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
Storage Tank Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Ashland, Virginia Facility Etner into Consent Administrative Order
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and James River Petroleum, Inc. (“JRP”) entered into a September 30th Consent Agreement (“CA”) addressing alleged violations of the State of Virginia underground storage tank (“UST”) regulations. See Docket No. RCRA-03-2025-0117. The CA…
Wastewater Enforcement: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Civil Penalty Assessment/Order Addressing Portland Groundwater Remediation System
December 31, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (“ODEQ”) issued an October 9th Notice of Civil Penalty Assessment and Order (“Notice”) to Seaport Midstream Partners, LLC (“SMP”) addressing violations of a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) Permit. See No. WQ-M-WR-2024-027. The…
Wastewater Enforcement: Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality and Olive Branch Sewer Company Enter into Agreed Order
December 30, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The Mississippi Commission on Environmental Quality (“MCEQ”) and Pinecrest Sewer Company, Inc. (“PSC”) entered into a November 13th Agreed Order (“AO”) addressing alleged violations of a Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) Permit. PSC is stated to own and…
112(r)/Air Enforcement: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Grangeville, Idaho Cooperative Enter into Expedited Settlement Agreement
December 30, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and CHS, Inc. (“CHS”) entered into an October 16th Expedited Settlement Agreement (“ESA”) addressing an alleged violation of the regulations implementing Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act. See Docket No. CAA-10-2024-0239. The ESA provides…
U.S. Department of Agriculture Regenerative Pilot Program: Natural Resources Conservation Service Announces Establishment
December 29, 2025
by Walter G. Wright, Jr.
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (“NRCS”) announced he Regenerative Pilot Program (“RPP”). NRCS states that the RPP will provide $700 million to help American farmers: … adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality, and boost…