Focus
Department of Interior scales back environmental regulations for public lands
The Hill – February 23
The Department of Interior (DOI), which is in charge of the nation’s public lands and waters, has completed a major scaling back of its environmental regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In its NEPA overhaul, DOI, which also oversees activities including drilling and mining on the nation’s lands and in its waters, has rescinded more than 80 percent of its previous NEPA regulations. In a press release, DOI stated that its actions would be aimed at cutting down delays and costs for energy, minerals, livestock grazing, infrastructure, wildfire mitigation, water projects, and conservation efforts. Supporters of more robust environmental reviews argue they are an important guardrail for health and the environment.
News
Bay Area refinery to pay one of the largest penalties ever issued by regional air regulators
San Francisco Chronicle – February 23
The Martinez Refining Co. will pay $10 million to settle allegations stemming from more than 100 notices of environmental violations between early 2020 and 2024, including multiple releases of harmful dust that blanketed nearby properties. The Contra Costa District Attorney and the Bay Area Air District announced the penalty last week, marking the third-largest penalty ever reached for air district violations.
California fast-tracks groundwater recharge permits to maximize stormwater capture in wet season
Smart Water Magazine – February 25
California is accelerating the authorization of stormwater capture and groundwater recharge projects ahead of the current wet season. The California State Water Resources Control Board has approved nine temporary groundwater recharge permits, allowing local agencies to store significant volumes of excess surface water underground during wet periods. The permits are designed to help agencies plan and operate larger recharge projects without seeking annual approvals.
Supreme Court takes up oil companies’ plea to end climate change lawsuits
NBC News – February 23
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear an attempt by oil and gas companies to dismiss a lawsuit filed in Colorado state court seeking to hold them accountable for the costs of climate change. The court's ruling could have national implications, likely determining whether similar lawsuits filed by cities and municipalities across the country seeking billions of dollars in damages under state laws can move forward, or whether climate change claims raise only a federal issue, as argued by the companies, because pollution crosses state lines and cannot be addressed on a piecemeal basis.
State appeals court rejects asbestos lawsuit by San Diego city workers
The San Diego Union-Tribune – February 23
A state appeals court has upheld a 2024 lower court decision dismissing claims from dozens of San Diego city employees who said they were wrongly exposed to asbestos during the renovation of their office space. A three-judge panel of the 4th District Court of Appeal ruled last week that the employees could pursue any injury claims through the worker’s compensation process rather than in state court.
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