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Contamination and cleanup

Brownfields, site remediation, PFAS, Superfund, spills, solid waste and landfills. What changed, the rules that apply and the dates ahead for projects in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.

Latest briefings

  1. 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.

    In courtContamination & cleanupZoning & land use
  2. 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.

    ProposedEnergy & gridContamination & cleanup
  3. 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.

    ProposedContamination & cleanupZoning & land use
  4. 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.

    FinalEnergy & gridContamination & cleanup
  5. 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.

    FinalContamination & cleanup
  6. 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
  7. 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.

    In courtContamination & cleanupTaxes & incentives
  8. 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.

    ProposedContamination & cleanupStormwater & water quality
  9. 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
  10. 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.

    FinalContamination & cleanup

All briefings on this topic

Rules 26

Funding and incentives 10