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HBC BLOG
Stay informed on the latest developments in environmental law, from policy changes and regulatory updates to sustainability initiatives. Our blog provides expert insights, analysis, and practical guidance to help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of environmental regulations. Check back regularly for in-depth articles, breaking news, and thought-provoking discussions on the issues that matter most.


EPA Ends Reactivation Policy Unless Major Modification
On September 18, 2025, Administrator Lee Zeldin issued a policy memorandum entitled “ New Source Review Program ‘Reactivation Policy .’” In the policy, Mr. Zeldin confirmed that the EPA would follow the Third Circuit’s decision in Port Hamilton Refining & Transp. v. U.S. EPA , will apply that decision nationwide, will not apply the “major modification” aspect of the policy to a facility that only restarts, but will apply to restarts that involve a physical change or change i
4 days ago4 min read


EPA’s New e-Manifest Reporting Requirements: What Generators Need to Know
EPA recently issued a reminder regarding its e-Manifest Third Final Rule , published July 26, 2024. The rule finalizes a major shift: several manifest-related reports must be submitted electronically through the e-Manifest system starting December 1, 2025 . Below is a quick breakdown: 1. Exception Reports — Biggest Change for Generators Beginning December 1, 2025 , Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) and Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) must submit Exception Reports electronic
Nov 282 min read


"Second Guessing" Departs - Again
On September 15, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin issued a memorandum, " EPA Policy on Enforceability and Use of the Actual-to-Projected-Actual Applicability Test in Determining Major Modification Applicability in New Source Review Preconstruction Permitting: Reinstatement of 2017 Memorandum ," (2025 Memo) which reinstated Administrator Pruitt's December 7, 2017 memorandum " New Source Review Preconstruction Permitting Requirements: Enforceability and Use of the Actual-to-P
Nov 204 min read
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EPA Ends Reactivation Policy Unless Major Modification
On September 18, 2025, Administrator Lee Zeldin issued a policy memorandum entitled “ New Source Review Program ‘Reactivation Policy .’” In the policy, Mr. Zeldin confirmed that the EPA would follow the Third Circuit’s decision in Port Hamilton Refining & Transp. v. U.S. EPA , will apply that decision nationwide, will not apply the “major modification” aspect of the policy to a facility that only restarts, but will apply to restarts that involve a physical change or change i
jmaiden
4 days ago4 min read


EPA’s New e-Manifest Reporting Requirements: What Generators Need to Know
EPA recently issued a reminder regarding its e-Manifest Third Final Rule , published July 26, 2024. The rule finalizes a major shift: several manifest-related reports must be submitted electronically through the e-Manifest system starting December 1, 2025 . Below is a quick breakdown: 1. Exception Reports — Biggest Change for Generators Beginning December 1, 2025 , Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) and Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) must submit Exception Reports electronic
jmaiden
Nov 282 min read


"Second Guessing" Departs - Again
On September 15, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin issued a memorandum, " EPA Policy on Enforceability and Use of the Actual-to-Projected-Actual Applicability Test in Determining Major Modification Applicability in New Source Review Preconstruction Permitting: Reinstatement of 2017 Memorandum ," (2025 Memo) which reinstated Administrator Pruitt's December 7, 2017 memorandum " New Source Review Preconstruction Permitting Requirements: Enforceability and Use of the Actual-to-P
jmaiden
Nov 204 min read


A new beginning for “begin actual construction”?
On September 2, 2025, Aaron Szabo, Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation, issued a letter responding to a request for guidance on...
jmaiden
Sep 164 min read


Court Adheres to Broad Meaning of “Operator” in NSR Enforcement
On August 25, 2025, the Eastern District of Michigan held, in United States v. EES Coke Battery, LLC (E.D. Mich. Case No. 22-11191), that...
jmaiden
Sep 88 min read


Fifth Circuit rejects prior permit necessarily determines BACT
On August 12, 2025, the Fifth Circuit, after receiving back the Texas Supreme Court’s response to its certified question in Port Arthur...
jmaiden
Aug 254 min read


Texas Supreme Court holds BACT not forward-looking
In Port Arthur Community Action Network v. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ( PACAN ), the Texas Supreme Court, on...
jmaiden
Aug 215 min read


Upcoming NSR webinar in November!
We thought that we would share with the broader NSR community that the Air & Waste Management Association (A&WMA) is offering an NSR...
jmaiden
Aug 201 min read


Supreme Court’s Trump v. CASA Ruling Reshapes EPA Litigation Landscape
In a landmark 6–3 decision on June 27, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court in Trump v. CASA, Inc. narrowed the availability of nationwide...
jmaiden
Aug 63 min read


EPA’s Plan to Rescind GHG Endangerment Finding Sets Up Legal Showdown
On July 29, the Trump EPA unveiled a controversial proposal to rescind the agency’s 2009 endangerment finding for greenhouse gases (GHGs)...
jmaiden
Jul 302 min read


AI Meets NEPA: White House Plan Proposes Sweeping Deregulatory Shift for Data Centers
In a significant policy turn, the White House has unveiled its AI acceleration plan—complete with a call to ease or eliminate numerous...
jmaiden
Jul 302 min read


Trump’s Latest Clean Air Waivers Push MATS, HON, and EtO Rules Past 2029
In another aggressive move to delay air toxics enforcement, President Trump has issued a new round of Clean Air Act (CAA) compliance...
jmaiden
Jul 212 min read


EPA Blocks Colorado Haze Plan, Citing Grid Reliability and Property Rights
In a move that could reshape how states draft air quality plans under the Clean Air Act (CAA), EPA is proposing to partially disapprove...
jmaiden
Jul 173 min read


Citizen Suits Gain Ground: Supreme Court Denial Sparks New Compliance Risks for Industry
In a quiet but consequential move, the U.S. Supreme Court has denied review in two closely watched cases that could have narrowed the...
jmaiden
Jul 152 min read


NEPA Reform Accelerates: Agencies Embrace Flexibility, Speed in Environmental Review
Federal agencies are rapidly overhauling their NEPA procedures—prioritizing flexibility and faster timelines in ways that may...
jmaiden
Jul 152 min read


RFS Proposal Marks a First for EPA Under Trump’s Sweeping Deregulatory Order
In what appears to be a first for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the agency’s recently proposed Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)...
jmaiden
Jul 152 min read


Supreme Court Declines to Weaken Citizen Enforcement Under Clean Air and Water Acts
June 30, 2025 – In a win for environmental advocates, the U.S. Supreme Court has denied review in two cases that could have significantly...
jmaiden
Jul 22 min read


EPA Shifts SRF Priorities Under Trump Orders, Scaling Back Climate and EJ Focus
The U.S. EPA’s fiscal year 2025 allotment for State Revolving Funds (SRFs) signals a major shift in direction for federal water...
jmaiden
Jun 302 min read


Rewriting the Rules: House GOP Pushes for Overhaul of EPA Air Standards Amid Industry Concerns
A Familiar Battle Over Clean Air Standards The latest salvo in the long-running fight over air regulation came last week, as House...
jmaiden
Jun 302 min read


Supreme Court Limits EPA’s Flexibility in Cross-State Air Pollution Enforcement
New Legal Hurdle for EPA’s Air Enforcement In an 8–0 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has dealt a procedural blow to the EPA’s efforts to...
jmaiden
Jun 302 min read
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