Highlights of the latest update include:

• New Chapter 17D on Green Buildings and Sustainable Development which explains the concept behind green buildings, green building rating systems, and laws and regulations passed at the federal, state and local levels concerning green buildings. Also features handy reference materials including a directory of useful websites such as those of the United States Green Building Council, Green Globes, and the Energy Star® Program.
• New section in Chapter 13, Attorney’s Fees and Conflicts of Interest, discussing attorney malpractice for, among other things, providing negligent advice during real estate due diligence.
• Coverage of EPA’s new 2008 ozone standards and EPA’s amendments to the transportation conformity rule in Chapter 17, Clean Air Act.
• Discussion in Chapter 17B, Vapor Intrusion, of a new standard released in 2008 by ASTM International for the assessment of vapor intrusion into structures on property involved in real estate transactions.
• Added to Chapter 17C on Global Climate Change are the latest lawsuits challenging the construction, permitting, or operation of coal-fired power plants on the ground that their operation would contribute to climate change.
• Analysis in Chapter 19, Wetlands, of a March 2008 EPA rule concerning standards to mitigate the loss of wetlands.
• New section on EPA’s “Good Samaritan” Initiative dealing with the cleanup of abandoned mine sites in Chapter 31, Waste Site Liability.
• Featured in Chapter 34A on Agricultural Environmental Law is an analysis of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007, which concerns the ability of the Department of Homeland Security to regulate the security of high-risk chemical facilities, including certain agricultural operations.
• New section in Chapter 36A, Lead, discussing a new EPA rule pertaining to renovations of certain structures containing lead-based paint.
• Discussion in Chapter 46 of an amendment to California’s Superfund Act to require vapor intrusion analysis.
• New section in Chapter 47 concerning a joint strategy to evaluate vapor intrusion pathways at all remedial sites in New York State.
• New sections in Chapter 80, Pennsylvania, and Chapter 90, Washington, on the adoption by those states of the Uniform Environmental Covenants Act.

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