Last week, in Bristol Asphalt v. Rochester Bituminous Products, the SJC jettisoned two prior decisions and revised its directions to lower courts regarding how to handle “special motions to dismiss” under Massachusetts’ so-called “Anti-SLAPP” statute. If you don’t know what SLAPP stands for, you can just stop reading now.
The purpose of the Anti-SLAPP
Environmental Law and the Brownfield ‘Energy Community’ Clean Energy Tax Credit Bonus Under the IRA
The Inflation Reduction Act, Pub. L. No. 117-169, 136 Stat. 1818 (Aug. 16, 2022), among other things creates tax incentives for clean energy development. The IRA enhances those tax credits for energy projects located on a “brownfield.” That enhancement will increase development pressure on “brownfield” sites. There may be some confusion over how “brown” a
NGO successfully challenges planning inspectors’ report on energy performance standards
The recent decision (20 February 2024) of the High Court in R (Rights Community Action) v Secretary of State is a rare example of an NGO succeeding in a climate change legal action under English law. In the case, Rights Community Action persuaded the High Court to overturn a finding by the Secretary of State’s Planning Inspectors that a local authority’s “net zero” policy was unlawful.
CDC Trims COVID-19 Isolation Guidance: COVID-Positive Individuals Need Only Isolate for 24 Hours After Being Fever-Free
By Adam R. Young, A. Scott Hecker, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is shifting its COVID-19 isolation guidance, advising that COVID-positive individuals no longer need to isolate once they have been fever-free for 24 hours and their
Post-Sackett Wetland Delineation Process Raises Questions
Back on August 29, 2023, U.S. EPA issued the rule to conform its regulations to the ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court in Sackett v. EPA which significantly reduced the number of wetlands that are federally protected under the Clean Water Act (CWA). (See, prior post discussing Sackett) The Court limited federal jurisdiction to only
New York is Coming for Your Cheeseburger with Greenwashing Case
The allegation is founded in the apocalyptic environmental belief that net zero is not attainable from a meat processor
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—March 4, 2024
Explore the Center’s New Geographical Indications Virtual Resource Room.
Right to Farm: West Virginia Passes Law Prohibiting Interference with ‘Permissible’ Pesticide Use, Expands Agriculture Protections
On February 23, 2024, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice approved legislation SB 171, which amends W. Va. Code §7-1-3 to prohibit county commissions from enacting any law “that
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of March 4, 2024
State Regulation: Colorado Limits Government Use of Gas-Powered Lawn Equipment
In February 2024, the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) formally adopted a new regulation first announced in December 2023, that limits the use of gas-powered lawn equipment by state agencies. The new regulation is only applicable during summer months, beginning June 2025, and affects
EPA Announces Removal of Existing Natural Gas Plants from Proposed Carbon Rule
On February 29, 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a significant delay in the implementation of its proposed carbon rule for existing natural gas power plants. This decision has drawn criticism from both environmental and industry groups, highlighting the complex interplay of environmental justice, political considerations, and regulatory challenges. EPA first proposed the
FDA and Industry Announce the End of PFAS Use in Food Packaging
In a significant move designed to enhance public health, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that the sale of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used in grease-proofing food packaging has ceased in the United States. (USFDA Announcement) This decision targets the major source of dietary exposure to PFAS, which are found in