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
US Army Corp of Engineers Operation of Mississippi River Spillway/Fifth Amendment Taking: US Federal Appellate Court Addresses Oyster Farmers Claim
The United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit (“Federal Circuit”) addressed in a May 21 Opinion an issue arising out of the operation of the Bonnet Carre Spillway (“Spillway”). See Robert L. Campo, et al v. United States, 2026 WL 142579. The question addressed was whether oyster farmers…
Inside the House's FY27 Agriculture Spending Bill: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Report
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (“NSAC”) issued a May 15th report titled: Inside the House’s FY27 Agriculture Spending Bill (“Report”). NSAC describes itself as: … an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of…
Wastewater Enforcement: Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality and Marion Travel Center Enter Into Consent Administrative Order
The Arkansas Department of Energy and Environment - Division of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) and New Five Star Enterprise LLC (“Five Star”) entered into an April 16th Consent Administrative Order (“CAO”) addressing an alleged violation of a Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination…
Nationwide Permits/Clean Water Act: American Petroleum Institute and Other Energy Organizations Comments on US Army Corp of Engineers Solicitation of Input on Potential for Future Changes
The American Petroleum Institute and a number of other energy related organizations submitted May 15 comments to the United States Army Corp of Engineers (“Corps”) regarding the Federal Register Notice seeking input on ways to increase efficiency of the Clean Water Act Nationwide Permit (“NWP”)…
Advancing Water Reuse Act: U.S. Senators Britt and Luján Propose Federal Tax Incentive
United States Senators Katie Britt (Alabama) and Ben Ray Luján (New Mexico) introduced on May 13th legislation titled: Advancing Water Reuse Act (“Act”). The sponsors describe the legislation as providing a federal tax incentive for manufacturers and other industrial entities that invest in…