Connecticut Attorney General (AG) William Tong announced a $2 million settlement with Pike Fuels to resolve allegations that the company violated Connecticut environmental protection laws by, among other things, falsifying monthly leak inspection records for a New Haven petroleum distribution facility.Continue Reading Connecticut AG Reaches $2M Settlement With Pike Fuels Over Environmental Protection Claims
A recent conference led by Connecticut Attorney General (AG) William Tong discussed the alleged problems and potential solutions associated with plastics use and waste. Conference attendees included nearly two dozen representatives from state AG offices, medical and public health researchers, and leaders in the recycling and reclamation industry. Conversations focused on plastics’ tendency to break down in the environment and, as a result, expose people and the environment to harmful chemicals. The concerns surrounding plastics in many ways parallel the concerns surrounding PFAS, an industry targeted recently by civil and criminal enforcement actions in multiple states. Businesses up and down the plastics supply chain should take note and prepare for potential state actions that put plastics in the crosshairs.Continue Reading Are Plastics the New PFAS?
In the first of a two-part series focused on the complexities of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, Troutman Pepper Partner Mike Yaghi is joined by Brooke Hopkins and Rob Sayegh from Alvarez & Marsal. They dive into the growing importance of ESG, particularly in Europe, where stringent regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are being implemented. The discussion contrasts this with the ongoing political debate in the U.S., highlighting the need for companies to prepare for upcoming ESG requirements by 2026.Continue Reading Navigating ESG: The Growing Importance and Compliance Challenges (Part One)
Last week, Arizona Attorney General (AG) Kris Mayes filed a lawsuit against FCA (formerly Fiat Chrysler) and Cummins for alleged violations of the Arizona Consumer Fraud Act by falsely advertising that certain vehicles were “clean diesel” vehicles, when in fact the vehicles allegedly had illegal emissions defeat devices. The lawsuit constitutes another example of the state of Arizona retaining outside counsel to take action against the automobile industry regarding the alleged use of emissions defeat devices.Continue Reading Arizona Files Another Lawsuit Against Automobile Industry for Alleged Emissions Violations
Wisconsin Attorney General (AG) Josh Kaul has announced an $85,000 settlement with the global food supply company Kerry, Inc. in relation to the company’s operation of a liquid smoke manufacturing facility.Continue Reading Wisconsin AG Resolves Investigation Into Alleged Violation of State Air Laws With $85K Settlement
In 2024, the landscape of state attorneys general (AGs) is poised for significant change, with numerous elections and regulatory actions reshaping priorities and enforcement strategies. This dynamic environment reflects the critical role AGs play in addressing key issues across various sectors, from environmental regulations and consumer protection to health care and privacy. As state AGs continue to influence policy and legal frameworks, their actions will have far-reaching implications for businesses and consumers alike. Troutman Pepper’s State AG team is pleased to provide you with this mid-year review summarizing the activities in this regulatory space over the past six months.Continue Reading 2024 Mid-Year Review: State AGs Shaping Regulatory Landscapes
The Basics
Last week, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that, effective January 1, 2025, Virginia will exit a California-led electric vehicle (EV) mandate and will instead comply with less stringent federal guidelines. The announcement followed Attorney General (AG) Jason Miyares’ issuance of an official advisory opinion concluding, as a matter of law, that Virginia is not beholden to broad, recently passed mandates adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which were also set to take effect at the start of the new year.Continue Reading Virginia Governor and AG Announce Withdrawal From California-Based EV Mandate
California Attorney General (AG) Rob Bonta has issued two petitions to enforce an investigative subpoena against the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC). PLASTICS lobbies on behalf of entities involved in the plastics supply chain. ACC is a trade association that represents chemical companies who create plastic products. The AG’s petition accuses PLASTICS and ACC of failing to comply with the AG’s prior subpoenas by providing insufficient responses and failing to provide requested documents. In response, PLASTICS and ACC filed lawsuits against the AG in Washington, D.C.Continue Reading California AG Enforces Subpoena; Plastic Lobbying Groups Respond With Lawsuit
California Attorney General (AG) Rob Bonta is leading a coalition of Democratic AGs from 22 states and the District of Columbia to defend the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule that sets stringent greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles. The coalition filed a motion to intervene in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, where the EPA’s rule is facing a legal challenge from Republican AGs.Continue Reading California Spearheads Multistate Effort to Defend EPA’s Stringent Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles
A coalition of Republican attorneys general representing 24 states has sued the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to block a new rule issued by the Biden-Harris administration as part of a suite of standards promulgated to reduce pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants.Continue Reading States Sue the EPA Over New Emissions Rule