West Virginia vs. EPA: An Environmental Regulations Case with Broad Implications for Agency Power
In 2015, EPA proposed a rule requiring states to develop plans to cut CO2 emissions from the power sector—the Clean Power Plan (“CPP”). EPA explained the rule would result in “significant emission reductions” for that sector,...more
While still a newly minted lawyer early in 1977, I had the good fortune to land a job with the then brand-new Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. This coincided with the 1976 election of Jimmy Carter as...more
Asia is at the forefront of the global challenge to balance economic development, climate adaptation and mitigation, and energy security. The region is diverse, dynamic and pragmatic, facing both the risks and opportunities...more
The UAE published its long-awaited hydrogen strategy last week, aiming to outline the key steps needed to position the UAE as a top global producer of low carbon hydrogen by 2031 and to support the UAE’s announced target of...more
On November 1, 2023, the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, in a five-judge panel decision, issued a long-awaited ruling denying the authority of the executive branch, through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental...more
Many have characterized West Virginia v. EPA as a decision depriving EPA of an important tool to address climate change under the Clean Air Act. The decision is better viewed as steering EPA away from a flawed regulatory...more
On February 14, 2022, the federal government announced the launch of the Output-Based Pricing System Proceeds Fund (the OBPS Proceeds Fund), which will aggregate the proceeds received by virtue of the federal Output-Based...more
As the country, policymakers and industry focus on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, carbon capture use and sequestration (CCUS) has become an important piece of the solution. CCUS is capturing carbon dioxide (CO2)...more
The Obama administration adopted the Clean Power Plan to reduce power sector greenhouse gas emissions in line with its commitments under the Paris Agreement climate accord. The Clean Power Plan invoked Clean Air Act §...more
It is an exciting time in the Canadian energy industry, but also a pivotal one. We need to maximize the value of our current energy resources, and continue to develop new lower-carbon sources that customers want to buy, to...more
The Carbon Quarterly is a newsletter covering developments in carbon policy, law, and innovation worth paying attention to. No matter your views on climate change policy, there is no avoiding an increasing focus on carbon...more
This is the second issue of WilmerHale’s 10-in-10 Hot Topics in Energy Series. Over the next 10 weeks, our attorneys will share insights on current and emerging issues affecting the US energy sector. Attorneys from across...more
The Trump Administration announced a long-awaited proposal to roll back the Obama-era Clean Power Plan late last month. (Chicago Tribune). The action had been promised by the President and his appointees at EPA, who pursued...more
Likely not. While most EPA observers are focused on repeal of the prior administration’s Clean Power Plan (“CPP”) rule limiting CO2 emissions from power plants, there is less focus on the CPP replacement rule EPA is presently...more
On May 7, 2018, the Government of British Columbia introduced Bill 34 to amend the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets Act. The Bill re-establishes the province’s greenhouse-gas reduction targets, and broadens the regulatory...more
In this four-part series, we revisit 2017’s biggest developments in Energy & Sustainability-related news, milestones, policy changes, and financial transactions. This is the third installment of the series...more
US. REGULATORY AND LITIGATION DEVELOPMENTS - EPA PROPOSES TO RESCIND CLEAN POWER PLAN - What EPA Did - In a decision expected and promised since the election of President Donald Trump, the United States...more
On Monday, October 16, 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register, marking the start of the formal process to repeal the Clean Power Plan (“CPP”)....more
President Trump is spearheading a government-wide roll back of Obama Era climate initiatives. The president and his EPA Administrator, Scott Pruitt, have delivered a one-two punch. They both have denied the impact of human...more
Sustainable Development Focus - California and New York just sued to protect Obama’s final energy rules - Washington Post - Jun 14 - Eleven states, led by California and New York, have sued the Trump...more
Trump quits the Paris climate accord, denouncing it as a violation of U.S. sovereignty - Los Angeles Times - Jun 1 - The U.S. will pull out of the Paris accord on global warming, President Trump announced Thursday....more
Our March edition of Energy Technology Connections brings you recent industry highlights and features a list of upcoming energy industry events throughout the nation. If you enjoy learning about new technology as much as we...more
On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed an executive order titled "Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth" that reverses or materially alters many of the actions that the federal government undertook during the...more
Yesterday the White House released its highly anticipated Energy Independence Executive Order (EO). The EO signals the White House’s fulfillment of a campaign promise—to roll back the various elements of the Climate Action...more
With federal climate change regulations facing an uncertain future, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) recently released a far-reaching new plan to reduce the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 40 percent below...more