WASHINGTON, March 12, 2019 — Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler and Global Senior Director for Molson Coors Kim Marotta are among the speakers at the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy and Resources 48th Spring Conference on March 27-29 at the Grand Hyatt Denver in Denver.
What: 48th Spring Conference
Sponsored by the ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources
When: Wednesday-Friday, March 27-29
Where: Grand Hyatt Denver
1750 Welton St.
Denver, CO 80202
Program highlights include:
“PFAS: Impacting Site Remediation and Litigation for Years to Come?” — Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS, are man-made chemicals that are widespread in drinking water. Used in a number of ordinary consumer products, including carpets, clothing, cookware, popcorn bags and dental floss, PFAS are now considered a health risk in fairly small amounts of water. The preferred methodologies to investigate and remediate these chemicals continue to be developed, and the regulations governing cleanup levels remain in flux at both the federal and state levels. Faced with these uncertainties, some companies have already paid hundreds of millions of dollars to resolve their potential liabilities.This session will explore the legal theories that drive PFAS litigation and discuss how lawyers can effectively advise their clients in due diligence and through the investigation and remediation process. Thursday, 10:30 a.m.-noon
“Turning Brownfields into Green Money: Creative Deals to Boost Contaminated Superfund Site Redevelopment and Streamline Cleanups” — Contaminated properties are often a drain on private and public finances, and it is typically many years before a site is repurposed for higher and better use. Sophisticated investors who can assess and manage environmental risk see contaminated properties as profitmaking opportunities. Likewise, regulators and governments see financial incentives as a tool for expediting and improving contaminated site cleanups for public benefit. Attendees will learn how recent legal and policy developments, including the BUILD Act and relevant recommendations of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Superfund Task Force, may offer new options for the efficient cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated sites. Friday, 1:30-3 p.m.
“The New Cannabis Industry: Will It Cause the Environment to Go to Pot?” — Colorado, California and six other states have broad laws allowing recreational use of cannabis, and medical marijuana sales are now legal in 30 states, with more states likely to follow. This session will discuss federal and state regulation of cannabis, environmental and local permitting requirements and other issues related to the new “green” industry — marijuana. Friday, 1:30-3 p.m.
A complete agenda can be found online.
The conference is co-located with the 37th Water Law Conference on March 26-27, allowing media to cover both events.
This event is free and open to members of the press. For media credentialing and registration, please contact Jennifer Kildee at 202-662-1732 or [email protected].
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