From the Ground Up
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Under Pressure: Where Landfill Gas Regulation Stands Today
The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) has come a long way from disposal through open burning or discarding in unlined dumps or waterways. Modern MSW landfills are intentionally designed, highly regulated systems of environmental controls. But operating an MSW landfill comes with unique challenges to maintain protection of public health and the environment. These disposal sites accept a wide variety of municipal waste from households and businesses. As junk goes in, so must junk come out—landfills produce leachate and landfill gas, both of which must be managed in accordance with federal and state regulations. This article provides a brief overview of the current state of regulation and management of landfill gas from MSW landfills.
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2025 Washington Growth Management Act and Housing Laws - At a Glance
2025 saw a number of Growth Management Act (GMA) and housing related bills in Washington, which are particularly relevant as planning counties and cities are in the middle of preparing their comprehensive plan updates and as certain counties and citi...
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New Oregon “Stay in Place” Order Permits Construction Industry Work Under Distancing Policies
Mar 23, 2020
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On Monday, March 23rd, Governor Kate Brown issued a new executive order for the state, further limiting personal interactions. It appears that construction industry businesses are not subject to the order so long as the business designates “an employ...
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Environmental Groups Push for New Rules Restricting Emissions From Indirect Sources
Jan 23, 2020
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Environmental activist groups recently petitioned the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission (the “EQC”) to enact far-reaching rules that would regulate air emissions from so-called indirect sources in cities and metropolitan districts with populati...
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Washington Employees Can Waive Their Meal Breaks
This article was originally published as one of Miller Nash Graham & Dunn's News You Can Use e-flashes, our occasional e-mail newsletter focusing on the latest developments in employment law and labor relations. From The Ground Up editor Ge...
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Environmental Groups Seek to Kill "Zombie Permits"
Environmental groups recently sued the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) over its alleged failure to renew permits in a timely manner. Most permits issued by DEQ under the Clean Water Act have an initial term of five years. According...
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