The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on April 28, 2025, that it has issued an emergency fuel waiver allowing the sale of gasoline blended with 15 percent ethanol (E15) nationwide in summer 2025. EPA notes...more
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on Feb. 12, 2025, announced a $782 million first advance under a $1.67 billion loan guarantee for the development of sustainable aviation fuel from the Loan Programs Office (LPO). This...more
The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) aviation consumer protection regulations may once again face scrutiny and be rolled back under the new Trump Administration—just as they were during Trump’s first Administration. There...more
California and five major automakers finalize deal on vehicle emissions standards - The New York Times – August 17 - The California Air Resources Board (CARB) this Monday finalized “Settlement Agreements” with five of...more
Led by California, 23 states, including Massachusetts, have sued the Trump administration challenging new federal regulations that strip the states’ authority to set their own vehicle emissions standards. On December 3, 2019,...more
The Trump Administration’s recent lawsuit against California’s climate change policies has cast a spotlight on a stark and troubling reality. U.S. v. California is just the latest salvo in a sustained, direct assault by EPA...more
Multi-state coalition’s lawsuit challenges Trump EPA withdrawal of California Clean Air Act waiver. EPA formally announced its decision to withdraw California’s 2013 Clean Air Act waiver, which allowed the state to set its...more
Focus - EPA will not approve labels that say Roundup chemical causes cancer - U.S. News & World Report – August 8 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced this Thursday that it will not approve...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
Focus - Supreme Court deals a setback to the endangered dusky gopher frog - WASHINGTON POST - Nov 27 The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a unanimous win to property owners contesting the government's designation of...more
Activists Have a New Strategy to Block Gas Pipelines: State's Rights - "It already has worked in New York where construction on the Constitution Pipeline has stalled. Now activists are trying the strategy in Oregon." ...more
Federal Agency Halts All Work on Atlantic Coast Pipeline After Judges Revoke Permits - "The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission sent a letter to Dominion Energy, the company leading construction of the 600-mile pipeline,...more
Focus - Rejecting California's right to set fuel efficiency standards, Trump administration to freeze standards nationwide - THE WASHINGTON POST - Jul 24 Trump administration officials are preparing to issue a proposal...more
U.S. Agencies Agree to Slash Approval Times for Infrastructure Projects - "More than a dozen federal agencies agreed to slash the time needed for environmental reviews and permitting on major infrastructure projects, a...more
Congress returned from its spring recess with a host of issues to address—trade, Trump administration nominations and opioid legislation sitting atop the priority list. Given the ongoing data scandal at Facebook, privacy...more
Environmental and Policy Focus - States sue Trump administration over fuel economy fines - ABC News - Sep 11 - New York, California, and three other states are suing the Trump administration, saying it must put...more
Even as the Trump administration is calling into question whether it will remain committed to Obama-era fuel economy and emissions targets, state governments are stepping up to enforce those same targets....more
One of the more aggressive steps taken by the Obama administration to reduce carbon emissions was to have the EPA set an ambitious target for Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards: 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. In...more