Between the Lines Blog
Storage Tank Enforcement: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Proposed Order/Assessment Addressing Ashland Facility
December 9, 2025
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (“TDEC”) issued a November 5th Order and Assessment (“Order”) to Brockton USA, LLC (“BU”) addressing alleged violations of the Tennessee Underground Storage Tank (“UST”) regulations. See Case No. UST25-0111. The Order provides that BU is a…
Federal Government Poised to Amend Definition of Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance … (Again)
On August 7, 2025, the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury (collectively “the Departments”) released a statement that they intend to undertake notice-and-comment rulemaking to reconsider the 2024 amendments to the federal regulatory definition of short-term…
The Future of FOIA is Here: New Requirements under Acts 505 and 922 of 2025
The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has long been a cornerstone of transparency, ensuring that the public has access to government records and meetings. Acts 505 and 922 of 2025, which took effect on August 5, 2025, significantly amend FOIA to modernize public meeting rules, clarify…
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Summer 2025 Meeting Summary
The Mitchell Williams Insurance Regulatory team of lawyers recently attended the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Summer 2025 National Meeting which was held in Minneapolis, MN. We have prepared a summary of the open sessions conducted over the course of the meeting…
What Agricultural Landowners Need to Know Now About Leases to Minimize Future Risk
June 20, 2025
by John P. Talbot
According to the USDA – Economic Research Service, there are approximately 911 million acres of farmland in the lower 48 states, with roughly 60% of this farmland owner-operated and 40% of it leased. For tillable cropland acres specifically, the percentage of rented ground is higher, approximately…
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law Blog
Title V/Clean Air Act: Harris County, Texas Attorney's Office Petition to Object Filed Addressing Baytown Olefins Plant
December 16, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Harris County, Texas Attorney’s Office (“Harris County”) filed a Title V Petition to Object (“Petition”) before the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) related to the ExxonMobil Corporation’s Baytown Olefins Plant (“Plant”). The Plant is located in Baytown, Texas. The Title V…
2025 Impact Report: Northwest Arkansas Land Trust
December 16, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Northwest Arkansas Land Trust (“NWALT”) issued its 2025 IMPACT REPORT (“Report”). NWALT is a nonprofit organization that describes its mission as to: … preserve and enhance the quality of life for all people in Northwest Arkansas through the permanent protection of land. The service area…
Air Enforcement: New Mexico Environment Department Notice of Violation Addressing Potash Facility
December 16, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The New Mexico Environment Department (“NMED”) issued a November 14th Notice of Violation (“NOV”) to Mosaic Potash Carlsbad, Inc. (“MPC”) addressing alleged violations of an Air Permit. See EPCEB Air Case No. MPC-0196-2101. The NOV references an MPC facility located 16 miles east of Carlsbad, New…
PFOA/PFOS/CERCLA: U.S. EPA Addresses Hazardous Substance Designation Impact on Brownfields Program
December 15, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQs”) titled: What EPA’s Designation of PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA Hazardous Substances Means for EPA’s Brownfields and Land Revitalization Program. The intent of the FAQs is to provide background…
Arkansas Environmental Personnel Update: Tricia Treece, Great Plains Institute
December 15, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
Former Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment – Division of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) staff member, Tricia Treece, is on the staff at the Great Plains Institute (“GPI”). Tricia joined GPI in 2023. GPI, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, describes itself as a: …nonpartisan, nonprofit…