On December 19, 2016, the Environmental Protection Agency issued its annual enforcement and compliance report for its 2016 fiscal year, which runs from October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. The agency’s enforcement efforts brought in $5.8 billion in administrative and civil penalties, skyrocketing from $207 million in 2015. The majority of the 2016 penalties resulted from a $5.6 billion Clean Water Act penalty to BP Exploration and Production Inc. in the Deepwater Horizon case.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final rule on Monday that clarifies an employer’s continuing obligation to make and maintain accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses. The new final rule, which becomes effective January 18, 2017, more clearly states employers’ obligations. The amendments in the final rule add no new compliance obligations and do not require employers to make records of any injuries or illnesses for which records are not already required.
On Monday, December 19, 2016, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Department of Transportation (DOT) published an interim final rule (IFR) that revises the Federal pipeline safety regulations to address critical safety issues related to downhole facilities, including wells, wellbore tubing, and casing, at underground natural gas storage facilities.
On December 14, 2016, EPA signed its proposed Kraft Pulp Residual Risk and Technology Review rule covering 40 C.F.R. Part 63, Subpart MM (a.k.a. “MACT II”) for recovery furnaces, lime kilns and smelt dissolving tanks at kraft pulp mills.
Earlier this week, Amazon was the first company to complete a fully autonomous drone delivery in the United Kingdom. While the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) currently prohibits such autonomous flights here in the United States, this development will help spur the conversation forward.
