Legal Corner

New Hampshire rebuffs 3M’s attempt to move PFAS case to federal court

New Hampshire rebuffs 3M’s attempt to move PFAS case to federal court

Legal Corner May 1, 2023 at 9:13 am

Recently, the State of New Hampshire, represented by Attorney General John Formella and a legal team led by Ken Sansone of SL Environmental Law Group, defeated an effort to move its case against 3M Company, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, and The Chemours CompanyRead More

In 2016, DC Water issued a unique $25 million Environmental Impact Bond, the proceeds of which went to green infrastructure projects to reduce the flow of stormwater into the Potomac River.

PFAS is Lining Up to be the Most Expensive Environmental Hazard in History

Legal Corner, Water Finance March 15, 2023 at 7:00 am

By Michael DiGiannantonio The U.S. EPA has released its proposed maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) – two common types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Under the proposed MCLs, drinking water utilities across the country would be forcedRead More

Republican-led states sue EPA over WOTUS rule

Republican-led states sue EPA over WOTUS rule

Legal Corner, Washington Report, Water Management February 27, 2023 at 9:42 am

A group of two dozen Republican-controlled states is suing the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over the Biden administration’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule that the group is calling an overreach that could end up harming ranchers, farmers and homeowners. On Dec. 30, EPARead More

Q&A: Environmental attorneys weigh in on PFAS lawsuits

Q&A: Environmental attorneys weigh in on PFAS lawsuits

Legal Corner, Water Management December 19, 2022 at 6:15 am

When it comes to drinking water contaminants like per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), many water industry associations, including the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation, do not think that water utilities should be left with the cleanup bill. Instead, they are lobbyingRead More

Recent court rulings favor plaintiffs in PFAS multidistrict litigation

Recent court rulings favor plaintiffs in PFAS multidistrict litigation

Legal Corner, Public Utility Finance, Water Finance November 21, 2022 at 8:47 am

By Seth Mansergh & Nancy Mortvedt Manufacturers of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) have been attempting to reduce their liability from the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their products for many years. The health effects from PFAS exposure are getting a lotRead More

California school district files lawsuit over contaminated drinking water

California school district files lawsuit over contaminated drinking water

Legal Corner April 14, 2022 at 2:30 pm

SL Environmental Law Group recently announced that its client, Ballico-Cressey School District in Ballico, California, has filed a lawsuit against Dow Chemical and Shell Oil, sellers of pesticides that contained the chemical 1,2,3 trichloropropane, known as “TCP.” The lawsuit claims that these products have contaminatedRead More

Legal Corner: A Guide to Valuing Water Rights in Colorado

Legal Corner: A Guide to Valuing Water Rights in Colorado

Guest Columns, Legal Corner February 18, 2022 at 10:15 am

By Susan M. Ryan With population growth, increased environmental concerns, and a greater demand for water for residential, commercial and industrial projects, understanding water rights ownership and regulation is important for anyone evaluating water rights. While water laws vary from state to state, it isRead More

City of Pomona water contamination verdict upheld by federal judge

City of Pomona water contamination verdict upheld by federal judge

Legal Corner, Water Management February 3, 2022 at 6:00 am

Recently, the City of Pomona, Calif., got one step closer to winning its 10-year lawsuit against the U.S. subsidiary of a Chilean fertilizer manufacturer for contaminating the Southern California city’s drinking water. The defendant had sold Chilean fertilizer used in the area’s citrus orchards whichRead More

Lawsuit filed against 3M, DuPont, others over LA County PFAS contamination

Lawsuit filed against 3M, DuPont, others over LA County PFAS contamination

Legal Corner, Public Utility Finance, Water Management November 12, 2021 at 11:13 am

SL Environmental Law Group has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Water Replenishment District (WRD) against 3M Company, E.I. DuPont de Nemours, Inc., and other manufacturers of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) for their involvement in the manufacture and sale of per and poly-fluoroalkyl substancesRead More

California city in 10-year legal battle over groundwater contamination awarded damages

California city in 10-year legal battle over groundwater contamination awarded damages

Legal Corner, Water Finance September 13, 2021 at 8:41 am

After a week-long trial, a federal jury has awarded the City of Pomona $48 million in damages from SQM North America Corp., a subsidiary of a large Chilean mining company, for the costs of cleanup of the toxic chemical perchlorate from the city’s groundwater supply. Fertilizer sold byRead More