For the past forty years, governmental agencies enjoyed a strong deference by the courts regarding challenges to their legal authority to develop and implement regulations. This deference made it difficult for the regulated...more
7/5/2024
/ Administrative Agencies ,
Administrative Procedure Act ,
Chevron Deference ,
Chevron v NRDC ,
Government Agencies ,
Judicial Authority ,
Loper Bright Enterprises v Raimondo ,
National Marine Fisheries Service ,
Regulatory Authority ,
Relentless Inc v US Department of Commerce ,
SCOTUS ,
Statutory Interpretation
Cannabis industry participants are keeping close tabs on a potential breakthrough in the Virginia recreational cannabis market. Virginia legalized adult-use recreational cannabis in 2021, but legislation that would have...more
2/27/2024
/ Cannabis Products ,
Decriminalization of Marijuana ,
Dispensaries ,
Legalization ,
Marijuana ,
Marijuana Related Businesses ,
New Legislation ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Recreational Use ,
Regulatory Reform ,
State and Local Government ,
State Legislatures ,
Virginia
Environmental justice is the meaningful and fair involvement of all people in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental policies, regulations, and laws. Community Benefit Agreements, can facilitate...more
On May 25, the Supreme Court of the United States significantly narrowed the scope of wetlands protected by the Clean Water Act (CWA or Act). The Court held that only wetlands indistinguishable from Waters of the United...more
6/23/2023
/ Clean Water Act ,
Environmental Policies ,
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ,
Federal Jurisdiction ,
Inland Waterways ,
Navigable Waters ,
Rapanos v US ,
Sackett ,
Sackett v EPA ,
SCOTUS ,
US Army Corps of Engineers ,
Waters of the United States ,
Wetlands
In a cross-practice effort involving WRVB’s Financial Services and Regulatory Compliance practice groups, Richmond attorneys John Byrum and Jay Spruill convinced the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) to strike a...more
Despite the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including lockdowns, vaccinations, and containment and relief efforts, the 2021 Session of the Virginia General Assembly produced a number of environmental protection...more
5/27/2021
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Environmental Quality ,
Environmental Policies ,
General Assembly ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Mining ,
Natural Gas ,
Pipelines ,
Power Plants ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Renewable Energy ,
Solar Energy ,
State and Local Government ,
State Legislatures ,
Storm Water ,
Water Quality ,
Wetlands
During its 2020 Session, the General Assembly passed and Governor Northam signed into law HB 1526/SB 851, the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA or Act). The VCEA codified the clean energy directives included in Executive Order...more
4/23/2021
/ Climate Change ,
Energy Efficiency ,
Energy Storage ,
Energy Tax Incentives ,
Environmental Justice ,
Fossil Fuel ,
General Assembly ,
Governor Northam ,
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ,
New Legislation ,
Offshore Wind ,
Renewable Energy ,
Solar Energy ,
Tax Exemptions ,
Virginia ,
Wind Power