2019

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2018 Annual NEPA Report Available

NAEP Leadership Blog

The National Association of Environmental Professionals' (NAEP's) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Practice is pleased to present our eleventh NEPA Annual Report. This report contains summaries of NEPA developments during 2018 as well as the NEPA Practice’s efforts for the past year. This annual report is prepared and published through the initiative and volunteer efforts of members of the NAEP’s NEPA Practice.

2018 120
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Supreme Court Won’t Hear Challenge to Oregon’s LCFS Program

Clean Energy Law

High Court’s action clears pathway for low-carbon fuel standard programs. By Joshua T. Bledsoe , Kimberly D. Farbota , and Brian F. McCall. On May 13, 2019, the US Supreme Court denied certiorari in American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), et al., v. O’Keeffe, et al ( O’Keeffe ), effectively affirming a US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit decision that upheld the constitutionality of Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program (CFP).

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2019 Louisiana Investment Adviser Update

The Energy Law Blog

Fingerprints Effective January 1, 2019, Louisiana Senate Bill 416 requires all investment adviser representative (“IAR”) applicants to submit fingerprints for a criminal background check to the Louisiana Commissioner of Securities. La. R.S. 51:703(D)(5). Investment adviser representatives registered before January 1, 2019 (unless they change advisers) and IAR’s already registered with FINRA do not need to submit fingerprints.

2019 40
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A Scientific Perspective on EPA’s Proposal to Weaken Performance Standards for New Coal-fired Power Plants

Columbia Climate Law

The Petra Nova carbon capture facility in Texas. This week, the Sabin Center and a group of scientists with expertise on carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”) technologies submitted comments on EPA’s proposal to weaken the CO 2 performance standards for new coal-fired power plants. As discussed in a previous blog post , the current standards, which were promulgated in 2015, reflect the emissions reductions that can be achieved by using post-combustion CCS technologies to capture and stor

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Implementing D.E.J.I. Strategies in Energy, Environment, and Transportation

Speaker: Antoine M. Thompson, Executive Director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion (DEJI) policies, programs, and initiatives are critically important as we move forward with public and private sector climate and sustainability goals and plans. Underserved and socially, economically, and racially disadvantaged communities bear the burden of pollution, higher energy costs, limited resources, and limited investments in the clean energy and transportation sectors.

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California Adopts CEQA Guidelines Aimed at Improving Consideration of GHG Emissions and Climate Change Impacts in Environmental Reviews

Law Columbia

By Jessica Wentz. On December 28, 2018, California adopted comprehensive amendments to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines , which include a suite of provisions aimed at improving the analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change impacts in state environmental reviews. These provisions touch on both climate change mitigation and adaptation, providing more detailed guidance on topics such as assessing the significance of GHG emissions, analyzing energy impac

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Low Carbon’s solution to saving the honeybee

Environment Blog

The plight of the honeybee is unsurprisingly a fast-growing concern for scientists, posing threats to our ecosystem, food security and life on this earth as we know it. So what is the future of the honeybee? If honeybees were no longer a part of our world, it’s not just their honey we’d miss; other foods that we know and love, like almonds, could cease to exist.

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A Search of a Residence in Oakland, California

Environmental Crimes

I have previously blogged about the use of passwords on cell phones and how there was an issue with using finger prints of biometrics as your password (as opposed to an actual password). Now, consider In the Matter of the Search of a Residence in Oakland, California , Case No. 4:19-mj-70053-KAW, in the United States District Court for Northern District of California.

Law 40
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Innovative Ways Environmental Engineers Are Fighting Air Pollution

AAEE

Global economy spends more than a whopping $5 trillion on annual basis in indoor and outdoor combat against air pollution. With every human made war, there is a human thought solution. Thus, air engineering has taken a stance forward towards researching and performing tasks that understand, monitor, regulate and solve air pollution. Glasgow, The ‘Sens(e)ible’… The post Innovative Ways Environmental Engineers Are Fighting Air Pollution appeared first on AAEE.net - Environmental Engineering.

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Late 2018 — Bits and Pieces

Smith Enviorment

January 30, 2019. A fall trip to South Africa, followed closely by the holidays, made October-December something of a blur. Leopard: Thornybush Game Preserve (photo G.Whaley). Leopards, lions, and zebra – oh my! Also elephants, giraffes, rhinos (of the non-political variety), Cape buffalo, baboons, uninvited monkeys at lunch, hippos, wildebeests, hyenas, warthogs and an unexpected (to me) penguin colony.

2018 52
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Onya On Tour With Plastic Free July

Onya

Taking the issue of plastic pollution worldwide. As a certified B Corporation , being socially and environmentally responsible in all aspects of our business is incredibly important to us at Onya. When Rebecca Prince-Ruiz, the Founder of Plastic Free July & The Plastic Free Foundation, mentioned to us that she was interested in doing a short speaking tour of the West Coast of the USA to spread awareness on the inspiring work being done by her organization, we were thrilled to support her eff

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Shaping a Resilient Future: Climate Impact on Vulnerable Populations

Speaker: Laurie Schoeman Director, Climate & Sustainability, Capital

As households and communities across the nation face challenges such as hurricanes, wildfires, drought, extreme heat and cold, and thawing permafrost and flooding, we are increasingly searching for ways to mitigate and prevent climate impacts. During this event, national climate and housing expert Laurie Schoeman will discuss topics including: The two paths for climate action: decarbonization and adaptation.

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Why Atomic Humanism Will Triumph Over Climate Apocalypse

Environmental Progress

Last Sunday, hundreds of pro-nuclear people in 33 cities around the world stood up for nuclear energy as a crucial technology to achieve the goals of universal prosperity and environmental protection. The positive, peaceful, and humanistic “Stand Up for Nuclear” events stood in sharp contrast to the violent protests by Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists who blocked the London subway system three days earlier.

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CEQA Case Report: Understanding the Judicial Landscape for Development

Clean Energy Law

2018 Year in Review: Public agencies prevailed in 65% of CEQA cases analyzed. By James L. Arnone , Marc T. Campopiano , Christopher W. Garrett , and Lucinda Starrett. Over the course of 2018, Latham & Watkins lawyers reviewed all 57 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) cases, both published and unpublished, that came before California appellate courts.

2017 130
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New U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Clarify the Courts’ Authority to Compel Arbitration

The Energy Law Blog

Commercial and employment agreements often include provisions requiring arbitration of disputes between the parties. Some of these agreements contain “delegation clauses” requiring the arbitrator (as opposed to a court) to decide whether the dispute is subject to arbitration. Despite such provisions, one party may sue the other because it perceives an advantage to proceeding in court or wants to test the outer limits of the arbitration provision.

Law 40
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RWE’s Garzweiler Open Pit Coal Mine Stormed by Climate Activists in Germany

Corp Watch

Hundreds of climate activists broke through a police line at RWE’s Garzweiler lignite coal mine in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany, demanding government take action against climate change. The protesters successfully halted operations for 45 hours by occupying the mine and chaining themselves to train tracks.

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Sustainability at Retail

Sustainability impacts every nation, company, and person around the world. So much so that, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) issued a call for action by all countries to work toward sustainable development. In response to this and as part of a global Sustainability at Retail initiative, Shop! worked collaboratively with its global affiliates to address these critical issues in this white paper.

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Will New Litigation Pressure Energy & Industrial Infrastructure to Prepare for Climate Change?

Law Columbia

By Dena Adler. Houston Ship Channel. Photo Credit: United States Coast Guard, PA2 James Dillard. The escalating costs of damages from extreme weather events, many exacerbated by climate change, makes poignant a question with a serious price tag: who will be on the hook to pay for climate damages? In 2018, a host of lawsuits wound their way through the courts seeking an answer, including several from localities and states alleging the responsibility of fossil fuel companies.

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Too-Clean Homes Are Harmful To Health

Environment Blog

Cleaning your home may be as bad as smoking 20 cigarettes a day, a new study published in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine claims. Asthma was found to be more common (12.3%) among women who cleaned their homes than those who didn’t. In addition to causing environmental pollution , conventional cleaners contain chemicals known to irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs, as well as cause chronic respiratory problems, allergic reactions, headaches, and even cancer.

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India Cuts Project Implementation Timelines For Solar Power Projects

Planet Save

The post India Cuts Project Implementation Timelines For Solar Power Projects appeared first on PlanetSave. Concerned over the lackluster pace of capacity addition in the solar power sector, the Indian government has made amendments to the auction and project implementation timelines. The recent amendments to. [Read full article]. The post India Cuts Project Implementation Timelines For Solar Power Projects appeared first on PlanetSave.

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A Terminal goes up in Flames – Are you prepared for the Aftermath?

Environmental Crimes

The news this week was on the Intercontinental Terminals Company plant in Deer Park, Texas – and it was not good news. A fire, potential air exceedances, release of water and foam used to fight the fire – in general, a huge mess. So now what happens? Based on the premise that the only difference between a criminal violation and civil enforcement is who gets to your door first, preparation is key.

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Gridlock, innovation and resilience in global health governance

Dario Piselli

As anticipated a few weeks ago, over the course of 2018 I had the pleasure of co-authoring an article on ‘Gridlock, Innovation and Resilience in Global Health Governance‘ with David Held, Ilona Kickbusch, Michaela Told and Kyle McNally. The article, which was accepted for publication by the Global Policy journal last December, is finally available in Continue reading "Gridlock, innovation and resilience in global health governance".

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Action: 2019 Budget

Smith Enviorment

July 9, 2019. The 2019 legislative session got off to a very slow start. Few bills moved before the May 9 deadline for substantive bills to pass one chamber of the legislature to stay alive. The pace picked up in the last month as both the House and Senate passed versions of a budget bill (House Bill 966) and then agreed on a final budget. Governor Cooper immediately vetoed the budget bill for reasons unrelated to environmental provisions.

2019 40
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Degradable vs Biodegradable vs Compostable

Onya

Why choose Certified Compostable over Degradable or Biodegradable? Quite simply, certified compostable is the only option of these three that breaks down into natural components and does not leave harmful microplastics in the environment and food chain. Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably, which can be very confusing, and often when used in a commercial setting it can be what is referred to as “green-washing”, where it is claimed that just because a product is labeled as e

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Better policy monitoring required to underpin decarbonisation

Environmental Europe

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 25) is currently underway. The success of the Paris Agreement depends on the effective monitoring of climate policy measures. Political scientists at TU Darmstadt explain in a new study what it takes to achieve this. The signatories of the 2015 Paris Agreement not only agreed to limit global warming to well below two degrees, but each country also put forward concrete measures to reduce greenhouse gases and secure financial support.

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EPA Will Not Require Financial Assurances From Electric Power Sector

Clean Energy Law

EPA’s decision to forego financial requirements will likely face opposition by eNGOs. By Claudia M. O’Brien and Stacey L. VanBelleghem. On July 2, 2019, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its proposed decision not to impose new financial responsibility requirements on the Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution industry under Section 108(b) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), following nearly a decade of lit

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U.S. Supreme Court Addresses Circuit Split Regarding “Bare Metal” Defense in Products Liability Action Under General Maritime Law

The Energy Law Blog

In Air & Liquid Systems Corp. v. Devries , No. 17-1104, — S. Ct. —, 2019 WL 1245520 (U.S. March 19, 2019), the U.S. Supreme Court resolved a circuit split regarding maritime law and the “bare metal” defense, namely whether manufacturers have a duty to warn when their bare metal product requires later incorporation of a dangerous part in order for the integrated product to function as intended.

Law 52
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Brazilian court orders Vale to pay for worst industrial accident in Brazil’s history

Corp Watch

A Brazilian judge has ordered Vale to compensate families of some 300 people killed at the company’s Córrego do Feijão iron ore mine when a dam built to hold waste collapsed on January 25, 2019, near the town of Brumadinho in the state of Minas Gerais.

Waste 52
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Big Climate Win Down Under: Australian Court Blocks Coal Mine Citing Negative Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Law Columbia

Photo of scenic Gloucester Valley by Groundswell Gloucester. By Dena Adler. A groundbreaking ruling will break no new ground for a proposed Australian coal mine. On February 8, 2019, the Land & Environment Court of New South Wales upheld the government’s denial of an application by Gloucester Resources Limited to construct an open cut coal mine in New South Wales (NSW).

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Eco-Friendly Gardening

Environment Blog

There has been an emphasis over the past few years for us to move towards a more environmentally respectful manner in all aspects of our lives. One place which many people don’t think about is the one place in our homes which is physically green; the garden. Looking to make your garden eco-friendlier? Here are some of our top tips to help you do so.

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Ørsted Cancels Divestment Of Power Distribution & Residential Customer Businesses

Planet Save

The post Ørsted Cancels Divestment Of Power Distribution & Residential Customer Businesses appeared first on PlanetSave. Ørsted Cancels Divestment Of Power Distribution & Residential Customer Businesses Under Government Pressure A day after Danish energy company Ørsted announced that the Danish Ministry of Finance had raised concerns. [Read full article].

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Citizen Suits and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans

Environmental Crimes

Enforcement by the USEPA is down by just about any metric measuring the enforcement of environmental laws. This has left an enforcement void.  But that void is being partially filled.  Environmental groups and enterprising plaintiffs’ firms are now using the citizen suit provisions of the Clean Water Act as a business model. And it seems that California is leading the way.  Numerous sixty-day notices have been served on businesses.  In one instance, the requested damages

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Collaboration with University of Eastern Finland and UN Environment Course on MEAs

Dario Piselli

I am happy to announce that, as part of my role with the Jean Monnet Module on European Union Law and Sustainable Development, I will be one of the co-organizers of the prestigious University of Eastern Finland / United Nations Environment Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. Pursuant to the agreement reached between EULawSD and UEF, Continue reading "Collaboration with University of Eastern Finland and UN Environment Course on MEAs".

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2019 Legislation: The Budget

Smith Enviorment

December 4, 2019. The 2019 legislative session was distinguished by its slow pace and lack of movement on significant legislation until very late in the session. The session finally ended in late October — and then reconvened to take up redistricting. The session failed to produce a comprehensive two-year budget. Governor Cooper vetoed the budget bill passed by the two chambers ( H 966 ).

2019 40
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Climate Strike Perth, Western Australia

Onya

Why strike for climate? At Onya, we believe that all of us benefit from living in a healthy, stable climate. As a certified B Corporation, being socially and environmentally responsible is incredibly important to us so we’re proud to announce that on 20 September 2019 here at Onya it was not business as usual as we supported our employees to get involved and participate in the Global Climate Strike happening in Perth.

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Why doing more exercise won't help you burn more calories

New Scientist

Forget the idea that to lose weight you just need to work off more calories than you consume.

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Air District Targets Southern California Logistics Industry

Clean Energy Law

A local air district is developing a rule that would require both existing and proposed warehouses to reduce trucking emissions or pay a mitigation fee. By Joshua T. Bledsoe. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD or District) is developing a so-called Indirect Source Rule (ISR) that would require Southern California warehouses to reduce emissions associated with trucking activity and on-site equipment.

Ozone 130