Arizona Governor Jan Brewer announced that her state would be pulling out of a regional agreement to limit greenhouse gas emissions through a cap-and-trade program, stating that the program would harm Arizona's economy. Environmental groups, including the Phoenix chapter of the Sierra Club and the National Resource Defense Council, have strongly objected to the move.
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen on August 26 announced that Marawood Sand & Gravel 200, LLC ("Marawood"), has agreed to pay penalties and costs totaling $10,000 for its unlawful discharge of pollutants into the waters of the state without a permit, namely sand into a tributary of O'Neill Creek in Clark County
Fighting to ensure the safety of children's playgrounds and ball fields, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. on August 14 signed off on an agreement requiring Georgia-based AstroTurf, LLC to virtually eliminate lead from its artificial grass, creating the country's first enforceable lead standards for artificial turf products.
Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler today announced that the State of Maryland has entered into a settlement agreement with PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG) to reduce toxic mercury emissions at its Natrium, West Virginia facility. PPG has also stated as part of the agreement that it supports the goal of replacing its existing mercury-based production process at the Natrium facility with mercury-free technology.
On behalf of acting Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Amy Marella, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal today asked a Superior Court judge to compel clean up of a North Branford junkyard and will seek the imprisonment of owner Joseph Lagif if he refuses.
Great Lakes Calcium Corporation, which owns and operates a limestone processing facility on the west shoreline of the Fox River near the Bay of Green Bay, has agreed to pay $280,000 to settle state claims under Wisconsin's air pollution laws. The judgment resolves charges that Great Lakes Calcium violated state air pollution laws and air permit requirements at its Green Bay facility from 2005 to February 2008.
Attorney General Jon Bruning today announced that 30 states reached an agreement in principle with General Motors (GM) in GM’s bankruptcy proceedings. The agreement aims to resolve concerns so that “consumers, dealers and the environment will continue to receive the protection of state law.”
Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that the Wisconsin Department of Justice has obtained a judgment against Tony J. Popp for servicing septic systems without a license. After failing to respond to a suit filed by the Departmet of Justice, Popp was ordered by the Green County Circuit Court Judge James R. Beer to pay $3,000 in forfeitures, court fees, and costs.
Brown and District Attorneys Sue Target for Illegal Disposal of Hazardous Waste (June 15, 2009)Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr., 20 district attorneys and the Los Angeles City Attorney filed a lawsuit against Target Corporation to block the retailer from continuing to illegally dump hazardous waste in local landfills. This lawsuit would require Target to immediately comply with California law and start using a licensed hazardous waste hauler to pick up the waste and transport it to a hazardous waste disposal facility.
Attorney General Kelly A. Ayotte and Department of Environmental Services ("DES") Commissioner Thomas S. Burack announce that the Cheshire County Superior Court has approved a settlement between the State of New Hampshire and David J. Gale of East Swanzey, New Hampshire to resolve violations of the State's wetlands laws. The settlement includes a total civil penalty of $20,000.
Attorney General Will Seek Rehearing in FAA Case; D.C. Circuit Rejects State Fight Against FAA Flight Paths Over Southwestern CT (June 10, 2009)Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal announced that he will immediately seek a rehearing after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit rejected his lawsuit to block a new Federal Aviation Administration airspace redesign project that routes more large planes over southwestern Connecticut. Blumenthal hopes to hold the FAA accountable for “the impact of increased noise and pollution on millions of residents and state parks."
