The government has announced the launch of ESG standards to help companies transition to renewable energy.
By Paul A. Davies, Farhana Sharmeen, Michael D. Green, and James Bee
On 11 April 2023, the Malaysian government announced that it will introduce a framework on environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) standards by the
In a published opinion filed March 2, 2023, the Fifth District Court of Appeal held that where no governmental approvals were required, an investor-owned public utility was not required to comply with CEQA prior to exercising its eminent domain power by filing an action to condemn a maintenance/access easement in connection with its existing electrical
The federal government recently has acted to address the effects of the “megadrought” in the western half of the United States. These steps include (1) allocation of historic funding amounts to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (“Reclamation”) for the rebuilding of critical water infrastructure and water conservation programs in the West; and, within the last
Pipelines: DOT Grants $196 Million for Pipeline Repair and Improvement Projects
On Wednesday, April 5, 2023, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced $196 million in grants that will fund 37 projects across 19 states for the purpose of fixing old, leaky pipelines. The main goal of the projects
The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEX) recently published a consultation paper proposing to mandate all listed companies in Hong Kong to provide climate-related disclosure in their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reports. The proposal is formulated with reference to the Climate Standard exposure draft published by the International Sustainability Standards Board and will be introduced
Last month, the Delaware House of Representatives and Senate passed Concurrent Resolution No. 20 (the “Resolution”) related to aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). While concurrent resolutions lack the force and effect of law, they may form joint task forces or express requests from the legislature.
Used as a fire suppressant, AFFF is a known source
On Monday, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals held that the City of Berkeley ordinance entitled “Prohibition of Natural Gas Infrastructure in New Buildings” was preempted by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The relevant language in the EPCA provides as follows: 
no State regulation concerning the energy efficiency, energy use, or water use of
At the Spring 2023 National Meeting of the US National Association of Insurance Commissioners (“NAIC”), a number of sessions were held focused on environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) initiatives, led by the Special (EX) Committee on Race and Insurance (the “R&I Committee”) and the Climate and Resiliency (EX) Task Force (“C&R Task Force”), both of
The Commission is also consulting on proposed targeted amendments to the Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act and on the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act.
By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee
On 5 April 2023 the European Commission opened a consultation on its proposal for four additional environmental objectives under the EU
By Jean-Philippe Brisson, Yvette D. Valdez, Michael Dreibelbis, and Jim Lambert
The UN sustainable aviation compliance program, known as CORSIA, has released its eligibility requirements for emissions units for its next phase, starting in January 2024. These updates are likely to impact global carbon markets in determining the emissions units that airlines