Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, PFAS, have emerged as a consequential and rapidly evolving areas of environmental law, drawing regulatory attention from federal agencies, state governments, and the courts. As Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection advances new permitting frameworks, biosolids regulations, and public participation processes, practitioners across industries face the challenge of keeping familiar with evolving compliance obligations. This CLE program brings together leading voices on PFAS science, federal and state regulatory developments, and Pennsylvania-specific enforcement trends to equip attorneys, compliance professionals, and environmental advisors with the practical knowledge they need to counsel clients and manage risk in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. This CLE Course from the Pennsylvania Bar Institute addresses these topics:
Introduction to PFAS – Regulatory Updates for Non-Environmental Lawyers
Understand the Science Behind the Headlines
PFAS regulation continues to evolve rapidly at both the federal and state levels, creating significant compliance, environmental, and business challenges for regulated industries, municipalities, utilities, and practitioners. This timely program provides a practical overview of the science, regulation, and policy developments shaping the future of PFAS oversight — with a particular focus on Pennsylvania.
From Chemistry to Compliance
Faculty will begin after a foundational introduction to PFAS, including classification, chemistry, and how these substances move through the environment, the discussion of the federal regulatory landscape, increased state-level enforcement and rulemaking activity, and how changing administrative priorities may affect future regulation and compliance obligations.
What Pennsylvania Practitioners Need to Know
You will also hear an update on safe drinking water standards, Pennsylvania-specific biosolids issues, DEP draft permits, product reporting requirements, and the DEP’s evolving public participation process. Whether you advise clients, manage compliance responsibilities, or monitor environmental risk, this program will help you better understand the legal and regulatory developments likely to impact Pennsylvania’s future environmental processes.
Faculty for this program includes:
James Fenstermacher, PE, leader of the Americas PFAS Emerging Contaminants Team for Ramboll
Nikolina Gaudin, Esq., Assistant Counsel with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Bureau of Regulatory Counsel
Kaitlyn Maxwell, Esq., Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, Environmental Practice
Kacy Manahan, Esq., Senior Attorney with Delaware Riverkeeper Network