GHG Emissions: PA Commonwealth Court Finds State Membership in Carbon Emissions Trading Alliance Illegal
On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania granted a request for declaratory and injunctive relief filed by numerous private companies and individuals in the fossil fuel industry acting as petitioners in a lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Department of
Latest from Agricultural Law Weekly Review - Page 21
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—November 6, 2023
Agricultural Labor: National Labor Relations Board Publishes Final Rule for New Joint Employer Status Test 
On October 27, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) published in the Federal Register a final rule titled “Standards for Determining Joint Employer Status” (88 FR 73946), which replaces the previous 2020 rule (85 FR 11184
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of November 6, 2023
Oil & Gas Leasing: Alaska Challenges DOI’s Cancellation of Leases in Alaska National Wildlife Refuge
On October 18, 2023, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (ADIEA), a public corporation owned by the State of Alaska, sued DOI for cancelling its leases in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Alaska Indus. Dev. & Export Auth.
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of October 30, 2023
Pipelines: 4th Circuit Court of Appeals Rules that Maryland Cannot Refuse Pipeline Construction on State Land
On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the district court’s decision to dismiss the State of Maryland’s case against Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC. Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC v. 0.12 Acres of Land, More or
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—October 30, 2023
National Agricultural Policy: USDA Allocates $2.3 Billion in CCC Funds for Trade Promotion, Surplus Commodity Purchases
On October 24, 2023, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA will allocate $2.3 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds for agricultural trade promotion and international food aid. According to the announcement, $1.3 billion
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—October 23, 2023
Ag-Gag Statutes: Supreme Court Denies Petition to Decide Whether First Amendment Protects ‘Newsgathering Activities’ in Non-Public Farm Areas
On October 16, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition for a writ of certiorari for a case seeking reversal of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit’s decision upholding parts of North Carolina’s
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of October 23, 2023
Infrastructure: DOE Announces Phase 1 Award Winners in Buildings UP Program
On October 11, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy (EERE) announced $22 million in awards through its Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP). The Building Up program awards groups developing building upgrades focusing on energy efficiency and greenhouse
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of October 16, 2023
Offshore Drilling: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Publish Proposed Final Program for Lease Sales in Gulf of Mexico
On October 2, 2023, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), DOI, published a Notice of Availability for the 2024-2029 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Proposed Final Program (PFP) and Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
Agricultural Law Weekly Review—October 16, 2023
Agricultural Labor: Supreme Court Denies Case to Apply FLSA ‘Agricultural Exemption’ to On-Farm Construction
On October 2, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition for certiorari in a case questioning whether a company must pay overtime to H-2A employees who construct on-farm livestock confinement facilities or whether those employees are exempted from Fair Labor
Shale Law Weekly Review—Week of October 9, 2023
National Energy Policy: The White House Publishes Directive on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases in Guiding Executive Agency Decisions
On September 21, 2023, the White House published a fact sheet directing federal agencies to consider the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases (SC-GHG) when making budgeting decisions, during procurement processes, and in National Environmental Policy