Global Warming

EPA Head Formally Announces Elimination of Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan

Earlier this week, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt announced that he will sign a proposed administrative rule that will withdraw from the Clean Power Plan, a set of administrative regulations targeting coal and natural-gas power plant emissions. A longtime target of President Trump and Mr. Pruitt in his former capacity as Oklahoma Attorney General, the Clean […]

EPA halts landfill standards

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it would put a stop to two Obama-era rules for new and existing dumps meant to cut methane emissions at landfills. The EPA will reconsider the rules after industry groups protested the Obama Administration’s final rules for both rules: “Standards of Performance for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills” and Emission Guidelines […]

Court Rejects Necessity Defense for Pipeline Protesters

A Washington state judge rejected an environmental activist’s request to present a necessity defense at his trail, where the “activist,” along with four other “activists” face charges of sabotage and burglary. The defendant admitted to illegally entering a pipeline facility near Anacortes, Washington, and shutting off a valve. The defendant argued his actions were somehow justified since […]

Senate Confirms Scott Pruitt After Fight

The U.S. Senate confirmed Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as the U.S. EPA administrator on a 52-46 vote split largely along party lines. Quoting the New York Times report: “Democrats railed all night on the Senate floor against Mr. Pruitt and urged Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, to delay the confirmation vote […]

President Trump’s Nominees for Interior and Energy Easily Approved By Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Secretary of the Interior nominee Ryan Zinke and Secretary of Energy nominee Rick Perry were approved by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, paving the way for their confirmation by the full Senate. The committee approved Zinke by a 16-6 vote, and Perry by a 16-7 vote. Angering the Democrats on the Committee, […]

Enviros Make Bid to Intervene In Mineral Leases

Environmental Groups Seek to Intervene in Mineral Lease Sale Lawsuit This week in New Mexico, nine environmental groups asked a federal judge for permission to intervene in a law suit between Western Energy Alliance (“WEA”), an oil and gas industry group, and the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”). WEA challenges the agency, arguing that BLM […]

Environmental Groups Pile On Proposed Warriors Arena

Environmental groups voice opposition to proposed Warriors arena citing inadequate analysis of traffic, air quality, and noise impacts. On October 3, 2016, the Center for Biological Diversity, Coalition for Clean Air, Communities for a Better Environment, and Sunset Coalition (“Coalition”) submitted an amicus curiae brief in opposition to the arena, joining the petitioners/appellants in alleging […]

California Assembly Approves Measure to Extend GHG Emissions Reduction Goals

California Assembly Approves Measure to Extend GHG Emissions Reduction Goals On Tuesday, the California Assembly passed Senate Bill 32 (SB 32), which would strengthen and extend California’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, it would require a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gases from 1990 levels by 2030, a codification of Governor Brown’s emission […]

NEPA Greenhouse Gas Guidance Released by CEQ

NEPA Greenhouse Gas Guidance Released by CEQ This week, the White House Council on Environmental Quality released final guidance for Federal agencies intended to clarify when and how they conduct GHG analyses as part of National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) reviews.  GHG guidance was first drafted in 2010, and revised in 2014.  Previous draft versions […]

When Will Affordable Housing Advocates Push For More Supply, Fewer Rules?

When Will Affordable Housing Advocates Push For More Supply, Fewer Rules? A Forbes magazine article highlighted what is perhaps the largest affordable housing solution that everyone should know, but no one talks about–especially here in California: If you increase the supply of something, the cost goes down.  Hence, if home prices are too high, increase […]

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