Blogs

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on April 14, 2026, a new initiative called PFAS OUTreach -- or PFAS OUT. According to EPA, the new effort proactively works with communities and water systems to reduce exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water, “years ahead of compliance with federal regulatory requirements.” EPA states that it aims to engage directly about 3,000 drinking water systems nationwide that have...

On May 6, 2026, the National Agricultural Law Center (NALC) and the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) Foundation will host a half-day program featuring the latest updates in agricultural and food law policy from experts across the country in Washington, D.C. The agenda includes: “Four Corners” Congressional Update: Ag Trade, E-15, MAHA, Farm Bill, and Related Issues: Fitzhugh Elder IV, Staff Director, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry;...

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Human Food Program (HFP) has prepared a list of priority research, data, and method needs that, if fulfilled, will help FDA better understand the underlying factors that may cause or contribute to health risks from HFP-regulated products. FDA states that it provided these research, data, and method needs for researchers interested in pursuing science that is useful to advancing the safety of the U.S. food supply. According to FDA, the list may also...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on April 9, 2026, that it will publish a final rule postponing the start of the reporting period for the perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) reporting and recordkeeping rule issued under Section 8(a)(7) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The submission period will begin on January 31, 2027, or 60 days following the effective date of a forthcoming final rule on the substantive requirements of the PFAS reporting...

Escalating tensions between the United States and Iran are reverberating far beyond the immediate theater of armed conflict. Energy markets have responded quickly, with oil and gas prices rising amid concerns over supply disruptions in the Middle East. But as recent commentary underscores, this moment is not simply another geopolitical flashpoint. It reflects a deeper structural reality: the global economy is caught in a molting phase of an incomplete energy transition. Against this backdrop,...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on April 6, 2026, that it has opened a public comment period to request input on candidates currently under consideration for membership to the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC). According to EPA, SACC has one vacant membership term and ten membership terms expiring out of the 19 current memberships. EPA seeks public comments on individuals who have been nominated by the public to assist in making SACC membership decisions by...

On April 1, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule establishing the applicable volumes and percentage standards for 2026 and 2027 for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel (BBD), advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel. 91 Fed. Reg. 16388. The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) “Set 2” final rule also partially waives the 2025 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement and revises the associated percentage standard due to a shortfall in cellulosic biofuel...

The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (NMEIB) concluded its deliberations on March 23, 2026, on the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) proposed rule implementing the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Protection Act. NMEIB adopted minor changes discussed during the hearing and approved NMED’s proposed rule. In its March 23, 2026, press release announcing NMEIB’s approval of the rule, NMED notes that “[u]nder the new rules, manufacturers must display a universal...

The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will hold a hearing on April 7, 2026, on “Fueling Innovation: The Role of Small Businesses in America’s Bioeconomy.” The Committee will hear from two panels of witnesses: Panel 1 Dr. Alina Alexeenko-Peroulis, Co-Founder and President, LyoWave, Inc.; Reilly Professor, Aeronautics and Astronautics and Chemical Engineering, Purdue University; Aaron Schacht, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Board Director, BiomEdit, Inc.; Derek...

On March 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it received a request to extend its determination of nonregulated status of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.’s DP23211 insect-resistant and glufosinate-ammonium-tolerant maize (corn) to DP51291 maize (corn). 91 Fed. Reg. 11028. APHIS states that similar to DP23211 corn, “DP51291 corn was genetically engineered to express the IPD072Aa protein for control of...