A Message from the Editors
 
March 6, 2007
 

Several articles in the February 2007 Environmental Newsletter address global warming and greenhouse gas legislation at the national and regional levels. As Trent Bauserman notes in his article on greenhouse gas legislation, numerous proposals to curb greenhouse gas emissions are now in the works, as Democrats – who control both chambers of Congress for the first time in twelve years – begin to promote an “ambitious agenda” to curtail global warming. Other articles concern developments in a variety of areas that have a nationwide impact, including the following:

• a just-issued decision from the D.C. District Court that enjoined enforcement of the “Tulloch II” rule regarding regulated activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act

• the limitations and opportunities available in Supplemental Environmental Projects, as part of an environmental settlement

• Supreme Court review of cases involving cost recovery disputes between potentially responsible parties under CERCLA

• a model agreement from the EPA regarding Bona Fide Prospective Purchasers, and

• recently-issued FDIC guidelines on environmental risk programs for lending institutions involved in real estate transactions

The newsletter closes with articles that address regional concerns, including a 2007 legislative forecast for Florida and a recently enacted New Jersey law regulating the re-use of industrial sites for child care.

As this issue demonstrates, regulatory and environmental compliance continues to be a complex and evolving challenge at both the state and national level.

Amy Edwards • Washington, D.C.

Bonni Kaufman • Washington, D.C.

Stacy Watson May • Jacksonville

Janelle Smith • San Francisco