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EPA’s electronic mailbox is open for requests from stationary sources until March 31.

By Karl A. Karg, Stacey L. VanBelleghem, and Bruce M. Johnson

In March 2025, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has set up an electronic mailbox to allow stationary sources to request a presidential exemption from certain standards under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

Section 112 requires EPA to establish emission standards for certain stationary sources of hazardous air pollutants. Section 112 also includes a provision that enables the president to exempt stationary sources from compliance with any standard or limitation under Section 112 for up to two years if “the President determines that the technology to implement such standard is not available and that it is in the national security interests of the United States to do so.” 42 U.S.C. § 7412(i)(4). Section 112(i)(4) also provides that such an exemption may be extended “for 1 or more additional periods, each period not to exceed 2 years.”

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Affected landowners may be able to avail themselves of certain protections under state and federal environmental laws.

By Aron Potash and Cody M. Kermanian

In the aftermath of the wildfires in the Los Angeles area in January 2025, a cleanup effort is underway to facilitate the safe return of residents to their homes in Altadena and Pacific Palisades. The federal government is leading the effort in coordination with various state and local agencies, and the government has reported significant progress…

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The Commission’s proposal seeks to reshape EU Sustainability requirements by amending CSRD, CSDDD, EU Taxonomy, and CBAM.

By José María Alonso, Paul A. Davies, Fabrice Fages, Michael D. Green, Nicola Higgs, David Little, Cesare Milani, Axel Schiemann, James Bee, and Toon Dictus

On 26 February 2025, the European Commission (Commission) published its much-anticipated first Omnibus Package. This first Omnibus package regarding sustainability contains a set of legislative proposals designed to…

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The Compass aims to address concerns about productivity and maintain Europe’s leading role in sustainable innovation and climate neutrality.

By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee

On 29 January 2025, the European Commission (the Commission) launched the Competitiveness Compass, a strategic initiative that builds on the work undertaken by Mario Draghi. His report, commonly known as the Draghi Report, identified that the EU could no longer rely on many of the essential elements to the…

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The proposal represents a step forward for carbon capture and storage projects in the state and could accelerate the permitting process.

By Nikki Buffa, Jennifer Roy, Joshua Bledsoe, and Samantha Yeager

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed a significant regulatory change that could expedite the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in West Virginia. A proposed rule published on November 27, 2024 would grant the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) primary enforcement authority, or “primacy,” for permitting Class VI Underground Injection Control (UIC) wells. These wells are used for geologic sequestration of anthropogenic carbon dioxide, which has been identified as a key component in meeting greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets and advancing energy security.

On December 28, 2023, EPA granted primacy to Louisiana. Louisiana is the third state to receive this delegation of regulatory authority from the EPA, following North Dakota in 2018 and Wyoming in 2020. If West Virginia ultimately is granted primacy, it will become the fourth state to have Class VI UIC well permitting authority.

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The Prime Minister announced the new UK target of an 81% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.

By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee

On 12 November 2024, the UK government announced a new climate target to reduce the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions by 81% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels. The target forms part of the UK’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which outlines commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate climate change. The UK government announced that the revised NDC is aligned with the goal of limiting global temperature rises to 1.5°C, which was outlined in the Paris Agreement.

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South Korea’s Constitutional Court has issued a “first of its kind” decision in Asia, requiring South Korea to update its greenhouse gas reduction targets.

By Paul A. Davies, Wonsuk (Steve) Kang, Michael D. Green, James Bee, Stephanie Forrest, and Jiou (Alex) Park

On 29 August 2024, South Korea’s Constitutional Court (the Court) ruled unanimously that a provision of the 2021 Framework Act on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth for Coping with Climate Crisis (the Framework)…

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The key principles for a Carbon Management Strategy and draft act on the revision of the Carbon Storage Act create new opportunities for investors and project developers.

By Tobias Larisch, Alexander “Stefan” Rieger, John-Patrick Sweny, Jean-Philippe Brisson, and Joachim Grittmann

The German Federal Government’s Carbon Management Strategy and the revision of the Carbon Storage Act (Kohlendioxid-Speicherungsgesetz, KSpG) aim to remove current obstacles to (i) Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and (ii) Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU)…