Editor's Introduction

Elliot Eder

This marks the first Science and Technology Committee Newsletter for the 2002-2003 year. With the re-launch of this publication last year, there has been so much interest expressed in writing articles that Sarah Brozena, a fellow vice-chair of the Committee, has graciously agreed to be co-editor of the newsletter. In addition to her fine lawyering at the American Chemistry Council, Sarah brings both science and editorial background to the endeavor. Welcome, and many thanks.

This is the second recent issue to focus on litigation themes that are of interest to the Section in general and to committee members in particular.

• For openers, Beth Davis and Stan Green from Womble Carlyle, Sandridge & Rice, and Brian Heim from International Paper Company, discuss Science Issues in Mold Litigation.
  
  
• Thad Lightfoot, from The Environmental Law Group in the Twin Cities, evaluates the impact of the
  Ninth Circuit's Carson Harbor Villagedecision on passive migration issues in CERCLA and RCRA litigation.
  
  
• Jim Payne, from U.S. Department of Justice, is helping us navigate cyberlaw with E-Filing: Coming Soon to a Federal Court Near You. Jim discusses how electronic filing protocols in federal courts affect environmental, energy and natural resource cases.
  
  
• Susan Tighe-Litherland and Robert Chapin, both at Weston Solutions in Austin, share their litigation consulting experiences in Technical Issues in Litigation Involving Chlorinated Solvent Releases.
  
  
• We conclude the issue with a case study for lawyers looking for a useful overview of allocation issues in PCB cases. Bill Lowenbach, who consults on environmental, health and safety issues in the Washington, D.C. area, has gone back-to-basics with Allocation of PCB Sources at a Scrap Metal Yard.

Upcoming newsletters will focus on legislative developments and on administrative/regulatory issues that are of keen interest to committee members. If you have a special interest or idea in either area, we would welcome your topic submission. Simply send an e-mail to sarah_brozena@americanchemistry.com. Meanwhile, enjoy the holidays.