Overview
Steptoe’s December 15 Environmental Regulation in the New Administration webinar, featuring a panel of lawyers from the firm’s Washington office and senior environmental staff from the US House Committee on Energy and Commerce, was covered by E&E News in a December 15 article titled “Aide Confirms GOP Strategy to Kill Rules.” The article summarizes what was discussed during the webinar, which provided an analysis of how the administration and the new Congress will address pending air, water, and chemical regulations and policies.
Steptoe partner Tom Barba, who represents clients in regulatory matters, says an Environmental Protection Agency led by Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt is likely to push a traditionally conservative agenda. "Although [Pruitt] has taken many controversial positions on environmental issues, he has also demonstrated a deep philosophical commitment to conservative principles of limited government and states' rights," Mr. Barba notes.
Seth Goldberg, who leads Steptoe's global chemical regulatory, environment and life sciences practice, says it is unlikely there will be major changes to the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which is a reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act that passed in June.
Steptoe's Cynthia Taub, who focuses on environmental and regulatory litigation, says another change under a Trump administration could be to the infrastructure permitting process.
The full article can be read at E&E News (subscription required).