight over how to regulate this emerging family of contaminants. May 22, 2019 | Law360 | Authors:…

Calif. Regulators Should Account for PFAS Uncertainty

California has unleashed a deluge of regulatory orders seeking complicated and expensive testing investigating potential releases of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, at suspected dischargers throughout the state. While these orders will be burdensome and costly for the recipients, California’s regulators, like the federal regulatory agencies, have acknowledged that there is still considerable scientific…