Energy & Utilities Law › Consumer Protection

California Environmental Law and Policy Update - April 8, 2013

In This Issue: Environmental and Policy Focus - EPA proposes rules to lower sulfur in fuel; Home Depot pays $8 million to settle California paint lawsuit; Center for Biological Diversity sues federal government over...more

EU Environment Report - March 2013

In This Issue: *Chemicals: - European Chemicals Agency consults on ten new substances for REACH candidate list - European Food Safety Authority publishes its 2013 work plan - European Food Safety...more

Advertising News & Analysis - March 28, 2013

In this issue: - FTC Reopens Comment Period on Proposed Changes to EnergyGuide Labels - Venable’s Advertising Practice Named to Chambers USA Shortlist - Protect Your Brand Against New Top-Level Domain...more

EU Environment Report - February 2013

In This Issue: *Chemicals: - Commission concludes that the REACH Regulation has brought significant improvements - Commission releases roadmap on SVHCs - ECHA publishes additional list of substances for...more

Illinois Commerce Commission Must Consider Public Comments

The Illinois Commerce Commission must consider comments made by ratepayers at public forums and on the Commission’s own website before setting new utility rates. Lake Wildwood Association and Apple Canyon Lake Property...more

How Are We Doing? The Mercury Story

The late Ed Koch (former mayor of New York) famously used to ask his constituents “How am I doing?” Answering this question is also prudent (if not required) in evaluating environmental policies. Probably the most relevant...more

Under the Dome: Inside The Maine State House Special Edition 1-24-13

With a population of roughly 1.3 million people, Maine is a small player in national markets. At the same time, Maine legislators have attempted to have an out-sized voice in the national marketplace of legislative policy by...more

Solar Power Purchase Agreements: Tips and Tricks Part 1

Solar power panels on residential rooftops are an increasingly common sight these days. But the legal mechanics behind the development and delivery of solar power to consumers can be complex. There are several alternative...more

New State Bill Aims To Make Solar Power A Reality For Renters

Homeowners and renters in California may soon be able to access solar or other renewable energy from community based self-generation programs as an alternative to the power grids offered by the state’s three major public...more

Southern District of Texas Holds That Traditional Choice of Law Rules Do Not Apply To TCPA Claims

Bank v. Sparks Energy Holdings, LLC, Civ. No. 4:11-cv-4082, 2012 WL 4097749 (S.D. Tex. Sept. 13, 2012) Plaintiff, a citizen of the State of New York, filed a purported class action lawsuit in Texas against Defendant. At...more

2011-2012 Massachusetts Legislative Session

The formal legislative session for 2011-2012 concluded on July 31st. The session was defined by landmark legislation in healthcare cost containment, economic development, energy, and consumer protection. The Legislature will...more

SEC Issues Final Rule on Extractive Industry Transparency

On August 22, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") voted two to one in favor of a final rule implementing Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Commissioners Schapiro and...more

Upstate New York Landowners Can Renegotiate Natural Gas Leases Under New Agreement

Attorney Steven Getman reports that Chesapeake Appalachia, L.L.C. will allow over 4,400 landowners who were locked into potentially unfavorable natural gas leases the opportunity to renegotiate with the energy company. As...more

EU Environment Report - April 2012

In this issue: - Chemicals ..New ban on cadmium in batteries proposed by EC ..Commission review of nanosilver ..Sweden considers new BPA ban for children’s food packaging ..Dry cleaning activities to be...more

President Obama Issues Statement on Regulatory Oversight of Oil Markets

On April 17, President Obama issued a statement calling for increased oversight of manipulation in oil markets. The President indicated that he will take executive actions to improve the government’s ability to analyze and...more

Act 127 of 2011 - The Gas and Hazardous Liquids Pipeline Act: paPUC Registration

In December 2011, Governor Corbett signed into law the Gas and Hazardous Liquids Pipeline Act ("Act 127") that expands the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's ("PUC" or "Commission") authority to enforce federal pipeline...more

EU Environment Report - March 2012

In this issue: - Chemicals *Member states to evaluate chemicals published in first list of substances under REACH Regulation *EU restricts the use of phosphates and other phosphorus compounds in...more

UK Electricity Market Reform: An Update – Capacity Market

In our August Alert "UK Electricity Market Reform - what does it mean for future generation projects?" we reviewed the UK Government's proposals, as set out in an energy White Paper1, to achieve its commitment to "transform...more

Licensed to Bill: Sub-Metering in Condominiums

The famous Thomas Edison once said “I shall make electricity so cheap that only the rich can afford to burn candles”. While we are still very far away from seeing Mr. Edison’s statement come to fruition, the provincial...more

EU Environment Report - October 2011

In this issue… Chemical - French proposal to ban Bisphenol A in food containers approved by Assemblée Nationale - Commission adopts first-ever international definition of nanomaterials - ECHA publishes...more

Felecita Del Carmen Canas, et al v. Centerpoint Energy

Plaintiffs' Memorandum of Law on the Filed Tariff Doctrine and how it Does not Protect a Gas Utility from Tort Liability

Felecita Del Carmen Canas was burned alive in a gas explosion. She left three orphans. Millions and millions of underground pipelines transport gas from public utility companies to our homes, schools and businesses. Most of...more

Electricity Regulations and Tariffics

Attempts by the Nigerian Government to privatise the electricity generation, transmission, distribution, marketing, tariffs, etc have remained a matter of much challenge and resistance both from the citizens and special...more

I Prezzi di Benzina e Gasolio: l'Anomalia dell'Italia e Cinque Proposte di Policy

 Alleggerire i vincoli amministrativi sull’apertura dei punti vendita e sui comportamenti dei distributori al dettaglio (delle pompe di rifornimento), mantenendo solo quelli effettivamente necessari a perseguire...more

Preserving the Open Internet / Broadband Industry Practices

FCC's Report & Order on Net Neutrality

On Dec. 23, 2010, the FCC released this controversial order on broadband industry policies. Whether the FCC has jurisdiction and power to govern this subject matter, and whether this achieves the objective of net neutrality,...more

Will The Revised "Green Guides" Do More Harm Than Good?

Last week Sun Chips pulled its biodegradable snack bag off the market around the same time that the FTC announced that it wanted to change its so-called "Green Guides." Coincidence? Maybe. Sun Chips explained that the more...more