Commercial property owners (and in some cases, other persons who cause, allow, or discover a release of hazardous substances) may be required to report certain environmental contamination events to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as state and local agencies, under various circumstances. Not only can failure to report environmental contamination lead to steep penalties, but if a deal to sell the property is in the works, it […]

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Permitting is a key aspect of Clean Water Act compliance for companies doing business in California. For many companies, this includes obtaining and maintaining Industrial General Permit (IGP) coverage for businesses with industrial operations coming into contact with stormwater. If your company is required to have IGP coverage, what do you need to know about compliance? Find out from an experienced California water lawyer at Bick Law LLP. Using Industrial […]

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Environmental cleanup liability can be costly, and in many cases, it stems from contamination that occurred decades ago, often before the current property owner ever acquired the site. Current and former owners of contaminated properties can face liability in both civil litigation and federal and state enforcement proceedings.  This article focuses on a frequently overlooked strategy for managing that liability: locating and pursuing coverage under pre-1986 insurance policies. Working closely […]

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The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) is a federal statute that establishes requirements for cleaning up vacant and improved properties that have been contaminated with hazardous substances. Enacted in 1980 in response to concerns about widespread contamination within the chemical and petroleum industries, CERCLA continues to play a central role in environmental liability and cleanup responsibility today. With this in mind, investors seeking to acquire properties that […]

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