Current Issues In Environmental Liability
25
Navigating Environmental and Climate Change Policies: What You Need to Know to Protect Business Assets and Minimize Liability Cindy Bishop Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP Dallas, Texas www.gardere.com April 21, 2009
Transcript of Current Issues In Environmental Liability
Navigating Environmentaland Climate Change Policies:
What You Need to Know to Protect Business Assets and Minimize Liability
Cindy BishopGardere Wynne Sewell LLP
Dallas, Texaswww.gardere.com
April 21, 2009
What Does Environmental Liability Mean to You?
Basic Exposure Pathways
What’s Different Now?
• Increased Enforcement• Increased Liability• Increased Emphasis on Closure Obligations
= Increased Due Diligence
•Minimizing Liability During Due Diligence•Preparing for Greenhouse Gas Regulation
Increased Due Diligence
All Appropriate Inquiry
• “All appropriate inquiry” is the process of evaluating a property’s environmental conditions and assessing potential contamination liability prior to its acquisition.– Possible Defense under CERCLA– Requirement from Most Lenders before Purchase
• EPA and States regulate what constitutes “all appropriate inquiry.” – e.g., American Society for Testing and Materials (“ASTM”) Phase I
Environmental Site Assessment Standard (E 1527)
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Interviews, Records Searches, Site Visit, Historical
Research– ASTM E-1527
Phase II ESA Collect soil, groundwater, sediment, surface water
samples
Environmental Due Diligence Elements
• Not properly signed by Environmental Professional. – ‘‘[I, We] declare that, to the best of [my, our] professional
knowledge and belief, [I, we] meet the definition of Environmental Professional as defined in §312.10 of this part.’’ ‘‘[I, We] have the specific qualifications based on education, training, and experience to assess a property of the nature, history, and setting of the subject property. [I, We] have developed and performed the all appropriate inquiries in conformance with the standards and practices set forth in 40 CFR Part 312.’’
Acquiring PropertyThe Due Diligence Standard
Problem Area
Due Diligence Issues
Due Diligence Issues
New Due Diligence Considerations
Vapor Intrusion Assessment (ASTM E2600)
Increased Closure Obligations
What Changes Are Triggered?
• Transfer, sale, closure or abandonment of a “facility”• Scaling back operations, consolidations and facility
closures• Changing production lines, raw materials, suppliers• Materials reuse, repurposing, recycling• Reducing air emissions or water usage and changing
waste handling practices• Changing material storage practices
15
Increased Closure Obligations
• Identify the effect on operations.
•Gather all permits, regulations, orders, citizen complaints, environmental compliance audits or assessments.
•Evaluate the proposed operational change against the obligations.
•Timely communication to management and regulating authorities where applicable.
16
Closure/Slowdown Effect on Permits
• Idle petroleum USTs– update UST registration status or permanently remove and
close USTs• Significantly reduced wastewater volume
– advance notice to permitting authority (e.g., municipal wastewater treatment authority) may be required
• Changes in fuel or hazardous substance storage– update plans, including SPCC (fuel), SWPPP (stormwater)
17
Operational changes that impact environmental permits include:
Post Closure• Post Closure Audits:
– Purpose• Required by some regulations• Establish a baseline• Marketing tool • Essential for redevelopment
– How to address concerns?• Audit Privilege• Voluntary disclosure to the government• Disclosure in transactions (reps & warranties)
18
Climate Change“Greenhouse Gases”
Carbon DioxideMethaneNitrous OxideHydrofluorocarbonsPerflurorcarbonsSulfur hexafluoride
• New Proposed Reporting Requirements• Regulation of Greenhouse Gases• New Air Permitting Requirements• SEC disclosure obligations• Litigation
Climate Change
Climate ChangeMarch 10, 2009 – EPA proposed rule requiring reporting of GHG for certain sources
April 17, 2009 – EPA submits issued proposed rule declaring that GHG are dangerous to human health and the environment
What does that mean to me?
Climate Change
• Certain industrial facilities• Vehicle manufacturers• Facilities that emit 25,000 tons/yr CO2e•Reporting proposed to begin in 2011 for calendar year 2010• Comments due by May 25, 2009
You may have to report your GHG emissions to EPA:
Climate Change
• GHG Regulation
• Cap & Trade
• SEC Disclosure
• Litigation
Summary• More diligent due diligence
• Be aware of closure requirements
• Consider GHG emission impacts
Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP Cindy Bishop
1601 Elm St., Suite 3000Dallas, Texas 75201
Phone: 214.999.4506 Fax: [email protected]
