Three years after a massive spill at a Los Angeles wastewater facility sent millions of gallons of sewage into Santa Monica Bay, the city has agreed to spend more than $20 million on improvements to remedy the environmental...more
The Environmental Protection Agency issued its final rule establishing biofuel volume requirements for 2023 to 2025 under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program on June 21. The Rule aims to reduce the United States’...more
[co-author: Leila Fleming] Supreme Court Restricts the EPA’s Authority to Mandate Carbon Emissions Reductions (NPR) - On Thursday, the Supreme Court invoked the “Major Questions Doctrine” in West Virginia v. EPA to...more
On November 12, 2021, a divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association, Inc. v. EPA, et al. held that the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) cannot regulate...more
The aviation industry, including air carriers and aircraft manufacturers, has taken significant steps toward increasing the environmental sustainability of the industry. Overall, many airlines have demonstrated a commitment...more
California and five major automakers finalize deal on vehicle emissions standards - The New York Times – August 17 - The California Air Resources Board (CARB) this Monday finalized “Settlement Agreements” with five of...more
Led by California, 23 states, including Massachusetts, have sued the Trump administration challenging new federal regulations that strip the states’ authority to set their own vehicle emissions standards. On December 3, 2019,...more
The Trump Administration’s recent lawsuit against California’s climate change policies has cast a spotlight on a stark and troubling reality. U.S. v. California is just the latest salvo in a sustained, direct assault by EPA...more
Multi-state coalition’s lawsuit challenges Trump EPA withdrawal of California Clean Air Act waiver. EPA formally announced its decision to withdraw California’s 2013 Clean Air Act waiver, which allowed the state to set its...more
Focus - EPA officially withdraws California’s authority to set its own fuel standards - CBS News – September 19 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) this Thursday formally withdrew the 2013 Clean Air Act waiver...more
Focus - EPA will not approve labels that say Roundup chemical causes cancer - U.S. News & World Report – August 8 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this Thursday that it will not approve...more
Focus - White House pressures automakers on fuel rules, blocking California - Reuters - March 6 - Last Friday, White House officials met with senior lobbyists from General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co, and Fiat Chrysler...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - States sue Trump administration over fuel economy fines - ABC News - Sep 11 - New York, California, and three other states are suing the Trump administration, saying it must put...more
Even as the Trump administration is calling into question whether it will remain committed to Obama-era fuel economy and emissions targets, state governments are stepping up to enforce those same targets....more
POET, LLC v. State Air Resources Board (POET II) is the second chapter in the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) troubled history meeting its California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance obligations while also...more
Last Friday, EPA published notice that it would not be revising its regulations on backup generators in response to three petitions for reconsideration it had received after it promulgated its final rule in January 2013. The...more
On July 2, 2014, EPA released a signed, pre-published version of its final rule for "Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Pathways II and Modifications to the RFS Program, Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Requirements, and E15 Misfueling...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - California lawmakers pass $687 billion drought plan -- San Francisco CBS Local - Feb 27: California lawmakers have passed a $687 million plan to provide immediate relief to...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - White House proposes new fuel efficiency rules to reduce emissions from heavy trucks: Los Angeles Times - Feb 18 - President Obama moved ahead Tuesday with plans to further tighten...more
Environmental and Policy Focus: Ninth Circuit debates application of dormant Commerce Clause - CourtHouse News - Jan 22: A Ninth Circuit appellate panel’s rejection of a challenge to the “life-cycle analysis” approach...more
In Tuesday’s State of the Union address, President Obama urged Congress to pass a reauthorization for the Water Resources Development Act. President Obama also called for corporate tax reform as a method to finance...more