California EPR Lawsuit Escalates as Forthcoming Oregon Ruling Looms

Environmental attorneys Alexandra Ward and Halley Townsend were quoted in a Packaging Dive article examining the growing legal challenges to extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws in Oregon, California and other states. The article highlighted the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors' (NAW) multistate litigation, including its request to block enforcement of California's Senate Bill (SB) 54 and the closely watched trial in Oregon. Alexandra and Halley discussed what the Oregon case could mean for existing and future packaging EPR programs nationwide.

"The targeted scope of questions following the trial indicate that the court is well versed and actively engaged in these issues," Alexandra said. "It also signals that we likely are close to a decision because he's narrowing in on the things that he feels still need to be briefed before he can render a decision."

Halley noted that the Oregon court is aware of the ruling's potential implications for other states considering packaging EPR policies. "Legislators are probably watching this to see how they can craft their own laws in a way that might withstand constitutional scrutiny better after this decision," she commented.

READ: California EPR Lawsuit Escalates as Forthcoming Oregon Ruling Looms