Environmental Evolutions

Hosted by Baker Botts L.L.P.

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Apr 2026

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About the show

Environmental Evolutions features hosts Linn Bumpers and Scott Novak along with lawyers and industry guests who explore emerging ideas and recent developments in environmental law and policy. Long time host Megan Berge has left Baker Botts for an in-house role. We congratulate her and look forward to her becoming a long time listener.

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April 15, 2026Episode 5614 min

Navigating EPA Rollbacks: Compliance and Litigation Risks Ahead

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.

March 30, 2026Episode 5525 min

EPA Enforcement in the Trump Era: What Companies Need to Know in 2026

Linn Bumpers speaks with former EPA attorneys Matt Morrison and Matt Trawick about how the second Trump administration is reshaping federal environmental enforcement. They break down the shift toward deregulation, reduced civil and criminal actions, and increasing reliance on states and NGOs, while noting which core programs—like PFAS, RMP, and Clean Air Act cases—remain active. The discussion highlights the Compliance First memo, implications of staffing cuts, and what a more fragmented enforcement landscape means for companies navigating federal and state requirements.

March 3, 2026Episode 5411 min

EPA Repeals the Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding: What It Really Means

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.

December 3, 2025Episode 5310 min

Forever Chemicals Under Fire: Breaking Down EPA’s New PFAS Amendments

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.

September 3, 2025Episode 5212 min

The Future of EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions 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.

July 18, 2025Episode 5116 min

PFAS Policy in the Trump Era

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.

June 6, 2025Episode 5018 min

Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County: The NEPA Narrowing

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.

May 2, 2025Episode 4932 min

Reflecting on EPA’s Changing Policy Priorities with Vicki Arroyo

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.

March 6, 2025Episode 4819 min

New Hosts, New Executive Orders

Linn Bumpers and Scott Novak host a thought-provoking discussion with Shai Sahay and Jeff Wood on the changing dynamics of environmental law and policy under the Trump administration's second term. The episode explores the implications of new executive orders and their potential impact on energy projects, environmental enforcement, and regulatory frameworks.

November 18, 2024Episode 4712 min

NEPA News You Need to Know Now

In this episode, host Megan Berge talks to long time NEPA practitioner Tom Jackson about the D.C. Circuit’s recent decision shaking the foundation of National Environmental Policy Act regulations across federal agencies. The decision is available here. Please reach out to Tom if you have questions about the decision’s potential impact on current or planned projects or funding requests.