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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken a slew of actions over the last month to directly address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s. PFAS are used in a myriad of products, including, among others, stain or water repellant products, non-stick products, food packaging, fire extinguishing foam, and chrome plating. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to several health impacts, including cancers, impacts to the…

On December 20, 2023, the California Supreme Court denied a petition for review of Tsakopoulos Investments, LLC v. County of Sacramento (2023) 95 Cal.App.5th 280, which upheld the County of Sacramento’s greenhouse gas (GHG) CEQA thresholds. In Tsakopoulos, the County of Sacramento certified an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that analyzed impacts of development of a mixed use project known as Mather South that includes about 3,500 residential units, schools, retail, R&D, parks and 157 acres of open space.  The County had developed GHG…

On November 1, 2021, ASTM International approved an updated version of ASTM E1527, the standard governing Phase I environmental site assessments (ESAs).  This standard is updated every 8 years and the new version, ASTM E1527-21, will replace the current standard, ASTM E1527-13.  The version of ASTM E1527-21 published on November 1, 2021 is currently under review by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), following which the EPA will adopt a rule formally recognizing the new standard as compliant with the All…

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Newsom authorized local agencies to conduct teleconference meetings without complying with certain Brown Act requirements to allow for social distancing during COVID-19, i.e., the following “Social Distance Modifications”: Agenda not required to be posted at each teleconference location Each teleconference location not required to be listed on the agenda Each teleconference location not required to be open and accessible to the public Quorum of the legislative body not required to participate within the jurisdiction’s boundaries…