Executive Actions’ Impact on Energy, Transportation and Water
President Trump has signed an executive order seeking to move certain permitting authority from California and Los Angeles to the federal government, saying California and local agencies are moving too slowly on helping...more
Each year, California enacts a number of new laws impacting municipalities throughout the state. New legislation for 2026 includes noteworthy updates to the Brown Act, financial training requirements for public officials,...more
Welcome to “CEQA News You Can Use,” a quarterly production of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP’s Natural Resources lawyers. This publication provides quick, useful bites of CEQA news, which we hope can be a resource for...more
On December 29, 2025, FERC terminated the hydropower license for the 0.9-megawatt Au Train Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. 10856), located on the Au Train River in Alger County, Michigan (Termination Order). FERC...more
On January 8, 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finalized 57 Nationwide Permits first proposed in June of last year. Nationwide Permits (NWPs) are streamlined federal permits for activities that affect waters of the...more
The Trump administration has finalized a plan to roll back regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a landmark environmental law that the White House says needlessly delays federal approvals for...more
The Arkansas Water Resources Center (“AWRC”) issued an announcement stating that requests for pre-proposals for the 104(b) Grant Program are being solicited....more
On December 11, 2025, Representative Adam Gray (D-CA-13) and Representative Jim Costa (D-CA-21) announced a legislative package entitled the End California Water Crisis Package. The bills “aim to expand California’s water...more
In Tulare Lake Basin Water Storage District v. Department of Water Resources, 115 Cal. App. 5th 342 (2025), the Third District Court of Appeal held that the Delta Reform Act’s certification-of-consistency requirement does not...more
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Commission approved $153 million for drinking water and wastewater related projects. 52 entities will receive the funds....more
Scarcity of water is emerging as a defining constraint of the 21st century. As one of the most notoriously water-intensive activities, the mining and metals industry sits at the heart of this challenge. In the United...more
This edition of Africa Focus explores the key dimensions underpinning the issues of food and energy security across Africa. The first article, “The European Deforestation Directive: Impact on food security in Africa”...more
Food security remains a critical issue in Africa. The ongoing water infrastructure crisis—marked by insufficient investment, water scarcity and the impacts of climate change—is the key factor undermining the continent's...more
H.R. 2940 was introduced into the United States House of Representatives. The legislation is denominated “Advancing Water Reuse Act’’ (“Reuse Act”)....more
In a published opinion filed October 17, 2025, the Third District Court of Appeal reversed the trial court’s preliminary injunction orders in five related actions prohibiting preconstruction geotechnical work to be undertaken...more
Governor Newsom signed in law California Senate Bill 598 (SB 598) on October 11, 2025, and will go into effect January 1, 2026. SB 598 will implement processes to streamline local agency water infrastructure projects. It will...more
The City of Fairfield was not required to demonstrate that an agreement to receive, treat, and return water to Solano County Irrigation District was consistent with the City’s general plan. Not every decision that affects...more
California energy regulators last Friday postponed plans to impose penalties on oil companies for excessive profits. The California Energy Commission’s postponement of this determination until 2030 comes after two oil...more
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture announced the next Water Well Construction Committee (“Committee”) will meet on September 10th. The Committee will meet at 9:30 A.M. at the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Natural...more
On July 28, 2025, the Director of Civil Works for the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Eddie Belk, issued guidance for analyzing induced flooding. This guidance is intended to help USACE Districts and Divisions...more
The Congressional Research Service (“CRS” has issued an August 6th Explanatory Memorandum titled: Continuing Authorities Programs (CAPs) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Memorandum”). The Memorandum provides an...more
Fundamental changes are in the works for energy, transportation and water project development as federal agencies are implementing new policies and have begun updating their rules in response to President Trump’s numerous...more
The UK's water sector is not just evolving; it is undergoing a monumental transformation, presenting infrastructure investors with an extraordinary chance to participate in building a more resilient and sustainable future...more
Since January 20, 2025, there have been a number of executive orders and agency guidance and memoranda that have the potential to impact a wide range of industries nationwide. While the full impact of these actions is not yet...more