In my October 2023 blog post about “The Plastics Problem in Massachusetts,” I noted that environmental and some mainstream groups have been attacking traditional recycling of plastics in an effort to stop the manufacture of...more
As we wrap up our week-long celebration of Earth Day with insightful articles focusing on various aspects of plastic pollution, this final article focuses on how the courts are being asked to step into ring and referee the...more
This year’s Earth Day theme is “Planet versus Plastics.” When most people think of plastic pollution, their minds likely conjure up an image of single-use plastics—such as grocery bags, beverage container rings, or discarded...more
As we kick off Earth Day 2024, we look to this year’s Earth Day theme–“Planet versus Plastics.” Planet versus Plastics seeks to focus attention on the challenges that plastic pollution poses to the planet. In recognition of...more
On April 18, 2023, the Government of Canada announced the launch of consultations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) with respect to...more
Companies should consider taking proactive measures to avoid being blindsided by future microplastic-related laws. California’s adoption of the Statewide Microplastics Strategy is the first attempt by a U.S. state to...more
The Finance Act 2021 sets out a more sustainable and environmentally friendly tax system by legislating to implement a plastic packaging tax (Tax). The new Tax, which will come into force on 1 April 2022, will encourage the...more
In August, the U.S. Department of State held a public meeting on initiatives to address ocean plastic pollution that offer some key insights into how this policy area is unfolding. ...more
The Finance Bill 2021 sets out a more sustainable and environmentally friendly tax system by legislating to implement a plastic packaging tax (the "Tax"). The new Tax will encourage the use of recycled plastic within...more
Throughout Connecticut’s legislative session, these updates highlight developments concerning environmental law and policy. The author prepares updates as Legislative Liaison of the Connecticut Bar Association’s Environmental...more
New York’s “Bag Waste Reduction Act” and the regulations promulgated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) to enforce this law become effective on March 1, 2020. The law bans the distribution...more
Welcome to our Environmental Legislative Updates. Throughout Connecticut’s legislative session, these updates highlight developments concerning environmental law and policy. The author prepares updates as Legislative...more
Grocery shoppers used to make the final decision of their supermarket trip in the checkout line. Reaching for boxes of cereal, cartons of eggs, and jars of jam in their rolling metal carts, placing those items onto...more
Say what you will about our elected representatives – they are not short on concepts for new laws. What accounts for this inexhaustible fecundity? Perhaps the fundamental principle of the legislative universe that we call the...more
Welcome to our Environmental Legislative Updates. Throughout Connecticut’s legislative session, these updates highlight developments concerning environmental law and policy. ...more
The Situation: Current EU legislation does not address management of single use plastic products. The Result: Following its previous example of light-weight plastic carrier bags, the European Commission therefore proposes...more
Cooke Aquaculture Fined $332,000 For Puget Sound Salmon Pen Collapse - The Washington Department of Ecology has reportedly fined Cooke Aquaculture $332,000 for violations of state water quality laws related to a net pen...more
On November 8, 2016, California voters approved Proposition 67, the statewide ban on carry-out plastic bags, by 52 percent. At the same time, California voters rejected Proposition 65 by 55 percent–a measure that would have...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - President Obama vetoes Keystone XL pipeline, leaving it in limbo: Reuters - Feb 24: President Barack Obama on Tuesday, as promised, swiftly vetoed a Republican bill approving the...more
A number of recent legislative and regulatory developments in or related to CEQA will impact public agencies, developers, and practitioners in the coming year. Some significant recent developments include: SB 743...more
In Save the Plastic Bag Coalition v. City and County of San Francisco, et al. (“Plastic Bag III”) (December 10, 2013), the First District Court of Appeal affirmed the Superior Court’s denial of a petition for a writ of...more
Gov. Brown wants to use cap-and-trade fees to fund high speed rail project - Insurance For Less - Jan 8: Gov. Jerry Brown announced plans to provide new funding for California’s high speed rail project from corporate...more
After years of study, Marin County adopted an Ordinance in 2011 banning single-use plastic bags and mandating a 5-cent fee on single-use paper bags; the ordinance applies to roughly 40 retailers in the unincorporated county....more
Decision expected to provide guidance for public agencies in determining the type of environmental review required for such bans....more