Environment, Land & Resources

Category Archives: Air Quality and Climate Change

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US Government Announces New Hydrogen Demand-Side Initiative

The US Department of Energy has committed $1 billion to support clean hydrogen offtakers to kickstart the hydrogen economy. By Joshua T. Bledsoe and Kevin A. Homrighausen On July 5, 2023, the US Department of Energy (DOE) released a Notice of Intent (NOI) to invest up to $1 billion in a mechanism to develop reliable … Continue Reading

European Deforestation Regulation Enters Into Force

The regulation aims to minimise the EU’s contribution to deforestation and forest degradation. By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee The European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) entered into force on 29 June 2023, following publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. However, the main requirements and prohibitions of the EUDR will … Continue Reading

5 Things to Know About EPA’s Proposed Power Plant CO2 Emissions Rule

EPA’s long-awaited proposal would set aggressive emission reduction targets with many different approaches and timelines to achieve them. By Stacey L. VanBelleghem and Jennifer Garlock On May 11, 2023, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its proposed rule[1] to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from electric generating units (EGUs) at power plants under Section … Continue Reading

US Warehouse Regulation Lawsuit Reaches Critical Stage

A federal court heard motions for summary judgment in challenge to first-in-nation rule requiring warehouses to adopt clean technologies. By Joshua Bledsoe, Nick Cox, and Jennifer Garlock On April 17, 2023, a US federal judge heard arguments in a lawsuit challenging the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD or the District) adoption of Rule … Continue Reading

European Commission Consults on Further EU Taxonomy Environmental Objectives

The Commission is also consulting on proposed targeted amendments to the Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act and on the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act. By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee On 5 April 2023 the European Commission opened a consultation on its proposal for four additional environmental objectives under the EU Taxonomy Regulation[1] (the Taxonomy), including: … Continue Reading

European Commission Adopts Proposal to Promote Repair of Goods

As part of the European Green Deal ambitions, the proposal encourages sustainable consumption through additional incentives to repair products to reduce waste and emissions. By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee On 22 March 2023, the European Commission (Commission) adopted a new proposal on common rules promoting the repair of goods (the … Continue Reading

European Commission Proposes Net Zero Industry Act and Critical Raw Materials Act

The proposals form part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan and aim to scale up technology and materials for the energy transition. By Paul A. Davies, Beatrice Lo, JP Sweny, Alexander Buckeridge-Hocking, Michael D. Green, and James Bee On 16 March 2023, the European Commission (Commission) formally proposed two legislative initiatives and announced the development … Continue Reading

European Commission Releases Communication on the Green Deal Industrial Plan

The Plan aims to “simplify, accelerate and align incentives to preserve the competitiveness and attractiveness of the EU as an investment location for the net-zero industry”[1]. By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee On 1 February 2023, the European Commission (Commission) presented a proposal for a Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age (the … Continue Reading

CARB Adopts Final 2022 Scoping Plan

The plan accelerates already ambitious climate goals for California and charts a course to carbon neutrality by 2045. By Joshua Bledsoe, Jen Garlock, and Brian McCall On December 15, 2022, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted its Final 2022 Scoping Plan for Achieving Carbon Neutrality (Final Scoping Plan). Assembly Bill (AB) 32 requires CARB … Continue Reading

Study: Growing Wildfire Risks Threatening California’s Climate Policies

The 2020 wildfire season alone released more carbon dioxide than what California reduced through years of emission cuts. By Marc Campopiano and Joshua Bledsoe California is a recognized leader in climate policy, but a wildfire crisis is threatening to unwind progress towards the state’s ambitious climate goals. In 2006, with the passage of AB 32, … Continue Reading

CARB Finalizes Zero-Emission Auto Rules

California continues to push toward its statewide carbon-neutrality goals. By Arthur F. Foerster and Joshua Bledsoe On August 25, 2022, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) unanimously approved regulations that require all new 2035 and later passenger vehicles to be zero-emission vehicles. The agency’s “Advanced Clean Cars II” regulations require manufacturers to deliver an increasing … Continue Reading

California Legislature to Consider Aggressive Climate Targets

Governor Newsom introduces five ambitious proposals that could alter California’s climate policy for years to come. By JP Brisson, Nikki Buffa, Marc Campopiano, Jennifer Roy, Michael Dreibelbis, Aron Potash, and Alicia Robinson On August 12, 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom submitted five climate proposals (the Climate Proposals) to the California legislature in the waning days … Continue Reading

TNFD Releases Second Version of Its Disclosure Framework

The second version includes guidance on metrics and how companies can conduct dependency and impact evaluation. By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, Austin J. Pierce, and James Bee On 28 June 2022, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) released version 0.2 of its framework for nature-related risk and opportunity management and disclosure (the Framework). The announcement … Continue Reading

Canada Launches Its First Federal Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System

The system aims to stimulate innovation in GHG-reduction activities as part of the country’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. By JP Brisson, Michael Dreibelbis, and Alicia Robinson On June 8, 2022, Canada launched the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Offset Credit System (the System) to create a “market-based incentive to undertake innovative projects that reduce greenhouse gases.”[1] The … Continue Reading

Supreme Court Rejects EPA’s Authority to Force Power Generation Shifting Under Clean Air Act

The decision will limit EPA’s options for future regulation of existing power plant GHG emissions and may have broader implications for other federal agency rulemakings. By Stacey L. VanBelleghem, Karl A. Karg, and Malorie R. Medellin On June 30, 2022, the US Supreme Court issued its long-awaited ruling in West Virginia v. EPA — the … Continue Reading

California Air Resources Board Releases Draft Scoping Plan Update (Part 4)

CARB addresses California’s increasingly severe climate impacts. By Joshua T. Bledsoe and Kevin Homrighausen On May 10, 2022, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released its Draft 2022 Scoping Plan Update (Draft Scoping Plan) for public review and comment. Assembly Bill 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, requires CARB to develop and … Continue Reading
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