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COVID-19 Liability for Building Owners

Green Building Law Update

And these questions are not unfounded because as of November 1, 2020, legal industry databases of state and federal litigation are tracking more than 6,100 cases involving Covid-19 claims. courts have never addressed a pandemic like SARS-CoV-2 (the current designation for what had been the Novel Coronavirus 2019).

Liability 293
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Maryland becomes First State to Ban Polystyrene this Thursday

Green Building Law Update

During the 2019 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly enacted what will be the first statewide ban of expanded polystyrene foam. But actually very little of it, when the chemistry industry estimates less than 1% of polystyrene is used in as a ‘food service product’ and that is all this law regulates.

Maryland 156
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Companies are Preparing for ESG Disclosure Rules

Green Building Law Update

In an initial move, the only Department of Labor regulation listed for review by the Biden Administration is the so called ESG Rule published in the Federal Register on November 13, greatly limiting the use of ESG information in certain retirement plans. It was widely reported in the media in December 2019 (.

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Cannabis Manufacturer Charged with RCRA but No CDS Violations

Green Building Law Update

EPA regulations require generators of hazardous waste to prepare a hazardous waste manifest to transport hazardous waste from their site. As part of the manufacturing process, a Federal True Bill dated June 27, 2019 alleges that Wellgreens generated various wastes, including 55 gallon drums of waste ethanol. United States v.

San Diego 180
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Net Zero Pledges by Businesses are Fraught with Risk

Green Building Law Update

And we wrote in a blog post in 2019 about a claim some 3,000 miles away on the opposite coast in Maryland, Net Zero Lawsuit filed Against Home Builder. Today, we are particularly cognizant of the fast evolving and changing dynamic between legal and technological factors that drive companies’ decision making processes.

Risk 156
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Rooney Rule Revised Provides ESG Opportunity

Green Building Law Update

The NFL has tinkered with the Rooney Rule several times since the embarrassing hiring cycle following the 2019 season when just one of five coaching vacancies was filled by a person of color. Some businesses, including companies not subject to SEC regulation use the agency’s tool. yes, this blog will continue).

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New SEC Guidance Portends More Stockholder ESG Activism

Green Building Law Update

The SEC rescinded three recent (Trump era) staff legal bulletins on shareholder proposals. Our attorneys have for years worked with public companies on how to respond to shareholder environmental proposals including successfully advising clients on the environmental issue de rigueur in 2019, nurdles (. yes, this blog will continue).

Legal 156