This Committee focuses on: 1) generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) relating to environmental costs, assets, liabilities, and impairments; 2) disclosure of environmental matters under Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations; 3) the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley pertaining to environmental matters; and 4) voluntary sustainability/social responsibility disclosures of environmental matters to stakeholders.

Primer on Mandatory Environmental Disclosure: A Presentation Explaining the Longstanding SEC Regulations as Amplified by Sarbanes Oxley

SEC regulations and authoritative accounting guidance dealing specifically with disclosure of environmental liabilities have been in effect since the 1970s, and have been updated on various occasions throughout the 1980s and 90s. Taken all together, they constitute an impressive body of requirements. Unfortunately, they have not been promulgated in a cohesive fashion, and it has been difficult for environmental practitioners to sort through and comprehend the requirements.

And then came Sarbanes-Oxley. This statute, and its blizzard of implementing SEC regulations, has made it urgent for all environmental practitioners to understand what is required to be reported pursuant to SEC and accounting standards.

Here is a “primer” that will help you to understand both the SEC and accounting requirements, including the very substantial impact Sarbanes-Oxley has on these requirements.

View the "primer" page.

To become a member of the Environmental Disclosure Committee, please complete the on-line Committee Sign-Up Form.

For more information on becoming a member of the Environmental Disclosure Committee, please contact our Membership vice chair, Jeffrey C. Fort.

Chair:
Scott D. Deatherage

Vice Chairs:
Committee Newsletters
Kevin J. Klesh

Membership
Jeffrey C. Fort

Programs
Gayle S. Koch

Public Service
TBD

Technology
Rebecca Leamon

David A. Roth

The Year in Review
Jeffrey B.Gracer

Seth Kerschner

Additional
Leslie H. Lowe

Additional (Liaison - Business Law and EENR)
Lawrence P. Schnapf

Additional (Liaison - Canadian Bar)
Len Griffiths

Additional (Liaison - Climate Change & Sustainability)
Stephen J. Humes