Employers nationwide can breathe a collective sigh of relief. On Friday November 15, 2024, District Judge Sean D. Jordan of the federal district court for the Eastern District of Texas granted a motion for summary judgment finding that the Department of Labor’s 2024 Rule – that would have increased the minimum salary level required to
UK Government Announces New UK 2035 Climate Target
The Prime Minister announced the new UK target of an 81% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee
On 12 November 2024, the UK government announced a new climate target to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 81% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. The target forms part of the UK’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which outlines commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change. The UK government announced that the revised NDC is aligned with the goal of limiting global temperature rises to 1.5°C, which was outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Louisiana Senate Bill 1: A Step Toward Establishing Business Courts
Louisiana’s Senate Bill 1, introduced during the recent 2024 Third Extraordinary Legislative Session, aims to establish specialized business courts in Louisiana through a state constitutional amendment. The bill seeks to amend the constitution and give the legislature the authority to create “specialized” courts. This proposed amendment must first receive two-thirds approval in both the Louisiana
Shell Wins Appeal in Dutch Climate Ruling
On 12 November 2024, the Court of Appeal in The Hague handed down its ruling in the appeal proceedings between Shell plc and Milieudefensie, a non-governmental organization. Shell appealed a district court ruling ordering the company to reduce its global CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, through the group’s corporate policy.
EU Commission Suggests Potential Consolidation of ESG Reporting Frameworks in 2025
The announcement follows declarations to simplify regulatory frameworks for businesses, and an overall drive to increase competitiveness in Europe.
By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee
On 8 November 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen indicated that certain existing and future EU ESG reporting obligations will be consolidated
President Elect Announces Proposed USEPA Administrator
President-elect Donald J. Trump announced on Monday, November 11, 2024, his intention to nominate former Representative Lee Zeldin, Republican of New York, as the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, after President-elect Trump takes office in January 2025.
While the next Trump Administration and former Representative Zeldin generally are expected to pursue a
First Commercial Offshore Wind Lease Sale in the Gulf of Maine Completed
On October 29, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) held an auction for offshore wind areas in the Gulf of Maine. Although BOEM leased an offshore wind area in the Gulf of Maine for a research installation last August, the October auction was the first commercial offshore wind lease sale in the region. Of eight available areas, four were bid on and awarded. The areas in the Gulf of Maine are expected to require floating technology, a first for the east coast.
California Open to Input on Endangered Species Listing for Burrowing Owl
Burrowing owl female with three owlets at Pawnee National Grasslands, Danita Delimont, Unsplash License
The western burrowing owl was just recently elevated to a “candidate species” under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). As a candidate species, the owl now has legal protection from being hunted,
Keeping the Flame Alive: Washingtonians Vote to Preserve Natural Gas
Voters Save Gas Stoves from Government Ban Portending More ..
Center Attends 2024 AALA Educational Symposium
From November 7-9, 2024, four Penn State Law students joined Center staff to attend the American Agricultural Law Association’s 2024 Annual Educational Symposium in Memphis, TN. The AALA Annual Symposium is a national CLE conference attended by hundreds of attorneys from across the United States. At the Symposium, Center staff and students attended a variety