For a long time, one of the central tensions in California land use law has been the uneasy relationship between Housing Element Law and CEQA. Under Housing Element Law, local governments are required to identify and rezone sites to accommodate their Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA). At the same time, those same rezonings have generally
Countdown to the New EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation: Compliance Considerations
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation takes effect Aug. 12, 2026, establishing a uniform framework covering recyclability, labeling, and extended producer responsibility for all companies placing packaging on the EU market, including non-EU businesses.
The jurisdictional collision over large loads and data center interconnection
Part 1: The demand surge and the DOE’s Section 403 direction
Over the past six months, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) have each taken major steps that challenge the 90-year-old boundary between federal and state authority over the electric grid. FERC regulates the interstate wholesale electricity market and
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—June 10, 2026
This Month:
- June 17: AgWorks: Strategies for Employing a Youth Workforce
- June 26: Understanding the Basics of Agricultural Vehicle Regulation—Free Attorney CLE!
- June 30: AgWorks: All About Farm Labor Contractors
International Trade: President Issues Proclamation Reducing Tariffs on Agricultural Equipment 
On June 1, 2026, President Donald Trump issued Proclamation 11032 (91 FR 34085
Preclusion Confusion? First District Holds Plaintiff’s Second CEQA Challenge to Bay Lights 360 Project Time-Barred Due to Preclusive Effect of Prior Unappealed Judgment on Demurrer Dismissing Action on Statute of Limitations Grounds; Finds Encroachment Permit Issued By Responsible Agency Caltrans to Implement Project Did Not Restart Limitations Period
In a partially published opinion filed June 5, 2026, the First District Court of Appeal (Div. 1) affirmed a judgment entered after Defendant and Respondent Bay Area Toll Authority’s (BATA) demurrer brought on statute of limitations grounds to a CEQA action challenging the “Bay Lights 360” Bay Bridge illumination project was sustained without leave to
EPA Again Delays Start of TSCA PFAS Reporting—Now Until January 2027 at the Latest
On April 13, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule further delaying the start of the one-time data submission period for reporting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under Section 8(a)(7) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The rule postpones the opening of the reporting window until EPA completes a separate,
PFAS Risks Are Everywhere
PFAS are everywhere and may represent risk to your organization. To better understand recent developments and how to identify and mitigate associated risks, check out our recent alert: PFAS Are Everywhere. Here’s How to Mitigate Your Legal Risks
Packaging EPR Hits Full Swing: Key Milestones Across California, Maryland, and Beyond
California and Maryland ushered in a number of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) obligations last week. Although packaging EPR laws in Oregon and Colorado have been operational for some time, recent milestones in California and Maryland will bring their programs into full swing this summer. While not yet fully implemented, Minnesota and Washington’s programs also hit
EPA RMP & EPCRA Inspections: What to Do If You Receive Notice
EPA is actively conducting on-site inspections focused on RMP and EPCRA compliance, and facilities receiving a Notice of On-Site Compliance Inspection (NOCI) must act smartly. Recent notices show that EPA is pairing short lead times with broad document requests, planning multi-day inspections, and undertaking close review of Program 3 accident prevention requirements.For facilities with regulated
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—June 4, 2026
Disaster Assistance Programs: Federal, State Governments Respond to Pennsylvania Freeze Event 
On May 26, 2026, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins had “signed a disaster designation for 17 counties in Pennsylvania due to damage and losses caused by below-freezing temperatures that occurred April 19 through April 21, 2026,” allowing