EPA entered into a proposed consent decree under the CWA in Center for Biological Diversity, v. Regan, No. 3:23-cv-535 (N.D. Cal.) in connection with the Agency’s alleged failure to satisfy its mandatory duty under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act of 2018 to promulgate federal standards of performance for discharges incidental to the normal operation of large commercial vessels that would obligate the Agency to sign a decision taking final action by September 23, 2024.

EPA entered into a proposed interim consent decree under the CWA in Northwest Environmental Advocates v. EPA, No. 19-01537 (W.D. Wash.) in connection with the Agency’s alleged inaction concerning the state of Washington’s water quality assessment and listing program and TMDL program that would require Washington to submit three TMDLs to EPA by December 2025 and would prohibit the plaintiff from filing any new TMDL constructive submission lawsuits in Washington for a period of 34 months.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration proposed revisions to the pipeline safety regulations to require operators of gas distribution pipelines to update their distribution integrity management programs, emergency response plans, operations and maintenance manuals, and other safety practices.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission amended the policy statement and commentary in the Guidelines Manual that provides for a reduction in a defendant's term of imprisonment as a result of an amended guideline range.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration amended the Hazardous Materials Regulations to suspend authorization of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation in rail tank cars pursuant to a final rule published on July 24, 2020, pending the earlier of either completion of a companion rulemaking evaluating potential modifications to requirements governing rail tank car transportation of LNG, or June 30, 2025.

United States v. Ford, No. 19 Civ. 9600 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 18, 2023). A settling CWA defendant that filled wetlands, channelized streams, and discharged process wastewater and other pollutants from a concentrated animal feeding operation without a permit and violated the terms of a construction stormwater permit must restore approximately 18 acres of wetlands and two streams and pay a $200,000 civil penalty.

EPA proposed comprehensive revision to the regulations governing CWA §404 tribal and state programs.

United States v. FrieslandCampina Ingredients North America, Inc. No. 3:23-cv-00937-TJM-ML (N.D.N.Y. Aug. 2, 2023). A settling CAA and CWA defendant that allegedly failed to obtain a modification to its title V CAA permit before its hydrolyzed protein powder facility in Delhi, New York, became a major source of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions; perform a reasonably available control technology (RACT) demonstration and implement RACT before commencing operation of a major source of VOC emissions; obtain a permit before constructing a new, modified, or existing air contamination source at the facility; and report and maintain annual reports of its VOC emissions must reduce harmful toluene emissions through the installation and operation of pollution controls, comply with its permits, and pay a $2,880,000 civil penalty.

United States v. Belle Fourche Pipeline Co., No. 22-00089-DLH-CRH and United States v. Bridger Pipeline LLC, No. 22-00043-BLG-SPW (D.N.D. July 31, 2023). Under a proposed partial consent decree, settling CWA defendants must perform injunctive relief and pay a $12,500,000 civil penalty for violations arising from pipeline failures that resulted in discharges of oil into an unnamed tributary to Ash Coulee Creek and the Yellowstone River.

EPA announced the availability of and seeks comment on the document entitled “White Paper: Quantitative Human Health Approach to be Applied in the Risk Evaluation for Asbestos Part 2—Supplemental Evaluation including Legacy Uses and Associated Disposals of Asbestos” and related charge questions.