Air Quality and Climate Change

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William Jefferson Clinton Federal Building In Washington DC

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…

Muir Woods

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…

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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…

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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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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…

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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…

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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.