California Senate Bill 261 (the Climate-Related Financial Risk Act; SB 261) requires certain businesses to submit biennial disclosures of climate-related financial risks, as well as the measures they have implemented to reduce such risks.
California’s Cap-and-Trade Is Extended and Becomes ‘Cap-and-Invest’ in Package of New Energy Laws
At the end of its legislative session, the California legislature passed AB 1207 and SB 840 to extend and introduce new measures for California’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions Cap-and-Trade program.
Continue Reading California’s Cap-and-Trade Is Extended and Becomes ‘Cap-and-Invest’ in Package of New Energy Laws
California Enacts New Electric Transmission Financing Programs and Adds to Its Wildfire Fund
The state of California has adopted SB 254, a comprehensive energy bill designed to reform the state’s utility regulation and development of clean energy infrastructure, with the goal of reducing electricity costs, improving wildfire safety, and accelerating the state’s transition to clean energy.
Continue Reading California Enacts New Electric Transmission Financing Programs and Adds to Its Wildfire Fund
California Enacts SB 237 to Streamline New Oil Well Permits in Kern County and Increase Output
California faces refinery closures, high fuel costs, and reduced oil demand, the combination of which have contributed to concerns regarding potential impacts on price volatility.
Continue Reading California Enacts SB 237 to Streamline New Oil Well Permits in Kern County and Increase Output
DC Circuit Reinstates Title V Emergency Affirmative Defense
On Sept. 5, 2025, the D.C. Circuit reversed EPA’s 2023 rule rescinding the “startup, shutdown and malfunction” (SSM) affirmative defense under the Title V permitting program. The decision carries implications for Title V programs nationwide and for stationary source regulations more broadly.
Continue Reading DC Circuit Reinstates Title V Emergency Affirmative Defense
New York State Building and Energy Codes and Federal HFC Rollback Efforts: Navigating Regulatory Challenges for Developers
In 2023, New York State amended its laws to require updates to New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Uniform Code) and the State Energy Conservation Construction Code
The Cultural Value of Natural Resources
An appellate decision earlier this month addressing the cultural value of a fishery resource for purposes of a natural resources damages claim raises issues worth thinking about, not only with respect to NRD claims but also with respect to our own Environmental Rights Amendment.
Continue Reading The Cultural Value of Natural Resources
California’s New Western Regional Electricity Market and Expanded Renewable Market
The California Independent System Operator (CAISO) currently operates an electricity grid that is largely limited to the state of California.
Continue Reading California’s New Western Regional Electricity Market and Expanded Renewable Market
Recent Federal Developments May Undercut the Clean Air Act
On Sept. 4, 2025, EPA released its Semiannual Regulatory Agenda, signaling that the Agency is expected to continue to focus its deregulatory efforts on rules and regulations under the CAA in furtherance of this administration’s policy to increase domestic energy production and supply by easing rules on producers
Continue Reading Recent Federal Developments May Undercut the Clean Air Act
A Turning Point for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulation: EPA Seeks to Repeal its Endangerment Finding
On Aug. 1, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated a major climate policy shift by proposing to rescind its 2009 Endangerment Finding, which has been the basis of many regulatory efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from both mobile and stationary sources.
Continue Reading A Turning Point for Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulation: EPA Seeks to Repeal its Endangerment Finding