Briefings
What changed in environmental, land-use and permitting rules for development in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania: what happened, who is affected and the next date that matters.
- MediumErie County, NY
New York appeals court holds brownfield cleanup kept Buffalo scrap yard's grandfathered use alive
The Fourth Department upheld a zoning board finding that ongoing state brownfield remediation continued a nonconforming scrap yard use, so a new operator needed no use variance.
- MediumWindham County, CT
Connecticut Siting Council keeps Plainfield waste-to-energy petition on declaratory-ruling track; hearing October 22
The Council declined on October 1, 2026 to convert the 45-megawatt Plainfield petition into a full certificate case. The declaratory-ruling proceeding continues, with a remote hearing on October 22, 2026 and a decision deadline stated as August 2, 2027.
- MediumFairfield County, CT
Connecticut proposes ending federal hazardous waste cleanup oversight at former GE Bridgeport plant, with building limits
State regulators tentatively find cleanup complete on 30.2 acres at 1285 Boston Avenue, relying on a recorded land-use restriction instead of a permit; comments are due November 12, 2026.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey opens 300-megawatt community solar block for 5-to-20-megawatt projects on rooftops, landfills and contaminated sites
A September 9, 2026 BPU order implementing a new law lets community solar projects up to 20 MW register through December 31, 2028, sets a 33-month build window and defers escrow forfeiture. Eligible sites are limited to rooftops, landfills, contaminated sites and mining sites.
- MediumNew Jersey
Federal: Appeals court upholds Superfund listing of two PFAS chemicals; buyers of contaminated sites affected
The D.C. Circuit's August 18, 2026 decision denied the petitions for review, leaving PFOA and PFOS designated as hazardous substances under the federal cleanup law, with release reporting at one pound. It applies to acquisitions and redevelopments in NJ, NY, CT and PA; the court points to the statute's existing liability limits.
In courtContamination & cleanup - HighPennsylvania
Pennsylvania approves revised soil cleanup standards for lead and other contaminants; rule awaits publication
The rule sets a 5 micrograms-per-deciliter default blood-lead target and changes how carcinogenic PAHs are calculated; it takes effect on Bulletin publication, which DEP's October 1 update does not yet show.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey court approval fixes cleanup funding rules at four former DuPont chemical plants
A federal judge approved New Jersey's PFAS settlement with DuPont, Chemours and Corteva, starting the clock on cleanup financial assurance at Chambers Works, Parlin, Pompton Lakes and Repauno.
- MediumNew York
New York proposes requiring active landfills to treat leachate before disposal, with phase-in to four years
DEC's proposed amendments to its solid waste rules would require treatment of leachate at 32 active landfills before it goes to wastewater plants or other discharge, with plans due one and two years after the effective date. Comments closed September 9, 2026. The proposal is not in force.
- MediumNew York
New York legislature passes stricter PFAS drinking-water limits while federal rollback is proposed
Both houses passed a bill setting New York limits of 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS and 10 for three other PFAS, with water systems to comply by May 1, 2029. As of October 7, 2026 the Senate page shows it awaiting the Governor. Federal proposals of May 20, 2026 would drop limits for those three PFAS.
ProposedContamination & cleanup - HighConnecticut
Connecticut ends Transfer Act filings for sales from March 1, 2026; release-based cleanup applies
Since March 1, 2026 transactions no longer require Transfer Act filings, and cleanup duties arise when a release is discovered or occurs. A legislative study of brownfield problems under the new program is due January 1, 2027. Deal documents drafted around Transfer Act forms should be examined.
- MediumConnecticut
Connecticut reissues dewatering and cleanup wastewater permit; new sites must apply 180 days before discharging
The state's general permit for dewatering and remediation wastewater took effect March 1, 2026 and runs to February 28, 2031. New sites apply 180 days before discharge and file coastal, wildlife and treatment documents. A related draft general permit was withdrawn on July 15, 2026.
- MediumNew York
New York's revised cleanup rules for brownfields and Superfund sites took effect December 31, 2025
DEC adopted rewritten cleanup rules with no change from its proposal. They revise more than half of the soil cleanup objectives, define site cover requirements and drop the historic fill definition. DEC's materials read describe no transition rule for projects already in the program.
- MediumNew Jersey
New Jersey industrial business sales trigger state cleanup duties, with notice due five days after signing
Selling or closing a covered industrial business requires state notice within five days and remediation or a funded remediation certification before transfer, and noncompliance lets the buyer void the deal.