Week of October 19

This week’s environmental and energy stories highlight a familiar challenge: policy goals may move quickly, but permitting, implementation, and compliance often do not. From efforts to advance wind, transmission, pipeline, deep-sea mining, and carbon storage projects to evolving PFAS requirements and new research on air pollution, this week’s developments show how environmental and energy priorities continue to play out in practice.

Wind and Transmission Permitting Take Different Turns

The Trump administration moved to clear some previously stalled wind projects following national security reviews, including projects in Maine and South Dakota, as part of broader discussions surrounding bipartisan permitting reform. At the same time, the Bureau of Land Management ended an environmental review intended to update energy corridors across Western public lands, concluding that a full environmental impact statement was unnecessary, a decision that critics contend could face legal challenges. Read more: The Hill, Bloomberg Law, and Federal Register Notice.

EPA Delays Clean Water Act Facility Response Plan Requirements Until 2030

EPA extended the compliance deadline for its Clean Water Act hazardous substance Facility Response Plan requirements from June 1, 2027, to June 1, 2030. The agency also removed specific references to climate change and environmental justice from the regulations, although the underlying requirements for certain facilities to prepare response plans for worst-case hazardous substance discharges remain in place. Read more: EPA Rule Summary.

Deep-Sea Mining Push Encounters a Decades-Old Permitting Law

Efforts to accelerate deep-sea mining for critical minerals are running into the detailed requirements of the 1980 Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. Despite regulatory changes intended to streamline the process, companies seeking licenses report that federal reviews remain methodical as regulators address environmental protections, license conditions, public input, and other statutory requirements. Read more: Bloomberg Law.

Federal Funding Aims to Revive the Constitution Pipeline

The Department of Energy announced $42 million for permitting and preconstruction work on the long-stalled Constitution Pipeline, invoking Defense Production Act authorities as part of the Trump administration’s push to expand northeast natural gas infrastructure. The pipeline was shelved in 2020 after failing to obtain key New York approvals and now faces renewed legal and permitting questions as plans to revive the project move forward. Read more: Department of Energy Press Release.

Colorado Takes Over Carbon Storage Well Permitting

EPA approved Colorado’s request for primary authority over Class VI underground injection wells used for permanent geologic storage of carbon dioxide. Beginning November 12, 2026, Colorado regulators will become the principal permitting and enforcement authority for Class VI wells on non-Indian lands in the state, making Colorado the seventh state to receive Class VI primacy. Read more: CPR News.

Minnesota’s PFAS Product Database Continues to Grow

Following Minnesota’s September reporting deadline for products containing intentionally added PFAS, state regulators continue to populate the public database with information submitted by manufacturers. As of October 21, 2026, information on approximately 44,865 products had been published, representing only about 20 percent of the reports received at that point. The public database is likely to be a useful resource for companies completing their own compliance due diligence, as well as potential litigants. Read more: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency PFAS in Products Data.

New Research Examines Air Pollution’s Potential Effects on the Brain

A growing body of research is examining whether air pollution may affect the brain more directly than previously understood, including through microscopic particles reaching brain tissue and possible changes in brain structure and function. The research is still developing and does not establish causation in many instances, but recent studies have identified associations between higher particulate matter exposure and dementia risk, brain-volume changes, and other neurological effects. Read more: Wall Street Journal.

These are just a few of the environmental and energy developments that caught my attention last week. I would be happy to discuss these topics and their potential implications for your business or projects.

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