Emerging Environmental Issues: Arkansas Environmental Federation Convention - October 8th Presentation

I undertook a presentation at the Arkansas Environmental Federation Convention titled:

Emerging Environmental Issues (“Presentation”).

The focus of the Presentation addressed various statutory and environmental media emerging issues.

The Presentation addressed the following:

• Definition of Harm/Endangered Species Act: United States Fish and Wildlife Service Final Rule
• Spectaclecase Mussel/Endangered Species Act: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Designates Critical Habitat (Including the Ouachita River)
• PM2.5/Clean Air Act: National Association of Manufacturers and other Industrial Groups File U.S. Supreme Court Petition for a Writ of Certiorari
• PM2.5/Clean Air Act: U.S. Court of Appeals Sets Schedule for EPA Nonattainment Designations
• PM2.5/Clean Air Act: EPA Notifies Status of Potential Designation
• New Source Review/Clean Air Act: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposed Rule Addressing "Begin Actual Construction"
• Policy Implementation Update Regarding Startup, Shutdown, and Malfunction Provisions in State Implementation Plans/Clean Air Act: U.S. EPA Issues Guidance Memorandum
• New Source Review/Minor Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Proposed Rule to Streamline State and Local Permitting Process
• Streamlining Clean Air Act Title V Operating Permit Process to Expedite Approvals: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Issues Guidance
• Streamlined, Clear, Expeditious Permitting: Arkansas Governor Sanders Signs Executive Order
• Citizen Suit Enforcement/Clean Air Act: U.S. Department of Justice Alleges Constructive Denial of Request to Intervene in NAACP's Challenge to Southaven, MS Data Center
• Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding/Clean Air Act: Environmental Organizations/25 States Notice of Intent to Sue U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• National Historic Preservation Act: National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers Letter Addressing Section 106 Rules
• Application of the RCRA to Telecommunications Cables: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Interpretive Letter
• Scrap Tires Combusted in Cement Kilns/Non-Hazardous Secondary Materials Regulations: EPA Proposed Designation as Non-Waste Fuel
• Outdoor/Indoor Heat-Related Hazards: Occupational Safety and Health Administration Announces Updated National Emphasis Program
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Deployment of Artificial Intelligence: Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility Appeals Freedom of Information Act Denial
• Data Center Development and Nexuses to Clean Water Act Program Implementation: Association of Clean Water Administrators Memorandum
• Developing Water Reuse Regulations/A State-Level Guide: Water Reuse Association Issues Guide
• PFOA/PFOS/CERCLA: D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds U.S. EPA Final Rule Designating as Hazardous Substances
• Reducing Risk from PFOA and PFOS in Biosolids: US Environmental Protection Agency Issues Draft Guidance
• EPA Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of PFAS and Materials Containing PFAS/2026 Version: National Association of Clean Water Agencies Comments
• SENATE PERMITTING REFORM BILL
• Solid Waste Removal Service/Temporary Waste Projects: Arkansas Supreme Court Addresses Whether City of Holiday Island Can Exclude Supplemental Waste Management Services
• Lithium Batteries: Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Issue 2026 Position Paper
• Oregon Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act: National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors Files Judicial Challenge
• Lubricant and Related Product Producer Responsibility: Illinois General Assembly/SB3157
• Antitrust/Consumer Protection: Five State Attorney Generals Allege Violations by Environmental Organizations Promoting Recycling Standards
• Reinforcing a Compliance First Orientation for Compliance Assurance in Civil Enforcement Activities: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Memorandum
• U.S. Department of Justice Civil Environmental Enforcement in the Past Year: Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility Report
• Environmental Criminal Enforcement: Eugene, Oregon Wood Treatment Facility Operators Sentenced for Alleged Hazardous Waste/Clean Air Act Violations
• Environmental Criminal Enforcement/Clean Air Act: Erie, Pennsylvania Coke Manufacturing Plant Owner Guilty Plea
• Aboveground Storage Tanks/Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality Approves Drones for Visual Inspections

A copy of the slides from the Presentation can be found here.