United States: Environmental Law

On May 18, 2026, following through on its May 2025 announcements, the Trump administration, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), proposed two new PFAS rules. T

The moratorium exempts modifications or renewals of previously issued approvals and projects that commence construction by the effective date, and separately subjects existing, newly operational, and expanding data centers to energy-efficiency, host-community benefit, labor, rate-classification, and environmental-review obligations.

Under SGMA, DWR is tasked with conducting technical evaluations of Groundwater Sustainability Plans, including ongoing assessments of plan adequacy and their incorporation of updated data. Recent probationary determinations indicate that State agencies expect demonstrable progress, particularly in critically over-drafted basins.

The EPA is rolling out a new pesticide application submission service within its MyPeST platform, replacing the existing Pesticide Submission Portal by July 2026.

The District of Columbia enforces strict regulations on tree removal based on size classifications that determine whether property owners can remove trees at all.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals,” are rapidly becoming one of the most significant environmental regulatory challenges facing businesses today.

This monthly newsletter examines significant legal trends and landmark cases in tort law, including the Sixth Circuit's reversal of class certification, FDA's dual approach to AI regulation in pharmaceuticals, Minnesota's upcoming PFAS ban, and the Supreme Court's expansive interpretation of federal officer removal jurisdiction. These developments carry strategic implications for businesses navigating complex litigation and regulatory compliance across multiple industries.

The U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider whether federal law, including the Clean Air Act, preempts state-law tort claims brought by local Colorado governments seeking damages from fossil fuel companies for alleged...

The FDA is taking a dual approach to artificial intelligence in the pharmaceutical sector, issuing compliance warnings for manufacturing while simultaneously encouraging AI innovation in clinical trials.