A number of the new administration’s executive actions are intended to implement a significant shift in energy and environmental policy, including the following, all issued on January 20, 2025. “Unleashing American Energy”...more
On Friday, January 3, 2025, the Montana Supreme Court issued a decision in MEIC v. DEQ (Laurel Generating Station), its second major decision on the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) in the last few weeks that affects...more
In a 6-1 ruling yesterday, Montana’s Supreme Court upheld a landmark decision finding that a 2011 state law making it illegal to consider environmental impacts (including greenhouse gas emissions) when issuing permits for...more
Last month, the High Court ruled that planning permission previously granted for a coal mine in West Cumbria was unlawful (Friends of the Earth v West Cumbria Mining [2024] EWHC 2349 (Admin) ("West Cumbria Mining")). West...more
On July 4, 2024, the UK general election took place, and the Labour Party won with a significant majority. After 14 years of Conservative Party rule, a number of changes are now expected in respect of the UK's position on...more
Finch v. Surrey calls for assessment of all likely direct and indirect environmental effects in EIAs, including certain Scope 3 emissions if a reasonable estimate is feasible. On 20 June 2024, the UK Supreme Court (the...more
The key principles for a Carbon Management Strategy and draft act on the revision of the Carbon Storage Act create new opportunities for investors and project developers. The German Federal Government’s Carbon Management...more
As the world focuses on energy transition and decarbonisation, there is clearly no shortage of bold ambition on the part of many African governments to play a key role in global efforts to tackle climate change. Meanwhile,...more
What is the Hydrogen Hubbub? Hydrogen is seen by many as the fuel of the future, a substance that can provide heat through combustion, or electrical power from fuel cells, emitting only water in the process. Its potential...more
On August 14, 2023, in a “landmark” ruling, a Montana state court held that youth plaintiffs had standing to assert constitutional claims against the State of Montana, its governor and state agencies for “ignoring” the impact...more
During a pandemic paper purge, I found a corporate newsletter showing me and my boss, George David, then CEO of United Technologies Corporation, at the Earth Technologies Forum admiring a display captioned “Why is UTC a...more
President Biden is reportedly contemplating the declaration of a “national climate emergency” (NCE). According to his advisors, all options are on the table for the administration as it seeks to meet its ambitious climate...more
Blocking funding for gas energy projects in Africa may seem like sensible climate policy. But is it? Although the generally accepted ultimate goal is to replace fossil fuels entirely, there is a strong case for starting by...more
Last week, AIG significantly restricted its underwriting of and investment in fossil fuel projects. Specifically, it announced the following actions: With immediate effect, committed to no longer invest in or provide...more
“Decarbonization” and “Electrification” are the buzzwords floating around Illinois following Governor Pritzker’s signing of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (the “Act”) on September 15, 2021. As the largest and most...more
The Biden administration's governmentwide approach to addressing climate change throughout all industries puts an unprecedented degree of pressure on traditional energy sources to prioritize innovation in order to sustain...more
Why the American Jobs Plan Would Benefit Coal-Heavy Utility Stocks - "A close look at some of the utilities publicly supporting a federal CES, which would require utilities to increase their share of carbon-free energy...more
In December 2020, the Norwegian government approved funding the $1.6 billion Northern Lights project led by Norway’s Equinor, Anglo-Dutch Shell and France’s Total. Northern Lights is the transportation and storage element of...more
Why the U.S. isn't in Desperate Need of the Keystone XL Pipeline - "U.S. President Joe Biden fulfilled a campaign promise by scuttling the 1,897-kilometre pipeline." Why this is important: While the rescission of the...more
In a Rare Rebuke, FERC Fails to Approve Mountain Valley Pipeline's Proposal - The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission deadlocked 2-2 on Mountain Valley’s request to bore under streams and wetlands along the pipeline’s...more
The Washington Department of Commerce released its 2021 State Energy Strategy this month. The Energy Strategy is, first and foremost, a greenhouse gas reduction strategy. It begins with the declaration that “[a]voiding the...more
An increasing number of lawsuits relating to climate change are being filed with courts all around the world. But there is another avenue for pursuing grievances related to climate change that has been relatively unexplored...more