On May 11, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued guidance intended to streamline the review and issuance of Title V operating permits under the Clean Air Act. This guidance may effectively reduce Title V permitting timelines, particularly where public opposition is limited. EPA’s guidance promotes parallel EPA and public comment reviews, earlier permit
Oregon Court of Appeals Confirms Removal of Receiving Water Limits Is Not Backsliding
The scope of what Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits may lawfully require continues to narrow. On April 29, 2026, in Northwest Environmental Advocates (NWEA) v. DEQ, the Oregon Court of Appeals upheld the decision of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to renew an NPDES permit without a narrative
EPA Proposes to Narrow Scope of Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certifications – Comment Deadline Looming
- Comment Deadline: February 17, 2026, via the Federal eRulemaking Portal, email (OW-Docket@epa.gov), or mail. Comments must be submitted in writing and identified with Docket ID No. EPA‑HQ‑OW‑2025‑2929.
- Adoption: Expected in Spring 2026 (subject to comments received).
On January 13, 2026, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed rule
Stoel Rives Welcomes Environmental Attorney in Seattle
Stoel Rives LLP is pleased to announce that Ankur Tohan has joined the firm’s Seattle office as a Partner in the Environment, Land Use and Natural Resources practice group.
Ankur brings extensive experience in environmental and energy law, with a practice focused on renewable energy development, carbon capture and sequestration, energy infrastructure, and complex regulatory
EPA’s New “Compliance First” Policy
On December 5, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance issued a memorandum titled “Reinforcing a ‘Compliance First’ Orientation for Compliance Assurance and Civil Enforcement Activities”(Compliance Memorandum). The Compliance Memorandum, nicknamed the Pritzlaff Memo, directs staff to prioritize efficient compliance over punitive measures, supporting the agency’s “Powering the
When EPA Comes Knocking: Guidance on Environmental Enforcement
Originally published in The Advocate, the magazine of the Idaho State Bar (October 2025).
EPA enforcement activity remains an ongoing concern for regulated entities, even amid shifting political priorities. In this article, Stoel Rives attorneys outline how the EPA exercises its inspection and enforcement authority and what businesses can do to prepare.
They
No Pause for Climate Disclosures: Court Denies Motion for Preliminary Injunction Against California’s SB 253 and SB 261
UPDATE:
On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal to the Ninth Circuit challenging the District Court’s denial of their motion for a preliminary injunction. Along with their appeal, Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Injunction Pending Appeal under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 62(d) and Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 8(a)(1)(C). Plaintiffs
New Department of Interior Review May Heighten Scrutiny and Lengthen Permitting Timelines for Some Wind and Solar Projects
On July 15, 2025, the Department of Interior (DOI) issued a memorandum titled, “Departmental Review Procedures for Decisions, Actions, Consultations, and other Undertakings Related to Wind and Solar Energy Facilities” (the Memo). The Memo directs federal agencies within DOI to elevate a nonexclusive list of 69 categories of routine permitting activities related to
Ninth Circuit Signals Potential Changes to EPA Effluent Guidelines
In Waterkeeper Alliance v. EPA, the Ninth Circuit held that the Environmental Protection Agency failed to properly consider key factors when it declined to revise technology-based Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards (ELGs) for seven industrial categories. The ruling suggests the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may face increased pressure to revisit existing discharge requirements across
Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County: Agencies Granted Substantial Deference in Assessing Project Scope and Environmental Impacts
In a significant decision interpreting the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Supreme Court issued its opinion in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colorado on May 29, 2025. For certain projects, NEPA requires federal agencies to prepare Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) that detail significant environmental effects of the proposed action along with