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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. 2017 NY Slip Op 05778 [152 AD3d 1016]
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 30, 2017

Riverkeeper, Inc. v. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

This case involves an appeal by Riverkeeper, Inc. challenging the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) decision to grant SPDES and Title V permits to Danskammer Energy, LLC for a natural gas electric generating station. Riverkeeper sought annulment of the permits and a negative declaration under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA), arguing for a public adjudicatory hearing and a new source review. The Supreme Court dismissed the applications, and the Appellate Division affirmed this judgment. The appellate court found DEC's determinations regarding the lack of need for a public hearing, compliance with thermal discharge regulations through a 'mixing zone' policy, and the non-permanent nature of the station's shutdown for new source review purposes to be rational and not arbitrary or capricious.

Environmental LawPermit RenewalSPDES PermitTitle V PermitState Environmental Quality Review ActPublic HearingNew Source ReviewWater Quality StandardsThermal DischargeClean Air Act
References
37
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Fourth Branch Associates v. Department of Environmental Conservation

Petitioners Joseph Harris and Fourth Branch Associates initiated a CPLR article 78 proceeding challenging the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)'s issuance of a 'Notice of Complete Application and Determination of No Significance' and a '401 Water Quality Certificate' for a proposed hydroelectric project by ENERCO Corporation and Adirondack Hydro Development Corporation (AHDC). Petitioners contended that NYSDEC violated the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) by not requiring an environmental assessment form, an environmental impact statement, or public hearings. AHDC argued federal preemption by the Federal Power Act, limiting NYSDEC's review to water quality standards. NYSDEC also moved for remand, acknowledging a procedural error in not requiring an environmental assessment form but arguing against preemption. The court determined that the Federal Power Act preempts NYSDEC from conducting a full SEQRA environmental review, limiting its authority to assessing compliance with State water quality standards. Consequently, NYSDEC was found to lack authority to require SEQRA-mandated forms, statements, or hearings for the 401 water quality certification.

Environmental LawFederal PreemptionWater Quality CertificationHydroelectric ProjectsState Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA)Federal Power ActCPLR Article 78 ProceedingState AuthorityEnvironmental ReviewRegulatory Control
References
56
Case No. 13-06-00569-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 30, 2008

Canyon Regional Water Authority v. Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and Margaret Hoffman in Her Official Capacity as Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

This case involves an appeal by Canyon Regional Water Authority (Canyon Regional) regarding water rates charged by Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority (Guadalupe-Blanco) and the administrative rules of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (the Commission). Canyon Regional challenged Guadalupe-Blanco's rate increases, arguing they were not

Water Rate AppealContractual InterpretationAdministrative LawDeclaratory ReliefAttorney's FeesSummary JudgmentPublic Interest HearingTexas Commission on Environmental QualityGuadalupe-Blanco River AuthorityCanyon Regional Water Authority
References
14
Case No. 03-15-00814-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 02, 2016

A. I. Divestitures, Inc.// the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality And Richard Hyde, in His Official Capacity as Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality v. the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality And Richard Hyde, in His Official Capacity as Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality// A. I. Divestitures, Inc.

This case involves an appeal from a district court's order concerning a plea to the jurisdiction. Appellant A. I. Divestitures, Inc. (A.I.) challenged a 2013 compliance history rating assigned by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (Commission) and its Executive Director, Richard Hyde, which classified A.I. as an 'unsatisfactory performer'. A.I. argued that an agreed final judgment (AFJ) used by the Commission should not have been considered due to its specific terms and that the Commission's actions were arbitrary and capricious. A.I. also sought declaratory relief under various acts and alleged a breach of contract. The Court of Appeals determined that A.I.'s suit for judicial review was moot because the 2013 rating had been superseded. The court further held that A.I.'s claims for declaratory relief lacked a justiciable controversy and its breach of contract claim was barred by sovereign immunity, leading to the dismissal of the entire case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

Compliance HistoryEnvironmental RegulationJudicial ReviewPlea to JurisdictionMootness DoctrineSovereign ImmunityDeclaratory JudgmentBreach of ContractTexas Water CodeTexas Health and Safety Code
References
36
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Sunbeam Environmental Services, Inc. v. Texas Workers' Compensation Insurance Facility

The appellants, Sunbeam Environmental Services, Inc. and Alphonso Solomon and Company, Inc., challenged a district court judgment that found them jointly and severally liable to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Insurance Facility for unpaid insurance premiums, interest, and attorney’s fees. The appellants raised issues concerning the statute of limitations, sufficiency of evidence regarding contract terms, ASC's liability, and premium calculations, as well as the award of attorney’s fees and attorney authorization. The appellate court determined that the statute of limitations did not bar the claim, as the period commenced from the premium invoice date, not the policy expiration. Furthermore, the court found ample evidence to support the district court's findings on contract validity, ASC's shared financial responsibility, and accurate premium calculations. Ultimately, the judgment awarding unpaid premiums, interest, and attorney's fees to the Facility was affirmed.

Workers' CompensationInsurance PremiumsStatute of LimitationsSufficiency of EvidenceAttorney's FeesJoint and Several LiabilityPayroll AuditCorporate OwnershipAppellate ReviewContract Dispute
References
12
Case No. 03-14-00718-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 04, 2014

Citizens Against the Landfill in Hempstead Michael McCall Wayne Knox And the City of Hempstead v. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Pintail Landfill, L.L.C.

This case involves an appeal by Citizens Against the Landfill in Hempstead (CALH), Michael McCall, Wayne Knox, and the City of Hempstead (collectively, Appellants) against the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Pintail Landfill, L.L.C. (Appellees). The appeal challenges the district court's judgment upholding TCEQ's decision to issue Registration No. 40259 to Pintail Landfill, L.L.C. for a transfer station/materials recovery facility. The appellants argue that the facility requires a full permit, not just a registration, under TCEQ rules, and that they were denied due process without an opportunity for a contested case hearing. They also contend that TCEQ violated its own policy by allowing an excessive number of Notices of Deficiency (NODs) during the application review process. The district court affirmed TCEQ's decision, which the appellants are now challenging.

Landfill PermitTransfer StationRecycling FacilityEnvironmental LawTCEQ RulesDue ProcessAdministrative Procedure ActNotice of DeficiencyWaste ManagementTexas Appeals Court
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Anderberg v. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

The petitioners, residents along Clove Road, initiated a CPLR article 78 proceeding against the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Ulster County Department of Public Works (Ulster County). The proceeding challenged DEC's decision to issue a stream disturbance permit for the replacement of a bridge on Clove Road, arguing that the project required a full State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) review, including an environmental assessment form (EAF). DEC and Ulster County classified the project as a Type II action, asserting it was a "replacement in kind" and thus exempt from comprehensive SEQRA review. The court found that the respondents had adequately considered environmental factors and that their classification of the project was not arbitrary or capricious. Consequently, the court dismissed the petition, ruling that no further SEQRA review was necessary. Additionally, the court denied the petitioners' motion for a default judgment against the Town of Gardiner concerning two other bridges, deeming the request premature.

Environmental LawSEQRA ComplianceBridge ConstructionAdministrative ReviewType II ActionStream Disturbance PermitPublic Works ProjectJudicial ScrutinyUlster CountyNew York State DEC
References
7
Case No. 98-CV-1117 (LEK/RWS)
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 09, 1998

Galusha v. NEW YORK STATE DEPT. ENVIRON. CONSERV.

Plaintiffs, individuals with physical disabilities, sued the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Adirondack Park Agency, and the State of New York, alleging that their policies in managing the Adirondack Park unfairly limit their access to certain areas in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). They sought a preliminary injunction to allow them to use motorized vehicles on restricted trails. The Court found that the defendants' policy had a disparate impact on disabled persons and that allowing limited, necessary motorized access on roads already used by non-disabled personnel would not fundamentally alter the Park program. Therefore, the Court granted the plaintiffs' motion for a preliminary injunction, mandating access to specific roads for persons with certified mobility impairment disabilities.

Americans with Disabilities ActADAAdirondack ParkEnvironmental ConservationMotorized Vehicle AccessMobility ImpairmentPreliminary InjunctionDisparate ImpactPublic AccommodationsState Government Action
References
27
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 19, 1989

Orange Environment Inc. v. Jorling

The petitioner, a nonprofit corporation, initiated a CPLR article 78 proceeding to challenge the Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) decision to renew a landfill permit for Al Turi Landfill, Inc. The permit extension allowed expanded use and acceptance of incinerator ash without requiring a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS). The petitioner contended that DEC failed to conduct a thorough environmental review. The Supreme Court dismissed the petition. On appeal, the court affirmed the dismissal, ruling that DEC had taken a "hard look" at the environmental concerns and provided a reasoned basis for not requiring an SEIS. The appellate court also found that DEC was not obligated to consider cumulative impacts in the absence of a comprehensive development plan and that the permit renewal was consistent with the department's aquifer protection policy.

Environmental LawLandfill PermitSEISNegative DeclarationAdministrative ReviewCPLR Article 78Environmental Impact AssessmentGroundwater ContaminationAppellate ReviewPermit Renewal
References
7
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

ELG Utica Alloys, Inc. v. Department of Environmental Conservation

Petitioner Universal Waste, Inc. initiated an Article 78 proceeding to challenge the Commissioner of Environmental Conservation's denial of its application to reclassify a 21-acre parcel in Utica, Oneida County, from a Class 2 to a Class 3 inactive hazardous waste disposal site, or to have it removed from the registry entirely. The site, contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from a former scrap metal operation, had been designated a Class 2 site by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) since 1985 due to a significant environmental threat, triggering a complex legal and administrative history. Despite an Administrative Law Judge's recommendation for reclassification to Class 3 following a hearing, the Commissioner ultimately denied the request in October 2011, concluding that petitioner failed to demonstrate the site no longer posed a significant threat to the environment. The Commissioner's decision highlighted the presence of massive quantities of PCBs, the absence of effective cleanup measures, and evidence of contamination exceeding state standards both on-site and migrating to the adjacent Mohawk River and wetlands. The Appellate Division affirmed the Commissioner's determination, dismissing the petition and finding no jurisdictional overreach, no substantial prejudice from a five-year delay in the decision, and that the Commissioner's findings were supported by substantial evidence.

Environmental LawHazardous WastePCB ContaminationSite ReclassificationAdministrative LawArticle 78 ProceedingEnvironmental Conservation Law (ECL)Inactive Hazardous Waste Site RegistryAppellate DivisionJudicial Review
References
20
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