Prosecution of Environmental Violations Set to Increase in 2010
1/5/2010

Summary:

Stoel Rives attorney Michael N. Mills discussed in Environmental Law360 the prospects for increased federal enforcement action over alleged environmental violations in 2010. Environmental litigation dropped by 23% in 2009 compared with the previous year.

Mills anticipated that the number of environmental cases likely will rise in 2010 as the Obama administration ramps up its enforcement regime. "A number of [Obama's] nominees were finally confirmed toward the later part of 2009 and have just really come on the job. This past year, for the most part, you had in place U.S. attorneys who were simply caretakers... that were just keeping the status quo. I think 2010 is when you will see the uptick of enforcement actions taking place." Mills also predicted that the new decade will usher in an era of air-related litigation, with water-related litigation remaining prevalent, particular in the West.

"Environmental Litigation Drops in 2009" was published by Environmental Law360, January 5, 2010.