Despite significant growth of renewable energy, study suggests fossil fuels will continue to be predominant source of energy

In its annual International Energy Outlook study (available HERE ), the U.S. Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) concluded that petroleum and similar liquids would remain the world leader in energy consumption over the next decades, with natural gas and coal following.

While renewables are the world’s fastest-growing energy source, the EIA estimates that fossil fuels will still account ...Read More

First District Court of Appeal: City not Required to Consider Compliance with the Subdivision Map Act Prior to Certifying CEQA Document or Issuing Entitlements

The First District Court of Appeal reversed a lower court decision setting aside the City of Redwood’s decision to certify an EIR and approve a planned development permit for 4.75 acres in the case Save Laurel Way v. City of Redwood City (August 29, 2017, Case No. A147942). Project opponents raised multiple claims, including violation ...Read More

New Federal Order Limits Length and Time of NEPA Studies

On August 31, a memo from the Interior Deputy Secretary David Bernhard was made public and directed that the Department’s environmental impact statements (“EIS”) to not be more than 150 pages, or 300 pages if the project is unusually complex. The Interior Department imposed this controversial new restriction citing a need to ...Read More

Hurricane Irma Likely to Extend Harvey’s Impacts on U.S. Petroleum Production

Hurricane Irma is the second major hurricane to hit the U.S. in two weeks. Irma follows Hurricane Harvey, which shut down a quarter of U.S. refineries and 8 percent of U.S. oil production. Crude prices have slumped, as the outages reduce demand for crude. The trend continued into the weekend as of Friday, 9/8/17.

Recovery to ...Read More