Between the Lines Blog
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Spring 2026 Meeting Summary
The Mitchell Williams Insurance Regulatory team of lawyers recently attended the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Spring National Meeting which was held in San Diego, California. This summary highlights issues that various NAIC groups addressed. What You Need to Know: The…
Air Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Reeves County, Texas Saltwater Disposal Facility Operator Enter into Consent Agreement
May 28, 2026
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and WES Water Holdings, LLC (“WES”) entered into a May 14th Consent Agreement (“CA”) alleging violations of Clean Air Act regulations. See Docket NO. CAA-06-2026-3303. The CA provides that WES owns and/or operates a saltwater disposal…
ANRC Unanimously Adopts New Financial Assistance Rules Following Public Comment
On May 12, 2026, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission unanimously adopted the proposed amendments to its Financial Assistance rules, completing a key step in implementing the state's new Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program. The rules will now advance through the legislative…
2026 State of the Water Industry: American Water Works Association Report
May 27, 2026
The American Water Works Association (“AWWA”) has issued a document titled: 2026 State of the Water Industry (“Report”). AWWA describes the Report as providing: … key insights into the priorities for water utilities and challenges they currently face. The Report is the latest of an annual…
Air Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Livermore, California Landfill Operator Enter into Consent Agreement
May 27, 2026
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and Waste Management of Alameda County, Inc. (“WMAC”) entered into an April 28th Consent Agreement and Final Order (“CAFO”) addressing alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. See Docket No. CAA-09-2026-0053. The CAFO provides that WMAC owns…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
Beef Operation/Water Use Challenge: Iowa Appellate Court Addresses Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies Issue
The Iowa Cout of Appeals (“App. Court”) addressed in a June 10th Opinion an issue arising out of an Driftless Water Defenders’ (“DWD”) request that the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (“IDNR”) investigate a complaint regarding water use. See Driftless Water Defenders v. Iowa Department of…
Transportation/Hazardous Materials: U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Interpretive Letter Addressing Mower/Lithium Battery Requirements
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) addressed in an April 29th interpretive letter the application of the federal Hazardous Materials Regulations (“HMR”) applicable to the transportation of lithium batteries contained in equipment. See Reference No. 25-0132. PHMSA…
2026 War Eagle Creek Stewardship Award: Beaver Watershed Alliance Honors Mowry Family
The Beaver Watershed Alliance (“BWA”) announced in a June 12th news release that the 2026 War Eagle Creek Stewardship Award had been presented to the Mowry family. BWA states that the Mowry family is being recognized for their outstanding contribution to conservation and the long-term protection of…
Title V/Clean Air Act: 350 Colorado Petition to Object Filed Addressing Aurora County, Colorado Bulk Petroleum Products Storage/Distribution Facility
350 Colorado and the Center for Biological Diversity (collectively, “350”) filed a petition with the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) to object to the final renewed Title V Operating Permit issued to Magellan Pipeline Terminals, L.P. (“MPT”) to operate the…
Risk Filters Suite v 3.0: World Wildlife Fund Updates Tools to Assess Water and Biodiversity Risks
The World Wildlife Fund (“WWF”) has updated its WWF Risk Filter Suite to version 3.0. The Suite contains two free online tools denominated the Water Risk Filter (“WRF”) and Biodiversity Risk Filter (“BRF”). The WWF designed the WRF as a tool to be used by companies and financial institutions to…