Richard J. Fehir, Ph.D. Joins Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. And The Acta Group Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) and The Acta Group (Acta®) are pleased to announce that Richard (Rick) J. Fehir, Ph.D. has joined our firms as Senior Chemist/Regulatory Scientist. Dr. Fehir joined B&C and Acta after a distinguished 17-year career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), during which he provided science and regulatory leadership across three major regulatory frameworks: the...
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...
April 14, 2026
NALC and NASDA Foundation Will Hold Agricultural and Food Law Policy Briefing on May 6, 2026
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...
On April 6, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the draft of its sixth Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) issued under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), including for the first time microplastics as a priority contaminant group. 91 Fed. Reg. 17186. Section 1412(b)(1)(B)(i) of SDWA, as amended in 1996, requires that EPA publish the CCL every five years. The contaminants on the List are not regulated under national primary drinking water regulations, but either occur or...
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...
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) and The Acta Group (Acta®) are pleased to announce that Richard (Rick) J. Fehir, Ph.D. has joined our firms as Senior Chemist/Regulatory Scientist. Dr. Fehir joined B&C and Acta after a distinguished 17-year career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), during which he provided science and regulatory leadership across three major regulatory frameworks: the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and...
April 8, 2026
Geopolitics, Energy Prices, and Carbon Policy: Will Conflict with Iran Reshape U.S. Climate Strategy?
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...