Tag: Environmental Regulations

  • Regulatory Affairs Update

    Regulatory Affairs Update

    New DLI Commissioner, Electrical Code and Stormwater Permit Changes, Energy Code Rulemaking, and New Environmental Review Regulations Gov. Tim Walz appointed Nicole Blissenbach as commissioner of the Minnesota Departmentof Labor and Industry in December 2022. “I am excited that Commissioner Nicole Blissenbach will continue to lead the Department of Labor and Industry,” said Governor Walz.… Read More

  • MPCA Releases Draft 2023 Construction Stormwater General Permit

    MPCA Releases Draft 2023 Construction Stormwater General Permit

    The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) released its draft 2023 Construction Stormwater General Permit (General Permit) this week.  The General Permit outlines erosion control requirements on construction sites one acre or larger throughout the state. The current General Permit expires on July 31, 2023, and the final 2023 General Permit will go into effect on Aug. 1.… Read More

  • New WOTUS Definition Leads To Multiple Lawsuits
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    New WOTUS Definition Leads To Multiple Lawsuits

    A coalition of national trade organizations and the State of Texas filed separate federal legal challenges on Jan. 18, 2023, contesting the EPA’s revised definition of “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS), which regulates which land use projects require federal permits.  As Housing Industry News reported earlier this month, the new WOTUS definition reverts to the definition… Read More

  • State Regulators Require Climate Change Disclosures in Environmental Assessments

    State Regulators Require Climate Change Disclosures in Environmental Assessments

    The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) modified the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) in December by adding climate change estimates to the form. Under the modified form, there are two new items required under question 7: Information Sought, Action Not Mandated The EAW form change is only seeking information. Under Minnesota law, project applicants can only… Read More

  • Biden Administration Expands WOTUS Definition

    Biden Administration Expands WOTUS Definition

    In the closing days of 2022, the Biden administration released the final definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS), expanding which land use projects require federal permitting and review.  “When Congress passed the Clean Water Act 50 years ago, it recognized that protecting our waters is essential to ensuring healthy communities and a thriving… Read More