Environmental Law, Business Organization, Administrative Law

Solar Power Purchase Agreements: Tips and Tricks Part 1

by Robert Freedman - Partner at Tharpe & Howell,... on 11/30/2012

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

Minor Problems In Environmental Impact Report Are Not Prejudicial Defects

by Peter Bauman - Senior Associate at Tharpe &... on 11/15/2012

A recent appellate case addressed the issue of minor problems and deficiencies in an Environmental Impact Report (“EIR”) and whether they were prejudicial errors that amounted to defects in the approval process required for a...more

Five Steps to Take When an EPA Inspector Knocks

by Michael Volkov on 11/8/2012

A question I often am asked is “What can and should our company do when it receives an information request from EPA or an EPA inspector shows up unannounced at one of our facilities?” This is an excellent question in light...more

City of Los Angeles Waste Hauling Takes Big Step to Exclusive Franchise System

by Robert Freedman - Partner at Tharpe & Howell,... on 11/2/2012

The City of Los Angeles took another step towards granting exclusive franchises for commercial trash hauling within the City, franchises that would also cover large apartment complexes. Under a plan approved by two City...more

FTC Green Marketing Guides

by Peter Bauman - Senior Associate at Tharpe &... on 11/2/2012

The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced the release of revised “Green Guides” on October 1, 2012. The Green Guides are intended to help marketers avoid making misleading environmental claims. The Green Guides are...more

Proposed “Safer Consumer Product Regulations”

by Robert Freedman - Partner at Tharpe & Howell,... on 10/5/2012

Draft regulations regarding toxic substances in consumer products were issued for comment by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) on July 27, 2012. Referred to as the “Safer Consumer Product...more

City of Los Angeles Moves Forward With Farmers Field, Challenges Loom

by Peter Bauman - Senior Associate at Tharpe &... on 10/4/2012

What does pro football in the City of Los Angeles have to do with affordable housing? According to a coalition of community activists, the decision to build a stadium in downtown LA for an NFL franchise “would create a...more

Energy Industry Updates for October 2012

by Foley & Lardner LLP on 10/2/2012

In This Issue: - FERC Approves First Commercial Wave Energy Project - Benefit Corporation Legal Structure Utilized by Companies Focused on Renewable Energy - Massachusetts Provides Additional Policy Support for...more

Mixed Results for Renewable Energy as State Assembly Goes on Recess

by Peter Bauman - Senior Associate at Tharpe &... on 9/27/2012

Three out of four is an exceptional batting average, but renewable energy advocates are undoubtedly disappointed by the one big loss they suffered in the recent legislative session. Three bills related to solar energy and...more

Department of Interior Streamlining Utility Scale Solar in Western States

by Robert Freedman - Partner at Tharpe & Howell,... on 9/24/2012

Federal agencies in Washington D.C.and the State of California have been concurrently developing plans to allow development and permitting of utility scale solar energy plants on public lands. The US Department of the...more

AB 32 and Cap and Trade Design Basics

by Reed Smith on 9/24/2012

California, the world’s fifth-largest economy and 18th in total carbon emissions if it were a separate country1, is rapidly moving forward with the development of its cap and trade program scheduled to be implemented in 2013....more

Property Tax Savings for Green Condo Projects

by Heenan Blaikie LLP on 8/3/2012

How do you motivate condo developers to make green building standards a priority? Offer creative green building incentives that will make their projects more marketable. This is what Governor Cuomo had in mind for the State...more

Legislative Update Report No. 2012-14 -- August 1, 2012

by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP on 8/1/2012

In This Article: Federal Government; Alberta; British Columbia; Manitoba; New Brunswick; Newfoundland; Northwest Territories; Nova Scotia; Nunavut; Ontario; Prince Edward Island; Québec/Quebec; Saskatchewan; and...more

U.S. Tax Proposals to Help the Renewable Energy Industry

by Dechert LLP on 6/19/2012

A variety of tax proposals are now under consideration in the U.S. that, if enacted, could help to stimulate investment in U.S. renewable energy projects. One proposal would expand the beneficial tax attributes of...more

Legislative Update Report No. 2012-11

by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP on 6/15/2012

In This Article: Federal Government; Alberta; British Columbia; Manitoba; New Brunswick; Newfoundland; Northwest Territories; Nova Scotia; Nunavut; Ontario; Prince Edward Island; Québec/Quebec; Saskatchewan; and Yukon....more

Legislative Update Report No. 2012-10 - May 30, 2012

by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP on 5/31/2012

In This Article: Federal Government Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland Northwest Territories Nova Scotia Nunavut Ontario Prince...more

Natural gas encourages industrial and large commercial end-users to revisit their operational plans [Video]

by McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC on 5/8/2012

Natural gas is easily one of the most important areas of energy-related matters in the United States. In this video, McNees attorney James P. Dougherty provides an overview of Marcellus Shale and its significance in the...more

Washington State Passes Legislation Authorizing Social Purpose Corporations: Bill to Permit Corporations to Seek Social,...

by K&L Gates LLP on 4/13/2012

Washington Governor Christine Gregoire signed into law SHB 2239, a bill amending the Washington Business Corporation Act (“WBCA”) to authorize the use of social purpose corporations, effective June 7, 2012. Washington follows...more