The order aims to coordinate government efforts to fast-track permitting and accelerate funding to enhance critical minerals value chains from the mine to finished products.
By Nikki Buffa, Devin M. O’Connor, and Austin J. Pierce
On March 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order titled “Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production” (the Order). The Order, which we noted in our blog post Week 9 in Review, represents another step by the Trump administration to expand
The Clean Industrial Deal aims to establish a joint roadmap for competitiveness and decarbonisation.
By Paul Davies, Michael Green, JP Sweny, Alexander Buckeridge-Hocking, Toon Dictus, and Nick Scott
On 26 February 2025, the European Commission (the Commission) unveiled the Clean Industrial Deal (the Deal), a strategy designed to bolster Europe’s industrial competitiveness while advancing decarbonisation efforts. The Deal seeks to integrate climate action with industrial, economic, and trade policies to position Europe as a
Paramount to the ruling in the upcoming May 5, 2025, hearing is the likelihood that strict scrutiny will apply to the plaintiffs’ First Amendment claims against SB 253 and SB 261.
By Joshua Bledsoe, Nikki Buffa, Betty M. Huber, and Matthew Green
On February 25, 2025, in Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America et al. v. California Air Resources Board et al.,1 the plaintiffs in the US District Court for the Central
This grant of authority could accelerate the permitting process for carbon capture and storage projects in the state.
By Joshua T. Bledsoe, Nikki Buffa, Jennifer Roy, and Samantha Yeager
On February 18, 2025, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved a final rule granting West Virginia primary enforcement authority, or “primacy,” for permitting Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) wells under the Safe Drinking Water Act, marking a step forward for carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects
Supremacy Clause and Dormant Commerce Clause claims against SB 253 and SB 261 were dismissed, while claims under the First Amendment proceed to discovery.
By Joshua Bledsoe, Nikki Buffa, Betty M. Huber, and Matthew Green
On February 3, 2025, in Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America et al. v. California Air Resources Board et al.,1 the US District Court for the Central District of California granted the state’s motion to dismiss the
Stakeholders should anticipate potential delays and market impacts amid the ongoing legal challenges and the Office of Administrative Law’s recent disapproval.
By Joshua Bledsoe, Winston Stromberg, Brian McCall, and Samantha Yeager
Environmental groups and a biofuel trade association are challenging the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB’s) November 2024 amendments to the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program (LCFS or the Program). The environmental groups allege that CARB violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in adopting the
President Trump’s orders, which include withdrawing from international climate agreements and declaring an energy emergency, emphasize domestic production and regulatory reform.
By Nikki Buffa, Devin O’Connor, Janice Schneider, Stacey VanBelleghem, and Brian McCall
On the first day of his second term in office, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders and memoranda that signal a significant shift in US energy and environmental policy. These actions aim to reshape the regulatory landscape, prioritize domestic conventional
Mandatory ESG reporting, new AI tools for ESG data management, and rising litigation risk are just some of the hot topics this year.
By Paul A. Davies and Betty M. Huber
Through the course of 2024, the development of the ESG and sustainability landscape was dynamic. We anticipate that this dynamism will intensify in 2025, given the implementation and potential amendment of ESG-related regulations and significant geopolitical developments around the globe.
Companies, investors, and asset holders will need to remain
CARB will not penalize reporting entities for incomplete Scope 1 and 2 emissions disclosures under SB 253, irritating lawmakers and raising the specter of oversight hearings.
By Joshua Bledsoe, Nikki Buffa, Betty M. Huber, and Matthew Green
On December 5, 2024, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued an Enforcement Notice for Senate Bill 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253),1 stating that CARB will not penalize in-scope entities for incomplete compliance
In-scope entities should keep preparing for compliance with Senate Bills 253 and 261 as the lawsuit proceeds past an initial summary judgment motion.
By Joshua Bledsoe, Betty Huber, Nicole Valco, and Matthew Green
On November 5, 2024, in Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America et al. v. California Air Resources Board et al.,1 the US District Court for the Central District of California denied plaintiffs’ summary judgment motion which sought to declare