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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.


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...
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...
Sep 98 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...
Aug 254 min read
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EPA Finalizes Proposal to Add Aerosol Cans to the Universal Waste List
On November 15, 2019, EPA finalized its proposal to add aerosol cans to the universal waste program under the federal Resource...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20212 min read


EPA Finalizes Revised "Ambient Air" Guidelines December 7, 2019 | Eric L. Hiser
On December 2, 2019, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler issued the "Revised Policy on Exclusions from 'Ambient Air'" to update its "policy...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


EPA proposes NSR "corrections" December 30, 2019 | Eric L. Hiser
On December 20, 2019, EPA published a proposed NSR Corrections Rule to make a number of corrections to the various NSR programs including...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


EPA increases penalties for NSR Violations January 28, 2020 | Eric L. Hiser
On January 13, 2020, EPA issued its newest update under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (FCPIAA), as amended...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


EPA Releases New PAL Guidance February 19, 2020 | Eric L. Hiser
On February 13, 2020, EPA Assistant Administrator Anne Idsal released a draft “Guidance on Plantwide Applicability Limitation Provisions...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


Douglas A. Jorden - Top 100 Lawyer
Jorden Hiser & Joy, P.L.C. congratulates Douglas A. Jorden for being named by AZ Business Magazine as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers in...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


EPA proposes changes to "Begin Actual Construction" April 2, 2020 | Eric L. Hiser
On March 25, 2020, EPA issued a draft “Interpretation of ‘Begin Actual Construction’ Under the New Source Review Preconstruction...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


DC Circuit upholds SILs guidance April 8, 2020 | Eric L. Hiser
On April 7, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (DC Circuit) held in Sierra Club v. EPA, No 18-1167,...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


DTE and DOJ to settle Monroe CaseMay 19, 2020|Eric L. Hiser
As many readers of NSR Law Blog are aware, DTE Energy (DTE), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Sierra Club have been...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


Fifth Circuit: Title V Doesn't Allow Review of NSR Permit ConditionsMay 31, 2020 | Eric L. Hiser
In a significant win for both EPA and the industrial community, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, in Environmental Integrity Project v....
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


EPA provides "presumptive termination" date for COVID relief June 30, 2020 | Eric L. Hiser
On June 29, 2020, EPA Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Susan Bodine issued "COVID-19 Implications for...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


Tenth Circuit vacates Hunter Energy July 2, 2020 | Eric L. Hiser
On July 2, 2020, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals rendered its decision in Sierra Club v. U.S. EPA, in which Sierra Club sought direct...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


Fifth Circuit Remands Baytown Penalty for Standing Inquiry August 2, 2020 Eric L. Hiser
In a surprising move, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Environmental Texas Citizen Lobby, Inc. v. ExxonMobil Corp. remanded back to...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


Brandon Curtis Named to the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
Jorden Hiser & Joy is proud to announce that Brandon Curtis has been selected for inclusion in the 27th Edition of Best Lawyers in the...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


Doug Jorden Named to the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers
Jorden Hiser & Joy is proud to announce that Doug Jorden has been selected for inclusion in the 27th Edition of Best Lawyers as Lawyer of...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


Eric Hiser Named to the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers
Jorden Hiser & Joy is proud to announce that Eric Hiser has been selected for inclusion in the 27th Edition of Best Lawyers in the...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


Trevor Burggraff Named to the 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers
Jorden Hiser & Joy is proud to announce that Trevor Burggraff has been selected for inclusion in the 27th Edition of Best Lawyers in the...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


EPA Finalizes PAL Guidance August 30, 2020|Eric L. Hiser
On August 4, 2020, EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Air Anne Austin released the final “Guidance on Plantwide...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


EPA Issues "Project Emissions Accounting" Rule October 25, 2020|Eric L. Hiser
On October 22, 2020, Andrew Wheeler, EPA Administrator, signed the final rule adopting the “project emissions accounting” approach to...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read


EPA's New Policy on "Adjacency", November 15, 2020 Eric L. Hiser
In looking over recent developments, I realized that we have never addressed Acting Assistant Administrator Anne Idsal's November 26,...
tburggraff
Jul 3, 20211 min read
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