From Stephen C. Jones of GT Philadelphia:

The Western Climate Initiative (WCI) is a consortium of states and Canadian provinces which, as of 2012, are supposed to initiate a regional greenhouse gas cap and trade program.  Given that the proposed Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord seems to be going nowhere, WCI would be the only US cap and trade program other than the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and the only such program that attempts to cover all segments of the economy.  Arizona and several other states have indicated over the last year or two that they will not be ready to participate.  This has left only two states, California and New Mexico, that were making any significant progress toward participating in WCI.  Last week, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez sent a strong signal that New Mexico is reconsidering its participation.  Citing their "anti-business stance," Governor Martinez has dismissed all members of the state’s Environmental Improvement Board that cast votes approving New Mexico’s cap and trade regulations.  Whether the next step will be the repeal of the regulations is not clear, but it is appearing more and more likely that California, and perhaps a few Canadian provinces, will be the only members of WCI.

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Photo of Caleb Holmes Caleb Holmes

Caleb’s practice focuses on complex environmental litigation and environmental compliance. Caleb has represented clients in state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings. In his environmental litigation practice, Caleb often represents corporate clients in cost recovery, contribution and government enforcement actions under Comprehensive

Caleb’s practice focuses on complex environmental litigation and environmental compliance. Caleb has represented clients in state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings. In his environmental litigation practice, Caleb often represents corporate clients in cost recovery, contribution and government enforcement actions under Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Caleb has litigated such matters through trial and has also helped clients negotiate and settle matters. He has worked with clients on cases involving a wide variety of contaminants, including but not limited to PCBs, PFAS, and dioxins. Caleb also has broad experience litigating complex commercial litigation, including products liability and mass tort/toxic tort matters. He has a depth of experience with all aspects of discovery, including work with experts, taking and defending depositions, motion practice, trial preparation and settlement negotiation.

Caleb provides practical advice to clients in the acquisition and disposition of businesses and assets and the re-development of brownfield sites. He works with clients to achieve compliance with state-specific voluntary cleanup programs, including Pennsylvania’s Land Recycling Program (Act 2).

Caleb counsels clients on compliance with a broad range of federal and state environmental laws, including RCRA, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and a host of other federal and state environmental laws.

In addition to his legal work, Caleb is active in various professional and civic organizations. He is currently serving as the Council’s Secretary for the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Environmental and Energy Law Section.