International Priorities

Last week I attended an international seminar put on by Baker and McKenzie attorneys.  This firm has lawyers all over the globe.
There were some interesting take aways.  The global recession has impacted every country.  Many thought that a slow down in adopting new environmental laws, particularly on climate change, would then follow.  That seems logical [...]

Australia: Criminal Conviction for Local Government and Official

Justice Lloyd of the New South Wales Land and Environment Court (author:  interesting that they have a separate court) criminally sentenced both a local government official and the local government body for violating environmental laws.  This case is significant because the prosecution was against another governmental body, not a private corporation or individual.
Geoff Freeman was [...]

European Commission takes action against tardy member states

In late November 2008, the European Commission issued infringement notices to member states.  It started court proceedings against Luxembourg for non compliance with rules regarding energy efficient buildings.     The EC previously issued two written warnings to the country.
The EC issued a first notice to Spain over wastewater management for 343 small cities, 59 larger cities [...]

Barrel Recycling Plant Owner Fined for and Imprisoned for RCRA Violations

Alan Hersh, the 70 year old former owner of a barrel recycler, was sentenced to prison and fined for hazardous waste violations in February, 2009.  He was ordered to spend 15 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release.  He was also ordered to pay $1.7 million in restitutionf or clean up [...]

Cleaning up the Matanza-Riachuelo River in Argentina

The Matanza-Riachuelo River divides Buenos Aires City from the Province of Buenos Aires and runs into the Rio de la Plata which provides drinking water for the million of inhabitants in this region.  Translated, its name means the Slaughter River.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matanza_River
For decades the authorities have been attempting to clean up the river, but to no avail.  [...]

European Environmental Law

Europe is advanced in its environmental laws, and in some legal circles, it is believed that the United States has ceded its leadership and policy developing position to the Europeans.  The guts of European environmental laws are written at the individual country or member state level.  This is where the detailed regulations are found.  However, [...]

USEPA’s most wanted list

The United States EPA debuted its “Fugitive Environmental Criminal List” in December of 2008.
Check it out here:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/criminal/fugitives/index.html

USEPA’s Most Wanted List

The United States EPA debuted its “Fugitive Environmental Criminal List” in December of 2008.
Check it out here:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/criminal/fugitives/index.html
Do any of our worldwide readers know of a similar public posting in their country?

Argentina Closes Six Facilities for Polluting River

The Environment Secretariat of Argentina closed a poultry feed maker, a petrochemical company, three metalworking firms and a recylcing center on the contaminated Matanza-Riachuelo River basin.  They previously closed 80 facilities, but most were reopened after correcting violations.  The moves are part of a $1.8 billion cleanup of the river basin ordered by the Argentine [...]

Ontario, Canada, criminal prosecution, Vaughan

March, 2008.  The defendants owned or operated a disposal site for non hazardous waste.  In 2004, the site caught fire and burned for several days, impacting neighboring residences and schools.  Three individuals were sentenced to jail for 3-6 months, and fined.  The four companies were fined $1.7 million, and must pay a victim surcharge, which [...]