In December 2024, the European Union adopted the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR), which replaces the former Packaging Directive (94/62/EC). The regulation took effect 11 February 2025 and will apply after an 18-month transition period, beginning 12 August 2026.
On Aug. 13, 2025, a federal court in California denied a request to temporarily block California’s Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) and Climate-Related Financial Risk Act (SB 261). The laws remain in effect as the legal process continues, with initial compliance deadlines approaching in 2026.
Several key bills were passed during Florida’s 2025 legislative session that pertain to the real estate industry, including those that focus on housing affordability and development regulation. Notable legislation from this session includes updates to the Live Local Act, amendments involving local government land development regulation, changes to the availability of wetlands mitigation, and streamlining
Recent changes in federal government policies and reduced resources at environmental agencies are reshaping the landscape for environmental lawyers. As agencies struggle with limited capacity and diminished data collection, legal professionals must adapt their strategies to continue effectively advocating for their clients.
On June 30, 2025, California Gov. Newsom approved a bill (SB 131) aimed at increasing housing supply and strategic economic development. The bill has sparked controversy among some groups. Critics view it as a rollback of environmental protections under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which is California’s version of the federal National Environmental Policy
Data center developers often struggle with lengthy and costly regulatory hurdles at both state and federal levels. In a move to simplify this process, the Trump administration has issued an executive order and introduced the “America’s AI Action Plan,” both designed to accelerate federal permitting and reshape environmental review frameworks for new data centers and
Renewable energy generation and transmission projects often face the challenge of mitigating the impacts on endangered and threatened species when project development results in the destruction of critical habitat. The New York legislature sought to address this challenge by authorizing the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to develop regulations to implement the
On July 17, 2025, the Public Service Commission (PSC) rescinded the Public Policy Requirement identified in the 2022 PSC proceeding. This action terminated the New York Independent System Operator, Inc. (NYISO)’s New York City Public Policy Transmission Need (PPTN) process – a transmission initiative to integrate offshore wind generation to the state grid – citing
On June 30, 2025, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills into law (AB 130 and SB 131) that include reform measures to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Several federal agencies have released modified National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing regulations.