Once President-elect Trump and Lee Zeldin settle into leadership at the EPA, everyone expects a shift in environmental policy and protection priorities. In our article we summarize some likely changes, including regulatory rollbacks, reduced focus on environmental justice, and a renewed emphasis on energy dominance. These shifts will impact compliance strategies, permitting, and enforcement priorities.
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of January 6, 2025
LNG Exports: DOE Releases Updated Study on LNG Exports and Invites Public Comment
On December 17, 2024, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the 2024 LNG Export Study: Energy, Economic, and Environmental Assessment of U.S. LNG Exports. The long-awaited study examines the potential effects on domestic households, consumers, economy, and energy security by
Employee Driving and Employer Responsibilities
Two days before Christmas, the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal handed down an opinion that should be of note to Louisiana employers. In its opinion, the Court of Appeal held that as a matter of law, an employer can be vicariously liable for damages caused by an employee involved in a motor vehicle accident
CARB Will Not Fully Enforce California’s Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act in 2026
CARB will not penalize reporting entities for incomplete Scope 1 and 2 emissions disclosures under SB 253, irritating lawmakers and raising the specter of oversight hearings.
By Joshua Bledsoe, Nikki Buffa, Betty M. Huber, and Matthew Green
On December 5, 2024, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued an Enforcement Notice for
Erick Hernández Gallego Attends UN Climate Change Conference on Behalf of ICC Mexico
Erick Hernández Gallego, co-chair of GT’s Mexico City Energy & Natural Resources Practice and chair of the Mexico City Environmental Practice, is quoted in an ICC Mexico press release on the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Erick notes that the agreements reached in Baku also left several challenges for Mexico, where decarbonization could
Briefing Underway in Challenge to Maximum Contaminant Limits (MCLs) for PFAS in Drinking Water
Petitioners filed their opening briefs in the consolidated challenge to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA’s”) Final Rule establishing Maximum Contaminant Levels (“MCLs”) and Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (“MCLGs”) for six PFAS in drinking water.
Three petitions were filed this summer in U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit by American Water Works Association (“AWWA”)
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of December 23, 2024
Public Health: Department of Energy Releases Three Action Plans for Transportation Emissions
On December 12, 2024, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) announced three action plans regarding transportation emissions. In 2023, the DOE, the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) partnered to
EIR Certification and Categorical Exemption Upheld for Components of Los Angeles Westside Mobility Plan
In Westside Los Angeles Neighbors Network v. City of Los Angeles (2024) 104 Cal.App.5th 223, the Second District held that the City of Los Angeles Planning Commission (“Commission”) was a decision-making body authorized to certify the final EIR for the entirety of the Westside Mobility Plan (“Mobility Plan”). The Court found that this authority
Montana Supreme Court Holds that State Constitution Protects Youth Plaintiffs’ Right to Protection from Climate Change
Montana is among the states with a constitutional provision recognizing a right to environmental quality, in its case to a “clean and healthful environment.” Mont. Const. art. II, § 3. It further requires the state to take steps to “maintain and improve a clean and healthful environment.” Mont. Const. art. IX, § 1. On Dec.
Minnesota Seeks Comment on Rules Implementing Reporting Requirement for Products Containing Intentionally Added PFAS and Associated Fees
Following up on the rulemaking process presaged by Minnesota’s comprehensive statute (Amara’s Law) requiring phase outs of PFAS intentionally added to products, which we’ve previously discussed here and here, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has issued a new request for comments that consolidates two separate earlier requests for comments on proposed