On August 21, 2025, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection published its proposed Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification package proposed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite permitting of energy related projects as a means of implementing several Executive Orders issued by President Trump aimed at expediting regulatory approval of such projects. In finalizing its decision on the proposed Certifications, the WVDEP will consider the impact of activities that would be authorized using these mechanisms on water resources, fish and wildlife, recreation, critical habitats, wetlands, and other natural resources. …
In accordance with the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, a municipal zoning hearing board possesses exclusive jurisdiction to hear and render final adjudications over a number of land use matters. In their recent article Commonwealth Court Finds Objectors May Have Standing to Intervene in Appeals of Zoning Enforcement Notices, 
On July 31, 2025, EPA published its highly anticipated Interim Final Rule to extend several deadlines in 40 C.F.R. Part 60, Subparts OOOO, OOOOa, OOOOb and OOOOc that were promulgated in EPA’s 2024 Methane Rule. That same day, environmental groups filed a lawsuit challenging the Interim Final Rule. Absent a stay by the court, which the environmental groups are currently not seeking, the Interim Final Rule and the various extended deadlines are effective. 
Melanie S. Lampton
This is the seventh in a series of profiles featuring the women attorneys of Babst Calland to acknowledge and celebrate their success and to connect women attorneys across the Firm’s practice groups, offices and clients. This attorney spotlight features 
Babst Calland announced the lateral move of veteran attorney 
In her recent article Employer Guidance for Workplace Interactions with ICE with Steve Antonelli, Alex Farone provides guidance to employers for potential interactions with or inspections by ICE at the workplace, including preliminary actions, suggested steps during an ICE visit (whether announced or unannounced), and follow-up recommendations. To view the article, 
With election season just around the corner, Pennsylvania municipalities often face the issue of municipal vacancies. While some municipalities have highly contested elections, others, particularly small boroughs, may struggle to find individuals even willing to serve. Municipalities often have questions regarding the rules for these openings, which follow rules from multiple statutes and codes. To add to the confusion, the rules for filling vacancies differ greatly depending on the type of municipality and the exact timing of when the vacancy occurs. 
Employers that have a presence within the city limits of Pittsburgh should be aware of upcoming changes to the city’s paid sick leave law. Currently, the City of Pittsburgh’s Paid Sick Days Act requires businesses within the city limits to provide one hour of sick leave for every 35 hours worked. For businesses that employ 15 or more employees, this requirement is capped at 40 hours per year. For businesses with fewer than 15 employees, the cap is 24 hours per year. 
