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Temple Fire Station Mold Battle
July 21st, 2025
The ongoing situation at Temple, Texas Fire Station Two serves as a compelling illustration of why comprehensive site pollution liability insurance is not merely a safeguard, but a critical component of risk management for any property owner, particularly public entities. This case highlights how what might seem like a minor issue can quickly escalate into a protracted, complex, and costly environmental challenge with significant operational disruptions. The timeline of events at Fire Station Two, spanning nearly three years and still ongoing, underscores the long-term financial and operational impacts that pollution insurance is designed to address. Initial Discovery (November 2022): The first identification of mold, specifically Penicillium/Aspergillus, in the kitchen area of Station Two through air quality testing. At this nascent stage,...
Abandoned: 175 Gallons of Antifreeze
July 7th, 2025
A recent incident in Warren, Michigan, where 175 gallons of antifreeze were dumped overnight onto a public roadway, highlights the persistent threat of “midnight dumping.” This clandestine practice involves the illegal disposal of waste materials—often hazardous—under cover of darkness to avoid detection and liability. While shocking, this case is far...
Delaware Enacts New Lead Legislation
July 3rd, 2025
Delaware's newly enacted legislation mandates that, by July 1, 2028, all rental properties constructed before January 1, 1978, must be certified as either lead-free or lead-safe. This initiative aims to mitigate the risks associated with lead-based paint,...
Rail Exposures: Transportation risks for business owners
July 17th, 2025
Recently, a Canadian National train derailed near Glendora, Mississippi, igniting a tank car of benzene and forcing the evacuation of the tiny community. Though state health officials later confirmed that the local water supply tested free of benzene contamination, residents reported headaches, fatigue, drowsiness and lingering fears about water safety....
California Lawmakers Approve Major Overhaul of Landmark Environmental Law
July 2nd, 2025
On July 1, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom enacted a landmark overhaul of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), marking the most significant reform to the state's...
Protecting Your Business: Lessons from the Wahpeton Incident
July 10th, 2025
On July 7, 2025, a significant chemical spill occurred at the Cargill plant near Wahpeton, North Dakota. Approximately 2,000 gallons of hydrochloric acid leaked from a storage tank, prompting evacuations within a one-mile radius and shelter-in-place orders...