Under article 12 of the New York State Navigation Law (Oil Spill Act), “dischargers” of petroleum are strictly liable for cleanup and removal of petroleum spills. To ensure that petroleum spills are promptly remediated, the Oil Spill Act created the State Environmental Protection and Spill Compensation Fund (Oil Spill Fund) to finance state cleanups when […]
NY Ct Upholds Oil Spill Lien Procedures Read More »
Last year, the brownfield community was rattled by the Ashley II decision of United States District court for the District of South Carolina holding that a brownfield developer failed to comply with the requirements of the Bona Fide Prospective Purchaser defense. The court ruled the developer did not comply with its post-closing continuing care obligations
No Further Action (NFA) letters have become an important tool in transactions involving contaminated properties. Contracting party often use issuance of an NFA letter has the mechanism for establishing that a party has satisfied its obligations under an agreement. Issuance of an NFA letter often also operates as a release of statutory liability and may
Court Allows Claims To Proceed Despite NFA Letter Read More »
In the wake of the Great Recession, many foreign investors are buying bulk quantities of condominium units at what they perceive to be distressed prices for projects located in certain gateway cities such as Miami and New York. Frequently, these condominium projects are developed on brownfield sites. In phased transactions where multiple buildings are constructed
The New York City Office of Environmental Remediation (OER) will be announcing new financial benefits and other incentives for its landmark NYC Brownfield Program at a workshop on November 9th. The new benefits will include the following: New: $590,000 in Federal grants to be available for environmental investigation New: Certification now available to enable deduction of cleanup
NYC Brownfield Program To Announce New Financial Incentives Read More »
EPA recently recognized the NYC brownfield cleanup program-the first time a municipal cleanup program has received such status. The recognition under section 104(k) of CERCLA means that the City’s Office of Environmental Remediation (OER) is an “eligible entity” which may apply for and use federal brownfield investigation and cleanup grants and loans. It is important to note that this
EPA Region 2 Office Officially Recognized NYC Brownfield Program Read More »
A New Jerseyappellate division court ruled that a property owner is entitled to have an administrative hearing regarding the rescission of a no further action (NFA) letter by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). In the Matter of Crompton Colors, Inc., No. A-0778-09T1 (App. Div. 10/27/11) In this case, Hartz Mountain Industries acquired
NJ Court Remands Recission of NFA Letter Read More »
Most buildings in New York City have fuel oil-fired burners to supply heat and hot water. The heating oil can range from #2 oil which is similar to diesel fuel to #6 fuel oil which is heavy and thick. Buildings typically store the fuel in storage tanks located in basements or beneath the sidewalk. The tanks
The Importance of Hiring an Environmental Consultant For Leaking NYC Heating Oil Tanks Read More »
New Mexico had issued an order under its Water Quality Act to abate groundwater contamination eminating from septic field and lagoon on debtor’s property. The debtor argued that since the state was essentially requiring it to pay for the cleanup, the order should be considered a claim that could be discharged under the Bankruptcy Code.
District Court Rules Injunctive Order not Dischargeable Claim Read More »
A Chapter 13 debtor had previously owned a gas station. After the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) issued a notice of violation involving failing to comply with underground storage tanks (USTs) regulations, the debtor filed its chapter 13 petition. In its Statement of Financial Affairs, the debtor disclaimed knowledge of environmental issues
Chapter 13 debtor may not avoid cleanup order Read More »