Linn Bumpers speaks with former EPA attorney Mark Talty about how the second Trump administration is reshaping federal regulatory policy. They unpack EPA’s rapid deregulatory push, the rollback of climate rules like the Endangerment Finding, and the agency’s reliance on new Supreme Court precedents to accelerate major policy reversals. The conversation highlights shifting legal strategies, the risks of a less predictable regulatory landscape, and how states may move to fill emerging gaps. They also discuss what these changes mean for long‑term compliance planning and how companies can position themselves as EPA recalibrates its priorities.

Scott Novak and Allison Watkins Mallick offer a breakdown of EPA’s decision to rescind its 2009 greenhouse gas endangerment finding and how the agency is interpreting the Clean Air Act. The discussion covers implications for vehicle and power plant standards, expected litigation, and what long-term uncertainty means for companies navigating federal and state climate rules.

Host Linn Bumpers explains the EPA’s proposed amendments to the 2024 PFAS reporting rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act. The discussion covers what PFAS are, why they matter, and how new exemptions such as de minimis thresholds and article imports could change compliance obligations for manufacturers and importers. With public comments open until December 29, 2025, this update provides timely insights for businesses navigating evolving environmental regulations.

Scott Novak and Allison Watkins Mallick unpack two of the most consequential potential shifts in U.S. climate regulation: the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposals to repeal the landmark 2009 endangerment finding for greenhouse gases and to rescind or revise greenhouse gas regulations for fossil fuel–fired power plants. They examine the legal basis for these proposals, the implications of these proposals on the vehicle and power sectors, and what companies can do to prepare for shifting regulatory ground.

Linn Bumpers and Martha Thompson discuss the regulatory landscape of PFAS, or Forever Chemicals, under the second Trump administration. They dive into EPA's priorities and recent updates, such as strengthening science, fulfilling statutory obligations, and building partnerships. Key focus areas include changes to reporting requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TOSCA) and potential shifts in regulation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The conversation highlights the evolving nature of PFAS regulations and the implications for various industries.

Scott Novak is joined by Tom Jackson as they discuss the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County , which has significant implications for infrastructure project permitting under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The conversation covers the limitations on agency obligations to consider upstream and downstream impacts and the emphasis on judicial deference in NEPA cases.

Scott Novak interviews Georgetown Law professor Vicki Arroyo, the former EPA Associate Administrator for Policy under the Biden administration. They discuss Vicki’s career, EPA’s major accomplishments during her time at the agency, and her thoughts on EPA’s new policy priorities.

This episode was recorded on March 24, 2025.